FILTER DEVICE FOR REMOVING PARTICLES FROM A FLUID

Abstract

A filter device for removing particles from a fluid includes a fluid chamber and an inlet for fluid, an outlet for filtered fluid and an outlet for particles, each coupled to the fluid chamber. The filter device also includes a flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis in the fluid chamber. The outlet for particles is coupled to the fluid chamber at a location substantially perpendicular to the vortex axis.

Claims

1-40. (canceled)

41. A filter device for removing particles from a liquid, wherein the filter device comprises: a fluid chamber and an inlet for liquid, an outlet for filtered liquid and an outlet for particles, each coupled to the fluid chamber, wherein the filter device further comprises a flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis in said fluid chamber, wherein the outlet for particles is coupled to the fluid chamber at a location substantially perpendicular to the vortex axis, wherein the filter device further comprises an inlet chamber coupled to the inlet, wherein the inlet chamber is delimited from the fluid chamber by a wall member, and wherein the wall member comprises at least one opening being shaped to induce the vortex flow in the fluid chamber.

42. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the fluid chamber is substantially cylindrical and wherein the outlet for particles is arranged at the cylindrical wall.

43. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the fluid chamber has a varying diameter, and wherein the outlet for particles is arranged at a location of the fluid chamber with largest diameter.

44. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein at least a part of the inner wall of the fluid chamber is provided with a groove, and wherein the outlet for particles is arranged in the groove.

45. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the outlet for particles is provided with a valve which movable between an open and a closed position.

46. The filter device according to claim 41, further comprising a sieve, wherein the sieve is arranged upstream from the outlet for filtered liquid.

47. The filter device according to claim 46, wherein the sieve has a cylindrical shape.

48. The filter device according to claim 47, wherein the sieve is coaxially arranged around the outlet for filtered liquid between the wall member and the wall of the fluid chamber.

49. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the housing of the filter device comprises two housing parts.

50. The filter device according to claim 49, wherein the wall member is secured between the two housing parts.

51. The filter device according to claim 50, wherein the sieve is coaxially arranged around the outlet for filtered liquid between the wall member and the wall of the fluid chamber, and wherein the sieve is secured between a housing part and the wall member.

52. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the inlet chamber comprises an inlet chamber sieve for sifting the liquid upstream from the wall member.

53. The filter device according to claim 52, wherein the inlet chamber sieve is supported by the wall member.

54. The filter device according to claim 52, wherein the inlet chamber sieve is a mesh or a perforated plate.

55. The filter device according to claim 52, wherein the inlet chamber sieve is provided with a plurality of truncated cones, wherein an opening from an upstream top to a downstream base of a truncated cone is oriented to the direction of liquid flow, and wherein the cross sections of the truncated cones diverge in the direction of the liquid flow.

56. The filter device according to claim 55, wherein the normal of the plane of the upstream top of a truncated cone is oriented at an angle relative to the direction of liquid flow.

57. The filter device according to claim 52, wherein the inlet chamber comprises an outlet for particles blocked by the inlet chamber sieve, and wherein the filter device further comprises blocked particle outlet valve arranged to block any axial flow through the outlet for blocked particles in a closed position.

58. The filter device according to claim 57, wherein the inlet chamber further comprises a second inlet for flushing the blocked particles from the inlet chamber to an outlet for blocked particles, and wherein the device further comprises a second inlet valve arranged to block any axial flow through the second inlet in a closed position.

59. The filter device according to claim 41, wherein the wall member comprises a plurality of tangentially oriented nozzles for inducing the vortex flow in the fluid chamber.

60. A method for filtering a liquid using the filter device according to claim 41, wherein the method comprises: introducing a liquid in the liquid inlet, filtering said liquid and providing filtered liquid from the outlet for liquid, and wherein the method further comprises the step of flushing the filter device including: limiting the flow at the outlet for liquid; opening a valve provided in the outlet for particles from a closed position to an open position during a predetermined period of time; collecting the particles from the outlet for particles, and moving the valve to the closed position.

Description

[0101] The present invention is further illustrated by the following Figures, which show preferred embodiments of the filter device, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, wherein:

[0102] FIG. 1 shows the filter device in perspective view;

[0103] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the filter device of FIG. 1;

[0104] FIG. 3 shows an example of a flow directing mechanism;

[0105] FIG. 4 schematically shows the working principle of the filter device;

[0106] FIGS. 5-9 show different embodiments of the filter device;

[0107] FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the filter device of FIG. 9;

[0108] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the filter device of FIG. 9;

[0109] FIG. 12 shows a different cross section of the filter device of FIG. 9;

[0110] FIG. 13 shows a system for operating the valve;

[0111] FIG. 14 shows holes in the inlet chamber sieve in an embodiment of the filter device;

[0112] FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the inlet chamber sieve of FIG. 14.

