Fluid strainer assembly

A fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the baskets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for the removal and straining of suspended substances from fluids and, more particularly, to a fluid filtering and straining device for use with a fluid circulation system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a strainer and filtration assembly for use in filtering debris and other suspended substances from the water of a swimming pool or water fountain recirculation system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are numerous different types of fluid circulation systems used in a wide variety of applications including air or hydraulic fluid systems, swimming pool and water fountain recirculation systems, water irrigation delivery systems, and the like. All of these fluid circulation systems have several common elements. Such fluid circulation systems include some type of fluid reservoir or source and require that fluid be moved from the reservoir to an ultimate destination, which may include a return to the reservoir. Such fluid movement is generally accomplished using a vacuum pump system, and it is generally desirable and often required that the fluid from the reservoir first be filtered and/or strained before it is allowed to enter the vacuum pump to prevent clogging and damage to the pumping system. The fluid may be liquid, gel or gas.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,022 illustrates a filtering device for use in a hydraulic fluid system, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,351, No. 6,106,709 and No. 6,210,573 all disclose water filtration devices for a variety of different applications including, respectively, a bathroom or kitchen sink, an aquarium, and a washing machine. None of these devices are adapted to handle large volumes of fluid and the problems inherent with filtering and straining debris therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,214, No. 5,750,022, No. 5,888,386 and No. 6,080,324 all disclose filtration and strainer devices for use in removing debris from water recirculation systems in swimming pools. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,214 discloses a device wherein the debris is shredded before entering the pump in order to promote ease of passage of the debris through the pump. The remaining three patents all disclose filtration devices wherein debris is captured by a porous net or plate in such a manner as to gradually restrict water flow therethrough due to the accumulation of debris on or in the filtering structure. This accumulation of debris may cause a gradual change in the water pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the filtering device thereby increasing the workload of the vacuum pump over time. This situation can in turn cause a reduction in the filtration and recirculation efficiency for the swimming pool system and, if left uncorrected by removal of the debris from the filtering structure, may cause premature failure of the vacuum pump.

In addition to the above, many commercially available strainer pots for swimming pools or fountains have a high profile and limited capacity. As a result, they are dramatically oversized or are used in multiples of two which adds to both the cost as well as the maintenance of the overall system. Accordingly, there remains a need in the industry for a filtration and straining device which effectively filters debris from fluid of all types without substantial pressure changes within the device resulting from debris accumulation. Moreover, there remains a need for such a device which is compact in design, has a low profile and high-volume, is capable of in-line installation, and is easy to access for cleaning purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved filtration and strainer device for fluids of all types.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a strainer and filtration assembly for a water circulation system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved debris filtration system for a swimming pool recirculation system which is compact in design, easy to install, high in volume treatment, and is easy to access for cleaning.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an in-line water filter and strainer device which effectively filters debris from fluid without substantial pressure changes within the device resulting from debris accumulation.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both a fluid input port and a fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the baskets.

In one application of the invention, the fluid strainer device further includes an open top portion in the housing and a removable cover element for covering the open top portion and selectively accessing the open chamber through the open top portion. The baskets are arranged adjacent each other and are selectively removable from the chamber for cleaning purposes. In such an instance, each basket preferably includes a perforated top and bottom panel. Moreover, the perforations of each basket are preferably defined by a plurality of offset fluid flow apertures in the side, top, rear and bottom panels of the basket.

In another application of the invention, each basket may include an open bottom panel permitting debris passage therethrough. In this instance, the chamber further includes a bottom portion beneath the basket open bottom panels for accumulating filtered debris therefrom. In this application of the invention, the housing further includes a debris exit port disposed in the chamber bottom portion below the water input port. A valve assembly is also provided for selectively closing the water input port and opening the debris exit port to create back flushing of water and accumulated debris through the chamber bottom portion out through the debris exit port. The housing may further include a water flow pressure sensor element and switch member disposed at the water outlet port for selectively operating the circulation pump and chamber water flow in response to changes in water flow pressure across the baskets resulting from accumulation of debris in the baskets.

