Filter having a filter element quick-disconnect mount

A liquid filter having a quick-disconnect filter element mount includes a filter vessel having an inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle. The vessel has a tube sheet which spans across at least a part of the vessel and defines an influent chamber in communication with the inlet nozzle and a filtrate chamber in communication with the outlet nozzle. A plurality of support core elements are connected to the tube sheet at a fixed end. A free end of the core elements extends into the influent chamber and includes a retaining barrel mounted to the free end. Filter elements, such as cartridge type elements which have a central opening therein are positioned on the core elements, against the tube sheet. The quick disconnect mount includes a post having a retaining body adapted to be releasably connected to the retaining barrel in the support core, to retain the filter element in place on the support core, in engagement with the tube sheet. The quick-disconnect mount includes a spring element and at least one tensioning element to provide a predetermined, settable pre-load compression on the filter element when the mount is positioned with the filter element in place on the support core. The quick-disconnect can be configured for use with up-flow and down-flow type filter vessels and is configured to readily permit removal and replacement of the filter elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention pertains to a liquid filter and more particularly to a a 
liquid filter having a quick-disconnect filter element mount assembly 
which minimizes the time and tools necessary to replace filter elements, 
and which retains all of the components thereof in a unitary assembly. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Filters having replaceable filter cartridges are well known in the art. An 
exemplary filter having a tank or vessel with replaceable filter 
cartridges is disclosed in Soriente et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,608. Such 
filters are used in numerous industries to filter liquid streams of 
particulate and dissolved matter. Generally, the filter vessels have an 
inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle. A typical vessel includes a tube sheet 
which spans across at least a portion of the vessel and defines an 
influent chamber in communication with the inlet nozzle and a filtrate 
chamber in communication with the outlet nozzle. 
In a typical arrangement, cores or sepia extend from the tube sheet into 
the influent chamber. When used with filter cartridges, a cartridge is 
positioned on and mounted to the core. A detailed description of the 
operation of such a filter vessel is disclosed in the aforementioned 
patent to Soriente et al., which patent is incorporated herein by 
reference. 
Filter vessel configurations are generally of two types, upflow and 
downflow-type vessels. In a downflow-type vessel, the septa extend 
upwardly from the tube sheet and the flow is into the vessel from an upper 
nozzle, downward through the filter elements and out of the vessel through 
a lower nozzle. Conversely, in an upflow-type vessel, the septa extend 
downwardly or depend from an upper tube sheet or bulkhead. The flow is 
into the vessel through a lower nozzle, upward through the filter elements 
and out of the vessel though an upper nozzle. 
In order to remove or install the filter cartridges, it is necessary for 
personnel to reach into the vessel to remove a mounting assembly which 
holds the cartridge in place. Some known assemblies consist of many small 
parts which must be carefully handled to prevent dropping parts into the 
filter vessel while removing the mount. Other known assemblies require 
performing some task near the base of the cartridge to remove the 
cartridge from the core and the vessel. 
In most instances, these tasks are not hazardous. However, when the filter 
is used in toxic or radioactive systems, not only may the environment be 
hazardous, but the time permissibly spent in the location and in the 
vessel may be severely limited. Numerous devices have been developed in 
order to facilitate remote removal of the filter mount and associated 
filter. These devices, however, often require the use of highly 
specialized tools which are not readily available. An example of such a 
device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,003 to Wapner et al. This 
device works well in certain applications, however, it requires the use of 
a lift plate which remains in the tank during operation. 
Other apparatus which facilitate filter cartridge removal are disclosed in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,174,282 to Butterworth and 4,210,537 to Butterworth et 
al. These apparatus also operate quite well and permit quick filter 
element removal. However, the mounting assembly is located at or near the 
tube sheet which may, in certain instances, make filter cartridge removal 
and replacement and mount assembly maintenance a difficult and time 
consuming task. 
Another mounting assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,914,179, to 
Foust. The device disclosed in Foust includes a spring which is set into a 
filter element mount, between a plate and a fixed collar.. Thus, the 
assembly of Foust does not appear to provide the capability to adjustably 
pre-load the filter element with a predetermined compressive load to 
assure that the filter will remain in place during operation. 
