Self cleaning swimming pool filter

Abstract

Self-cleaning swimming pool filter apparatus having a hollow cylindrical filter in a filter housing and a cleaning tube rotatable with respect to the filter, with a plurality of filter cleaning orifices, a pump connected to circulate swimming pool water through the filter in the operational filtering mode and through the cleaning tube and filter cleaning orifices in the filter cleaning mode, according to the setting of directional valves.

Claims

1. A method of filtering swimming pool water comprising the steps of: providing a filtration apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical filter housing including inlet and outlet connections for swimming pool water entrance flow and water return flow, and alternative cleaning water and wastewater connections; a hollow, generally cylindrical filter body comprising a porous pleated filter material located within said generally cylindrical filter housing; a cleaning water tube having a plurality of cleaning jet orifices axially arrayed along the length thereof, located within said filter housing so that cleaning jet flows are directed at the porous pleated material; a hydraulic drive unit located within said filter housing, above said filter body, and fluidically connected to said cleaning water tube, for rotating said hollow, generally cylindrical filter body relative to said cleaning water tube so that the porous pleated filter material surface is fully exposed to the cleaning jet flows; flow control valves to optionally divert the water entrance flow to the cleaning jet orifices, and also dispose of dislodged particulate and spent jetting water as wastewater; a water pump connected to circulate swimming pool water through said inlet connection, through said porous pleated filter material and back to the pool through the outlet connection; pumping water from the swimming pool through said filtration apparatus; and returning filtered water exiting said filtration apparatus to the swimming pool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are incorporated into the specification to assist in explaining the present inventions. The drawings illustrate examples of how the inventions can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the inventions to only those examples. The various advantages and features of the present inventions will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of the self-cleaning water filter of the present inventions as it appears in the operational, filtering mode;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment FIG. 1 as it appears in the self-cleaning mode;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a second preferred embodiment of the present inventions as it appears in the operational, filtering mode;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-section view showing the embodiment of FIG. 3 as it appears in the self-cleaning mode;

(6) FIG. 5 shows how an external electric motor may be used provide relative rotation; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows how an internal hydraulic motor may be used provide relative rotation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) The present inventions are described in the following by referring to the drawings of examples of how the inventions can be made and used. In these drawings, reference characters are used throughout to indicate like or corresponding parts. The embodiments shown and described herein are exemplary. Many details are well known in the art, and as such are neither shown nor described.

(9) FIGS. 1 and 2 are a cross-sections of a preferred embodiment of self-cleaning water filter 100 of the present inventions. Here we see upper portion 10 and lower portion 12 of filter can 14, clamped together and sealed by clamping ring 16. Hollow cylindrical filter body 18, comprising a filtering element of porous material, pleated to expand its particulate entrapping surface, is contained inside of can 14, where it is held between bottom plate 20 and top plate 22. Cleaning water tube 24 extends downward through the hollow inside diameter of filter body 18. Bushing 26 stabilizes the lower end 28 of cleaning tube 24, with washer 30 and slotted fitting 32 supporting upper end 34. Spade end 38 of hand crank assembly 36 engages slotted fitting 32 to facilitate rotation of cleaning tube 24 and also limit its upward movement, as well as that of filter body 18.

(10) Embodiment 100, is shown in the operational mode in FIG. 1, with valves 46 and 48A open, and valves 48B and 60 closed. Swimming pool water is pumped into lower cavity 40 of filter can 14 through inlet line 42, where it proceeds upwardly into the hollow interior of filter body 18. Filter body 18 comprises a filtering element of porous fabric folded on itself in a multiplicity of pleats to provide an expanded filtering area. As pool water passes through filter body 18, foreign matter and particulate are entrapped on the surface of its porous material and left behind in the hollow interior as water circulates back to the pool through the open valve 46 of return line 44.

(11) In FIG. 2 it is seen how return line 44 valve 46, inlet line 42 valve 48A, cleaning line 50 valve 48B and waste drain 62 valve 60, are operated manually or remotely, convert embodiment 100 from the filtering mode to the filter cleaning mode. Valves 48A and 48B are actuated to divert flow from inlet line 42 to cleaning line 50, which supplies jetting tube 24 through straining screen. Screen 51 is passive, with no through flow in FIG. 1, but stops particulate that might clog cleaning jet orifices 54 in the filter cleaning mode of FIG. 2.

