Abstrict
A filter cloth arrangement for use in a fixed filter cloth type
filter press including at least one pair of first and second filter
plates and a pair of first and second filter cloths interposed between
the first and second filter plates. The arrangement includes a support
member for supporting upper ends of the first and second filter
cloths, an elastic member for vibratingly supporting the support
member, a fixing member for fixing lower ends of the first and second
filter cloths to it, and a first slurry feeding plate attached to
the first filter cloth.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A filter cloth arrangement for use in a fixed filter cloth type
filter press including at least one pair of first and second filter
plates formed with first and second slurry feed openings, respectively,
and a pair of first and second filter cloths interposed between
said first and second filter plates, said first and second filter
cloths being, respectively, formed with first and second slurry
holes in communication with said first and second slurry feed openings
and defining a filter chamber therebetween when said first and second
filter plates are clamped to each other, said filter cloth arrangement
comprising:
a support member for supporting upper ends of said first and second
filter cloths;
an elastic member for vibratingly supporting said support member;
a fixing member for fixing lower ends of said first and second
filter cloths to lower portions of said first and second filter
plates, respectively; and
a first slurry feeding plate which is attached to said first filter
cloth so as to be disposed between said first and second filter
cloths such that said first filter cloth is vibrated together with
said first slurry feeding plate when said first and second filter
plates are retracted away from each other;
said first slurry feeding plate, when said first and second filter
plates are clamped to each other, defining a slurry feed passage
for introducing, in communication with said first and second slurry
holes, into said filter chamber, slurry to be filtered such that
the slurry is fed from either one of said first and second slurry
feed openings into said filter chamber through corresponding either
one of said first and second slurry holes and said slurry feed passage.
2. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first slurry feeding plate is formed with a through-opening extending
in a radial direction thereof such that said through-opening defines
said slurry feed passage.
3. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further including
a second slurry feeding plate, said second slurry feeding plate
being attached to said second filter cloth so as to be disposed
between said first and second filter cloths such that said second
filter cloth is vibrated together with said second slurry feeding
plate when said first and second filter plates are retracted away
from each other, with said first and second slurry feeding plates
confronting each other,
said first and second slurry feeding plates, when said first and
second filter plates are clamped to each other, being spaced away
from each other in an axial direction of said first and second slurry
feed openings so as to form a clearance therebetween such that said
clearance defines said slurry feed passage.
4. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein at
least one said first and second slurry feeding plates is formed
with a projections,
said projection, when said first and second filter plates are clamped
to each other, being brought into contact with the other one of
said first and second slurry feeding plates so as to form said clearance
between said first and second slurry feeding plates.
5. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 3, further including
a first thrust member fitted into said first slurry feed opening
and a second thrust member fitted into said second slurry feed opening,
said first and second thrust members when said first and second
filter plates are clamped to each other, being, respectively, brought
into contact with said second slurry feeding plate and said first
slurry feeding plate so as to form said clearance between said first
and second slurry feeding plates.
6. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
fixing member includes a pair of first and second rods for securing
the lower ends of said first and second filter cloths thereto, respectively,
and a pair of first and second fixtures for supporting end portions
of said first and second rods, respectively,
said first and second fixtures being, respectively, secured to
lower ends of said first and second filter plates so as to allow
said first and second rods to vibrate in upward and downward directions
of said first and second filter plates.
7. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
fixing member includes a pair of first and second rods for securing
the lower ends of said first and second filter cloths thereto, respectively,
which are set free from said first and second filter plates.
8. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
fixing member includes a pair of first and second rods for securing
the lower ends of said first and second filter cloths thereto, respectively,
and a pair of first and second fixtures for supporting end portions
of said first and second rods, respectively,
said first and second fixtures being, respectively, secured to
lower ends of said first and second filter plates so as to allow
said first and second rods to vibrate in upward and downward directions
of said first and second filter plates.
9. A filter cloth arrangment as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
fixing member includes a pair of first and second rods for securing
the lower ends of said first and second filter cloths thereto, respectively,
and a pair of first and second fixtures for supporting end portions
of said first and second rods, respectively,
said first and second fixtures being, respectively, secured to
lower ends of said first and second filter plates so as to allow
said first and second rods to vibrate in upward and downward directions
of said first and second filter plates.
10. A filter cloth arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
fixing member includes a pair of first and second rods for securing
the lower ends of said first and second filter cloths thereto, respectively,
and a pair of first and second fixtures for supporting end portions
of said first and second rods, respectively,
said first and second fixtures being, respectively, secured to
lower ends of said first and second filter plates so as to allow
said first and second rods to vibrate in upward and downward directions
of said first and second filter plates.
Description The present invention generally relates to a fixed filter cloth
type filter press including a plurality of filter plates and a plurality
of filter cloths interposed in pairs between adjacent ones of the
filter plates, in which upper ends of the filter cloths are hung
for support above the filter plates and portions of the filter cloths
are attached to the filter plates and more particularly, to a filter
cloth arrangement for use in the fixed filter cloth type filter
press.
Conventionally, there have been proposed various filter cloth fixing
arrangements for use in fixed filter cloth type filter presses of
this kind.
For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 21094/1963
(Jikkosho 38-21094) discloses a filter cloth fixing arrangement
in which each pair of adjacent filter cloths hung at opposite sides
of a filter plate are coupled to each other in a slurry hole of
the filter plate so as to form slurry feed openings of the filter
cloths and are retained at the slurry hole.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Publication No. 20697/1964 (Tokkosho
39-20697) discloses a filter cloth fixing arrangement in which outer
peripheral portions of slurry holes of filter cloths are clamped
to outer peripheral portions of slurry holes of filter plates by
the use of fixtures each formed with a slurry opening.
