A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.

A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.

A force generating apparatus is configured to induce a force on at least a portion of objects of interest within a first channel system between a first point and a second point, where the average force comprises a non-zero component directed from the first point towards the second point. The magnitude of the associated change in the thermodynamic properties of the objects of interest between two given points within the first channel system is a function of the relevant properties of the channel system, such as the shear stress coefficient or the resistivity of the channel system to bulk flow of objects of interest. A second channel system can comprise a first point and a second point, and the second point of the second channel system can be diffusively coupled to the second point in the first channel system. The relevant properties of the second channel system can be configured to be different to the relevant properties of the first channel system. The difference in the magnitude of the change of thermodynamic properties between the first and second points in the first channel system and the second channel system can be employed to increase the pressure of objects of interest in a second reservoir relative to a first reservoir. A pressure modification apparatus and method can be used to convert thermal energy into useful energy, such as mechanical work or electricity, for example.

A force generating apparatus is configured to induce a force on at least a portion of objects of interest within a first channel system between a first point and a second point, where the average force comprises a non-zero component directed from the first point towards the second point. The magnitude of the associated change in the thermodynamic properties of the objects of interest between two given points within the first channel system is a function of the relevant properties of the channel system, such as the shear stress coefficient or the resistivity of the channel system to bulk flow of objects of interest. A second channel system can comprise a first point and a second point, and the second point of the second channel system can be diffusively coupled to the second point in the first channel system. The relevant properties of the second channel system can be configured to be different to the relevant properties of the first channel system. The difference in the magnitude of the change of thermodynamic properties between the first and second points in the first channel system and the second channel system can be employed to increase the pressure of objects of interest in a second reservoir relative to a first reservoir. A pressure modification apparatus and method can be used to convert thermal energy into useful energy, such as mechanical work or electricity, for example.

A chip conveyor includes: a cover body; a guide plate configured to guide chips, which are conveyed inside the cover body, so as to be directed from a chip receiving position toward a chip discharging position; a case attached to the cover body and having an internal space provided therein; and a float switch configured to detect, based on a coolant flowing from inside the cover body into the internal space, that a liquid level of the coolant inside the cover body is equal to or greater than a prescribed liquid level. The cover body includes a first space and a second space that are partitioned from each other by the guide plate. The cover body is provided with: a first opening allowing communication between the first space and the internal space; and a second opening allowing communication between the second space and the internal space.

A chip conveyor includes: a cover body; a guide plate configured to guide chips, which are conveyed inside the cover body, so as to be directed from a chip receiving position toward a chip discharging position; a case attached to the cover body and having an internal space provided therein; and a float switch configured to detect, based on a coolant flowing from inside the cover body into the internal space, that a liquid level of the coolant inside the cover body is equal to or greater than a prescribed liquid level. The cover body includes a first space and a second space that are partitioned from each other by the guide plate. The cover body is provided with: a first opening allowing communication between the first space and the internal space; and a second opening allowing communication between the second space and the internal space.

A washing appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable within a tub about a vertical rotational axis. An impeller is positioned within a lower portion of the drum and is rotationally operable about the vertical rotational axis. The impeller includes a plurality of flow channels that extend below the impeller and between the impeller and the tub. A receiver is positioned at a top of the impeller and includes apertures that are in communication with the respective flow channels. A filtering cap is disposed on a top of the receiver and positioned within a medial horizontal level of the tub. The filtering cap includes inlets that direct a toroidal flow into a removable particulate chamber positioned within the filtering cap. The toroidal flow is further directed through the respective flow channels to continue through the toroidal flow within the drum.

A washing appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable within a tub about a vertical rotational axis. An impeller is positioned within a lower portion of the drum and is rotationally operable about the vertical rotational axis. The impeller includes a plurality of flow channels that extend below the impeller and between the impeller and the tub. A receiver is positioned at a top of the impeller and includes apertures that are in communication with the respective flow channels. A filtering cap is disposed on a top of the receiver and positioned within a medial horizontal level of the tub. The filtering cap includes inlets that direct a toroidal flow into a removable particulate chamber positioned within the filtering cap. The toroidal flow is further directed through the respective flow channels to continue through the toroidal flow within the drum.

A filtration device efficiently sizes removal of unnecessary substances adhering to and deposited on a filter medium of a filter element during filtration and backwashing (cleaning) from target (non-filtered) substances. The filter element captures substances in a fluid on one surface of a filter medium. The captured substances are separated from the filter medium during backwashing. A brush moves relative to the one surface of the filter medium and assists in separating the captured substances and sifting during the relative movement. The backwashing starts when a differential pressure between both surfaces of the filter medium exceeds a predetermined value, or the like while performing the filtration, and returns to filtration after the differential pressure is eliminated or after a predetermined time elapses. The brush sifts the unnecessary substances from the captured substances and passes the removal to the other surface side during the filtration.

A rotary drum filter comprising one or more divider plates disposed between the drum's outer surface and grids disposed radially outward from the drum's outer surface. The divider plates are desirably diagonally disposed along the drum's outer surface and have at least one end disposed near a drainage hole. The divider plates and open sections under the grids between circumferentially adjacent grids permits filtrate to flow under the grids. The divider plates and open sections under the grids permit the filtrate to flow into the nearest drainage hole while increasing the run underneath the grids, thereby permitting more filtrate to exit through a limited number of drainage holes.