Hub ring and supporting plate for a filter and methods for manufacturing these members

Abstract: Disclosed is a hub ring 2 for a filter wherein a supporting member 10 having a plurality of supporting portions 10a is interposed between a pair of keep plates 9a and 9b, a supporting plate for a filter wherein a plurality of wave portions extending substantially in the circumferential direction are arranged in the radial direction, and methods for manufacturing these members. The hub ring has a great opening ratio to achieve a low pressure loss property and causes substantially no residence of polymer, and the hub ring can be manufactured at a low cost. The supporting plate has high pressure resistance, low-pressure loss property, good directivity of polymer flow and excellent polymer mixing effect, and it is suitable for use as a retainer disposed inside of a filter.

Description: The present invention relates to a supporting plate for a filter and method for manufacturing this member. Disc-type filters are known as filters for filtering a polymer, and for example, a so-called leaf disc-type filter and a three-layer type filter wherein disc-type filter materials are disposed on and under a retainer for forming a single filter element are well known. Such filters are usually used by stacking a plurality of filter elements by a number corresponding to a capacity of filtration to be required (flow rate of a molten polymer to be filtered). In the case of use of stacked filters, because it is necessary to seal a polymer after filtration from a polymer before filtration, a hub ring is provided on the inner circumference of each filter (as needed, it may be provided on the outer circumference of each filter). Such a hub ring seals polymers after and before filtration from each other and ensures a path for the polymer after filtration, as described above, as well as it maintains a positional relationship between respective stacked filters (for example, interval of filters). As a typical structure of conventional filters, for example, a structure shown in FIG. 15 is known. FIG. 15 illustrates a part of an inner circumferential portion of a leaf disc-type filter 101. A filter medium 104 is provided on each side of a retainer 102 constructed from, for example, a mesh, via a filter medium supporting material 103 constructed from a perforated plate (for example, a punching metal). A hub ring 105 is provided on the circumference of filter 101, and a plurality of small holes 106 are provided in the hub ring 105. A molten polymer 107 flows into filter media 104 from upper and lower sides, and the polymer 107 filtered by the filter media 104 passes through a portion of retainer 102 and holes 106 of hub ring 105 to be gathered a central portion, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 15. In a case where a plurality of filters 101 are stacked, a predetermined number of filters 101 are fitted and stacked around a tubular supporting pole 108, and the gap between filter media 104 of adjacent filters 101 is set based on the dimension of the portion of hub ring 105. Respective hub rings 105 of stacked filters 101 are pressed from upper or lower side by a great fastening pressure capable of sealing polymers after and before filtration from each other, for example, a pressure of 5-10 tons. In such a conventional structure, there remain the following problems. Firstly, although a number of small holes 106 are opened in hub ring 105 for passing a polymer after filtration, the opening ratio thereof is about 20% at highest, and the small opening ratio causes a large pressure loss generated at this portion. Although it may be considered to enlarge the diameter of the holes in order to increase the opening ratio, the enlargement of the hole diameter is restricted to some extent by the above-described great fastening pressure. Moreover, in the above structure defining small holes, in the upstream side of the polymer flow, the portions around the small holes 106 are likely to create a large dead space against the polymer flow. Such a dead space causes residence of polymer, and the residence of polymer causes degradation of the polymer and flowing-out of the degraded polymer, and therefore it is desired to suppress such a dead space as small as possible. Furthermore, since the small holes 106 must be processed in the radial direction of hab ring 105, the processing is relatively difficult and a long time is required for the processing. Therefore, the cost for manufacturing the hub ring 105 is relatively expensive. Still further, for the retainer 102, a relatively high strength particularly against deformation of the retainer in the thickness direction thereof, for example, a pressure resistance of about or higher than 200 kg/cm 2 , is usually required in order to maintain the form of the filter to an acceptable form and in order to ensure the polymer path in the radial direction of the filter at the position of the retainer. Even by the mesh type retainer 102, such a high strength for a high pressure resistance can be satisfied. In the mesh type retainer 102, however, particularly there are the following problems with respect to pressure loss and polymer residence. Namely, in the mesh type retainer 102, because wires extending in the circumferential direction of the filter while waving (usually, the wire has a diameter corresponding to 1/2 of the thickness of the retainer 102 or a diameter slightly greater than that value) cause a large resistance against the polymer flow in the radial direction of the filter, it is difficult to suppress the pressure loss at the portion of the retainer 102, ultimately the pressure loss of the whole of the filter 101, to a small value. Further, in the portion of the retainer 102, the polymer flows toward radially inner direction mainly along the wires extending in the radial direction of the filter. These wires extending in the radial direction of the filter form a dead volume against a polymer path rather than forming a polymer path, and therefore, the polymer flow has a poor directivity in the radial direction of the filter and it may be difficult to achieve a smooth polymer flow. The difficulty of a smooth polymer flow causes a poor