In still another application of the invention, the baskets disposed in the chamber are arranged adjacent each other, and the strainer device further includes a fluid deflector plate disposed within the chamber between the open front portions of the baskets and the fluid input port. The plate has a plurality of slotted openings corresponding in size and shape with the open front portions of the adjacent baskets to direct and evenly distribute fluid flow from the inlet port into the baskets through the open front portions thereof. In a modification of this application, the strainer device further includes a plurality of spaced fluid flow vanes positioned between the fluid inlet port and the fluid deflector plate, the vanes being angularly oriented to deflect fluid through the slotted plate openings into the basket open front portions.

A further application of the invention includes a bulkhead plate covering the open top portion. The bulkhead plate preferably has a plurality of slotted openings defined therein which are sized to permit the baskets to pass therethrough and be removably positioned in the chamber. The bulkhead plate further includes a plurality of channel openings positioned downstream of the slotted openings to enhance fluid flow over the bulkhead plate. In this instance, each basket has a peripheral lip flange about its top panel for positioning the basket onto the bulkhead plate to secure the basket within the chamber. Additionally, the strainer device may further include an air elimination port extending from the housing above the fluid outlet port and communicating with the chamber above the bulkhead plate.

In yet another application of the invention, a strainer and filtration assembly is provided for a water circulation system. The circulation system includes a water reservoir, a water circulation pump, a water outlet conduit emanating from the reservoir and which is adapted to carry debris-laden water therefrom, and a water return conduit disposed downstream of the pump to direct debris-filtered water to selective destinations including back to the reservoir. The strainer and filtration assembly preferably includes a housing defining an open chamber. The chamber preferably has a water input port at a first end portion communicating with the water outlet conduit, and a water outlet port at a second end portion attachable to the water circulation pump. A removable cover element is preferably provided for selectively accessing the open chamber, and a plurality of spaced strainer baskets are arranged substantially adjacent to each other within the chamber. Each such basket preferably has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion disposed in fluid communication with the chamber water input port for receiving debris-laden water from the water outlet conduit. In preferred form, each strainer basket is aligned for water flow created by the pump and directed from the input port into the open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the incoming water while preventing any substantial pressure drop between the water input and water outlet ports substantially independent of filtered debris buildup in the baskets.

In still a further application of the invention, the present invention represents an improvement to a swimming pool water circulation and filtration system. The swimming pool system includes a swimming pool which functions as a water reservoir, a water circulation pump, a pool outlet conduit for removing debris-laden water from the pool, a strainer and filtration device for removing debris from the outlet conduit water prior to entering the pump, and a pool return conduit for redirecting the filtered water from the pump back to the pool. In this particular application of the invention, an improved strainer and filtration device is provided. The improved device includes a housing which defines an open chamber and has a water input port at a first end portion communicating with the swimming pool outlet conduit, and a water outlet port at a second end portion attached to the water circulation pump. The pump is arranged to pull the debris-laden water through the chamber. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Preferably, each strainer basket has at least a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion disposed in fluid communication with the water input port. The baskets are positioned for receiving debris-laden water from the swimming pool outlet conduit into each basket and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the water as it flows to the outlet port while preventing substantial water pressure drop within the device despite debris buildup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a fluid strainer and filtering apparatus which allows for the simultaneous and uniformly even removal of debris from the fluid utilizing multiple straining baskets or collecting devices aligned and contained within a single housing structure. Referring with more particularity toFIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid strainer device10is illustrated as constructed in accordance with the present invention. It should be understood that while several specific preferred embodiments are illustrated and discussed in detail herein, the present invention is not to be so limited but rather must be interpreted within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, it should be further understood that while the preferred embodiments are described using water as a filtered fluid, the present invention is applicable to filtering and straining debris from all types of fluids including liquids, gels and gases including air.

In one preferred form of the invention, the strainer device10includes a housing or casing12having a front inlet portion14, a rear outlet portion16, a pair of side portions18,20, a bottom portion22and an upper portion24. The housing12includes an upper opening25and is adapted to define an interior chamber26therewithin. The chamber26communicates with the outside environment through opening25. The front portion14preferably includes at least one fluid inlet port28while the rear portion16includes at least one fluid outlet port30, the fluid flowing within the chamber26from the inlet port28to the outlet port30. A plurality of fluid strainer baskets32are preferably positioned within the chamber26. While it is preferred to utilize three or four baskets32within the chamber26as illustrated herein, it should be understood that the number and size of the baskets32might vary considerably depending upon the environment in which the device10is utilized. In one form of the invention, a removable cover element34is provided to cover and enclose the baskets32within the chamber26at the top portion24. Moreover, a strainer basket bulkhead plate35is preferably positioned to cover the opening25. The plate35includes slotted openings37sized to receive the baskets32and permit them to pass therethrough into the chamber26.