Furthermore, Japanese Utility Model Publication Nos. 20384/1970
(Jikkosho 45-20384) and 13027/1970 (Jikkosho) 45-13027) disclose
filter cloth fixing arrangements in which, when filter plates are
clamped to one another, each pair of fixtures of filter cloths are
brought into contact with each other so as to form a slurry feed
passage therebetween.
As described above, in the conventional filter cloth fixing arrangements,
it has been so arranged that the filter cloths are attached to the
outer peripheral portions of the slurry holes of the filter plates.
Accordingly, in the known filter cloth fixing arrangements, even
if upper ends of the filter cloths are elastically supported by
support rods and the filter cloths are subjected to vibration by
vibrating the support rods when the filter plates are retracted
away from one another, vibration of the filter cloths is not transmitted
to lower portions of the filter cloths, disposed downwardly of the
slurry holes of the filter plates. Consequently, the known filter
cloth fixing arrangements have such an inconvenience that, although
viscous filter cakes remaining on the upper portions of the filter
cloths are scraped off therefrom through vibration of the filter
cloths so as to fall down therefrom for discharge thereof, a portion
of viscous filter cakes adhering to the lower portions of the filter
cloths falls down by its own weight, but the remaining portion of
the viscous filter cakes is not scraped off therefrom so as to adhere
thereto as filter residue due to a fact that the lower portions
of the filter cloths are not vibrated, thereby aggravating the filtering
efficiency.
Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is to
provide an improved filter cloth arrangement for use in a fixed
filter cloth type filter press, provided with a filter cloth supporting
construction in which filter residue can be efficiently removed
from overall portions of filter cloths when filter plates are retracted
away from one another, with substantial elimination of the disadvantages
inherent in conventional filter cloth arrangements of this kind.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide
an improved filter cloth arrangement of the above described type
provided with a slurry feeding device by which the filter cloths
can be easily attached to the filter plates and slurry to be filtered
is fed between the filter cloths such that vibration of the filter
cloths is not restricted at all by other components than the filter
cloths.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved filter cloth arrangement of the above described type which
is simple in structure, highly reliable in actual use, suitable
for mass production at low cost, and can be readily incorporated
into fixed filter cloth type filter presses and the like at low
cost.
In accomplishing these and other objects according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an improved
filter cloth arrangement for use in a fixed filter cloth type filter
press including at least one pair of first and second filter plates
formed with first and second slurry feed openings, respectively
and a pair of first and second filter cloths interposed between
said first and second filter plates, said first and second filter
cloths being, respectively, formed with first and second slurry
holes in communication with said first and second slurry feed openings
and defining a filter chamber therebetween when said first and second
filter plates are clamped to each other, said filter cloth arrangment
comprising: a support member for supporting upper ends of said first
and second filter cloths; an elastic member for vibratingly supporting
said support member; a fixing member for fixing lower ends of said
first and second filter cloths to lower portions of said first and
second filter plates, respectively; and a first filter cloth so
as to be disposed between said first and second filter cloths such
that said first filter cloth is vibrated together with said first
slurry feeding plate when said first and second filter plates are
retracted away from each other; said first slurry feeding plate,
when said first and second filter plates are clamped to each other,
defining a slurry feed passage for introducing, in communication
with said first and second slurry holes, into said filter chamber,
slurry to be filtered such that the slurry is fed from either one
of said first and second slurry feed openings into said filter chamber
through corresponding either one of said first and second slurry
holes and said slurry feed passage.
In accordance with the present invention, since each of the filter
cloths retained at the lower ends can be vibrated as a whole by
vibrating the support members for supporting the upper ends of the
filter cloths when the filter plates are retracted away from each
other, while the slurry feeding plates are vibrated together with
the filter plates so as not to restrict vibration of the filter
cloths, the filter cakes are completely removed from the filter
cloths through overall vibration of the filter cloths and therefore,
can be smoothly discharged therefrom.
It is to be noted here that the term "filter plate" means
a so-called pressing filter plate in addition to an ordinary filter
plate, hereinbelow. Thus, the filter cloth arrangement of the present
invention can also be applied to a filter press having ordinary
filter plates and pressing filter plates arranged alternately or
a filter press provided with only pressing filter plates.
