Patent ID: 6099725
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A tower press filtering system supporting a pliant filter medium for separating the solid and liquid components of a slurry material introduced therein comprising:(a) a frame assembly including at least one support engagement portion;(b) a collapsible filter tower assembly coupled to said frame assembly, said filter tower assembly having a plurality of displaceable filter plate members adapted to engage respective portions of said filter medium passed therebetween, each said filter plate member having a manifold portion formed therein;(c) a press assembly coupled to said filter tower assembly, said press assembly including:(1) a support plate member; and,(2) compression means coupled to said filter tower assembly and said support plate member, said compression means being operable to retractably clamp said filter tower assembly against said support plate member along a press axis, said compression means being adapted to impart on said tower filter assembly a clamping force characterized by a predetermined force direction relative to said support plate member; and,(d) a stabilization assembly coupled to said press assembly and said frame assembly for automatically maintaining said predetermined force direction of said compression means clamping force in substantial alignment with said press axis during operation of said press assembly, said stabilization assembly including at least one coupling portion maintaining meshed coupling with one of said support engagement portions of said frame assembly.