A sea strainer can include multiple strainers in a configuration for operation to supply strained sea water to a vessel's engines and to perform backflushing of one of the strainers while another of the strainers continues to provide strained sea water to the vessel's engines. A flush pump can be provided to pump water through the strainer to be backflushed as part of the flushing operation.

The filter (1) according to the invention with vertical plates (2) includes plates (2) each including a tube (200) connected to an external manifold (5, 50, 51, 52), and said filter (1) is characterized in that it includes at least two external manifolds (5, 50, 51, 52), in that, for all the plates (2), two adjacent plates (2) are connected to two different external manifolds (5, 50, 51, 52) and in that each plate (2) includes at least one filter element (22), each filter element (22) being constituted of at least two drains (220) and a cloth (221), the (221) having compartments (222) in each of which a drain (220) is inserted. By not discharging two adjacent plates (2) at the same time, only one of the two facing cakes (6) is detached rather than both of them. The construction of these plates (2) enables low inflation of the cloth (221) during discharge and therefore limited movement of the cake (6). It is therefore possible to reduce the space provided between the plates (2) with no risk of causing jams fatal to the operation of the filter (1) when the cakes (6) fall off and with no risk of pressing the discharged cakes (6) onto the plates (2) during filtration. This makes it possible to increase the number of plates (2) in the filter (1).

A method for removing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from a filter, and for filtering liquid using diatomaceous earth is provided. Embodiments of the method can include a washdown process, a backwash process, and a filtering process. Some embodiments can include one or more filter cartridges with cartridge tubes to increase flow during the backwash process. Some embodiments can also include a backwash sprayer to disturb contaminants during the backwash process.

A method for removing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from a filter, and for filtering liquid using diatomaceous earth is provided. Embodiments of the method can include a washdown process, a backwash process, and a filtering process. Some embodiments can include one or more filter cartridges with cartridge tubes to increase flow during the backwash process. Some embodiments can also include a backwash sprayer to disturb contaminants during the backwash process.

A system. The system includes a reuseable oil filter, a first port, a second port and a valve assembly. The reuseable oil filter has an inlet and an outlet, and includes a housing and a filter element positioned within the housing. The valve assembly is in selective fluid communication with the reuseable oil filter, the first port and the second port.

An adapter for a pool cleaning system is provided. The adapter includes a base member having a top and a bottom surface. The adapter also includes six upper ports coupled to the top surface of the base member, each upper port including an upper aperture extending through the upper port and through the base member. The adapter further includes five lower ports coupled to the bottom surface of the base member, each lower port including a lower aperture extending through the lower port and through the base member. In some embodiments, four of lower ports are in fluid communication four of the upper ports and one of the lower ports is in fluid communication with two of the upper ports.

Improved valve assemblies (e.g., multi-position valve assemblies) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a four-position rotary high efficiency valve assembly for a swimming pool or spa filter. The present disclosure provides multi-position valve assemblies having infrequent maintenance and allowing for user-friendly service. The present disclosure provides for improved multi-position valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved multi-position valve assemblies (e.g., high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies) are provided. The valve assembly can be utilized in fluid systems as a flow control assembly (e.g., as a backwash valve associated with a pool or spa filter).

A filter element has a filter material defining a raw side and a clean side of the filter element and to be flowed through by a medium to be filtered from the raw side to the clean side. A non-return element is disposed on the filter material. The non-return element allows a return flow of the filtered medium from the clean side back to the raw side and prevents a flow of the unfiltered medium from the raw side to the clean side. A filter and a filter system with such a filter element are disclosed. The filter system has a pump to supply medium to be filtered to the filter.

An adapter for a pool cleaning system is provided. The adapter includes a base member having a top and a bottom surface. The adapter also includes six upper ports coupled to the top surface of the base member, each upper port including an upper aperture extending through the upper port and through the base member. The adapter further includes five lower ports coupled to the bottom surface of the base member, each lower port including a lower aperture extending through the lower port and through the base member. In some embodiments, four of lower ports are in fluid communication four of the upper ports and one of the lower ports is in fluid communication with two of the upper ports.

Embodiments of the invention provide a filter for use in filtering a fluid slurry that includes particles of varying size, such as pool water including debris. The filter is in electrical communication with a sensor and includes a housing having an inlet to receive the fluid slurry, an outlet, and an internal chamber. An actuator can be coupled to the filter media to move at least a portion of the filter media to vary a dimension of the pores. The filter also includes a controller connected to the actuator that is capable of receiving a signal from the sensor and controls the actuator to change the dimension of the pores based on the signal.