[0113] FIG. 16 shows a system for controlling a pump, a hydrophore system and valves.

[0114] With reference to FIG. 1, a filter device or simply filter 1 is shown which comprises a housing 10. The filter 1 further comprises an inlet 2 for fluid, an outlet for fluid 3 and an outlet 4 for particles, such as dirt and sand. Inlet 2 and outlet 3 are aligned and also provided with threading 21 and 31, which allows efficient coupling of the filter 1 in a water piping system. In FIG. 2, the outlet 3 is shown to be provided with internal threading 31 as an alternative.

[0115] Again with reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that in this example the housing 10 comprises two housing parts 11 and 12, which are connected using screws 13 in this example. Inside the housing, a housing chamber 14 is defined, to which the inlet 2 and the outlets 3 and 4 and connected. Each of the inlets 2 and outlets 3 and 4 debouche in the housing chamber 14.

[0116] Provided in the housing chamber 14 is a wall member 5, which is shown in isolation in FIG. 3, which divides the housing chamber 14 in an inlet chamber 15 connecting to the inlet 2 and a fluid chamber 16 into to which the outlets 3 and 4 connect. Inlet chamber 15 functions as buffer for liquid.

[0117] In the wall member 5, openings 51 are provided at regular intervals on a circle which form nozzles 54. Nozzles 54 have openings 52 which are oriented tangentially around a central axis A1 (see FIG. 4) of the flow chamber 16. Liquid coming into the inlet chamber 15, indicated with the arrow A in FIG. 2, will flow into openings 51 and exit nozzles 54 via openings 52 into the fluid chamber 16. A vortex, indicated with the arrows B in FIG. 4, will thus be created in the fluid chamber 16. The wall member 5 with the openings 51 and 52 are thus arranged to induce a vortex of liquid in the fluid chamber 16. The fluid will revolve around a vortex axis, which coincides with the central axis A1 of the fluid chamber 16.

[0118] The outlet 4 for particles is arranged at a location perpendicular to and away from the vortex axis A1, which is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Through the centrifugal forces, particles will be urged away from the vortex axis A1 towards the inner side wall 16a of the fluid chamber 16. This is schematically indicated with the arrows F in FIG. 4. The outlet 4 is arranged in this inner side wall 16a, at least, the outlet 4 debouches in the fluid chamber 16 at the inner side wall 16a.

[0119] As the particles move outwardly, particle free liquid will move inwardly, indicated with arrows C in FIGS. 2 and 4 and are allowed to flow into the outlet 3 for filtered fluid. To ensure that no liquid will flow into the outlet 3, a sieve 6 is provided. Sieve 6 is arranged between lower wall 16b of the fluid chamber 16 and the lower wall 5b (see FIG. 3) of the wall member 5, which is thereto provided with a recess 53 in this example. The outlet 3 is arranged inside the cylindrical sieve 6.

[0120] In particular in FIG. 2 it is visible that although the fluid chamber 16 is substantially cylindrical, the diameter of chamber 16 varies over the axis A1. The chamber 16 broader, i.e. the inner side wall 16a is further away from the central axis A1, in the middle thereof, seen in the height direction in this figure. Particles will accumulate at this region. The inner side wall 16a is further provided with a groove 17, wherein the outlet 4 is arranged at the location of the groove 17.

[0121] The outlet 4 is connected to a pipe element 41 which is provided with a valve 42. This allows outlet 4 to be opened and closed. In closed position, there is no flow through the outlet, at least not through the pipe 41. Any particles in the fluid will this accumulate at the perimeter of the fluid chamber 16. As the outlet 4 is arranged at this perimeter, when the valve is opened, liquid will entrain any particles accumulated in the fluid chamber 16 and flush the particles through the outlet 4. The fluid chamber 16 can thus be flushed efficiently.

[0122] In FIG. 5, an alternative for the wall member 5 is shown, wherein the flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex in the fluid chamber 16 comprises a plurality of conduits 51 through the wall member 5. The conduits 51 are oriented tangentially around the central axis A1 for generating a vortex around said central axis A1. FIG. 6 shows another example, wherein the flow directing mechanism 5 is in the form of nozzles 54.