Referring in more particular now toFIGS. 1-2and5-9, the illustrated device10is designed so that the plurality of baskets32may be removed from the chamber26through the slots37in the plate35for cleaning purposes. In this particular embodiment, each basket32includes a top panel36, a pair of spaced apart side panels38,40, a rear panel42, a bottom panel44and an open front portion46. The top panel36preferably includes a lip flange47surrounding and projecting outwardly from the periphery thereof. The lip47functions as a stop to permit the basket32to rest on the surface of the plate35when the basket is dropped into the chamber26through the slotted openings37in the plate35.

The top panel36, each of the side panels38,40, the rear panel42and the bottom panel44are all preferably made of material which is corrosion resistant to the fluid utilized in the device10, and is most preferably stainless steel. Moreover, they all preferably include a plurality of apertures or holes48, although one or more of these panels may be in solid form if desired. In preferred form, the apertures48are offset from each other so as to increase the number of holes per panel. In one most preferred form, the apertures48are hexagonal-shaped holes to create a beehive-like structure with preferably no less than 79 percent open area. In this manner, the fluid entering the device10is filtered as it flows into the open front portion46of each basket and passes through the apertures48, while debris carried by the fluid is retained against the interior surfaces of the panels within the basket32.

In preferred form, each of the baskets32as described above is preferably a rectangular shaped enclosure. Each of the rectangular baskets32are preferably spaced from each other to create a plurality of open flow paths50in between the baskets32as well as on each outermost side portion of the outer baskets32. A fluid deflector bulkhead or plate51is preferably positioned between the inlet port28and the open front end portions46of the baskets32. The deflector plate51includes a plurality of slotted openings52which are preferably sized, shaped and positioned so as to align with, and preferably in a congruent manner, the front end portions46of the baskets32so as to deflect fluid entering the chamber26from the inlet port28into the baskets32. In this manner, the fluid flow within the chamber26is directed from the inlet port28to the outlet port30along the lengths of the baskets32.

In one preferred form, the plate51includes a plurality of first connector elements53disposed along the edges of the openings52, while the front end portions46of the baskets32include a plurality of second connector elements55disposed along the front edges thereof. The first and second connector elements,53,55respectively, are arranged to interconnect when the baskets32are positioned in the chamber26. In this manner, the slotted openings52will always be aligned with the front end portions46to ensure proper fluid flow. In one preferred embodiment, the first connector elements53are in the form of grooved members, while the second connector elements55are in the form of tongue elements sized for sliding engagement within the grooved members53.

To further assist in diverting the incoming fluid into the baskets32, a plurality of elongated vanes57are preferably mounted within the housing12. The vanes57are preferably spaced from each other and positioned between the inlet port28and the fluid deflector plate51, most preferably in the neck or throat portion of the inlet port28itself. The vanes57are generally angled so that the incoming water passing through the inlet port28is diverted toward the slotted openings52of the deflector plate51. While the vanes57are illustrated as being oriented vertically relative to the axis of the chamber26, it should be understood that the vanes may also be oriented horizontally depending on the desired deflection effect.

The debris-laden water passes through the openings52and into the baskets32to impinge the rear panels42along with portions of the top panel36, side panels38,40and bottom panel44immediately proximate thereto. The debris is then filtered from the water and accumulates within the baskets32, while the filtered fluid passes through the apertures48and into the flow paths50to the outlet port30. The accumulation of debris within the baskets32starts at the rear panel portion42and moves toward the front open end portion36. Consequently, as debris accumulates within the baskets32, there are always open apertures48in the top, side and bottom panels36,38,40and44which enable the fluid to pass therethrough without restricting fluid flow. This arrangement prevents the fluid pressure within the chamber26from decreasing substantially during the course of debris accumulation within the baskets32until the baskets are completely full.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-2and5-9, the baskets32are designed to be physically removed from the chamber26for cleaning purposes. To accomplish this task, each basket32preferably includes a handle54disposed on the upper surface of the top portion36thereof. The handle54is utilized to physically remove the basket32from the housing chamber26through the opening25so that the accumulated debris therein may be flushed out to open all of the apertures28once again. This can be readily performed by using a pressurized water source such as from a garden hose. Once each basket32has been cleaned of all accumulated debris, it is replaced within the housing chamber26. The baskets32are withdrawn from the chamber26through the opening25in the top portion24of the housing12. Once the baskets32have been cleaned and replaced within the chamber36, the opening25is covered by the removable cover element34and sealed by utilizing a gasket59which surrounds the opening25. In preferred form, the cover element34includes a hinge56positioned for selectively moving the cover element34relative to the opening25, a circumferential rim58for engaging the sealing gasket59positioned about the housing upper portion24, and a transparent center portion60which enables visual inspection of the chamber26at any time. The transparent center portion60permits one to determine when the baskets32are almost full.

