Closing and opening device of a cartridge filter housing and relevant installation kit

A closing and opening device for cartridge filter housings, including a first body and a second body, which move relative to each other, a sealing element between the first body and the second body and moving devices of the first body with respect to the second body; the moving devices are configured to perform a relative shift between the first body and the second body, moving them close and away, to switch from the first configuration where the first body and second body are located at a first distance so that the sealing element is in a resting position to the second configuration where the first body and second body are placed at a second distance, shorter than the first distance, so that the sealing element is compressed by the first body and by the second body.

BACKGROUND

The object of this invention is a device to open and close a cartridge filter housing and the relevant installation kit.

SUMMARY

This device is particularly effective when used in systems conveying liquids to be processed, such as chlorinated water conveying systems, which include a housing for cartridge filters that receive water to be treated.

The housing is configured to serve as a segment of a pipe of a water conveying system, with an inlet for the liquid to be treated and an outlet for the treated fluid. For maintenance purposes, cartridges are replaced periodically, which inevitably requires opening the housing they are located in and then closing the housing after the operation is completed.

In some types of systems there are many cartridge housings, so that even a single daily maintenance operation requires a significant amount of time.

For this reason, it was deemed advantageous to develop a closing and opening device for cartridge housings, including a first body and a second body, which move relative to each other, a sealing element between the first body and the second body and moving devices of the first body with respect to the second body.

The moving devices are configured to perform a relative shift between the first body and the second body, moving them alternately close and away or separated, to switch from the first configuration where the first body and second body are located at a first distance, and the second configuration where the first body and second body are placed at a second distance, shorter than the first distance, so that the sealing element is compressed by the first body and by the second body.

The benefit of the claimed device is that it is effective and safe, since it ensures the sealing of the housing, while at the same time being practical to be used in order to speed up maintenance operations of systems where the device is installed.

More specifically, a closing and opening device for cartridge filter housings is provided, including a first body and a second body, which move relative to each other, a sealing element between the first body and the second body and moving devices of the first body with respect to the second body. The moving devices are configured to perform a relative shift between the first body and the second body, moving them close and away, to switch from the first configuration where the first body and second body are located at a first distance so that the sealing element is in a resting position, to the second configuration where the first body and second body are placed at a second distance, shorter than the first distance, so that the sealing element is compressed by the first body and by the second body.

In an embodiment, the first body and the second body are configured to shift relative to each other in order to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice/versa. Also, moving devices are configured to rotate around the respective rotation axis in the first direction, to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration of first body and second body, and then in the second direction, opposite to the first direction, to switch from the second configuration to the first configuration of the first body and the second body.

In another embodiment, one or more indicators are provided of the first and second configuration of the first body and second body. In another embodiment, gripping devices are provided to grasp the device itself.

In an embodiment, the first body and the second body define the seat housing the sealing element. In an embodiment, the first body and the second body are cylindrical. In an embodiment, a housing is provided for at least one filtering body, preferably a cartridge filter including a closing and opening device as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes at least a pipe with an inlet for the liquid to be treated and an outlet for the treated liquid; the filtering body is located in a position between the inlet and the outlet of the pipe. In another embodiment, the closing and opening device is located at one end of the pipe.

In another embodiment, an installation kit is provided for a closing and opening device of a respective housing as described above, including several locking bodies configured to prevent the opening and closing device from coming out of the respective housing when it is in the second configuration and a tool configured to install the closing and opening device and to install the locking bodies. In a preferred embodiment, the tool includes a plate-like body configured to mesh with the filtering body located within the relevant housing device. In another embodiment, the tool includes at least a first stem with an end portion configured to couple with the aforementioned moving devices in order to actuate them.

In another embodiment, the plate-like body is located along the first stem; the plate-like body is orthogonal to the direction of the first stem. In an embodiment, the tool includes a second stem with an end portion configured to couple with the respective tightening devices of locking bodies. In the embodiment just described, the second stem is placed at one end of the first stem opposite end portion, configured to couple with the aforementioned moving devices orthogonally with first stem in order to create a “T” shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A device for opening and closing a cartridge filter housing according to this invention is generally designated1. The device1includes a first body2and a second body3, which move relative to each other and moving devices5to move the first body2relative to the second body3. Included on the device1is a sealing element4between the first body2and the second body3. The first body2and the second body3define the seat8housing the sealing element4. The first body2and the second body3are preferably cylindrical.

The moving devices5are configured to control a relative shift between the first body2and the second body3, moving them close together and away from each other, to switch from the first configuration where the first body2and second body3are located at a first distance so that the sealing element4is in a resting position, to the second configuration where the first body2and second body3are placed at a second distance, shorter than the first distance, so that the sealing element4is compressed by the first body2and by the second body3. The compressed sealing element4has a greater radial extension compared to its radial extension in the rest condition.

Advantageously, in order to install device1in site, moving devices5are actuated to compress sealing element4between the first body2and the second body3, moving them closer and ensuring the seal at the installation site. In order to remove device1from the installation site, moving devices5are used to bring the sealing element4back to the rest condition, after moving away the first body2from the second body3, therefore not having any interference between the sealing element4and the installation site of device1.