Meanwhile, it should be further noted that the term "fixed
filter cloth type" is used in contrast with a term "filter
cloth travelling type" and means a type in which effective
filtration areas of the filter cloths are not caused to travel with
respect to the filter plates in upward and downward directions and
are allowed to vibrate but are substantially fixed to the filter
plates.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a fixed
filter cloth type filter press in which a filter cloth arrangement
according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the filter press of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a slurry feeding device employed
in the filter cloth arrangement of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV--IV in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slurry feeding device of
FIG. 3 interposed between a pair of filter plates employed in the
filter press of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a first modification thereof;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a second modification thereof;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a third modification thereof;
FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a fourth modification thereof;
FIGS. 14 and 15 and FIG. 16 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5,
respectively, particularly showing a fifth modification thereof;
FIGS. 17 and 18 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a sixth modification thereof;
FIGS. 19 and 20 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a seventh modification thereof;
FIGS. 21 and 22 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing an eighth modification thereof;
FIGS. 23 and 24 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing a ninth modification thereof;
FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 5, particularly showing a tenth
modification thereof;
FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are views similar to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively,
particularly showing an eleventh modification thereof;
FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 5, particularly showing a twelfth
modification thereof;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXX--XXX
in FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXI--XXXI
in FIG. 29;
FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of a filter cloth retaining
device employed in the filter cloth arrangement of FIG. 1;
FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the filter cloth retaining
device of FIG. 32;
FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b) and FIGS. 35(a) and 35 (b) are views similar
to FIGS. 32 and 33, respectively, particularly showing a first modification
thereof;
FIGS. 36 and 37 are views similar to FIG. 32, particularly showing
second and third modification thereof, respectively;
FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b) are views similar to FIGS. 32 and 33, respectively,
particularly showing a fourth modification thereof;
FIG. 39 is a view similar to FIG. 32, particularly showing a fifth
modification thereof;
FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 2, particularly showing a filter
cloth arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XLI--XLI
in FIG. 40;
FIG. 42 and 43 are views similar to FIG. 1, particularly showing
filter cloth arrangements according to third and fourth embodiments
of the present invention, respectively; and
FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of an amplitude regulating device
employed in the filter cloth arrangements of FIGS. 42 and 43.
Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is
to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals
throughout several views of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
a fixed filter cloth type filter press in which a filter cloth arrangement
S1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.
The filter press generally includes a front stand 1, a main plate
2 supported by the front stand 1, a slurry feed pipe 3, a filtrate
discharge pipe 4, a rear stand 5, a movable plate 6, a plurality
of filter plates 8 each formed with a slurry feed opening 8a and
a pair of lugs 8b, a hydraulic cylinder 7 for clamping the filter
plates 8, a pair of side beams 9 extending between the front stand
1 and the rear stand 5 along opposite sides thereof, a plurality
of filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 interposed in pairs between adjacent
ones of the filter plates 8 and each formed with a slurry hole 10a,
and a pair of upper rails 18 extending between and mounted on upper
portions of the front stand 1 and the rear stand 5. It should be
noted here that leftward and rightward directions in FIG. 1 illustrate
front and rear portions of the filter press, respectively. The slurry
feed pipe 3 and the filtrate discharge pipe 4 are mounted on the
front stand 1, while the hydraulic cylinder 7 having a plunger end
coupled to a central portion of a rear face of the movable plate
6 is supported by the rear stand 5. Meanwhile, the pair of the lugs
8b disposed at opposite sides of each of the filter plates 8 are,
respectively, placed on the pair of the side beams 9, so that the
filter plates 9 can be moved in forward and rearward directions
of the filter press. When the filter plates 8 are clamped to one
another between the main plate 2 and the movable plate 6 upon forward
displacement of the movable plate 6 by the use of the hydraulic
cylinder 7, a filter chamber 21 (FIG. 5) is defined between each
pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 interposed in pairs between
adjacent ones of the filter plates 8, so that slurry to be filtered
which is fed under pressure into the filter chamber 21 is filtered
such that filter residue caught in the filter chamber 21 is gradually
formed into a filter cake, while filtrate is collected into the
filtrate discharge pipe 4.
When one cycle of filtration has been completed, the movable plate
6 is retracted away from the main plate 2 and thus, the filter plates
8 are retracted away from each other sequentially from the side
of the movable plate 6 by a known mechanism (not shown) such that
the filter cakes are discharged from the filter chambers 21.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the filter cloth arrangement S1 generally
includes a slurry feeding device K, a filter cloth supporting device
L1 for supporting upper ends of each pair of the filter cloths 10-1
and 10-2 and a filter cloth retaining device M for retaining lower
ends of each pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 at lower portions
of the adjacent filter plates 8.
The filter cloth supporting device L1 includes a support rod 11
for supporting the upper ends of each pair of the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2 hanging therefrom, a pair of hinge pins 14, and a
pair of coiled springs 15 having upper ends secured to the hinge
pins 14, respectively and lower ends attached to opposite ends of
the support rod 11, respectively for elastically supporting the
support rod 11. Each of the hinge pins 14 is arranged to couple
openable upper ends of a pair of links 13-1 and 13-2 to each other
between and upwardly of the adjacent filter plates 8. Each of the
links 13-1 and 13-2 has a link 16 hinged at a lower portion thereof
and further, a tension bar 17 for straining each of the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2 is secured to one end of the link 16. When the adjacent
filter plates 8 are retracted away from each other as shown in FIG.
1, the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are pulled apart from each other
by a pair of the tension bars 17 so as to strain the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2 properly. Furthermore, when a filter cloth vibrator
19 travelling along the upper rails 18 is disposed immediately above
the support rod 11 and is operated to apply impact forces to the
support rod 11 through actuation of an impact piston 20, the support
rod 11 is subjected to large upward and downward vibrations, so
that the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are slackened and
strained alternately such that filter residue adhering to the filter
cloths 10-1 and 10-2 without falling down therefrom by its own weight
at the time of retraction of the adjacent filter plates 8 away from
each other is scraped off therefrom so as to fall down therefrom.
