Filter

• US 7,040,490 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2003
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Jerg, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Walker, W. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, YOON YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/603,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 210/348, 210/391, 210/390, 210/385, 210/395, 210/459, 210/472, 210/498, 210/346, 210/350, 210/356, 210/499, 210/354
• US Class Current: 210/498
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4204 Flat filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4208 Arrangements to prevent clogging of the filters, e.g. self-cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/184 Special form, dimension of the openings, pores of the filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/03 self-supporting

Abstract

A filter having filter openings, which openings vary in cross-section automatically in accordance with an inherent variable of the medium passing there through. The openings can vary in response to the heat of the medium passing through the openings. The openings can include a perforated plate screening the openings and having elements, which shift the plate relative to the openings. The elements can be springs and can include a shape memory alloy.

Claims

1. A filter for a medium passing therethrough, comprising:

a filter body including a plurality of filter openings;

said filter openings each having a passage cross-section; and

said filter opening passage cross-sections vary automatically in response to a variable inherent in the medium passing therethrough, said filter openings being substantially screened or covered over by means whose position relative to said filter openings varies under the influence of the heat of said medium passing therethrough and said means including a perforated plate with openings somewhat longer than openings formed in a filter plate and said perforated plate is shifted under the influence of the heat of said medium passing therethrough by means of at least one element acting on said filter plate.

2. The filter according to claim 1, including said element is a spring element which varies in the effective length of said spring element under the influence of the heat of said medium passing through said filter openings.

3. The filter according to claim 2, including said spring element formed from a shape memory alloy.

4. The filter according to claim 2, including said spring element supported on a first side by a fixed edge of said filter body and on an opposite side against an edge of said perforated plate.

5. The filter according to claim 4, including at least one spring element is affixed to said perforated plate.

6. The filter according to claim 4, including at least one reset spring opposing said spring element on an opposite side of said perforated plate.

7. A dishwashing machine including a filter for a medium passing therethrough, comprising:

a filter body including a plurality of filter openings;

said filter openings each having a passage cross-section; and

means for varying said filter opening passage cross-sections automatically in response to a variable inherent in the medium passing therethrough, said filter openings being substantially screened or covered over by means whose position relative to said filter openings varies under the influence of the heat of said medium passing therethrough and said means including a perforated plate with openings somewhat longer than openings formed in a filter plate and said perforated plate is shifted under the influence of the heat of said medium passing therethrough by means of at least one element acting on said filter plate.

8. The dishwashing machine according to claim 7, including said element is a spring element which varies in the effective length of said spring element under the influence of the heat of said medium passing through said filter openings.

9. The dishwashing machine according to claim 8, including said spring element formed from a shape memory alloy.

10. The dishwashing machine according to claim 8, including said spring element supported on a first side by a fixed edge of said filter body and on an opposite side against an edge of said perforated plate.

11. The dishwashing machine according to claim 10, including at least one spring element is affixed to said perforated plate.

12. The dishwashing machine according to claim 10, including at least one reset spring opposing said spring element on an opposite side of said perforated plate.

13. to “

A dishwashing machine including a filter for a medium passing therethrough, comprising;

a filter body including a plurality of filter openings;

said filter openings each having a passage cross-section; and

means for varying said filter opening passage cross-sections automatically in response to a variable inherent in the medium passing therethrough wherein said means includes a perforated plate with openings, said perforated plate being shiftable relative to said filter openings between a first position and a second position such that, in said first position, said openings of said perforated plate are at offset from said filter openings such that said perforated plate substantially screens or covers over said filter openings and, in said second position, said openings of said perforated plate are at a lesser offset to said filter openings than in said first position such that said perforated plate does not screen or cover over said filter openings to the same extent as in said first position, and at least one element acting on said perforated plate to shift said perforated plate under the influence of a change of temperature of said medium passing therethrough between said first position and said second position.

14. A filter for a medium passing therethrough, comprising:

a filter body including a plurality of filter openings;

said filter openings each having a passage cross-section; and

means for varying said filter opening passage cross-sections automatically in response to a variable inherent in the medium passing therethrough, said means for varying said filter opening passage cross-sections including;

a perforated plate with openings, said perforated plate being shiftable relative to said filter openings between a first position and a second position such that, in said first position, said openings of said perforated plate are at offset from said filter openings such that said perforated plate substantially screens or covers over said filter openings and, in said second position, said openings of said perforated plate are at a lesser offset to said filter openings than in said first position such that said perforated plate does not screen or cover over said filter openings to the same extent as in said first position, and

at least one element acting on said perforated plate to shift said perforated plate under the influence of a change of temperature of said medium passing therethrough between said first position and said second position.

15. The filter according to claim 14, including said element is a spring element which varies in the effective length of said spring element under the influence of the heat of said medium passing through said filter openings.

16. The filter according to claim 15, including said spring element formed from a shape memory alloy.

17. The filter according to claim 15, including said spring element supported on a first side by a fixed edge of said filter body and on an opposite side against an edge of said perforated plate.