FLOW SEPARATION SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS

Abstract

FLOW SEPARATOR SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS composed of a number of bodies called flow separators, each of which is fitted around a filter and where each separator body comprises a support structure formed by a base, a number of rods and a cap, such that, along the said support structure, a flexible screen is fitted, with a helicoidal configuration, integrated with the movement of the support structure such that each flow separator body retains the dirt particles before they reach each filter, controlling the flow to be purified by each filter, redirecting the flows and preventing the flows between the different filters that make up the system from being mixed together.

Claims

1. FLOW SEPARATION SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS designed to filter liquids and prevent the filters from clogging up with dirt or solid particles during purification or cleaning of the liquid to be treated and redirect the flows during the cleaning of the filters, characterised in that each filter (2) has a flow separator body (1) covering it in such a way that each flow separator body (1) comprises: a support structure (11) formed by a base (111), which has a central axis with an axial recess (111) and a number of small recesses (111) set around the recess (111) and which also pass through the base (111); rods (112), which at one end are inserted through the small recesses (111), as mentioned above, and at the opposite end are fixed to a compact cap (113), with a perimeter of the same dimensions as the base (111) and positioned parallel to the said base (111), whereby the cap (113) and the base (111) are positioned opposite each other; and a screen (12) with a flexible helicoidal configuration, fixed to the support structure (11) along its rods (112) from its base (111) to its cap (113), integrated with the movement of the support structure (11) and gradually regulating the entry of the liquid into the flow separator body (1).

2. FLOW SEPARATOR SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS according to claim 1, CHARACTERISED in that the screen (12) is constituted by a single piece with a section of circular lines (121) and a section of superimposed radial lines (122).

3. FLOW SEPARATOR SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS according to claim 1, CHARACTERISED in that there are interstices or small spaces in the form of a channel along the entire surface of the screen (12).

4. FLOW SEPARATOR SYSTEM IN MULTIFILTER UNITS according to claim 2, CHARACTERISED in that there are interstices or small spaces in the form of a channel along the entire surface of the screen (12).

Description

[0025] In order to complete this description and to ensure a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part thereof showing the following for illustration purposes and not limited thereto.

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a flow separator system in a multifilter unit, where the inlet of the dirty liquid into the unit is on the side and the outlet of the clean liquid is at the bottom.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the elements that make up a flow separator body.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a longitudinal section of a flow separator body at the beginning of the liquid filtration, when the helicoidal element is compressed and is regulating the flow rate.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a longitudinal section of a flow separator body in working position during the cleaning of the filter, when the helicoidal element is fully open around the filter, correctly redirecting the flows.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a view of the section of the helicoidal screen shown in the previous figure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the flow separator system for multifilter units that is the object of the invention is composed of a number of bodies called flow separators (1). Each flow separator body or element (1) is set around each of the filters (2) that make up the multifilter unit (3) of the system, protecting them from clogging when the liquid enters since each of the said separator bodies (1) regulates the purification flow in each filter (2) and separates the flows between them such that the clean water flowing out of the multifilter unit (3) is evacuated free of impurities, as shown schematically in the said FIG. 1.

[0033] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that each flow separator body (1) preferably has a hollow tubular geometry and their dimensions are such that when they contain a filter (2), there is space on the perimeters between the walls of both elements.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the flow separator body (1) is formed by a support structure (11) of preferably rigid material and a screen (12) with a flexible helicoidal configuration, supported by the structure and integrated in the movements thereof. It should be noted that this figure shows the screen (12) schematically so as to clearly indicate the position of the spiral inside the unit.

[0035] The support structure (11) consists of a base (111), rods (112) and a cap (113). The said base (111) is flat and unique in that its central axis has an axial recess (111) of a dimension or diameter sufficient for inserting and fitting a filter (2), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0036] The said base (111) also has a number of small recesses (111) set around the recess described above for positioning or inserting rods (112). As shown in FIG. 2, at one end, the rods (112) are attached to the base (111) through the above-mentioned recesses and, at the opposite end, they are attached to a so-called cap (113), which has the same dimensions at its perimeter as the base (111), is flat and compact and is positioned parallel to the said base (111), thus remaining opposite to it. According to the results obtained in tests, the most appropriate number of recesses (111) in the base (111) and rods (112) is five, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that, set along the rods (112) that make up the support structure (11), more specifically from the base (111) to its cap (113) through the rods (112) by way of a cover, there is a screen (12). The screen (12) is composed of a flexible, malleable material and has a spiral or helicoidal configuration. (12) The spiral screen has two types of sections in its configuration as a whole, defined as a section of circular lines (121) and a section of radial lines (122), shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] Both sections are superimposed on the entire spiral of the screen (12), which is shaped as a single piece, preferably obtained by extrusion. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, when the flow separator body assembly (1) is stopped or in standby position protecting each of the filters (2) of the multifilter unit that is the object of this invention, the spiral is fully open; and, as shown in FIG. 4, when the flow separator body (1) is in cleaning position, the spiral is open.

[0039] Having defined in detail the flow separator body (1) that forms part of the system of the invention, we will now describe the system as a whole.

[0040] As already mentioned, in the flow separation system in multifilter units that is the object of this invention, each filter (2) in the multifilter unit (3) is contained in the previously defined flow separator body (1). When the system as a whole is in standby position, i.e. the system does not contain liquid, the spiral of the screen (12) that makes up the flow separator body (1) is ringed and the separator flow body (3) is contracted around the filter (2). Schematic representation of FIG. 3.

[0041] As a result of the two types of sections (121 and 122) that make up the screen (12), along the entire surface of the helicoidal element there are interstices or small spaces forming channels to allow the gradual entry of the liquid inside. Accordingly, the liquid to be treated must first enter the multifilter. When the multifilter (3) as a whole is being filled, all the walls of the flow separator bodies (1) that make up the system are subjected to compressive surface pressure (FIG. 3). Then, through the interstices formed by the screen (12), the purified liquid enters gradually, regulating the flow inside the separator body (1), where the filter is located (2). As the liquid is filtered through the so-called flow separator body (1), the pressure in said element is increased, as a consequence of the flexibility of the helicoidal screen (12), together with the rods (112), and the separator body (1) as a whole stretches longitudinally (FIG. 4). This means that the flexible helicoidal screen (12) stretches with the longitudinal movement of the said rods (112), acting at all times as a regulator, in this case preventing more flow inside the flow separator body (1) than possible due to its tubular volume. At this point the separator body (1) is in working position with the spiral of the screen (12) closed.

[0042] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention above, bearing in mind that the terms used in this specification should be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense, and how to put it into practice.