Water filter abstract
A water filter formed of an upright closed vessel having water
inlet and outlet openings adjacent the top thereof, an outlet pipe
extending within the vessel from the water outlet opening to adjacent
the vessel interior bottom, a permeable barrier filter positioned
within the vessel adjacent the interior bottom and affixed to the
lower end of the outlet pipe, the vessel being filled with a particulate
filter medium, preferably charcoal or the equivalent, the filter
medium surrounding the barrier filter, and the barrier filter being
formed by a short length tubular wall of impervious material having
an opening in the tubular wall, a filter inlet pipe received in
the opening in the tubular wall and extending within the housing,
the end of the filter inlet pipe within the housing being closed
and the pipe having a plurality of small openings therein, two semi-circular
permeable foam plastic filter members within the interior of the
housing, the semi-circular filter members being the thickness substantially
that of the length of the housing side of the filter inlet pipe
within the housing, cloth membranes covering the ends of the tubular
wall, and the filter inlet pipe being connected outside the tubular
wall to the outlet pipe.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water filter comprising:
an upright closed vessel having a top, bottom and sidewalls and
having means defining a water inlet opening adjacent the top thereof
and means defining a water outlet opening;
a water outlet pipe extending within said vessel from said water
outlet opening to adjacent said vessel interior bottom;
a permeable barrier inlet filter positioned within said vessel
adjacent the interior bottom thereof and being affixed with internal
communication to the lower end of said water outlet pipe, the inlet
filter having a housing formed by a short length tubular wall of
impervious material open at each end and having means defining an
opening in the tubular wall;
a filter inlet pipe sealably received in said opening in said tubular
wall and extending within said housing, the end of the filter inlet
pipe within said housing being closed and the pipe having means
defining a plurality of small openings therein communicating the
interior of the pipe with the interior of said housing;
two semi-circular permeable foam plastic filter members within
the interior of said housing, the semi-circular filter members being
of thickness substantially that of the length of said housing and
being positioned one to either side of said filter inlet pipe within
said housing;
permeable cloth membranes closing said ends of said housing, whereby
water can flow through said membranes into the interior of said
housing and through said permeable foam plastic filter members into
said pipe through said small openings therein and out of said housing
through said pipe, said pipe being connected, outside of said housing,
the said water outlet pipe; and
a particulate filter medium substantially filling the interior
of said vessel and surrounding said barrier filter.
2. A water filter according to claim 1 wherein said particulate
filter medium is of the type which also purifies water flowing therethrough.
3. A water filter according to claim 2 wherein said particulate
filter medium is charcoal.
4. A water filter according to claim 1 including:
a short length inlet pipe within said vessel connected to said
water inlet opening, the inlet pipe being closed at the end within
said vessel and having a plurality of small openings therein, the
water inlet pipe serving to improve distribution of inflowing water
into the interior of said vessel.
5. A water filter according to claim 1 including a plurality of
said permeable barrier filters separately positioned within said
vessel adjacent the interior bottom thereof and being each connected
in parallel flow path arrangement with said water outlet pipe.
6. A water filter according to claim 1 including a plurality of
said permeable barrier inlet filters separately positioned within
said vessel adjacent the interior bottom thereof and wherein said
receiving pipe of each said permeable barrier inlet filter is connected,
to said water outlet pipe, whereby said plurality of permeable barrier
inlet filters are in parallel flow path arrangement feeding said
water outlet pipe.
Water filter description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There are many applications for water filters including large industrial
filtration systems employed by municipalities. The present invention
however, is directed towards a water filter of the type adapted
for home, office or industry application wherein it is desired to
provide a final water filter to remove particulate matter before
the water is used for drinking or other purposes. The water filter
of this invention provides for the use of a particulate filter medium
which serves not only to aid in removing suspended solids, but also
serves to purify the water by neutralization of its chlorine content.
The filter of this invention is in the form of an upright vessel
having a closed top and bottom end and a cylindrical side wall.
