Water filter abstract
A laminated modular water filter includes a top plate, a bottom
plate and a plurality of superposed intermediate plates disposed
between the top and bottom plates. Each adjacent pair of the top,
intermediate and bottom plates are interconnected removably, and
define an accommodating space therebetween, within which a filter
unit is received fittingly. Each of the top and bottom plates has
a central hole which is in fluid communication with central holes
in the intermediate plates, and two side openings which are in fluid
communication with a plurality of annular outer passages units in
the intermediate plates that are in fluid communication with the
accommodating spaces. Each of the filter units includes two filter
films interconnected fixedly along outer peripheries thereof, and
a filter net disposed between the films so as to define an annular
filtered-water passage between the films that is fluid communication
with the central holes.
Water filter claims
I claim:
1. A water filter for filtering dirty water, which has a plurality
of suspended solid particles, said water filter comprising: a plurality
of superposed annular intermediate plates arranged one above another,
each of said intermediate plates including a top surface with an
annular upper groove, a bottom surface with an annular lower groove,
a central hole formed through a respective one of said intermediate
plates, said central holes in each adjacent pair of said intermediate
plates being aligned with and being in fluid communication with
each other, and an annular outer passage unit formed through the
respective one of said intermediate plates and having an upper end
that is in fluid communication with an outer peripheral portion
of said upper groove in the respective one of said intermediate
plates, and a lower end that is in fluid communication with an outer
peripheral portion of said lower groove in the respective one of
said intermediate plates, said outer passage units in each adjacent
pair of said intermediate plates being aligned with and being in
fluid communication with each other; an annular top plate superposed
on an uppermost one of said intermediate plates and having a bottom
surface with an annular lower groove that is aligned with said upper
and lower grooves in said intermediate plates, a central hole formed
through said top plate and in fluid communication with said central
holes in said intermediate plates, and two side openings aligned
with and in fluid communication with said outer passage unit in
the uppermost one of said intermediate plates; an annular bottom
plate, on which a lowermost one of said intermediate plates is superposed,
said bottom plate having a top surface with an annular upper groove
that is aligned with said upper and lower grooves in said intermediate
plates, each adjacent pair of said top, intermediate and bottom
plates defining an annular accommodating space therebetween, which
is formed cooperatively from a respective one of said upper grooves
in said intermediate and bottom plates and a respective one of said
lower grooves in said top and intermediate plates and which is in
fluid communication with said central holes in said intermediate
plates, a central hole formed through said top plate and in fluid
communication with said central holes in said intermediate plates,
and two side openings aligned with and in fluid communication with
said outer passage unit in the lowermost one of said intermediate
plates; a plurality of laminated filter units disposed respectively
within a respective one of said accommodating spaces, each of said
filter units including two annular filter films that are received
fittingly within the respective one of said accommodating spaces
and that are interconnected fixedly along outer peripheral portions
thereof, and an annular filter net that is sandwiched between said
filter films so as to define an annular filtered-water passage between
said filter films, thereby preventing flow of the solid particles
into said filtered-water passage via said filter films, said filtered-water
passages having inner peripheries that are in fluid communication
with said central holes in said intermediate plates so as to permit
water flow between said central holes in said intermediate plates
and said filtered-water passages, the dirty water being capable
of being forced into said openings in said top plate when said central
hole and said openings in said bottom plate are closed such that
the dirty water flows into said filtered-water passages along a
flow path of said outer passage units in said intermediate plates,
said upper and lower grooves in said top, intermediate and bottom
plates and said filter films, thereby forming filtered water, which
in turn flows from said water filter through said central hole in
said top plate; and means for connecting said intermediate plates
removably to said top and bottom plates; whereby, after the solid
particles are deposited on said filter films and when said central
holes in said top and bottom plates are closed, washing water can
be forced into said openings in said top plate so as to flow from
said water filter through said openings in said bottom plate, thereby
removing the solid particles from said filter films; and whereby,
after the solid particles are deposited on said filter films and
when said central hole in said top plate is closed, washing water
can be forced into said central hole in said bottom plate so as
to flow from said water filter through said openings in said top
and bottom plates, thereby removing the solid particles from said
filter films.