Thus, there continues to be a need for liquid filter having a 
quick-disconnect filter element mounting assembly which assembly is 
readily accessible from an opening in the vessel at a distance from the 
tube sheet, which utilizes a minimum number of parts and which facilitates 
rapid, tool-less removal and replacement of filter elements. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A liquid filter having a filter element quick disconnect mount is disclosed 
for mounting a filter element, such as a cartridge filter element to a 
support core in a filter vessel. The filter includes a vessel having a 
tube sheet which spans across at least a portion of the vessel and defines 
an influent chamber and a filtrate chamber. The filter element defines a 
central opening therein, extending longitudinally therethrough. 
A plurality of support core elements extend from the tube sheet into the 
influent chamber. The core elements are connected to the tube sheet at a 
fixed end. A free end extends into the influent chamber. Each of the 
support core elements includes a retaining barrel mounted thereto at the 
free end. The retaining barrel defines a generally cylindrical shaped 
annular opening therethrough. A pair of hook-shaped or S-shaped notches 
are formed in the barrel. 
The quick-disconnect mounting assembly retains the filter element in place 
in the vessel, in engagement with the tube sheet, and facilitates quick 
removal and replacement of the filter element by providing a tool-less 
assembly which engages and disengages from the core by a press-and-rotate 
procedure. The quick-disconnect assembly includes a post having a 
generally cylindrical retaining body mounted to one end thereof. The 
retaining body is adapted to be received in the retaining barrel mounted 
to the free end of the core support. The retaining body includes a pair of 
pin-like projections extending therefrom that are adapted to be received 
in and engaged by the notches in the barrel member. 
An inner seat plate is positioned on the post, adjacent to the retaining 
body. The inner seat plate is configured to engage the filter element to 
provide a compressive force thereon to maintain the element against the 
tube sheet. A seal member is positioned on the post, adjacent to the inner 
seat plate, to form a seal between the filter element central opening and 
the post. A spring seat is positioned on the post, adjacent to the seal 
member and a biasing element, such as a coil spring, is positioned on the 
spring seat. 
An outer seat plate is positioned on the post and is adapted to hold the 
biasing element in place on the post. A tensioning element, such as a 
coupling nut is threadedly engaged on the post, positioned adjacent to the 
outer seat plate, to retain the mount as a unitary assembly, and to 
maintain the assembly in a compressed state when it is installed on a 
respective support core. 
Advantageously, the present mount may also be used to provide a preset 
pre-load compression on the falter element when the assembly is in place. 
This permits "one time" setting of the of the assembly in compression on 
the filter element, with periodic adjustment, to exert the required 
compressive force on the filter element necessary to retain the element in 
place and for proper functioning of the filter system. 
In use, a filter element is positioned on the support core element and the 
quick-disconnect assembly is positioned with the retaining body over the 
barrel. The retaining body is inserted into the barrel and rotated so that 
the retaining body and barrel engage one with the other to retain the 
filter element in place with the proper pre-load on the filter element. 
In one embodiment, the quick-disconnect assembly is used to mount filter 
cartridges to a support core in an downflow-type filter vessel. In such an 
arrangement, the filter elements are removed from the vessel by removing 
the quick-disconnect assembly and upwardly urging the elements from the 
vessel. In this configuration, the quick-disconnect assembly is accessed 
from the above the elements. 
An alternate embodiment of the quick-disconnect assembly is used to mount 
filter elements in an upflow-type filter vessel. In such a vessel, the 
filter elements are mounted to support cores which depend from an upper 
tube sheet. The quick-disconnect assembly is positioned at the lower end 
of the filter elements and may be removed from its respective support core 
by use of an extended handle removal tool which is adapted to threadedly 
engage the body of the quick-disconnect mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a 
presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present 
disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is 
not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment 
illustrated. 
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a downflow-type liquid filter 10 
having a filter vessel 12 which includes an inlet nozzle 14 and an outlet 
nozzle 16. A tube sheet 18 spans across at least a part of the vessel 12 
and defines an influent chamber 20 and a filtrate chamber 22. The influent 
chamber 20 is in communication with the inlet nozzle 14, and the filtrate 
chamber 22 is in communication with the outlet nozzle 16. The exemplary 
filter vessel 12 is of the down-flow type, that is, the liquid flows in 
through the inlet at the top of the vessel and flows out of the outlet at 
the bottom of the vessel 12. It will be recognized by those skilled in the 
art that the flow direction and thus the respective chamber and nozzle 
locations can be reversed. 