[0123] In the example of FIG. 7, the flow is directed in a vortex in the fluid chamber 16 by a central opening 51 which is provided with tangentially oriented grooves 59 for redirecting the flow. It is further visible that the inlet chamber is very small and may even be formed by the inlet 2 itself. In this example, the sieve 6 is dome shaped, but still arranged round the outlet 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the flow directing means 5 are formed between inlet chamber 15 and the fluid chamber 16 directs the liquid radially outwardly in a swirl using obliquely oriented channels 58.

[0124] In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12, the wall member 5 is secured between the two housing parts 11 and 12, wherein a inlet chamber 15 is defined upstream of the wall member 5. In the inlet chamber 15, an inlet chamber sieve 7 is provided and is in this example secured between housing part 11 and the wall member 5. The wall member 5 is further arranged to support the inlet chamber sieve 7 by a protrusion member 8. The inlet chamber sieve 7 is arranged to filter any larger particles from the fluid and prevents clogging of the openings 51 in the wall member 5 and the inlet chamber sieve 7 is arranged to block particles in the liquid downstream from the inlet 2.

[0125] In FIG. 14, an example of the inlet chamber sieve 7 is shown in greater detail, whereas FIG. 15 shows a cross-section of the sieve 7. The direction of liquid flow through the inlet chamber sieve 7 is indicated by the arrow G, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the filter device extending between the inlet and outlet. The inlet chamber sieve 7 has protrusions shaped like truncated cones 72, wherein a hole of the inlet chamber sieve 7 is formed by an opening 71 from the upstream top 74 of a truncated cone to the downstream base 75 of the truncated cone, wherein the cross section of the opening 71 diverges in the direction of liquid flow. In FIG. 15, a cross section of the inlet chamber sieve 7 of FIG. 14 is shown. The inner walls 73 of an opening 71 through a truncated cone 72 diverge in the direction of liquid flow. FIG. 14 further shows that the normal 76 of the plane of the upstream base 74 of a truncated cone is at an angle relative to the direction of liquid flow. Particles will then not block the openings and will pass to the locations between the truncated cones 72.

[0126] In order to flush away any particles remaining on the sieve 7 or generally from the filter device 1, for instance the wall member 5, an outlet for blocked particles 18 is connected to the inlet chamber 15, see in particular FIG. 11. This outlet may be provided with a valve and when opened, particles may be flushed away through the outlet 18. Fluid for flushing the outlet 18 may come from the inlet 2. It is however also possible to provide a second inlet for fluid 19 which is connected to the inlet chamber 15. The flow of fluid from the second inlet 19 is indicated by the arrow H in FIGS. 9 and 11. Fluid for flushing the inlet chamber 15 is introduced by the second inlet 19 as indicated by the arrow H. The outlet for blocked particles 18 is arranged to collect the fluid with the particles blocked by the inlet chamber sieve 7, as indicated by the arrow K.

[0127] The inlet 19 may also be used to flush the fluid chamber 16. Flushing is then possible without supply of liquid from the inlet 2. A pump or other fluid source may for instance be coupled to the second inlet 19.

[0128] In FIG. 13, the filter device 1 with a valve 42 for flushing particles in the outlet for particles 4 is schematically shown. The valve 42 is arranged to receive a signal from a control module 60 for closing or opening the valve 42. In this example, the control module 60 comprises a timing device 61 for providing a signal for closing or opening the valve 42 for a certain amount of time. The control module 60 further comprises a battery system 62 for powering the valve 42. FIG. 13 further shows a photovoltaic system 63 for powering the valve 42 and/or for charging the battery system 62. FIG. 13 further shows a turbine 65 connected to the outlet for filtered fluid 3 downstream from the filter device 1. A generator 64 is arranged to power the valve 42 and/or charge the battery system 62 using the flow of liquid through the turbine 65.

[0129] In FIG. 16, the filter device 1 is provided upstream from a pump 81. The pump 81 may be operably connected with the control module 60 for controlling a pump 81. A hydrophore system 80 is further provided. The valve 42 for flushing particles in the outlet for particles 4 is again schematically shown. Also shown are valve 42a associated with the blocked particles outlet 18 and the second inlet valve 42b associated with second inlet 19. Also shown is a valve 42c for the inlet 2 and a valve 42d associated with the outlet 3. The valve 42d is arranged between the outlet 3 and the pump 81.