2. The water filter as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said
intermediate plates further includes an annular inner passage unit
that is formed through the respective one of said intermediate plates
and that includes: an upper end in fluid communication with an inner
peripheral portion of said upper groove in the respective one of
said intermediate plates; a lower end in fluid communication with
an inner peripheral portion of said lower groove in the respective
one of said intermediate plates; and an inner periphery in fluid
communication with said central hole in the respective one of said
intermediate plates, said inner passage units in each adjacent pair
of said intermediate plates being aligned with and being in fluid
communication with each other.
3. The water filter as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said
filter units has an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral
portion, each of said intermediate plates being made of rubber,
and including: an annular inner plate portion defining said central
hole in the respective one of said intermediate plates therein;
an annular intermediate plate portion disposed around said inner
plate portion; an annular outer plate portion disposed around said
intermediate plate portion; a plurality of angularly equidistant,
vertical inner plates extending integrally and radially between
said inner and intermediate plate portions, each adjacent pair of
said inner plates defining a radial inner passage therebetween,
said radial inner passages cooperatively constituting a corresponding
one of said inner passage units, said inner plates of each adjacent
pair of said intermediate plates clamping said inner peripheral
portion of a respective one of said filter units therebetween; and
a plurality of angularly equidistant, vertical outer plates extending
integrally and radially between said intermediate and outer plate
portions, each adjacent pair of said outer plates defining a radial
outer passage therebetween, said radial outer passages cooperatively
constituting a corresponding one of said outer passage units, said
outer plates of each adjacent pair of said intermediate plates clamping
said outer peripheral portion of the respective one of said filter
units therebetween.
Water filter description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a water filter, and more particularly
to a laminated modular water filter.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1 a spiral-wound-type first conventional
water filer 1 is shown to include a filter film unit 103 which
is disposed between a pair of supporting nets 104 that are wound
fixedly on a porous inner pipe 105. An outer pipe 106 is disposed
fixedly around the inner pipe 105 and has two ends that are provided
with two fixed end caps 107 respectively. Although the filter 1
can filter water effectively, it cannot be cleaned by forcing water
therethrough. Furthermore, because it is difficult to remove the
film unit 103 from the inner and outerpipes 105 106 the former
can only be cleaned by chemical agents after the filter 1 has been
in use for a long time, thereby resulting in an expensive film-cleaning
process.
[0005] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 a tubular-type second conventional
water filter 2 is shown to include a plurality of tubular filter
films 201 that are disposed within a pipe 202 thereby defining
a filtered-water passage 203 between the pipe 202 and the films
201. Right and left outlets 204 205 are formed respectively in
two end portions of the pipe 202 and are in fluid communication
with the passage 203. The pipe 202 has a left end chamber 206 that
is in fluid communication with the left ends of the films 201 and
a right end chamber 206' that is in fluid communication with the
right ends of the films 201. When it is desired to filter raw water
or sewage water, that is referred to as dirty water hereinafter,
one of the end chambers 206 206' is closed, e.g. by means of a
stop valve (not shown), and the dirty water is forced into the other
one of the end chambers 206 206', e.g. by a pump (not shown). The
dirty water seeps through the films 201 so as to flow into the passage
203 thereby forming filtered potable water, which flows from the
filter 2 through the outlets 204 205. When it is desired to clean
the filter 2 the outlets 204 205 are closed and the end chambers
206 206' are opened so that washing water can be forced into one
of the end chambers 206 206' so as to flow through the water filter
2 and exit the other one of the end chambers 206 206'. Although
the water filter 2 can be cleaned effectively, when the sizes of
the solid particles suspended in the dirty water to be processed
are comparatively large, they are easily stuck within the films
201 thereby affecting adversely the filtering effect of the water
filter 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 shows a capillary-tube type third conventional water
filter 3 which is similar to the second conventional water filter
2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and which includes a plurality of tubular
filter films 301 that are filled within a pipe 302. The third conventional
water filter 3 has the same drawback as the second conventional
water filter 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of this invention is to provide a laminated modular
water filter with a plurality of filter units, the number of which
can be increased when the dirty water to be filtered is comparatively
dirty.
[0008] Anther object of this invention is to provide a laminated
modular water filter with a plurality of filter units, which can
be cleaned effectively by forcing water through the filter units
in opposite directions.