The filter 10 includes a plurality of elongated support core elements 24 
extending from the tube sheet 18 into the influent chamber 20. The support 
core elements 24 are connected to the tube sheet 18, illustrated at 28, at 
a fixed end 26. The core elements 24 are connected to the tube sheet 18 by 
threaded connections, welding or the like. Such methods of connecting the 
support core elements 24 to the tube sheet 18 will be recognized by those 
skilled in the art. A free end 30 of the core 24 is distal most from the 
tube sheet 18 and extends into the influent chamber 20. 
In one embodiment, the core elements 24 include a tube-like member 32 
having openings 34 therein, or a foraminous member. The openings 34 permit 
the flow of liquid therethrough. In another embodiment (not shown), the 
core element may include a solid body portion having a flow space 
therearound. The core element 24 includes a barrel member 36 at the free 
end 30. The barrel member 36 defines a generally cylindrical annular space 
37 therethrough. 
The filtering medium includes a filter element 38, such as a pleated 
cartridge filter. The filter element 38 has an elongated body 40 which is 
formed of a porous material which may have a predetermine pore size or 
range of pore sizes. Each filter element 38 has a ring 44, 46 positioned 
at a respective end to facilitate establishing a seal between the element 
38 and the tube sheet 18 at one end and between the element 38 and a quick 
disconnect mount 48 at the other end. The filter element 38 has a central 
opening 50 therein which is adapted to receive the support core 24. An 
exemplary filter element 38 is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,278 
to Salem, which patent is commonly assigned wherewith. The filter element 
is available from the Graver Chemical Company of Glasgow, Del. 
A first embodiment of the quick-disconnect mount 48, which is best seen in 
FIGS. 2 and 3, securely and releasably mounts the filter element 38 to the 
support core 24, retaining the filter element 38 in place thereon, and in 
engagement with the tube sheet 18. Additionally, the mount 48 facilitates 
tool-less removal and replacement of the filter element 38 while 
minimizing the risk of losing parts in the filter vessel 12. 
Advantageously, this arrangement may also reduce the time necessary to 
remove and replace filter elements 38, thereby reducing personnel exposure 
to hazardous environments. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 48 includes an elongated post 52, such as a 
threaded stuff, having a retaining body 54 positioned on an end thereof. 
In one embodiment, the retaining body 54 has a generally cylindrical shape 
and has a pair of pin-like projections 56 extending therefrom, generally 
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the retaining body, shown at 58. 
The body 54 includes a bevelled portion 59 at a distal end thereof to 
facilitate insertion into the barrel member 36. 
The retaining body 54 is adapted to be releaseably received in the barrel 
member 36 at the free end 30 of the support core 24. In this 
configuration, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the barrel 36 has a pair of 
notches 60 formed therein, such as the exemplary hook-shaped or S-shaped 
notches, adapted to engage the pins 56. 
The quick disconnect assembly 48 is biased to retain the filter element 38 
in place in engagement with the tube sheet 18, and to provide a preset 
"pre-load" compression on the filter element 38. The pre-load may be set 
one time, during the initial installation of a filter element 38, and can 
be left for prolonged periods of filter 10 operation, with the assurance 
that the filter element 38 has the proper compressive force exerted on it 
to retain it in place in the vessel 12 and to maintain the appropriate 
seals between the filter element 38 and the tube sheet 18 and the filter 
element 38 and the mount assembly 48. 
Advantageously, the present quick disconnect filter mount 48 may be removed 
and the filter element 38 replaced, with confidence that the previously 
set pre-load compression is set for proper functioning of the filter 
element 38 and the filter system. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 48 further includes an inner seat plate 62, 
positioned on the post 52. The inner seat plate 62 has a rim 64 which is 
configured to engage the filter element ring 44, and to exert a 
compressive force on the element ring 44 to form a seal therebetween. 