The removable cover34is preferably retained in place by a plurality of adjustable draw latches62. In preferred form, each latch62includes a flange64and a hinge66for permitting the flange64to move between a closed position fixed against the rim58, and an open position wherein the flange64is uncoupled from the rim58. When the flange64is in its closed position as illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, a hand knob68adjustably tightens the flange64in position to hold the cover element34against the housing12. The adjustable draw latches62provide precise pressure sealing using the adjustability of the knobs68without damaging the sealing gasket59positioned around the opening25.

The upper surface of the top panel36of each basket32is generally spaced from the cover34when the cover34is in its closed position. In fact, the handles54may function as a spacer on which the cover34rests when the baskets32are in the chamber26and the cover34is in its closed position. This spacing65enables fluid to flow up through the apertures48in the top panel36and into the space65to filter the fluid. To assist in maintaining fluid flow within the space65, a plurality of basket effluent evacuation ports67in the form of transversely orientated channels are provided in the plate35downstream of the slotted openings37. Thus, fluid flows through the top panel36into space65to filter debris therefrom, across the surface of the plate35in the space65, down through the ports or channels67into the rear of the chamber26, and then out the exit port30along with the rest of the filtered fluid. In this manner, the top panel36can act in conjunction with the remaining perforated portions of the basket32to filter fluid without creating fluid back pressure within the device10.

At times, air may drawn into the inlet port28along with liquid influent such as water. Such air can then pass through the device10and into the vacuum pump84(seeFIGS. 3-4) to cause cavitation therein. Such cavitation can not only be a nuisance but may also cause damage to the pump. To prevent this from occurring, an automatic air elimination system is preferably provided. In preferred form, the system includes a small evacuation port69positioned immediately above the fluid exit port30. The port69preferably communicates with the space65to receive any air passing therein from the inlet port28, since air will tend to rise and pass from the basket32through the top panel36into the space65. The air is diverted through the port69and is then generally directed to a return ducting such as at86(FIGS. 3-4). This arrangement prevents air cavitation within the vacuum pump thereby preventing loss of pump efficiency and damage.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, a swimming pool recirculation system70is illustrated and incorporates the fluid filtration and strainer device10as previously described. While a swimming pool environment is particularly illustrated herein, it should be understood that the system70is equally applicable to both swimming pools and water fountains since both applications require debris removal from water sources and then redirection of the filtered water back to the water source. In preferred form, the system70includes a swimming pool72which contains a reservoir of water74. Such swimming pools typically capture a wide variety of debris such as human hair, leaves, dirt and other items. For cleanliness and safety purposes, the water74must periodically be chemically treated. Moreover, the debris must be removed. Therefore, the recirculation system70provides for removing the water74from the swimming pool72, filtering it and then returning it back to the swimming pool72.

The recirculation system70includes a water outlet conduit78which directs water74from the pool72to the inlet port28of the device10. A first isolation valve80is preferably provided in the water outlet conduit78so that the device10can be taken offline for maintenance or cleaning purposes as discussed in more detail below. The water74is directed from the swimming pool72through the outlet conduit78to the inlet port28of the device10. The water then passes through the device10and is filtered by the baskets32as described above. The arrows82illustrate the water flow through the device10. The filtered water than exits the device10at the outlet port30and passes through a vacuum pump84. The vacuum pump84is what creates the water flow through the recirculation system70and is of standard design. The water then exits the pump84through a water return conduit86and is delivered to the swimming pool72. Any air diverted through the evacuation port69as described above is also preferably directed to the conduit86. A second isolation valve88is provided in the return conduit86and may be utilized in conjunction with the first isolation valve80to permit maintenance and cleaning to take place on the device10.