[0009] Still another object of this invention is to provide a laminated
modular water filter with a plurality of filter units, which can
be easily dismounted for cleaning purposes.
[0010] According to this invention, a laminated modular water filter
includes a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of superposed
intermediate plates disposed between the top and bottom plates.
Each adjacent pair of the top, intermediate and bottom plates are
interconnected removably, and define an accommodating space therebetween,
within which a filter unit is received fittingly. Each of the top
and bottom plates has a central hole which is in fluid communication
with central holes in the intermediate plates, and two side openings
which are in fluid communication with annular outer passages units
in the intermediate plates that are in fluid communication with
the accommodating spaces. Each of the filter units includes two
filter films interconnected along outer peripheries thereof, and
a filter net disposed between the films so as to define a filtered-water
passage between the films that is fluid communication with the central
holes.
[0011] When it is desired to filter dirty water, the central hole
and the openings in the bottom plate are closed, and the dirty water
is forced into the openings in the top plate. The dirty water flows
into the outer passage units in the intermediate plates and subsequently
into the accommodating spaces so as to seep through the films, thereby
forming filtered water in the filtered-water passages, which flows
from the water filter through the central hole in the top plate.
[0012] When the water to be processed is comparatively dirty, the
number of the intermediate plates and the filter units can be increased.
[0013] The water filter can be cleaned by:
[0014] (1) a forward washing method including the steps of closing
the central holes in the top and bottom plates, and forcing washing
water into the openings in the top plate so as to flow from the
water filter through the openings in the bottom plate; or
[0015] (2) a reverse washing method including the steps of closing
the central hole in the top plate, and forcing washing water into
the central hole in the bottom plate so as to flow from the water
filter through the openings in the top and bottom plates; or
[0016] (3) a dismount washing method including the steps of removing
each of the filter units from the remaining parts of the water filter
and washing the former.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other features and advantages of this invention
will become apparent in the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a first
conventional water filter, in which a filter film unit and two supporting
nets are stretched partially for the sake of illustration;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second conventional water
filter;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the second conventional water
filter, taken along Line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a third conventional water
filter;
[0022] FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of a laminated modular water filter according to this
invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an intermediate plate of
the preferred embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the intermediate plate of
the preferred embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment,
illustrating the flow path of the water to be filtered;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment,
illustrating how washing water is forced to flow along forward washing
paths in order to wash a plurality of filter units; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment,
illustrating how washing water is forced to flow along reverse washing
paths indicated by the phantom lines in order to wash the filter
units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the preferred embodiment of
a laminated modular water filter 100 according to this invention
is shown to include a plurality of superposed intermediate plates
10 a top plate 20 a bottom plate 30 a plurality of laminated
filter units 40 and four lock bolts 50 (only one is shown in FIG.
6). The top plate 20 is superposed on the uppermost intermediate
plate 10. The lowermost intermediate plate 10 is superposed on the
bottom plate 30. Each of the intermediate, top and bottom plates
10 20 30 is made of rubber, and has a central hole 11 21 31
and four fastener holes 17 25 35. The central holes 11 21 31
in the intermediate, top and bottom plates 10 20 30 are in fluid
communication with each other, as shown in FIG. 9. The bolts 50
extend respectively through the fastener holes 17 25 35 in each
of the intermediate, top and bottom plates 10 20 30 and engage
respectively four nuts 51 (only one is shown in FIG. 6), thereby
interconnecting the intermediate, top and bottom plates 10 20
30 removably.
[0030] The intermediate plates 10 are arranged one above another.
As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 each of the intermediate plates
10 includes a top surface 101 with an annular upper groove 12 a
bottom surface 102 with an annular lower groove 13 an annular outer
passage unit 14 and an annular inner passage unit 15. Each of the
outer passage units 14 is formed through the respective intermediate
plate 10 and has an upper end that is in fluid communication with
an outer peripheral portion of the corresponding upper groove 12
and a lower end that is in fluid communication with an outer peripheral
portion of the corresponding lower groove 13. Each of the inner
passage units 15 is formed through the respective intermediate plate
10 and has an upper end that is in fluid communication with an
inner peripheral portion of the corresponding upper groove 12 and
a lower end that is in fluid communication with an inner peripheral
portion of the corresponding lower groove 13.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9 the top plate 20 has two side
openings 22 that are located on two sides of the central hole 21
and that are in fluid communication with the outer passage units
14 in the intermediate plates 10 and a bottom surface 23 with an
annular lower groove 24.