Adjacent the top of the vessel is a water inlet opening and a water
outlet opening. Connected to the water inlet opening is a short
length water distribution pipe which is closed at its end within
the vessel and has a plurality of small openings so that water passing
through the inlet pipe is distributed into the interior of the vessel.
Connected to the outlet opening is a water outlet pipe which extends
downwardly to adjacent the lower interior end of the vessel. Within
the lower end of the vessel is a permeable barrier filter connected
to the lower end of the water outlet pipe. The interior of the vessel
is filled with a particulate filter medium, preferably charcoal
or its equivalent, so that the particulate filter medium completely
surrounds the barrier filter.
Water flows into the vessel through the inlet pipe extending through
the inlet opening and enters the top of the vessel where the water
flows downwardly through the particulate filter medium towards the
interior bottom of the vessel. In the lower portion of the vessel
the water flows into the permeable barrier filter and from thence
into the lower end of the water outlet pipe. The water flows through
the water outlet pipe and through the vessel outlet opening. In
this flow path the water is filtered first by the particulate filter
medium where, when the filter medium is chemically active, such
as if of charcoal, the water is also treated. Subsequently the water
is filtered by the barriers filter so that the water passing out
is free of suspended solids and is treated in accordance with the
type of particulate filter medium employed.
The permeable barrier filter is preferably of the type formed of
a housing in the shape of a short length tubular wall formed of
impervious material open at both ends, such as a short length of
relatively large diameter pipe. An opening is formed in the tubular
wall. A pipe is sealably received in the opening in the tubular
wall and extends within the housing. When the housing is circular
the pipe preferably extends in the plane of an internal diameter
of the housing. The pipe is closed at its end within the housing
and has a plurality of small openings therein communicating the
interior of the pipe with the interior of the housing.
Permeable foam plastic substantially fills the interior of the
housing on both sides of the pipe. Permeable cloth membranes are
affixed to the opposed ends of the housing, completely closing the
housing to the flow of fluid therein except through such membranes.
Water flowing through the membranes flows through the permeable
foam plastic within the housing and into the interior of the pipe
then through the small openings in the pipe and out of the housing
through the pipe which in turn is connected to the water outlet
pipe within filter vessel.
A more complete understanding of the invention will be had with
reference to the following description and claims taken in conjunction
with the attached drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an external elevational view of a water filter embodying
the principles of this invention, shown cut away to reveal the interior
arrangement thereof. Some of the interior components are also cut
away to reveal details as to their construction.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.
1 showing the internal construction of a permeable barrier inlet
filter used within the filter vessel.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.
2 showing more details of the permeable barrier inlet filter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1 a water filter
incorporating the principles of this invention is generally indicated
by the numeral 10. The filter includes a vessel formed of a vertical
tubular sidewall portion 12 and an upper bell closure 14 providing
a vessel top 16. The bottom of housing 12 is, in like manner, closed
by a bell closure 18 forming a vessel bottom 20. A water inlet opening
22 and an outlet opening 24 is formed in the vessel adjacent the
top. A short length large diameter tubular member 26 is affixed
to the bottom bell closure 18 and supports the water filter when
it is sitting on a flat surface.
Sealably extending through the inlet opening 22 is a short length
water inlet distribution pipe 28 closed with an end cap 30 and
having a plurality of small openings 32 therein.
Extending through the outlet opening 24 is a water outlet pipe
34 with a downwardly extending portion 34A. At the lower end of
the water outlet pipe 34A there are two permeable barrier inlet
filters generally indicated by the numeral 36A and 36B. Inlet filter
36B is connected directly to the lower end of water outlet pipe
34A whereas inlet filter 36A is connected by a pipe 38 to a T-fitting
40 which in turn is connected to the lower end of the water outlet
pipe 34A.
The interior of the vessel 10 is substantially filled with a particulate
filter medium 42 such as charcoal. While the entire interior may
be filled with such particulate matter the level should be at least
to the level 44 which is just below the distribution pipe 28.