chance of polymer mixing. Therefore, there is a latent problem that the polymer mixing effect (also called "static mixer effect") is small. Furthermore, there is a fear causing a problem of polymer residence. Also with the wires extending in the circumferential direction of the filter, there are similar problems because they form a dead volume against the polymer flow. It would be desirable to provide a supporting plate for a filter which has a high pressure resistance and can be easily formed as a shape causing a low pressure loss, which can easily provide a desired directivity to a polymer flow without causing residence of the polymer flow as well as can realise an excellent polymer mixing effect, and which is suitable for use as a retainer provided inside of a filter element, and a method for manufacturing the same. Still further, it would be desirable to realise a further low-pressure loss, high-pressure resistance and high-quality filter by combining the above-described supporting plate with a hub ring which can achieve a great opening ratio of a polymer path and an extremely low pressure loss, which hardly causes residence of polymer. A supporting plate for a filter according to the present invention comprises an annular base plate and a plurality of riser piece portions radially and circumferentially spaced on said base plate, each of said plurality of riser piece portions extending in a radial direction of said base plate and being twisted substantially at an angle of 90° relative to said base plate to protrude perpendicularly from upper and lower surfaces thereof. In this supporting plate, in a case where the plurality of riser piece portions are disposed concentrically on the base plate portion and a ring portion of the base plate portion is formed at a position between radially adjacent rows of riser piece portions, the ring portion is preferably waved in a thickness direction of the base plate portion. In this case, it is preferred that the heights of the riser piece portions from the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion are substantially the same as the heights of a wave form of the ring portion from the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion. Furthermore, although it is preferred that the supporting plate is constructed as an integrally formed single annular member, it may be constructed from a plurality of members divided in the circumferential direction of the filter. Although the material of the supporting plate is not particularly restricted, it is preferably made from a metal capable of being pressed, particularly a stainless steel is preferred. By pressing a raw material of a stainless steel, a work hardening can occur on the formed wave portions, thereby further increasing the pressure resistance thereof. Moreover, a stainless steel is preferred from the viewpoint of rustproofing. Although the wave portions can have a sufficiently high strength only by press forming even if there is a slight residual stress, it may be subjected to annealing at a low temperature after press forming in order to ensure a further high pressure resistance as needed. In the case of stainless steel, the low temperature annealing is performed preferably at a temperature of 410 to 440°C. Further, a precipitation hardening type stainless steel may be employed in order to increase the strength. The above-described supporting plate for a filter according to the present invention can be disposed inside of a disc-type filter having filter media at both surfaces portions thereof, and can be used as a retainer which is a substitute for the retainer shown in FIG. 15 or as a filter media supporting and retainer material. For example, in a case where a filter comprises filter media at surface portions, filter media supporting material positioned inside of the filter media and a retainer at an innermost position, the retainer may be constructed by the supporting plate according to the present invention. Alternatively, in a case where a filter comprises filter media at surface portions and a filter media supporting and retainer material disposed inside of the filter, this filter media supporting and retainer material may be constructed by the supporting plate according to the present invention. Further, the supporting plate according to the present invention can be applied together with a hub ring for a filter which can realize a large opening ratio of a polymer path and a extremely low pressure loss, in which residence of polymer hardly occurs and which can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. By this combination, a filter having properties of further low pressure loss, high pressure resistance and high performance can be realized. Accordingly, the invention also provides an assembly of a supporting plate provided inside a disc-type filter having filter media at surface portions thereof and a hub ring provided on at least one of the inner and outer circumferences of the disc-type filter, whereby said supporting plate is a supporting plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and said hub ring comprises(a) a pair of annular keep plates which are spaced apart, parallel and face each other, and (b) an annular supporting member disposed between said pair of keep plates, said supporting member having (i) a plurality of supporting portions spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of said hub ring, each of said plurality of supporting portions extending between said pair of keep plates in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and extending in a radial direction of said hub ring and (ii) an annular plate portion connected to said plurality of supporting portions. In this assembly, the annular supporting member can be formed integrally with the supporting plate. However, the supporting plate and the hub ring may be formed separately, and both members may be applied together. A method for manufacturing a supporting plate provided inside of a disc-type filter having filter media at surface portions thereof, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: defining a plurality of slits or slots on an annular plate, said plurality of slits or slots extending in a radial direction