The slurry feeding device K generally includes a pair of slurry
feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 for introducing the slurry into the
filter chamber 21 through the slurry feed openings 8a of the adjacent
filter plates 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to vibrate
the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 smoothly, the pair of
the slurry feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 are attached to only the
filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2, respectively and are separated from
the adjacent filter plates 8. Accordingly, when the pair of the
filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are strained as described above, the
pair of the slurry feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 are spaced away
from the adjacent filter plates 8 together with the pair of the
filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2, respectively.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, each of the slurry
feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 includes an inner ring 23 formed with
a through-hole 23a and an outer ring 24 provided with a through-opening
24a and formed smaller, in thickness, than the inner ring 23. The
inner ring 23 and the outer ring 24 are secured to each other by
a plurality of flush bolts 26 so as to interpose each of the filter
cloths 10-1 and 10-2 therebetween such that the slurry hole 10a
of each of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 is communicated with
the through-hole 23a and the through-opening 24a, with the inner
rings 23 of the slurry feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 confronting
each other. The inner ring 23 has two grooves 27 formed, in communication
with the through-hole 23a, on one face thereof remote from the outer
ring 24 and extending at right angles to each other. The grooves
27 have a depth substantially equal to a half of a thickness of
the inner rings 23 such that four ungrooved portions 28 constitute
projections of each of the pair of the inner rings 23.
Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each
other as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of the slurry feeding plates
22-1 and 22-2 are interposed between packings 29 of the adjacent
filter plates 8 such that the ungrooved portions 28 of the inner
rings 23 of the pair of the slurry feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2
are brought into contact with each other, with each of the packings
29 defining each of the slurry feed openings 8a. At this time, a
slurry feed passage 30 is formed between the pair of the slurry
feeding plates 22-1 and 22-2 by the grooves 27 of the pair of the
inner rings 23. Accordingly, the slurry is fed from one of the slurry
feed openings 8a of the adjacent filter plates 8 into the filter
chamber 21 through a corresponding one of the through-openings 24a
of the pair of the outer rings 24, a corresponding one of the slurry
holes 10a of the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2, a corresponding
one of the through-holes 23a of the pair of the inner rings 23 and
the slurry feed passage 30. Although the slurry feed passage 30
is defined between the pair of the inner rings 23 by forming the
grooves 27 and the projecting ungrooved protions 28 on the pair
of the inner rings 23 in the above described embodiment, the slurry
feed passage can be defined in various ways as follows.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(1) which is a first modification of the slurry feeding device
K. The first modified slurry feeding device K(1) includes a pair
of inner rings 31 and 31' each acting as a slurry feeding plate.
The pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are, respectively, attached
to the inner rings 31 and 31' by the use of a plurality of countersunk
screws 32 so as to interpose the inner rings 31 and 31' therebetween.
Meanwhile, the inner rings 31 has a plurality of cylindrical projections
33 formed on one face thereof remote from the filter cloth 10-1.
Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each
other, the projections 33 of the inner ring 31 are brought into
contact with a mating face 31'a of the inner ring 31', whereby a
slurry feed passage 34 is defined between the inner rings 31 and
31'.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a slurry feeding
device K(2) which is a second modification of the slurry feeding
device K. The second modified slurry feeding device K(2) includes
a pair of slurry feeding plates 39. Each of the slurry feeding plates
39 includes an inner ring 36 and an outer ring 37. By inserting
a plurality of flush bolts 38 from the outer ring 37 into the inner
ring 36 through each of the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2
and then, fastening nuts 35 to the flush bolts 38, respectively,
the inner ring 36 and the outer ring 37 are secured to each other
so as to interpose each of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 therebetween.
When the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other, the
nuts 35 projecting out of the pair of the inner rings 36 and confronting
each other are brought into contact with each other, whereby a slurry
feed passage 40 is defined between the pair of the inner rings 36.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(3) which is a third modification of the slurry feeding device
K. In the third modified slurry feeding device K(3), a plurality
of stepped bolts 41 are employed in place of the flush bolts 38
of the second modified slurry feeding device K(2). Each of the stepped
bolts 41 includes a small diameter rod portion 41a having a length
equal to a thickness of the outer ring 37 and a threaded portion
41b having a length substantially equal to a sum of a thickness
of the inner ring 36 and that of each of the nuts 35 and formed
larger, in diameter, than the small diameter rod portion 41a. The
small diameter rod portion 41a is welded, at its distal end, to
the outer ring 37 at one face of the outer ring 37 remote from each
of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 such that the threaded portion
41b projects out of the inner ring 36. Then, the nuts 35 are fastened
to the threaded portions 41b of the stepped bolts 41 of the pair
of the slurry feeding plates 39 so as to confront each other. Accordingly,
when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other, the
nuts 35 projecting out of the pair of the inner rings 36 and confronting
each other are brought into contact with each other, whereby the
slurry feed passage 40 is defined between the pair of the inner
rings 36.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(4) which is a fourth modification of the slurry feeding device
K. In the fourth modified slurry feeding device K(4), a plurality
of hexagon head bolts 42 each having a hexagon head 42a are employed
in place of the nuts 35 and the flush bolts 38 of the second modified
slurry feeding device K(2) and the nuts 35 and the stepped bolts
41 of the third modified slurry feeding device K(3). Namely, by
screwing the hexagon head bolts 42 from the inner ring 36 into threaded
holes 37a of the outer ring 37 through each of the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2, the inner ring 36 and the outer ring 37 are secured
to each other so as to interpose each of the filter cloths 10-1
and 10-2 therebetween such that the hexagon heads 42a projecting
out of the pair of the inner rings 36 confront each other. Accordingly,
when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other, the
hexagon heads 42a of the pair of the slurry feeding plates 39 are
brought into contact with each other, whereby the slurry feed passage
40 is defined between the pair of the inner rings 36.