[0032] The bottom plate 30 has two side openings 32 that are located
on two sides of the central hole 31 and that are in fluid communication
with the outer passage units 14 in the intermediate plates 10 and
a top surface 33 with an annular upper groove 34.
[0033] The upper grooves 12 34 in the intermediate and bottom
plates 10 30 are aligned with the lower grooves 13 24 in the intermediate
and top plates 10 20. Each adjacent pair of the intermediate, top
and bottom plates 10 20 30 define an annular accommodating space
40' therebetween, which is formed cooperatively from the respective
upper groove 12 34 and the respective lower groove 13 24 so as
to receive the respective filter unit 40 fittingly therein.
[0034] Each of the top and bottom surfaces 101 102 of the intermediate
plates 10 the bottom surface 23 of the top plate 20 and the top
surface 33 of the bottom plate 30 is formed with an annular slot
18 26 36. Each adjacent pair of the intermediate, top and bottom
plates 10 20 30 clamp an O-ring 181 261 361 therebetween, which
is received within the corresponding slots 18 26 36 so as to establish
a liquid-tight seal around the corresponding filter unit 40. Each
of the filter units 40 includes two annular filter films 43 44
that are received fittingly within the corresponding accommodating
space 40' and that are interconnected fixedly along outer peripheral
portions thereof, and a filter net 45 that is sandwiched between
the filter films 43 44 so as to define an annular filtered-water
passage 451 between the filter films 43 44. The filtered-water
passages 451 have inner peripheries that are in fluid communication
with the central holes 11 21 31 in the intermediate, top and bottom
plates 10 20 30. Each of the upper and lower grooves 12 13 24
34 is provided with a seal ring 123 133 243 343 that is disposed
in an inner periphery thereof, that abuts against an inner periphery
of the respective filter film 43 44 and that is disposed between
the corresponding filter film 43 44 and a corresponding one of
the intermediate, top and bottom plates 10 20 30. The upper grooves
12 34 in the intermediate and bottom plates 10 30 are aligned
with the lower grooves 13 24 in the intermediate and top plates
10 20.
[0035] When it is desired to filter dirty water, the central hole
31 and the openings 32 in the bottom plate 30 are closed. Subsequently,
dirty water is forced into the openings 22 in the top plate 20
e.g. by means of a pump (not shown), so as to flow into the outer
passage units 14 in the intermediate plates 10. Because the inner
passage units 15 are in fluid communication with the outer passage
units 14 via the upper and lower grooves 12 13 the dirty water
flows from the upper and lower grooves 12 13 and the outer and
inner passage units 14 15 into the filtered-water passages 451
thereby forming filtered water, i.e. potable pure water. The filtered
water is forced from the filtered-water passages 451 into the central
holes 11 21 31 in the intermediate, top and bottom plates 10
20 30 thereby flowing from the water filter 100 through the central
hole 21 in the top plate 20.
[0036] The water filter 100 can be cleaned by three methods, i.e.
a forward washing method, a reverse washing method and a dismount
washing method.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 10 the forward washing method includes
the following steps:
[0038] (1) closing the central holes 21 31 in the top and bottom
plates 20 30; and
[0039] (2) forcing washing water into the openings 22 in the top
plate 20 so as to seep through the filter films 43 44 in a first
direction, thereby flowing into the filtered-water passages 451
along forward washing paths indicated by the arrowheads (shown in
solid lines in FIGS. 10 and 11), and subsequently flowing from the
water filter 100 through the openings 32 (see FIG. 6) in the bottom
plate 30.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 11 the reverse washing method includes
the following steps:
[0041] (1) closing the central hole 21 in the top plates 20; and
[0042] (2) forcing washing water into the opening 32 in the bottom
plate 30 so as to seep through the filter films 43 44 in a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction, thereby flowing
from the filtered-water passages 451 into the outer passage units
14 along reverse washing paths indicated by the arrowheads (shown
in phantom lines), and subsequently flowing from the water filter
100 through the openings 22 32 in the top and bottom plate 20
30.
