Liquid purification or separation – With repair or assembling means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-10-23
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
With repair or assembling means
C210S450000, C055S484000, C055S502000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306298
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a filter module with several discoid filter cells stacked on top one another which each have a central opening through which at least one element receiving tensile forces extends which with its axial end is connected to closing rings of the filter module having at their end faces a flat packing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,624 a filter module is described which is comprised of several stacked filter cells wherein each filter cell has a central opening. The filter cells are aligned such that the central openings are congruently placed above one another. At the upper and lower end a respective closing ring is arranged which supports a sealing ring so that the filter module can be connected sealingly to a connecting tube or another filter module. Tie rods in the form of strips of stainless steel extend through the central openings of all filter cells of a filter module and are connected respectively to the closing rings provided at the ends.
In DE 295 20 418 U1 a filter device for the treatment of liquids is described in which two filter modules are arranged above one another in a pressure container. These filter modules are comprised of several stacked discoid filter cells wherein at the respective axial end faces of the filter modules closing rings with seals are provided. For positioning the central channels within the interior of the filter modules centering means are provided which respectively engage in the ends of the closing rings of neighboring filter modules.
In DE 40 26 934 C2 a central support tube for the filter modules is described which is designed for receiving filter cells. At the respective ends of the central support tube adaptors are provided wherein one adaptor has a seal comprising two O-rings. The other adaptor forms an exact counter piece, i.e., it is configured to receive a further adaptor, for example, of the next filter module where again two O-rings are provided as a sealing arrangement. The adaptors are provided with a bayonet closure for a mechanically stable connection of the adaptors of two neighboring filter modules.
Moreover, filter modules with flat adaptors are known which have closing rings with flat packings. These modules can be stacked within a filter housing wherein in the filter housing a centrally arranged tube is provided in order to realize the required positional securing action for the arrangement. A compression device is provided at the upper end in order to provide a sufficient sealing action between the individual modules or the connectors at the ends of the arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to further develop a filter module of the aforementioned kind such that the filter module can be universally employed in filter systems with different connecting systems by means of simple measures.
The filter module according to the present invention is characterized in that the closing rings are connectable to one adaptor, respectively, wherein the adaptor has a hollow-cylindrical portion for connection to a further liquid-conveying component and has a sealing surface that provides axial contact and can be pressed against the flat packing.
The essential advantages of the invention can be seen in that a standardized module can be combined with any type of connecting system and therefore special variants requested by the customer can be realized in a simple manner. This standardization effect results in a simplification of the manufacturing process and a cost reduction because of higher output numbers. A further cost reduction can be achieved in the area of logistics and storage because it is no longer required to stock a plurality of models with different connecting geometries.
Further advantages can be seen in that the filter module is centered by the adaptors and that expediently the closing rings are locked at the adaptors. Thus, a central guiding tube, above which the filter modules must be lifted during mounting and disassembly, is no longer needed. Also, a compression device for tightening the module seals is no longer needed so that this results in a cost advantage. With the inventive arrangement it is also possible to provide backwashing since a reliable sealing action of all connections is provided.
So that a force loading of the filter modules in the axial direction is not required in order to provide a reliable sealing action of the adaptor with the adjacent connecting component, the seals should be provided within the hollow-cylindrical portion of the adaptor. In order for the adaptors, provided at two filter modules to be connected or at a connecting component, to be connectable to one another, it is therefore expedient that a first adaptor has an adaptor pin which at its mantle surface is provided with at least one, preferably however two, axially spaced O-rings while a second adaptor has an adaptor sleeve which at its inner wall is designed as a sealing surface. In order to limit the insertion depth of the adaptor pin into the adaptor sleeve, a radially inwardly oriented stop surface is provided.
The adaptors preferably have at their hollow cylindrical portion means for a positive-locking connection with a further liquid-conveying component or an adjacently positioned adaptor wherein it is expedient to provide the connecting means in the form of a bayonet closure. Such a bayonet closure provides for a fast mounting, and the parts are reliably secured in their relative position to one another.
For a simple and inexpensive mounting it is suggested that the first or second adaptors are connectable by snap or clip connections to the closing rings. Such snap or clip arrangements can be produced with negligible expenditure during manufacture of the adaptors and provide a sufficient stability in order to transmit the compressing forces with which the flat packing is loaded at the closing ring. Expediently, the connecting means are comprised of locking brackets at the outer circumference of the radial sealing surface, and projections of the closing ring will snap into place in the locking brackets upon connecting the adaptors to the closing ring. In this way the adaptor can be fastened to the closing rings without employing tools. This is especially advantageous during installation on site, i.e., during installation at a client site. For a secure positioning, the flat packing is inserted into an annular groove provided at the end face of the closing ring. The annular groove as well as the flat packing expediently have a substantially rectangular cross-section. In order to achieve a self-reinforcing sealing action at the sealing ring with increasing liquid pressure, the sealing ring is formed such that at its end faces two sealing lips are formed, respectively. These sealing lips are formed substantially by annular grooves which extend along the inner and outer mantle surfaces of the sealing ring. Such a four-lip sealing ring allows a reliable sealing action of the connection with only a minimal compression force on the adaptor. Since the four-lip flat packing does not completely fill the annular groove and since, accordingly, the inclusion of an air cushion within the dead space of the annular groove cannot be excluded, it is suggested that an opening is provided in the closing ring which connects the annular recess in the vicinity of its bottom with the central opening of the closing ring.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2313307 (1943-03-01), Wilkinson
patent: 3246920 (1966-04-01), Pall
patent: 4559138 (1985-12-01), Harms, II
patent: 4707262 (1987-11-01), Murken
patent: 4750765 (1988-06-01), Cassidy et al.
patent: 5055192 (1991-10-01), Artinyan et al.
patent: 5141637 (1992-08-01), Reed et al.
patent: 5261934 (1993-11-01), Shutie et al.
patent: 5435915 (1995-07-01), Connors, Jr.
patent: 5482624 (1996-01-01), Swiatek et al.
patent: 5601711 (1997-02-01), Sklar et al.
patent: 5882511 (1999-03-01), Blomquist
patent: 37 41 552 (1989-06-01), None
patent: 40 26 934 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 295 20 41
Huckett Gudrun E.
Lawrence Frank M.
Seitz-Schenk Filtersystems GmbH
Simmons David A.
LandOfFree
Filter module does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Filter module, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Filter module will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557598