(12) Cleaning tube 24 has a series of cleaning jet orifices 54 arrayed along its length, with a total flow area significantly less than that of inlet lines 42 or 50, thereby provide a much higher velocity for water jets 56. Entrapped foreign matter and particulate 58 are dislodged from filter body 18 by high velocity water jets 56. The dislodged matter and particulate 58 wash downwardly with spent jetting water as waste water, into filter can lower cavity 40, through open waste drain valve 60, and off to waste drain outlet 62. Here we should note that cleaning water tube 24 is free to rotate relative to filter body 18 in bushing 26, so as to fully expose the surface of filter body 18 to water jets 56, while sealing member 52 prevents loss of water pressure.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-section views of a second preferred embodiment 200 of the self-cleaning water filter of the present inventions. Here we see upper can portion 70 and lower can portion 72 of filter can 74, clamped together and sealed by clamping ring 16. Hollow cylindrical filter body 78 is contained inside of can 74, where it is held between bottom plate 80 and top plate 82.

(14) Cleaning tube 84 extends downwardly proximate the outside diameter of filter body 78. Conical plastic fitting 86 seats in matching plastic socket 88, where it is water lubricated to rotate and centrally support filter body 78. Socket seal 90 prevents leakage. Spade end 39 of hand crank assembly 37 engages slot 83 in top plate 82 to facilitate rotation of filter body 78 and hold it in its central position. Washer 31 serves to limit the upward movement of filter body 78.

(15) In filtering operation, closed valve 96B and open valve 96A direct swimming pool water through inlet line 92 to filter can 74. Waste valve 60 is closed, so the water then passes through filter body 78 into its hollow interior. Filter body 78 comprises a porous material folded on itself in a multiplicity of pleats to maximize filtering area. Foreign matter and particulate are entrapped on its exterior surfaces. Water circulates to the pool through return line 94 and open valve 98.

(16) In FIG. 4 it is seen how, in filter cleaning mode, closing valve 96A and opening valve 96B direct swimming pool water through cleaning line 102 and straining screen 51 to cleaning tube 84. Waste drain valve 60 is also opened, so as to convert embodiment 200 from the filtering mode to the filter cleaning mode of operation. Valves 96A, 96B, 90 and 60 may be actuated either manually or remotely. Cleaning tube 84 has an of cleaning jet orifices 104 with a total flow capacity significantly less than the inlet flow volume, thus maintaining pressure for elevated velocity water jets 106. Cleaning tube 84 is positioned proximate filter body 78 so that cleaning jets 106 impinge upon its surface to dislodge entrapped foreign matter and particulate 108. Spent cleaning jet water becomes wastewater, which carries the dislodged foreign matter and particulate 108 down to filter can lower portion 72 and out through open waste drain valve 60 and outlet 62.

(17) As previously described, spade end 39 of hand crank assembly 37 engages slot 83 to facilitate rotation of filter body 78, hold it in its central position and limit its upward movement. Water lubricated plastic fitting 86, seated in plastic socket 88, supports filter body 78 for rotation, so as to allow full cleaning of the external surfaces of filter 78.

(18) FIG. 5 shows how the function of a manually operated crank is performed by externally mounted, electric drive, gear reduction unit 112 for remote controlled operation. Here, whenever the system is configured for filter cleaning, drive unit 112 is powered to rotate cleaning tube 24, with respect to filter body 18 so as to clean all of the foreign matter and particulate collected on the surface of filter body 18.

(19) FIG. 6 shows how the function of a manual crank is performed by internally mounted, hydraulic drive, gear reduction unit 114. Pressurized water taken from cleaning tube 84 through flow restrictor 115 in motor feed line 116 drives hydraulic rotary unit 114 to rotate filter body 78. The spent water spills from motor exhaust 118 to join the wastewater and particulate outflow. In an alternative configuration, cleaning tube 84 may be driven to pivot around filter body 18, so long as there is the relative rotation needed to clean all of the foreign matter and particulate collected on the surface of filter body 18.

(20) Even though many features and long needed advantages of the present inventions have been described in the drawings and accompanying text, the description is illustrative only. Changes may be made in details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the scope and principles of the inventions. The restrictive description and drawings of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to provide at least one explanation of how to use and make the inventions. The limits of the inventions and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.