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(5) which is a fifth modification of the slurry feeding device
K. In the fifth modified slurry feeding device K(5), a plurality
of hexagon head bolts 43 each formed with a hexagon head 43a having
a large height are employed in place of the hexagon head bolts 42
of the fourth modified slurry feeding device K(4). Furthermore,
the hexagon head bolts 43 secured to one of the pair of the slurry
feeding plates 39 are brought out of alignment with the hexagon
head bolts 43 secured to the other one of the pair of the slurry
feeding plates 39. Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates
8 are clamped to each other, the hexagon heads 43a of the hexagon
head bolts 43 secured to one and the other one of the pair of the
slurry feeding plates 39 are, respectively, brought into contact
with the inner rings 36 of the other one and the one of the pair
of the slurry feeding plates 39, whereby the slurry feed passage
40 is defined between the pair of the inner rings 36.
Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown a slurry feeding
device K(6) which is a sixth modification of the slurry feeding
device K. The sixth modified slurry feeding device K(6) includes
a pair of slurry feeding plates 47. Each of the slurry feeding plates
47 includes an inner ring 44. The pair of the filter cloths 10-1
and 10-2 are, respectively, attached to the pair of the inner rings
44 by the use of flush bolts 45 so as to interpose the pair of the
inner rings 44 therebetween such that threaded portions of the flush
bolts 45 projecting out of the pair of the inner rings 44 confront
each other. Then, nuts 46 are fastened to the threaded portions
of the flush bolts 45 projecting out of the pair of the inner rings
44. Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to
each other, the nuts 46 projecting out of the pair of the inner
rings 44 and confronting each other are brought into contact with
each other, whereby a slurry feed passage 48 is defined between
the pair of the inner rings 44.
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(7) which is a seventh modification of the slurry feeding device
K. The seventh modified slurry feeding device K(7) includes a pair
of slurry feeding plates 51. Each of the slurry feeding plates 51
includes the inner ring 44. The pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and
10-2 are, respectively, attached to the pair of the inner rings
44 by the sue of a plurality of flush bolts 49 so as to interpose
the pair of the inner rings 44 therebetween. Furthermore, three
spring plates 50 each having a pair of raised end portions 50a and
a flat central portion 50b are provided between the pair of the
inner rings 44 such that the central portions 50a of the spring
plates 50 are welded to one of the pair of the inner rings 44. with
the raised end portions 50b of the spring plates 50 confronting
the other one of the pair of the inner rings 44. Accordingly, when
the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other, a slurry
feed passage 52 is defined between the pair of the inner rings 44
through contact of the raised end portions 50b of the spring plates
50 with the other one of the pair of the inner rings 44.
Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(8) which is an eighth modification of the slurry feeding device
K. The eighth modified slurry feeding device K(8) includes a pair
of slurry feeding plates 58. Each of the slurry feeding plates 58
includes an inner ring 55 formed with a plurality of holes 55a and
a retainer ring 56 formed with a plurality of bosses 56a engageable
with the holes 55a, respectively. Each of the bosses 56a is formed
with a threaded hole 56b extending therethrough. Thus, after the
bosses 56a of the retainer ring 56 are fitted into the holes 55a
of the inner ring 55, the inner ring 55 is secured to the retainer
ring 56 by screwing hexagon head bolts 57 from the inner ring 55
into the threaded holes 56b of the retainer ring 56 so as to interpose
each of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 therebetween such that hexagon
heads 57a of the hexagon head bolts 57 projecting out of the pair
of the inner rings 55 confront each other. Accordingly, when the
adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other, the hexagon
heads 57a of the hexagon head bolts 57 projecting out of the pair
of the inner rings 55 and confronting each other are brought into
contact with each other, whereby a slurry feed passage 59 is defined
between the pair of the inner rings 55.
Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(9) which is a ninth modification of the slurry feeding device
(K). The ninth modified slurry feeding device K(9) includes a pair
of slurry feeding plates 62. Each of the slurry feeding plates 62
includes an inner ring 60 and a retainer ring 61. The inner ring
60 has a cylindrical portion 60b formed with external threads 60a
and a flange portion 60c integrally formed with the cylindrical
portion 60b, while the retainer ring 61 is formed with internal
threads 61a engageable with the external threads 60a of the inner
ring 60 and a plurality of tool holes 61b for receiving pin members
of a clamping tool therein. Furthermore, each of the inner rings
60 has two grooves 63 formed on one face of the flange portion 60c
remote from each of the adjacent filter plates 8 and extending at
right angles to each other. Thus, after the cylindrical portion
60b of the inner ring 60 is inserted into each of the slurry holes
10a of the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 and then, the
external threads 60a of the inner ring 60 are screwed into the internal
threads 61a of the retainer ring 61 by using the clamping tool through
fitting of the pin members of the clamping tool into the tool holes
61b of the retainer ring 61, the inner ring 60 and the retainer
ring 61 are secured to each other so as to interpose each of the
pair of filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 therebetween such that ungrooved
portions 64 of the pair of the inner rings 60 confront each other.
Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each
other, the ungrooved portions 64 of the pair of the inner rings
60 are brought into contact with each other, whereby a slurry feed
passage 65 is defined between the pair of the inner rings 60 by
the grooves 63 of the pair of the inner rings 60.