As previously described, the water pressure between the inlet port28and the outlet port30of the device10does not vary substantially while the baskets32are being filled with accumulated debris. This is a result of the design of the baskets32as previously described in detail. When the baskets32are completely full, however, the pump vacuum increases to a predetermined limit that indicates that the baskets32need to be cleaned. This may also be confirmed visually through the transparent portion60of the cover34. The pump84preferably includes an effluent vacuum gauge of standard design (not illustrated) for this purpose.

Once this predetermined limit is achieved, which may be varied as desired, the pump84is turned off. At this point as particularly illustrated inFIG. 4, the isolation valves80and88are closed, and the cover34is opened to permit removal of the baskets32. The baskets32then may be washed clean simply with a hose and replaced within the chamber26. The lid34is then closed and secured using the latches62, and the isolation valves80and88are opened. After this operation, the pump84is then turned back on so that the recirculation system70may continue to operate as previously described. As a result of this arrangement, debris-laden water is not be pulled through the pump84inadvertently while cleaning.

Alternatively, the recirculation system70can be adapted for removing water74from a reservoir other than a swimming pool. For example, the system70may be utilized to remove water from a reservoir such as a lake or river for the purpose of directing it to crop irrigation canals or storage tanks for human consumption. Regardless of the ultimate purpose or destination for the water or any other fluid for that matter, it still must be filtered of debris prior to entering a pump for ultimate disposition to any desired task. Thus, the filtration and strainer device10of the present invention may be utilized in any of these or other fluid delivery systems wherein the fluid needs to be filtered as a result of debris entering the original fluid pool or reservoir.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-12, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. It should be understood that like parts are designated by like numerals throughout all of the figures. In this particular embodiment, the device10′ includes a housing12which defines an interior chamber26and includes an inlet port28and an outlet port30. A cover34is attached to the top portion24of the housing12. The cover34is designed as in the previous embodiment for selective ease of removal to permit access to the baskets within the chamber26.

A plurality, and in this illustrated embodiment four, strainer baskets32′ are arranged within the chamber26. The baskets32′ are sized and structured similar to the baskets32of the prior embodiment with one primary exception. In this particular embodiment, the bottom panel44′ is a large open channel and does not include any individual filtration apertures as in the prior embodiment. As a result, the debris which is filtered by the baskets32′ and accumulates therein may fall through the open bottom panel44′ to accumulate in the bottom portion90of the chamber26.

The housing12preferably includes a debris exit port92communicating with the chamber26at the bottom portion90thereof. In preferred form, the debris exit port92is positioned below the inlet port28. In this particular embodiment, the debris which accumulates within the baskets32′ is not disposed of by physically removing the baskets32′ from the chamber26, although this procedure is capable of being performed. In preferred form, however, the accumulated debris is removed by back flushing the baskets32′. This is accomplished by providing a unidirectional check valve94prior to or within the inlet port28which permits the unidirectional flow of fluid through the inlet port28into the chamber26and prevents reverse flow therethrough. When the baskets32′ fill up to a preestablished fluid pressure or vacuum setting on the pump, as described in greater detail below, the pump is turned off. At this point, the exit valve92is opened which allows the water within as well as upstream from the chamber26to run through the baskets32′ backwards to push the debris off of the strainer baskets32′ and out the exit valve92. Once this is accomplished, the exit valve92is closed and the pump is again started.

Referring now toFIGS. 13 and 14, a swimming pool recirculation system70′ is illustrated. In this system70′, the water circulation and filtration process is illustrated inFIG. 13and operates similar to the system illustrated inFIG. 3. However, in this particular system70′, the vacuum pump84includes a pressure sensor element and switch member96preferably in the form of a Mercoid switch. The switch96senses the water pressure at the outlet port30in the form of the amount of vacuum created by the pump84. Thus, when the baskets32′ fill up to a preestablished vacuum setting on the Mercoid switch96, the pump84is automatically turned off. The system70′ also includes an auto valve98which controls operation of the exit port92. When the pump84is turned off by the Mercoid switch96, the auto valve98opens the debris exit port92after a brief time delay. This permits accumulated water within the chamber26as well as in the conduit86upstream from the chamber26to be back flushed through the baskets32′ and sweep the accumulated debris out the exit port92through a discharge conduit100.

