SELF-CLEANING FILTER FOR WASHERS

• US 20110089102A1
• Filed: 12/28/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Original Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Inventors: Robert, Maxime, Thibault, Nathalie
• Application Number:
  US12/979,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089102A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/448
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 11/00 Accessories, e.g. safety or control devices, not otherwise provided for , e.g. regulators, valves in inlet or overflow ductingwith electrostatic precipitating arrangements B03C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/004 with internal filters, in the cyclone chamber or in the vortex finder
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/13 formed as a vortex finder and extending into the vortex chamber exits with bulkheads preventing reverse flow vortex B04C3/00; Discharge from vortex finder otherwise than at the top of the cyclone; Devices for controlling the overflow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/22 with cleaning means
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 9/00 Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, expansion chambers, diffusors, water lockswith filters B01D50/00

Abstract

A self-cleaning filter for a washing apparatus. Water entering a filter assembly travels along a spiral pathway that facilitates the separation of heavy solid debris from the water. A filter element prevents both light and heavy solid debris from entering a conduit leading to spray nozzles, thereby preventing clogging of the nozzles. In a filter cleaning operation, solid debris is removed from the filter assembly.

Claims

1. A filter assembly comprising:

a conduit wall;

a filter element generally coaxial with the conduit wall, and including a filter wall having a plurality of perforations formed therein, said filter wall defining a filter chamber having an open end in fluid communication with said conduit wall and a closed end;

a housing surrounding said filter wall and said conduit wall, wherein said housing and said filter wall define a first annular region therebetween, and said housing and said conduit wall define a second annular region therebetween; and

an entry port extending through an upper end of said housing wherein fluid entering said filter assembly through said entry port flows in a spiral path within said second annular region before said fluid is conveyed to said first annular region.

2. A filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second annular region is disposed above said first annular region.

3. A filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said conduit wall is cylindrical.

4. A filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said filter wall is cylindrical.

5. A filter assembly comprising:

a first region including a collecting region, an upper annular region and a lower annular region;

a second region disposed within the first region, the second region fluidly isolated from the upper annular region by a conduit wall disposed between the second region and the upper annular region, the second region fluidly communicating with the lower annular region through a filter membrane disposed between the second region and the lower annular region, the second region having a closed end and an open end;

an inlet in fluid communication with the upper annular region for receiving a fluid into the first region, wherein the fluid flows in a spiral path within the upper annular region before the fluid is conveyed to the lower annular region and debris in the fluid collects in the collecting region;

a first outlet in fluid communication with the collecting region; and

a second outlet in fluid communication with the open end of the second region, wherein filtered fluid exits the filter assembly.

6. A filter assembly according to claim 5, wherein rotational flow of the fluid within the first region causes said debris to collect in said collecting region.

7. A filter assembly according to claim 5, wherein said filter assembly includes a drain valve disposed in said first outlet, said drain valve moveable between a closed position and an open position that allows the debris collected in the collecting region to exit the filter assembly.