Referring now to FIG. 25, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(10) which is a tenth modification of the slurry feeding device
K. In the tenth modified slurry feeding device K(10), the fourth
modified slurry feeding device K(4) is so modified that a sealing
ring 67 made of, for example, rubber is additionally provided between
each of the pair of the outer rings 37 and each of the pair of the
adjacent filter plates 8. By the above described sealing arrangement
of the tenth modified slurry feeding device K(10), even if the slurry
feeding plate 39 is slightly inaccurately positioned with respect
to the slurry feed opening 8a defined by the packing 29 of each
of the pair of adjacent filter plates 8, a clearance between the
outer ring 37 and the packing 29 is positively sealed by the sealing
ring 67, whereby the slurry is prevented from leaking out of the
slurry feed opening 8a towards one face of each of the pair of the
filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 adjacent to the packing 29. Meanwhile,
although it is desirable that the sealing ring 67 is formed larger,
in outside diameter, than the outer ring 37 in consideration of
the above described inaccurate positioning of the slurry feeding
plate 39 with respect to the slurry feed opening 8a of each of the
pair of the adjacent filter plates 8, it can be also so arranged
that the outer ring 37 itself is formed large properly so as to
be equal, in outside diameter, to the sealing ring 67.
Referring to FIGS. 26 to 28, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(11) which is an eleventh modification of the slurry feeding device
K. It is to be noted that FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken
along the line XXVII--XXVII in FIG. 26. The eleventh modified slurry
feeding device K(11) includes a single slurry feeding plate 25 secured
to one of the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 by the use
of the flush bolts 26. The slurry feeding plate 25 has a through-hole
25a extending axially in communication with the slurry holes 10a
of the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 and two through-openings
25b extending radially at right angles to each other in communication
with the through-hole 25a such that the through-openings 25b act
as a slurry feed passage. When the adjacent filter plates 8 are
clamped to each other as shown in FIG. 28, the slurry feeding plate
25 is clamped between the adjacent filter plates 8 through the pair
of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2, whereby the through-openings
25b act as the slurry feed passage.
Referring to FIGS. 29 to 31, there is shown a slurry feeding device
K(12) which is a twelfth modification of the slurry feeding device
K. The twelfth modified slurry feeding device K(12) includes a first
thrust member 123, a second thrust member 124, a first slurry feeding
plate 126 and a second slurry feeding plate 127. The first thrust
member 123 has an annular portion 123a detachably fitted into the
slurry feed opening 8a of one of the adjacent filter plates 8, a
plurality of pillared portions 123b extending axially from the annular
portion 123a in opposite directions, and a through-hole 123c defined
by the annular portion 123a. The pillared portions 123b are formed
along a circumferential direction of the annular portion 123a at
an interval of, for example, 90.degree.. The second thrust member
124 is substantially equal, in structure, to the first thrust member
123 and is formed with an annular portion 124a, a plurality of pillared
portions 124b and a through-hole 124c such that the annular portion
124a is detachably fitted into the slurry feed opening 8a of the
other one of the adjacent filter plates 8. Meanwhile, the first
and second slurry feeding plates 126 and 127 are, respectively,
attached to the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 by the flush
bolts 26 such that the pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are,
respectively, disposed between the first slurry feeding plate 126
and the one of the adjacent filter plates 8 and between the second
slurry feeding plate 127 and the other one of the adjacent filter
plates 8. The first slurry feeding plate 126 is formed with a through-hole
126b having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of
the pillared portions 123b of the first thrust member 123 and a
plurality of stopper portions 126a extending radially inwardly from
the through-hole 126b. Likewise, the second slurry feeding plate
127 is formed with a through-hole 127b having an inside diameter
larger than an outside diameter of the pillared portions 124b of
the second thrust member 124 and a plurality of stopper portions
127a extending radially inwardly from the through-hole 127b. Since
the first and second thrust members 123 and 124 are, respectively,
fitted into the slurry feed openings 8a of the adjacent filter plates
8 such that the pillared portions 123b are brought out of alignment
with the pillared portions 124b, the pillared portions 123b and
124b are, respectively, inserted between adjacent ones of the pillared
portions 124b and between adjacent ones of the pillared portions
123b when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each other.
Accordingly, when the adjacent filter plates 8 are clamped to each
other as shown in FIG. 29, the pillared portions 123b of the first
thrust member 123 and the pillared portions 124b of the second thrust
member 124 are, respectively, brought into contact with the stopper
portions 127a of the second slurry feeding plate 127 and the stopper
portions 126a of the first slurry feeding plate 126 such that a
predetermined clearance d is formed between the first and second
slurry feeding plates 126 and 127, whereby a slurry feed passage
128 is defined between the first and second slurry feeding plates
126 and 127 by the clearance d.
In the above described arrangement of the twelfth modified slurry
feeding device K(12), even if a thickness of the filter plates 8
or a clamping stroke of the filter plates 8 is changed, the first
and second slurry feeding plates 126 and 127 are not required to
be replaced, but only the first and second thrust members 123 and
124 are required to be replaced.
In the above described slurry feeding devices K and K(1) to K(12),
it can be so modified that the slurry feed opening 8a is provided
at a location other than the central portion of each of the filter
plates 8, for example, at a peripheral portion thereof and a plurality
of the slurry feed openings 8a are provided on each of the filter
plates 8. Furthermore, it can be so modified that a packing made
of rubber and having flange portions formed on opposite sides thereof
is fitted into a slurry feed portion of each of the filter plates.