The first body2and the second body3are configured to shift relative to each other in order to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice/versa. The relative shift provides for alternately compressing the sealing element4, and bringing it back to its rest condition following the actuation of the moving devices5.

The moving devices5are configured to rotate around the respective rotation axis5ain the first direction, to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration of first body2and second body3, and then in the second direction, opposite to the first direction, to switch from the second configuration to the first configuration of the first body2and the second body3.

In one embodiment, the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counter-clockwise. Alternatively, the first direction is counter-clockwise and the second direction is clockwise.

According to an embodiment, the moving devices5include a coupling between screw/lead screw. Specifically, the moving devices5include a stem25which is at least partially threaded, engaged with the first body2and the second body3. The coupling devices5include a head body26configured for a male/female coupling. In the illustrated embodiment, the head body26has a female insert. The head body26is configured to couple with a tool, as described below, to actuate moving devices5.

In order to understand the configuration of first body2and the second body3, the device1includes one or more indicators6linked to the movement of the moving devices5. The indicator6rotates according to the actuation of the moving devices5. The position of the indicator6indicates the movement of moving devices5, that is the first and second configuration reached by the first body2and the second body3. The indicator6develops orthogonally to the rotation axis of moving devices5. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator has the shape of a peg with curved head. Other shapes are contemplated.

Locking devices24are provided to maintain the second configuration of the first body2and second body3. In the preferred embodiment, the locking devices24include a first element24aand a second element24b. Preferably, the first element24ais fixed. The second element24bmoves from a lifted position to a lowered position in order to allow the indicator6to pass over it.

Contrasting or biasing devices, which are not illustrated, maintain the second element24bin its lifted position. The contrasting devices preferably include a spring. Preferably, the external surface of indicator6is shaped so as to match the external surface of second element24b, facilitating its downward movement. Therefore, the indicator6contrasts the force of the contrasting devices during its movement. These contrasting or biasing devices bring the second element24bback to a lifted position after the action of indicator6is concluded. At the second configuration, indicator6is between the first element24aand the second element24b. At the first configuration, indicator6is outside the space between the first element24aand the second element24b.

The device1includes gripping devices7to grasp device1itself. In the preferred embodiment, the gripping devices7are in the shape of a handle.

The present invention also includes a housing10for at least one filtering body11, preferably a cartridge filter, and the closing and opening device1of housing10. The housing10includes at least a pipe12with an inlet13for the liquid to be treated and an outlet14for the treated liquid. The filtering body11is located in the pipe12in a segment between the inlet13and outlet14. The closing and opening device1is located at one end of pipe12.

The present invention also includes an installation kit for the closing and opening device1in the relevant housing10. Included in the kit15are several locking bodies16configured to prevent the opening and closing device1from coming out of the respective housing10when the closing device is in the second configuration. Preferably, the locking bodies16are crescent-shaped. Preferably the installation kit includes three crescents. Each locking device16includes the respective tightening devices23. As an example, the tightening devices are bolts, however other equivalent fasteners are contemplated.

The kit15includes a tool17configured to install the opening and closing device1. The tool17includes a first stem18with an end portion19configured to couple with the aforementioned moving devices5in order to actuate them. Preferably, the coupling between the end portion19of the first stem18and the moving devices5is a male/female coupling.

In the preferred embodiment, the end portion19is male. Alternatively, the head body26of the moving devices5has a male insert and the end portion19of tool17has a female shape.

A plate-like body20is located along the first stem18, configured to mesh with the filtering body11located within the relevant housing10. In a preferred embodiment, the plate-like body20is orthogonal to the direction of stem18. The plate-like body20is preferably located half-way along the first stem18.

The tool17includes a second stem21with an end portion22configured to couple with the respective tightening devices23of locking bodies16. The coupling between the end portion22of the second stem21and the tightening devices23of locking bodies16is a male/female coupling. For example, between the end portion22of the second stem21is a Hex key. The second stem21is placed at one end of the first stem18opposite its end portion19, orthogonally with first stem18in order to create a “T” shape.

In operation, the replacement of the filter body11is performed as follows. With reference to the housing10of the filter body11, close the cut-off valves and open the vent valve to release internal pressure and the drain valves to let water flow out from within the filtering body11. Next, remove the closing and opening device1described above in order to access the filtering body11. Use the end portion22of the second stem21to operate on the tightening devices23of locking bodies16, unscrewing them. Next, use the end portion19of the first stem20to operate on the moving devices5to bring device1from the second configuration to the first configuration, where the sealing element4does not interfere with the internal walls of housing10. In particular, moving devices5are turned by approx. 340°. The amount of required turn may vary to suit the application.

Next, the locking bodies16and the opening and closing device1can be removed to extract the filtering body11. The filtering body11is removed by means of the plate-like body20located on the first stem18of tool17. Then, a new filtering body11is provided to replace the previous one. Next, insert the closing and opening device1into the housing10. Locking bodies16are positioned and the tightening devices23of the locking bodies16are tightened by means of the end portion22of the second stem21.

Next, use the end portion19of the first stem20to operate on the moving devices5to bring the device1from the first configuration to the second configuration, so that the compressed sealing element4pushes against the walls of the housing. The second configuration is reached when indicator6is between the first element24aand the second element24bof the locking devices.