Consequently, when the inner seat plate 62 is compressed against the ring 
44, it also exerts a force on the filter element 38 retaining it in place 
in engagement with the tube sheet 18. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 48 further includes a seal member 66, such as 
a gasket, positioned on the post 52, adjacent to the seat plate 62. The 
seal member 66 seals the area around the connection between the post 52 
and seat plate 62, and prevents leakage of fluid into the central opening 
50 of the filter element 38. The assembly 48 also includes a biasing 
member, such as a coil spring 68, positioned on the post 52, to provide a 
constant or settable compressive load on the filter element 38. 
The spring 68 is retained in place on the post 52 by a spring seat 70 
adjacent to the seal member 66 and the inner seat plate 62 at one end of 
the spring 68, and an outer seat plate 72 positioned at the other end of 
the spring 68, enclosing the spring 68 ends. Tensioning elements, such as 
a coupling nut 74 and an extension nut 76 may be threaded onto the post 
52, adjacent to the outer seat plate 72. The coupling nut 74 and extension 
nut 76 permit the assembly 48 to be readily set at the proper pre-load 
compression to be exerted on the filter element 38 during operation. The 
extension nut 76 may have an opening 78 therein to accommodate a hook or 
like lifting and storing device (not shown). 
Removal of the filter element 38 is readily accomplished by applying 
pressure on the assembly 48 toward the tube sheet 18 and rotating the 
assembly 48 until the pins 56 disengage from the notches 60. The assembly 
48 can then be lifted from the filter element 38 and support core 24, and 
the filter element 38 can simply be slid off of the core 24. 
To replace the filter element 38, the opposite procedure is followed. The 
filter element 38 is slid onto the core 24, to rest against the tube sheet 
18. The assembly 48 is placed over the filter element 38 with the 
retaining body 54 in alignment with the core 24 and barrel 36. The pins 56 
on the body 54 are aligned with the notches 60 and pressure is applied on 
the assembly 48 until the pins 56 reach the bottom of the notches 60. The 
assembly 48 is then rotated until the pins 56 lock into the notches 60. 
In order to provide additional stability to the retaining body 54 to barrel 
36 connection, it is preferred that the axial length of the inside 
diameter L.sub.a is about equal to the length L.sub.b of the body 54. This 
provides a stabilizing length that precludes tilting of the post 52 and 
the assembly 48. In a current embodiment, the overall length of the 
retaining body 54 is about 1.25 inches and the diameter is about 0.625 
inches. The overall length of the barrel member 36 is about 1.5 inches. 
Unlike known filter element mounting assemblies, the present assembly 48 
permits quick, one-handed removal of the assembly 48. Advantageously, all 
of the component parts of the assembly 48 are retained on the post 52 when 
the assembly 48 is removed from the core support 24. Thus, the opportunity 
to lose or misplace small parts, which are common in known mounts, is 
greatly reduced, and assurance that the filter element 38 will be properly 
installed, under the proper pre-load is greatly enhanced. 
As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present 
quick-connect assembly 48 can be used with a down-flow type filter vessel 
12 arranged with the core elements 24 extending upward as illustrated in 
the figures. 
An alternate embodiment of the quick connect assembly 148 is illustrated in 
FIGS. 4-6, in which the assembly 148 is used to mount filter elements 138 
in an up-flow type liquid filter 110. The up-flow filter 110 is similar to 
the down-flow filter 10 and includes an inlet nozzle 114 and an outlet 
nozzle 116. As provided previously, the inlet nozzle 114 is at or near the 
bottom of the vessel 111, and the outlet nozzle is located at or near the 
top of the vessel 112. A tube sheet or bulkhead 118 separates and defines 
an influent chamber 120 and a filtrate chamber 122, in communication with 
the inlet and outlet nozzles 114, 116, respectively. 
Support core elements 124 extend downwardly or depend from the bulkhead 
118, and are attached thereto at a fixed end 126. A free end 130 of the 
core elements 124 extends into the influent chamber 120. The core elements 
are similar in construction to the core elements 24 illustrated in FIGS. 
1-3, and are configured to support a filter element 138, similar to filter 
element 38. Each support core element 124 includes a barrel member 136 at 
the free end 130. The barrel member 136 defines a generally cylindrical 
annular space 137 therethrough. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 148 is configured similar to the assembly 48 
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The quick-disconnect assembly includes a an 
elongated post 152, such as a threaded stud, having a retaining body 154 
positioned on an end thereof. The retaining body 154 has a generally 
cylindrical shape and has a pair of pin-like projections 156 extending 
therefrom, generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the retaining 
body 154, shown at 158. The body 154 includes a bevelled portion 159 at a 
distal end thereof to facilitate insertion into the barrel member 136. 