Hereinbelow, the filter cloth retaining device M will be described
with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. The filter cloth retaining device
M includes a pair of rods 12 for securing the lower ends of each
pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 thereto, respectively, a
bracket 79 formed with a pair of slots 80 extending downwardly and
a clasp 82 formed with a pair of elongated openings 81 extending
in parallel with the slots 80. The bracket 79 secured to a bottom
face of each of the pair of filter plates 8 further has two threaded
holes 83 (not shown) formed at a lower portion thereof and the slots
80 have open lower ends 80a formed at opposite sides of the bracket
79, respectively. After end portions of the pair of the rods 12
are, respectively, inserted into the slots 80 from the open lower
ends 80a as shown by the arrows in FIG. 32, the clasp 82 is secured
at a proper position of the bracket 79 by screwing two hexagon socket
head cap screws 84 into the threaded holes 83 through the elongated
openings 81, respectively so as to cover the open lower ends 80a
of the slots 80. Thus, the rods 12 can be vibrated in the slots
80 in upward and downward directions of the bracket 79 within a
range of an amplitude T. When the clasp 82 is lowered by loosening
the hexagon socket head cap screws 84, the rods 12 can be removed
from the slots 80, respectively. Meanwhile, the amplitude T can
be changed within a length of the elongated openings 81 by adjusting
clamping positions of the clasp 82.
Referring now to FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b) and FIGS. 35(a) and 35(b),
there is shown a filter cloth retaining device M(1) which is a first
modification of the filter cloth retaining device M. The first modified
filter cloth retaining device M(1) includes a bracket 86 and a clasp
91. The bracket 86 has a pair of side forks 86a extending downwardly
at opposite sides thereof and a central fork 87 extending downwardly
between the side forks 86a such that a pair of slots 93 are defined
between the central fork 87 and one of the side forks 86a and between
the central fork 87 and the other one of the side forks 86a, respectively.
The bracket 86 further has a guide protrusion 88 formed at a lower
portion of the central fork 87 and a threaded hole is formed on
the guide protrusion 88. Meanwhile, the clasp 91 has a hanger 90
which is formed with an elongated opening 89 engageable with the
guide protrusion 88 of the bracket 86 such that the clasp 91 is
secured to the bracket 86 through fitting of the guide protrusion
88 into the elongated opening 89 by screwing a setscrew 92 into
the threaded hole of the guide protrusion 88. In the above described
arrangement of the first modified filter cloth retaining device
M(1), after the pair of the rods 12 have been inserted into the
slots 93 with the clasp 91 being lowered as shown in FIGS. 34(a)
and 35(a), the clasp 91 is pushed upwardly and then, is secured
to the bracket 86 by the use of the set screw 92 as shown in FIGS.
34(b) and 35(b), whereby the clasp 91 can be secured to the bracket
86 or moved with respect to the bracket 86 with much ease.
Referring to FIGS. 36 and 37, there are shown filter cloth retaining
devices M(2) and M(3) which are second and third modifications of
the filter cloth retaining device M, respectively. In the second
and third modified filter cloth retaining devices M(2) and M(3),
clasps 94 and 95 are, respectively, pivotally supported at the lower
portion of the bracket 79 so as to be pivoted about a setting bolt
thereof. Thus, when the clasps 94 and 95 are pivoted alternately,
the open lower ends 80a of the pair of the slots 80 are alternately
exposed, whereby the pair of the rods 12 can be alternately inserted
into the pair of the slots 80.
Referring to FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b), there is shown a filter cloth
retaining device M(4) which is a fourth modification of the filter
cloth retaining device M. The fourth modified filter cloth retaining
device M(4) includes a clasp 96 formed with a T-shaped slot 97 and
a setscrew 98 having an engageable portion 98a of a rectangular
cross section. The T-shaped slot 97 includes a horizontal slot portion
97a and a vertical slot portion 97b extending upwardly from the
horizontal slot portion 97a so as to receive the engageable portion
98a therein. In the above described arrangement of the fourth modified
filter cloth retaining device K(4), the clasp 96 can be secured
with the engageable portion 98a being fitted into the vertical slot
portion 97b as shown in the solid lines in FIG. 38(a). Meanwhile,
in order to unclamp the clasp 96, the clasp 96 is lifted upwardly
such that the engageable portion 98a is disengaged from the vertical
slot portion 97b into the horizontal slot portion 97a, so that the
clasp 96 can be moved in sidewise directions within a length of
the horizontal slot portion 97a such that the open lower ends 80a
of the pair of the slots 80 are exposed alternately. Furthermore,
it is desirable that the clasps 96 are provided so as to be spaced
away from each other in an axial direction of the rods 12 such that
the clasps 96 are held out of contact with each other between the
adjacent filter plates 8.
Referring to FIG. 39, there is shown a filter cloth retaining device
M(5) which is a fifth modification of the filter cloth retaining
device M. The fifth modified filter cloth retaining device M(5)
includes a bracket 100, a pair of pins 101, a pair of pins 102 and
a pair of clasps 103 of a latch type. The bracket 100 has a pair
of cutout portions formed at opposite sides thereof and thus, includes
an upper portion 100b, a lower portion 100c and a central throat
portion 100a connecting the upper portion 100b and the lower portion
100c. Meanwhile, each of the clasps 103 has a central throat portion
103a, an elongated opening 104 formed at a lower portion thereof
and engageable with each of the pins 102 and a hook 105 formed at
an upper portion thereof and engageable with each of the pins 101.