[0130] The valve 42, the valve 42a, the inlet valve 42c and the outlet valve 42d are arranged to receive a signal from the control module 60 for closing and opening the respective valves. The pump 81 is arranged to receive a signal from the control module 60 for creating a flow of liquid through the filter device 1. In the hydrophore system 80 a liquid pressure can be maintained by the pump 81. The control module 60 is arranged to measure the pressure inside the filter device 1. In this example, a second pump 82 is shown to provide fluid for flushing the filter 1. The second inlet 19 may however also be coupled to the hydrophore system 80 or other pressure system.

[0131] The control module 60 is further arranged to be able to send a signal to the pump 81 to turn off, alternatively, a signal may be provided to the controller 60 which indicates that the pump is off. The control module 60 may further be arranged to control the hydrophore system 80. The control module may further be arranged to open the second inlet valve 42b for flushing at least a part of the filter device 1, for instance when the pump 81 is off. The pump 82 and/or the hydrophore system 80 may be arranged to then provide a fluid flow through the second inlet 19.

[0132] The control module may be arranged to open the blocked particles valve 42a in the outlet for blocked particles 18. A fluid flow for flushing the inlet chamber 15 then flushes the blocked particles out via the outlet for blocked particles 18. The valve 42, and preferably also valve 42d may then be closed for urging the fluid through outlet 18. The control module 60 may also be arranged to close the inlet valve 42c to prevent blocked particles from entering the inlet for liquid 2. The control module 60 may further be arranged to close the outlet valve 42d in the outlet for filtered liquid 3 to prevent fluid for flushing at least part of the filter device 1 to enter the outlet for filtered liquid 3.

[0133] After flushing, the control module 60 may further be arranged to close the blocked particles valve 42a to prevent fluid for flushing the fluid chamber 16 from entering the outlet for blocked particles 18. In a next step, the fluid chamber 16 may then be flushed by opening valve 42, for instance also using fluid from the inlet 19. Alternatively, valves 42a and 42 are opened at the same time or valve 42 is opened prior to valve 42a, wherein valve 42a may be opened after valve 42 is closed.

[0134] The present invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way: [0135] 1. Filter device for removing particles from a fluid, wherein the filter device comprises a fluid chamber and an inlet for fluid, an outlet for filtered fluid and an outlet for particles, each coupled to the fluid chamber, wherein the filter device further comprises a flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis in said fluid chamber, characterized in that the outlet for particles is coupled to the fluid chamber at a location substantially perpendicular to the vortex axis. [0136] 2. Filter device according to embodiment 1, wherein the fluid chamber is substantially cylindrical and wherein the outlet for particles is arranged at the cylindrical wall. [0137] 3. Filter according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the fluid chamber has a varying diameter, wherein the outlet for particles is arranged at a location of the fluid chamber with largest diameter. [0138] 4. Filter according to embodiment 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least a part of the inner wall of the fluid chamber is provided with a groove, wherein the outlet for particles is arranged in the groove. [0139] 5. Filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the outlet for particles is provided with a valve which movable between an open and a closed position. [0140] 6. Filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the outlet for fluid is aligned with the vortex axis. [0141] 7. Filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a sieve, wherein the sieve is arranged upstream from the outlet for filtered fluid. [0142] 8. Filter device according to embodiment 7, wherein the sieve has a cylindrical shape. [0143] 9. Filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an inlet chamber coupled to the inlet, wherein the inlet chamber is delimited from the fluid chamber by a wall member, wherein the wall member comprises at least one opening being shaped to induce the vortex flow in the fluid chamber. [0144] 10. Filter device according to embodiment 9, wherein the wall member comprises a plurality of tangentially oriented nozzles for inducing the vortex flow in the fluid chamber. [0145] 11. Filter device according to at least embodiments 8 and 9, wherein the cylindrical sieve is coaxially arranged around the outlet for filtered fluid between the wall member and the wall of the fluid chamber. [0146] 12. Filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the outlet for filtered fluid is aligned with the inlet for fluid. [0147] 13. Fluid piping system provided with a filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments. [0148] 14. Method for filtering a fluid using a filter device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method comprises introducing a fluid in the fluid inlet, filtering said fluid and providing filtered fluid from the outlet for fluid. [0149] 15. Method according to embodiment 14, further comprising the step of flushing the filter device including: [0150] limiting the flow at the outlet for fluid; [0151] opening the a valve provided in the outlet for particles from a closed position to the an open position during a predetermined period of time; [0152] collecting the particles from the outlet for particles, and; [0153] moving the valve to the closed position.

[0154] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but extends also to other embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.