Magnetic filter with drain and removable external magnetic element

• US 10,449,551 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2016
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adey Holdings (2008) Limited (LDC (Managers) Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Adey Holdings (2008) Limited (LDC (Managers) Ltd.)
• Inventors: Adey, Christopher, Downie, Simon, Albrow, Robert Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Barry, Chester T
• Application Number:
  US15/565,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20180111129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0009 Settling tanks making use of electricity or magnetism electric ultra filters B01D61/425; filters making use of electricity or magnetism B01D35/06; magnetic or electrostatic separation B03C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/06 Filters making use of electricity or magnetism ultrafiltration, microfiltration B01D61/14; electrodialysis, electro-osmosis B01D61/42; devices comprising filters and magnetic separators B03C1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/0332 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/288 disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/30 Combinations with other devices, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/28 Parts being easily removable for cleaning purposes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/482 located on the outer wall of the treatment device, i.e. not in contact with the liquid to be treated, e.g. detachable
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/14 Treatment of water in water supply networks, e.g. to prevent bacterial growth
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/0092 Devices for preventing or removing corrosion, slime or scale
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 19/01 by using means for separating solid materials from heat-exchange fluids, e.g. filters

Abstract

A magnetic filter (10) for a central heating system is disclosed, the filter (10) including a connection assembly (12), a canister (14), and a magnetic element (16), the connection assembly (12) including an inlet (24) and an outlet (26) for connection to a central heating circuit; the canister (14) having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet (24) and outlet (26) for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet (24), through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet (26); and the magnetic element (16) being removably positionable on the outside of the canister (14), the canister (14) and the connection assembly (12) forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet (24), the interior separation chamber and the outlet (26), and the connection assembly (12) further including a closable drain outlet (28b) for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister (14), internally of the magnetic element (16).

Claims

1. A magnetic filter for a central heating system, the filter including a connection assembly, a canister, and a magnetic element,

the connection assembly including an inlet and an outlet for connection to a central heating circuit;

the canister having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet and outlet for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet, through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet; and

the magnetic element including at least one magnet array made up of magnets being removably positionable on the outside of the canister, wherein each magnet array includes at least one magnet pair, each magnet pair including a first magnet positioned with its north pole facing the canister, a second magnet with its south pole facing the canister, and a soft ferromagnetic strip disposed across the north and south poles on the side of the magnets in the pair which faces away from the canister,

the canister and the connection assembly forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet, the interior separation chamber and the outlet, and the connection assembly further including a closable drain outlet for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister to substantially empty the canister.

2. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the canister is in the form of a shell having an open end.

3. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the canister has unbroken walls and a single opening.

4. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 3, in which a rim surrounds the opening of the canister.

5. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 3, in which a retaining ring is provided for holding the canister against the connection assembly.

6. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the magnetic element is in the form of a sleeve, which substantially surrounds the canister when attached.

7. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which a releasable connection means is provided between the magnetic element and the rest of the filter.

8. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 7, in which the releasable connection means is provided between the magnetic element and one of:

the connection assembly or the canister.

9. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which each magnet or each magnet array is positioned with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the wall of the canister, when the magnetic element is positioned over the canister in use.

10. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the magnets in the at least one magnet array are arranged with alternating polarity.

11. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which spring members are provided for pushing the magnets away from the interior walls of the magnetic element, towards the canister when the element is installed over the canister.

12. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the magnetic element includes magnets mounted in at least one carrier.

13. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 12, in which spring members are provided for pushing the magnets away from the interior walls of the magnetic element, towards the canister when the element is installed over the canister, and the spring members are provided between the carrier and one of:

each magnet or the interior wall of the magnetic element.

14. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the inlet of the connection assembly is in fluid communication with a circumferential flow chamber.

15. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the outlet of the connection assembly is in fluid communication with a port on the connection assembly which interfaces with the canister in a substantially central region of the canister.

16. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which an air bleed vent is included as part of the connection assembly.

17. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which the inlet and outlet are provided as ports extending from either side of the connection assembly, substantially in line with each other.

18. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which fitments are provided on the connection assembly which are interchangeably configurable as air bleed vents or as drain outlets.

19. A magnetic filter for a central heating system, the filter including a connection assembly, a canister, and a magnetic element including at least one magnet array made up of magnets,

the connection assembly including an inlet and an outlet for connection to a central heating circuit;

the canister having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet and outlet for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet, through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet;

the magnetic element being removably positionable on the outside of the canister, the canister and the connection assembly forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet, the interior separation chamber and the outlet, and the connection assembly further including a closable drain outlet for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister, to substantially empty the canister; and

in which spring members are provided for pushing the magnets away from the interior walls of the magnetic element, towards the canister when the element is installed over the canister.

20. A magnetic filter for a central heating system, the filter including a connection assembly, a canister, and a magnetic element including at least one magnet array made up of magnets,

the connection assembly including an inlet and an outlet for connection to a central heating circuit;

the canister having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet and outlet for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet, through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet;

the magnetic element being removably positionable on the outside of the canister, the canister and the connection assembly forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet, the interior separation chamber and the outlet, and the connection assembly further including a closable drain outlet for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister, to substantially empty the canister; and

in which spring members are provided for pushing the magnets away from the interior walls of the magnetic element, towards the canister when the element is installed over the canister, and the spring members are provided between the carrier and one of;

each magnet or the interior wall of the magnetic element.

21. A magnetic filter for a central heating system, the filter including a connection assembly, a canister, and a magnetic element,

the connection assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a circumferential flow chamber and an outlet for connection to a central heating circuit;

the canister having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet and outlet for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet, through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet; and

the magnetic element being removably positionable on the outside of the canister, the canister and the connection assembly forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet, the interior separation chamber and the outlet, and the connection assembly further including a closable drain outlet for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister, to substantially empty the canister.

22. A magnetic filter for a central heating system, the filter including a connection assembly, a canister, and a magnetic element,

the connection assembly including an inlet and an outlet for connection to a central heating circuit and fitments thereon which are interchangeably configurable as air bleed vents or as drain outlets;

the canister having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet and outlet for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet, through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet; and

the magnetic element being removably positionable on the outside of the canister, the canister and the connection assembly forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet, the interior separation chamber and the outlet, and the connection assembly further including a closable drain outlet for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister, to substantially empty the canister.