Water flowing into the filter 10 passes out the openings 32 in
the distribution pipe 28 into the interior of the vessel. The water
migrates downwardly as indicated by the arrows through the particulate
filter medium 42. In the lower end of the vessel water passes through
the permeable barrier inlet filters 36A and 36B and into the lower
end of water outlet pipe 34A. From thence the water flows out through
the outlet pipe 34. While two inlet filters 36A and 36B are shown
as examples in FIG. 1 it can be seen that according to the size
of the vessel one, two or more of such inlet filters may be employed.
For a better understanding of the inlet filters reference may be
had, in addition to FIG. 1 to the cross-sectional views of FIGS.
2 and 3.
Each of the inlet filters includes a housing formed by a short
length tubular wall 46 made of impervious material. One practical
way of constructing the housing wall 46 is by cutting short lengths
of relatively large diameter plastic pipe. While wall 46 is shown
to be circular (as formed from short lengths of large diameter pipes)
it can be seen that the circular shape is not critical and the wall
46 may be square or of other cross-sectional shape if desired.
Formed in the tubular wall is an outlet opening 48 and sealably
received within opening 48 is a pipe 50. When the wall 46 is circular,
as shown, pipe 50 preferably extends as an internal diameter of
the housing wall. The lower end of the pipe 50 is closed at 52.
The closed end has an integral extending portion 54 of reduced diameter
which is received in a small diameter recess 56 in the interior
of wall 46 serving to anchor the end pipe 50. As an alternative
arrangement it can be seen that the end of 52 may be closed in any
other way, such as by the use of a typical end cap. The wall 46
and the pipe 50 are preferably formed of plastic. A plurality of
small openings 58 are formed in the pipe 50.
Positioned within the interior of tubular wall 46 to the opposite
sides of pipe 50 are permeable foam plastic members 60 and 62
the foam plastic members being generally of semicircular shape and
of thickness substantially that of the length of wall 46. The foam
plastic members 60 and 62 are formed of permeable material so that
water can flow therethrough and migrate to the openings 58 in pipe
50.
The short length tubular wall 46 provides open ends 46A and 46B
(see FIG. 3). These open ends are closed by permeable cloth membranes
64A and 64B which are sealed to the wall ends of 46A and 46B. The
cloth membranes 64A and 64B are preferably of plastic mat material
which freely passes water therethrough but which intercepts solid
matter suspended in the water.
Inlet filter 36A is connected by an L-fitting 66 which in turn
connects with pipe 38 extending to the T-fitting 40.
The permeable barrier inlet filter of the type illustrated in FIGS.
2 and 3 forms a highly effective method of collecting water which
has passed downwardly through the particulate filter medium 42 in
vessel 10 and as has been previously mentioned, one, two, three
or more of such permeable barrier inlet filters may be employed.
The invention thus described provides a highly effective water
filter for removing solid matter suspended in water and, by the
use of appropriate particulate filter medium 42 provides means
of treating the water passing through the filter. The filter is
particularly adaptable to back flushing, that is where the direction
of flow of water is reversed. Reversed fluid flow removes solid
matter which accumulates on the outer surface of the cloth membranes
64A and 64B of each of the inlet filters and to flush such suspended
solid material back out the inlet pipe 28. By periodic back flushing
the effective life of the filter can be greatly increased.
One distinction in the filter herein described is that the filters
36 are only at one end of the filter housing rather than in a filter
at both ends as is customary in the industry. This prevents muck
and other contaminants from being trapped between filters and augments
successful back flushing.
The claims in the specification describe the invention presented
and the terms that are employed in the claims draw their meaning
from the use of such terms in the specification. The same terms
employed in the prior art may be broader in meaning than specifically
employed herein. Whenever there is a question between the broader
definition of such terms used in the prior art and the more specific
use of the terms herein, the more specific meaning is meant.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of
particularity it is manifest that many changes may be made in the
details of construction and the arrangement of components without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood
that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein
for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the
scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range
of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled. |