Lateral dispersion filter basket

A lateral dispersion filter basket provides turbulence at the bottom of the filter basket reducing strain on the bottom seam of the filter bag disposed therein causing the particulate being filtered to move up along the vertical walls of the filter bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to filter baskets, filter bags used therein, in pressurized filter systems, and more particularly, to the construction of the filter basket and bag to improve the life of the filter bag.

2. Discussion of the Relevant Art

The prior art discloses devices used in pressurized continuously operated filter systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,559 issued to Levin et al. on Apr. 29, 1997, which a threaded vessel cap that seals the filter bag to a lower body member.

Another apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,188 issued to Kirsgalvis on Nov. 24, 1998, which utilizes a bulbous lip, that frictionally engages the housing to secure and seal the bag at the housing and basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is the primary object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a solid bottomed hemispherical shaped filter basket and bag to disperse particulate, accumulated from fluid being filtered, upward along the vertical wall of the filter and filter basket, thereby increasing the life of the filter bag.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific construction and an alternative embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. These apparatuses will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed method and description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The subject matter, regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, itself, as to its construction, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, and in particular toFIG. 1, wherein there is shown, a prior art pressurized filter vessel10that includes a filter housing12and a filter basket16into which is inserted a inverted filter bag18, in a conventional manner.

The open or top end20of the filter vessel12is provided with a sealing cover42having a handle14affixed thereon. A plurality of conventional clamping mechanisms34and36serve to hold the cover42thereon, in a conventional manner.

The cover42is shown in the open position and is hingedly affixed to said filter housing12by a pivot pin40provided on an extending lip portion44disposed proximate the filter vessel opening20The handle14, disposed on the cover20, assists in raising the cover20to the open position.

The inlet port46to the housing12, in the preferred embodiment, communicates with the aperture38provided in the cover42so that the input fluid to be filtered flows over the top of the filter bag16and the filter basket18when entering the filter vessel housing12. The outlet port22is provided proximate the lower or closed portion of the filter vessel housing12, preferably below the hollow solid bottom19of the filter basket16.

An inlet control valve, not shown, is disposed in series with the filter vessel input port46and it is connected to the main fluid line, not shown, in which the unfiltered fluid flows. An outlet control valve, not shown, is disposed in series with the filter vessel output port22and it is connected to the main filtered fluid line46, not shown, in which the filtered fluid flows. The filter vessel housing12is maintained in an upright or vertical position by a base member24, which includes legs26,28,30, and32.

Referring now toFIG. 2, which is a perspective view of a prior art multi-layered heat laminated filter bag18, that may be fabricated from a plurality of different porosity filter materials48and affixed to a sealing ring portion50, which has been attached with heat welding techniques. Disposed along the length and width of the bag18are a plurality of heat laminated junctures54that improve the strength of the laminated materials48and, which may vary in size and quantity depending upon the particulate to be captured (filtered from the fluid).

Referring now toFIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of a filter basket16showing its hollow solid bottom19and perforated vertical walls, that permit the filtered liquid to flow therethrough. The inverted filter18bag is adapted to be received into the filter basket16in a conventional manner;

Referring now toFIG. 4, it can be seen that the construction of the filter basket16is different than that known in the prior art, since its bottom portion19, instead of being fabricated from perforated or screened material just as the vertical side walls (circumference), it is fabricated from a hollow solid hemispherical material (no openings therein). This type of construction will provide turbulence at the bottom portion of the filter bag18and filter basket16. The particulate being filtered out of the fluid will be caused to move up the vertical wall as the filtered fluid exits, via the openings (apertures) provided in the vertical wall of the basket16, since the fluid will takes the path of least resistance to exit the filter basket, thereby removing the strain on the bottom heat formed seams of the filter bag18.

Referring now toFIG. 4, which shows a side view in elevation of an inverted filter bag18, partially broken away to show the disposition of the seams58thereon facing inwardly.

Referring now toFIG. 5, in the alternative embodiment, it can be seen that the construction of the filter bag18is different than that known in the prior art, since its bottom portion52, instead of being fabricated from filter material just as the rest of the filter bag18, it is fabricated from the hollow hemispherical solid (no openings therein) member52affixed to the filter material48. Alternatively, the hollow hemispherical solid material52may be inserted into the bottom of a conventional filter bag or basket In operation, the inverted filter bag18inserted into the filter basket16, which is placed into the filter vessel housing12and the cover42is closed and sealed by the cover clamping mechanisms34and36.

Hereinbefore has been disclosed an apparatus and method for improving the life and reliability of filter bags used in pressurized filter systems. It will be understood that various changes in the method detail, materials, arrangements of parts and operating conditions, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the instant invention.