Drum filter assembly

• US 7,293,658 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cumminscorp Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Cumminscorp Ltd.
• Inventors: Cummins, Ian Geoffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): PRINCE JR, FREDDIE GARY
• Application Number:
  US11/401,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 210/156, 210/359, 210/391, 210/393, 210/394, 210/402, 210/403, 210/404, 210409-411
• US Class Current: 210/359
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/00 Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria keepnets or other containers for keeping captured fish A01K97/20; Terraria
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/042 Introducing gases into the water, e.g. aerators, air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/045 Filters for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/11 arranged for outward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/48 by flushing, e.g. counter-current air-bumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/81 Aquaculture, e.g. of fish
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/905 Protein

Abstract

A drum filter assembly comprising a hollow drum filter having a longitudinal axis and an outer filter screen or mesh material, the drum filter being supported on external rollers for rotation about its longitudinal axis and an inlet for introducing liquid to be filtered into the interior of the drum filter. Rotation of the drum filter is effected by the liquid flowing into the drum filter. Alternatively, the drum filter may be driven by an external motor.

Claims

1. A drum filter assembly comprising:

a hollow drum filter, said drum filter having a longitudinal axis and an outer filter screen or mesh material,

rotatable rollers externally of said drum filter for supporting said drum filter for rotation about its longitudinal axis,

an inlet for introducing liquid to be filtered into the interior of said drum filter, and

a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotation members within said drum filter, said inlet being arranged to direct said liquid to be filtered against said rotation members to effect rotation of said drum filter about said longitudinal axis.

2. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 and including means externally of said drum filter for cleaning said filter screen or mesh material.

3. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cleaning means comprise means above said drum filter for spraying water against said screen or mesh material.

4. A drum filter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for spraying water comprises an elongated feed tube extending longitudinally of said drum filter, said feed tube having one or more water spray outlets.

5. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cleaning means comprises means for applying pressurized air against the screen or mesh material, said pressurized air applying means comprising an elongated air tube extending longitudinally of said drum filter, said air tube having one or more pressurized air outlets.

6. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 2 and including means internally of said drum filter for catching and collecting materials dislodged from the filter screen or mesh material by said cleaning means.

7. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for catching said dislodged materials comprise a hopper internally of and extending longitudinally of said drum filter.

8. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drum filter includes a pair of end members having a circular periphery supported on said rollers for rotation about said longitudinal axis.

9. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein each said roller is provided with an annular groove in its periphery in which an end member of said drum filter locates.

10. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one of said end members comprises an annular member having a central opening comprising said inlet.

11. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet comprises a supply duct, said supply duct including one or more liquid outlets for directing said liquid against said rotation members.

12. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said supply duct extends longitudinally of said drum filter and includes a plurality of said liquid outlets and wherein said liquid outlets are spaced along said supply duct.

13. A drum filter assembly comprising:

a hollow drum filter, said drum filter having a longitudinal rotation axis, a pair of end members spaced apart along said axis, said end members having a circular periphery, a plurality of ribs extending between said end members and spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and a circumferentially extending filter screen or mesh material supported by said ribs;

a plurality of rollers externally of said drum filter on which said end members are received to support said drum filter for rotation about its longitudinal axis;

means for introducing liquid to be filtered into the interior of said drum filter for filtering though said screen or mesh material; and

wherein said liquid introduced into the interior of said drum acts against said ribs to effect rotation of said drum filter.

14. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for introducing liquid to be filtered into said drum filter comprises a supply duct within and extending longitudinally of said drum filter, said supply duct having at least one outlet for directing liquid against said ribs.

15. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 14 and including means externally of said drum filter for applying water or air against said filter screen or mesh material and a trough within said drum filter for collecting materials dislodged from said screen or mesh material, said trough extending along said supply duct.

16. A drum filter assembly comprising:

a hollow drum filter, said drum filter having a longitudinal axis and an outer filter screen or mesh material,

means externally of said drum filter for supporting said drum filter for rotation about its longitudinal axis,

an inlet for introducing liquid to be filtered into the interior or said drum filter,

a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotation members within said drum filter, said rotation members comprising a plurality of elongated members extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and supporting said filter screen or mesh material, and

said inlet being arranged to direct said liquid to be filtered against said rotation members to effect rotation of said drum filter about said longitudinal axis.

17. A drum filter assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said drum filter includes a pair of end members spaced apart along said longitudinal axis, said end members having a circular periphery and wherein said elongated members extend between said end members.