In preferred form, this back flush procedure is an adjustable timed event after which the auto valve98closes the debris exit port92and signals the pump84to begin operation. If the strainer baskets32′ have been cleaned an appropriate amount, the vacuum setting at the Mercoid switch96will confirm that this is the case and allow the pump84to run in normal mode until such time that the baskets32′ need to be cleaned again. It should be understood that the system70′ may be used in a wide variety of applications similar to those outlined above for the recirculation system70, such as the removal of water from a reservoir such as a lake or river for the purpose of directing it to crop irrigation canals or storage tanks for human consumption as well as for water treatment from mining, storm water, pulp water and other fluid processes.

Referring now toFIGS. 15-17, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this particular embodiment, the filtration and strainer device10″ may include removable cover34with baskets32for removing accumulated debris therefrom, or it may include baskets32′ with a back flush system all as previously described. Separate inlet and outlet face piping ports are directly attached to the device10″ in close proximity to the strainer housing12. In this particular embodiment, however, the housing12preferably includes an enlarged input port28adapted for a large water flow capacity. The rear end portion16of the housing12includes multiple and specifically at least a pair of outlet ports102,104in lieu of a single outlet port30as illustrated in the prior embodiments. The outlet ports102,104are adapted for attachment to an equivalent number, and in this illustration a pair, of pumps84. This embodiment allows for two different flow rates to be provided to two water features that share a common body of water.

This embodiment also permits the connecting of multiple pumps to the same fluid and strainer device10″ for water fountains and water features that share common water as well as provides energy-efficient pump sizing for separate water features. The embodiment also doubles the flow rate to handle larger pools or bodies of water. Moreover, it permits one to stagger start the multiple pumps to prevent pool or water feature down time. Additionally, each pump may be sized to meet half the flow requirement so that only one pump may be run during off-peak periods for additional energy conservation and reduced operating cost.

A modification to the above embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 18. In this particular embodiment modification, multiple inlet ports, and in this embodiment a pair of inlet ports106,108, may be utilized in lieu of the single inlet port28as previously illustrated. Such a multiple inlet port embodiment allows for fluid to be removed from different locations of a pond, pool, reservoir or other fluid source. This in turn would allow one to provide more selective cleaning of the body of fluid from areas that tend to produce higher levels of debris. Moreover, by further valving the multiple inlet ports106,108, a different rate of straining and filtering can be achieved.

As can be seen from the above, the present invention provides a highly efficient fluid filtration and strainer device for use in a wide variety of the fluid circulation or recirculation systems. In swimming pool systems, large debris such as leaves, cotton buds, dust, dirt and most other airborne matter finds its way to the surface of the water and needs to be removed from the water prior to entering the pump system. Most commercially available strainer pots have a high profile and limited capacity so that they are dramatically oversized and are used in multiples of two or more, which adds cost and increases maintenance to the system. The present invention, on the other hand, has a pipe-to-basket ratio as high as 94:1, which in turn provides a holding capacity of over 400% greater than competitive devices. The low-profile and pump mounting system of the present invention allows it to be installed onto a pipe section with virtually perfect alignment as well as provides full weight support of the pump volute to eliminate excessive stress. The present invention is designed to provide auto air elimination which improves pump performance. Moreover, it helps prevent pump cavitation and the associated noise and vibration which contributes to premature pump fatigue or failure.

The present invention also provides a device with a low pressure drop as it filters debris as well as a low profile with adjustable pipe and pump alignment. The present invention improves pump performance on a fluid recirculation system thereby saving on operating costs. It provides a clog-free bypass design with easy-to-remove multiple strainer baskets. Moreover, a transparent hinged cover is provided for easy access to the strainer baskets. The present invention has three to four times the holding capacity of other bulky type strainer pots in the art. Finally, the present invention provides a filtration and strainer device which, in one embodiment, is capable of self-cleaning thereby eliminating the human element when addressing cleaning and removal of the filtered debris from the strainer device.

The foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in varying modifications and alternate embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description of the present invention is exemplary only, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited to the claims as interpreted in view of the prior art. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.