The retaining body 154 is adapted to be releaseably received in the barrel 
member 136 at the free end 130 of the support core 124. In one embodiment, 
as best seen in FIG. 5, the barrel 136 has a pair of notches 160 formed 
therein, such as the exemplary hook-shaped or S-shaped notches, adapted to 
engage the pins 156. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 148 is biased to retain the filter element 
138 in place in engagement with the bulkhead 118, and to provide a 
pre-load compression on the filter element 138. The pre-load may be set 
one time, during the initial installation of a filter element 138, and can 
be left for prolonged periods of filter 110 operation, with the assurance 
that the filter element 138 has the proper compressive force exerted on it 
to retain it in place in the vessel 112 and to maintain the appropriate 
seals between the filter element 138 and the tube sheet 118 and the filter 
element 138 and the mount assembly 148. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 148 further includes an inner seat plate 162, 
positioned on the post 152. The inner seat plate 162 has a rim 164 which 
is configured 16 engage the filter element 138, and to exert a compressive 
force on the element 138 to form a seal therebetween. Consequently, when 
the inner seat plate 162 is compressed against the element 138, it also 
exerts a force on the element 138 retaining it in place in engagement with 
the bulkhead 118. 
The quick-disconnect assembly 148 further includes a seal member 166, such 
as a gasket, positioned on the post 152, adjacent to the seat plate 162. 
The seal member 166 seals the area around the connection between the post 
152 and seat plate 162, and prevents leakage of fluid into the central 
opening of the filter element 138. The assembly 148 also includes a 
biasing member, such as a coil spring 168, positioned on the post 152, to 
provide the constant or settable compressive load on the filter element 
138. 
The spring 168 is retained in place on the post 152 by a spring seat 170 
adjacent to the seal member 166 and the inner seat plate 162 at one end of 
the spring 168, and an outer seat plate 172 positioned at the other end of 
the spring 168, enclosing the spring 168 ends. Tensioning elements, such 
as a coupling nut 174 and an extension nut 176 may be threaded onto the 
post 152, adjacent to the outer seat plate 172 to permit the assembly 148 
to be readily set at the proper pre-load compression to be exerted on the 
filter element 138. 
In this embodiment, the retaining body 154 includes a threaded bore 180 
therein, which is coaxial with axis 158. The bore 180 is configured to 
engage a removal tool, such as the exemplary long handled tool 182. The 
tool 182 includes an elongated body 184 having a threaded end 186 adapted 
to engage the bore 180. The removal tool 182 may include a T-shaped handle 
188 to facilitate handling the tool 182 and to facilitate threading the 
end 186 into the bore 180 in the body 154. To more easily align the 
threaded end 186 with the bore 180, the tool 182 may include a guide 
member 190, such as a guide disk, formed of plastic or the like. The 
removal tool 182 is configured to extend into the center of the support 
core 124, through the bulkhead 118, to thread into the bore 180, so that 
the assembly 148 can be removed from the filtrate chamber 122 side of the 
bulkhead 118. 
In use, the removal tool 182 is inserted into the support core 124 from the 
above the bulkhead 118. The end 186 is inserted and threaded into the bore 
180. An upward force is exerted on the tool 182 and thus the retaining 
body 154, and the retaining body 154 is rotated, using the tool 182, until 
the pins 156 disengage from the notches 160. The assembly 148 can then be 
disengaged from the tool 182, by rotating the tool, and the assembly 148 
and filter element 138 can be left to fall to the bottom of the vessel 
112. 
The upflow arrangement may be used in those instances where it is desirable 
for the filter elements to remain under water while the elements 138 are 
being removed from their respective cores 124, such as in the nuclear 
industry, wherein the water provides additional moderation of radiation 
which may be emitted from the filter elements 138. 
Although illustrated with a cartridge type filter elements 38, 138 the 
present quick-disconnect assemblies 48, 148 may also be use with other 
types of support cores and septa, such as wire wound elements and pre-coat 
type elements. 
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and 
variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and 
scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be 
understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment 
illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended 
to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the 
scope of the claims.