The pair of the pins 101 and the pair of the pins 102 are, respectively,
driven into the upper portion 100b and the lower portion 100c of
the bracket 100. As shown in a left-hand portion of FIG. 39, when
one of the clasps 103 is engaged with one of the pins 101, a slot
106 which receives one of the rods 12 such that the one of the rods
12 can be vibrated therein is formed between the central throat
portion 103a of the one of the clasps 103 and the central throat
portion 100a of the bracket 100. In the above described arrangement
of the fifth modified filter cloth retaining device M(5), the rods
12 for retaining the lower portions of each pair of the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2 can be easily inserted into or removed from the slots
106, respectively, thus resulting in an excellent working efficiency.
Hereinbelow, a filter cloth arrangement S2 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference
to FIGS. 40 and 41. The filter cloth arrangement S2 includes a filter
cloth supporting device L2. The filter cloth supporting device L2
includes a support rod 71 for supporting an upper end of a filter
cloth 70 of one-piece construction hanging therefrom, a pair of
brackets 73 secured to opposite sides of each of the filter plates
8, respectively, and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of pins
74 secured to upper portions of the pair of the brackets 73, respectively,
and confronting each other, and a pair of coiled springs 75 hanging
from the pair of the pins 74, respectively. An opening 72 for receiving
the support rod 71 therein is formed at a central portion of the
filter cloth 70 by sewing together. Thus, opposite ends of the support
rod 71 inserted through the opening 72 of the filter cloth 70 are
elastically supported by the pair of the coiled springs 75, respectively,
such that two halves of the filter cloth 70 cover opposite filtration
areas of each of the filter plates 8. Since other constructions
of the filter cloth arrangement S2 are similar to those of the filter
cloth arrangement S1, detailed description thereof is abbreviated
for the sake of brevity.
Referring now to FIGS. 42 and 43, there are shown filter cloth
arrangements S3 and S4 according to third and fourth embodiments
of the present invention, respectively. It will be readily seen
that the filter cloth arrangments S3 and S4 correspond to the filter
cloth arrangements S1 and S2, respectively. The filter cloth arrangements
S3 and S4 include filter cloth supporting devices L3 and L4, respectively.
In the above described filter cloth supporting devices L1 and L2,
it is so arranged that the pair of rods 12 for retaining the lower
ends of each pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 (70) are adjustably
set so as to determine the amplitude of the rods 12 and position
the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 (70). On the other hand, in the
filter cloth supporting devices L3 and L4, an amplitude regulating
device 220 shown in FIG. 44 is coupled to the support rod 11 (71)
for supporting the upper ends of each pair of the filter cloths
10-1 and 10-2 (70) such that upper and lower limits of vibration
of the support rod 11 (71) can be adjustably set.
Namely, as shown in FIG. 44, the amplitude regulating device 220
includes an outer sleeve 221, an inner sleeve 222 provided in the
outer sleeve 221, a coiled spring 223 wound around the inner sleeve
222, a bottom sleeve 224 in threaded engagement with a lower outer
peripheral surface of the outer sleeve 221, a bracket 225 mounted
on an outer surface of a top wall of the outer sleeve 221, a nut
226 engageable with the hinge pin 14 (pin 74), a coupling bolt 227,
a nut 228 engageable with the coupling bolt 227 and a fixture 229
attached to a lower end of the coupling bolt 227. The outer sleeve
221 and the inner sleeve 222 are movable relative to each other
and the inner sleeve 222 has an upper flange 222a and a threaded
hole 222b formed at a lower portion thereof. Meanwhile, the bottom
sleeve 224 has a bottom wall 224a. Thus, upper and lower ends of
the coiled spring 223 are, respectively, supported by the upper
flange 222a of the inner sleeve 222 and the bottom wall 224a of
the bottom sleeve 224. The bracket 225 is secured to the hinge pin
14 (pin 74) by the use of the nut 226. Furthermore, the coupling
bolt 227 is screwed into the threaded hole 222b of the inner sleeve
222 and is locked in position by the nut 228 after the coupling
both 227 has been adjusted in height. The fixture 229 secured to
the lower end of the coupling bolt 227 is arranged to support each
of the opposite ends of the support rod 11 (71). In the above described
arrangements of the filter cloth arrangements S3 and S4, the upper
limit of vibration of the support coil rod 11 (71) is determined
through contact of the upper flange 222a of the inner sleeve 222
with an inner surface of the top wall of the outer sleeve 221, while
the lower limit of vibration of the support rod 11 (71) is determined
by a maximum compressible length of the coiled spring 223 and a
position of the coupling bolt 227.
In the filter cloth arrangement S3 (FIG. 42), since the pair of
the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 are strained in a substantially
V-shaped configuration, each of the pair of the rods 12 for retaining
the lower ends of each pair of the filter cloths 10-1 and 10-2 is
supported by a bracket 231 formed with a pair of elongated openings
230.
Meanwhile, in the filter cloth arrangement S4 (FIG. 43), it can
be so arranged that the pair of the rods 12 are set free as shown.
As is clear from the foregoing description, in accordance with
the present invention, since each of the filter cloths for use in
the fixed filter cloth type filter presses can be vibrated as a
whole when the filter plates are retracted away from each other,
filter cakes can be smoothly scraped from the filter cloths, thus
resulting in a stable filtering capacity of the filter presses of
this kind.
Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, even if
a thickness of the filter plates or a clamping stroke of the filter
plates is changed, the slurry feeding plates are not required to
be replaced but only the thrust members are required to be replaced.
Although the present invention has been fully described by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to
be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and
modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they
should be construed as included therein.
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