[0043] Because the second direction is opposite to the first direction,
the water filter 100 can be cleaned effectively by both the forward
washing method and the reverse washing method.
[0044] The dismount washing method includes the following steps:
[0045] (1) removing the bolts 50 from the nuts 51;
[0046] (2) removing each of the filter units 40 from the intermediate,
top and bottom plates 10 20 30; and
[0047] (3) washing the filter units 40 individually.
[0048] Referring once again to FIGS. 7 and 8 each of the intermediate
plates 10 includes an annular inner plate portion 103 an annular
intermediate plate portion 104 an annular outer plate portion 105
a plurality of angularly equidistant, vertical outer plates 143
and a plurality of angularly equidistant, vertical inner plates
153. Each of the inner plate portions 103 defines the central hole
11 in the respective intermediate plate 10. Each of the intermediate
plate portions 104 is disposed around the respective inner plate
portion 103. Each of the outer plate portions 105 is disposed around
the respective intermediate plate portion 104. The outer plates
143 extend integrally and radially between the intermediate and
outer plate portions 104 105. The inner plates 153 extend integrally
and radially between the inner and intermediate plate portions 103
104. Each adjacent pair of the outer plates 143 define a radial
outer passage 144 therebetween. The outer passages 144 cooperatively
constitute the outer passage unit 14. Each adjacent pair of the
inner plates 153 define a radial outer passage 154 therebetween.
The inner passages 154 cooperatively constitute the inner passage
unit 15. The filter units 40 have outer peripheral portions that
are clamped between the outer plates 143 and inner peripheral portions
that are clamped between the inner plates 153.
[0049] Each of the inner plate portions 103 is formed with a plurality
of integral flanges 106 that are spaced circumferentially apart
from each other, and two annular slots 122 132 that are formed
respectively in top and bottom surfaces of the respective inner
plate portion 103 between the flanges 106 and the inner plates 153
and that are in fluid communication with the corresponding inner
passage unit 15. Each of the slots 122 132 receives an intermediate
seal ring 123 133 and the inner periphery of the corresponding
filter unit 40 therein. Likewise, an upper seal ring 243 is disposed
between the top plate 20 and the uppermost intermediate plate 10
while a lower seal ring 343 is disposed between the lowermost intermediate
plate 10 and the bottom plate 30. The inner periphery of each of
the filter units 40 is clamped between the corresponding two seal
rings 123 133 243 343 as shown in FIG. 9.
[0050] Each of the flanges 106 has flat top and bottom surfaces
107 108. The flanges 106 of each adjacent pair of the intermediate
plates 10 abut against each other by engaging the corresponding
top surface 107 and the corresponding bottom surface 108. Each adjacent
pair of the flanges 106 define a space 109 therebetween, which is
in fluid communication with the corresponding central hole 11 and
the annular slots 122 132.
[0051] Referring once again to FIGS. 6 and 9 each of the intermediate
and bottom plates 10 30 is formed integrally with a plurality of
upper posts 126 344 that extend upwardly therefrom and that are
disposed within the corresponding upper grooves 12 34 so as to
press against a bottom surface of the corresponding filter unit
40 thereby forming a turbulent water flow around each of the upper
posts 126 344. Each of the intermediate and top plates 10 20 is
formed integrally with a plurality of lower posts 136 244 that
extend downwardly therefrom and that are disposed within the corresponding
lower grooves 13 24 so as to press against a top surface of the
corresponding filter unit 40 thereby forming a turbulent water
flow around each of the lower posts 136 244.
[0052] Each adjacent pair of the intermediate, top and bottom plates
10 20 30 are positioned relative to each other by engaging a plurality
of positioning posts 124 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), which are formed on
the top surface of a corresponding one of the intermediate and bottom
plates 10 30 with a plurality of positioning holes 134 (see FIGS.
7 and 8), which are formed in the bottom surface of a corresponding
one of the intermediate and top plates 10 20.
[0053] Because the intermediate plates 10 can be easily removed
from and mounted to the remaining parts of the water filter 100
when the water to be processed is comparatively dirty, the number
of the intermediate plates 10 the intermediate seal rings 123
133 the O-rings 181 and the filter units 40 can be increased accordingly.
[0054] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that
numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended
that this invention be limited only as indicated by the appended
claims.
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