of said annular plate, and being arranged in a plurality of annular rows, and forming a plurality of riser piece portions protruding from upper and lower surfaces of a base plate portion of said annular plate in a direction perpendicular to said base plate portion by twisting respective portions between respective pairs of said slits or slots substantially at an angle of 90° relative to said base plate portion. In this method, it is preferred that each of the slots is formed as a slot having circular holes at both end portions in its longitudinal direction and the circular holes have a diameter greater than a width of a central portion of the slot. Using a supporting plate for a filter according to the invention wherein a plurality of riser piece portions are disposed in radial and circumferential directions of a base plate portion, a filter having an excellent fluid mixing effect and indicating a low pressure loss against a radial flow and a high pressure resistance against a pressure applied from upper and lower sides can be realised. Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the appropriate figures. Some preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the appropriate figures, which are given by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the invention. Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of an annular plate for manufacturing a supporting plate for a filter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of a supporting plate for a filter manufactured from the member shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial, vertical section view of a filter apparatus, in which the supporting plate of Figs. 1 and 2 can be used. Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of a filter using a hub ring suitable for use with supporting plates according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the hub ring shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the filter shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a plan view of an annular supporting member of the hub ring shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the supporting member shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the supporting member shown in Fig. 7 showing a state during processing. Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of another hub ring suitable for use with supporting plates according to the present invention. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a raw material showing a method for processing a supporting member different from the method shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a supporting member in which an annular plate portion is positioned at the inner circumference side of a supporting portion arrangement. Fig. 13 is a partial perspective view of a filter element combining supporting plate and hub ring according to the present invention. Fig. 14 is a partial plan view of integrally formed supporting plate and hub ring according to the present invention. Fig. 15 is a partial perspective view of a conventional filter. Figs. 1 and 2 show a supporting plate for a filter according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method for manufacturing the same. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of slots 82 extending in a radial direction Y-Y of an annular plate 81 are defined on the annular plate 81 and arranged in rows in the circumferential direction X-X of the annular plate 81. A plurality of these annular rows are disposed side by side in the radial direction Y-Y of the annular plate 81. The portions 83 positioned between respective adjacent slots 82 are twisted substantially at an angle of 90° relative to the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion of the annular plate 81 to form riser piece portions 84 rising perpendicularly from upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion of the annular plate 81 at an angle of 90° (Fig. 21). The riser piece portions 84 thus formed are arranged in a plurality of radially spaced (direction Y-Y) circumferentially extending annular rows (direction X-X) to form a supporting plate 85 for a filter. In this embodiment, each slot 82 has circular holes 82b at both end portions in its longitudinal direction, the circular holes 82b have a diameter greater than a width of a central portion 82a of the slot, and by this structure, twisting for forming the riser piece portions 84 can be facilitated. However, such circular holes 82b are not necessary, and a slot merely having a constant width substantially over the entire length may be employed. Further, instead of the slots, slits may be employed. Furthermore, in a case where the riser piece portions 84 are arranged concentrically on the supporting plate 85, a ring portion 86 of the base plate portion of the supporting plate 85 positioned between radially adjacent rows of riser piece portions 84 may be waved in the thickness direction of the base plate portion. In this case, it is preferred that the heights of the riser piece portions 84 from the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion of the supporting plate 85 are substantially the same as the heights of a wave form of the ring portion 86 from the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate portion. By such a structure, the strength of the supporting plate 85 can be further increased, and even when the riser piece portions 84 are formed by twisting, undesired deformation of the ring portion 86 can be prevented. In this type of supporting plate 85, a stainless steel is preferred as a raw material. The supporting plate 85 can be assembled with a hub ring (see below), and further, these two members can be integrally formed. Using such a type of supporting plate having a plurality of riser piece portions, a filter having low-pressure loss and high pressure resistance properties and a high performance can be realised. Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which a supporting plate is incorporated in a filter element. In Fig. 3, label 31 indicates the whole of a leaf disc-type filter element. Filter element 31 comprises a retainer 32 disposed at a central position in the thickness direction of the filter element, perforated plates 33 disposed on both surfaces of the retainer 32 as filter media supporting material, filter media 34 disposed outside of the respective perforated plates 33 and a hub ring 35 disposed on the inner circumference of the filter element 31. In a case where a plurality of filter elements 31 are stacked by a predetermined number, in this embodiment, spacers 36 having a predetermined thickness and formed as a member radially extending are disposed between respective adjacent filter elements 31 in order to ensure polymer paths between the respective adjacent filter elements 31. The molten polymer 37 to be filtered, as shown by arrows, are filtered by filter media 34, it then passes through perforated plates 33 and the portion of retainer 32, and it is gathered in a central supporting pole 38 after passing hub ring 35, and thereafter, it is sent to a next process. Although the spacers 36 are provided as separate members in this embodiment, hub ring 35 may be constituted as a member having the spacer function. The retainer 32 can be constructed as a supporting plate for a filter according to the present invention. With reference to Figs. 4 to 12, preferred examples of hub rings for use in a filter in conjunction with a supporting plate according to the present invention will be explained. Figs. 4 to 8 show a first exemplary hub ring. In Figs. 4 to 7, label 1 shows the whole of a leaf disc-type filter, and the figures show a hub ring 2 and the vicinity. Filter 1 comprises a retainer 3 disposed in the central portion in the thickness direction, perforated plates 4 disposed on both surfaces of retainer 3, filter media 5 disposed outside of both perforated plates 4 and hub ring 2 disposed on the inner circumference of filter 1. In a case where a predetermined number of filters 1 are stacked, in order to define a predetermined gap (polymer path) between respective filters 1, in this embodiment, spacers 6 each having a predetermined thickness and constructed as a ring member are disposed between respective hub rings 2. As shown by arrows, a molten polymer 7 to be filtered passes through perforated plates 4 and retainer 3 after filtered by filter media 5, and after passes through hub ring 2, it is gathered into a supporting hole 8 disposed at the central position of stacked filters 1. The gathered polymer is sent to a next process. In this example , although spacer 6 is made as a member separate from hub ring 2, it may be formed integrally with hub ring 2. Further, the structure of the hub ring according to the present invention can be applied to a structure wherein a hub ring is disposed on the outer circumference of a filter. Hub ring 2 comprises a pair of keep plates 9a and 9b disposed spacedly from each other and in parallel to each other each of which is formed as an annular plate, and an annular supporting member 10 disposed between the pair of keep plates 9a and 9b. In supporting member 10, also as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of supporting portions 10a are disposed spacedly from each other in a circumferential direction of hub ring 2, each of the plurality of supporting portions 10a extends between the pair of keep plates 9a and 9b in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pair of keep plates 9a and 9b and extends in a radial direction of the hub ring 2. The plurality of supporting portions 10a are connected to an annular plate portion 10b at a position of radially outer side of the hub ring 2. The above-described plurality of supporting portions 10a can be formed, for example, by the following method. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of slits 12 extending in a radial direction are defined at a predetermined pitch on the inner circumferential portion of an annular plate 11 having a predetermined thickness and prepared as a raw material plate, and portions 13 positioned between respective slits 12 are twisted at an angle of 90 degrees in the same direction by using an appropriate jig (not shown). At that time, an annular portion 14 in which slits are not defined are positioned just at a central portion of the portion 13 twisted at an angle of 90 degrees. By this, the respective portions 13 twisted at an angle of 90 degrees are adjusted at a same level relative to the annular portion 14. These portions 13 twisted at an angle of 90 degrees form the above-described plurality of supporting portions 10a and the annular portion 14 in which slits are not defined forms the above-described annular plate portion 10b. Such a processing can be easily performed, for example, by constituting the annular plate 11 prepared as a raw material plate from a stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm. In a stainless steel, generally a work hardening can be expected, and therefore, a great stiffness against bending and buckling caused by a compressed load can be provided to the supporting portions 10a formed by being twisted at an angle of 90 degrees. In particular, if the member is constructed from a cold-rolled stainless steel such as "CSPH" material, a great work hardening can be expected and an extremely great stiffness can be provided. In such a stainless steel, even if the thickness of the plate is about 0.6 mm, a strength sufficiently resistant against a fastening force in the case of stacked filters or a compressed load due to a polymer pressure, that is, a high strength causing no deformation when applied with such a load can be provided. Further, in a case where a high-strength material such as "CSPH" material is used, it is possible that an appropriate width is provided to the slit itself (that is, a stripe portion having an appropriate width is cut away from the material), the pitch of arrangement of the portions between the slits is enlarged and the pitch of respective supporting portions formed by being twisted at an angle of 90 degrees is enlarged. In the case of a high-strength material, even if the pitch of arrangement of supporting portions is relatively large, a sufficiently great pressure resistance can be provided. In the above-described hub ring for a filter, the molten polymer 7 is filtered by filter media 5, flows into hub ring 2 through the portion of retainer 3, and is gathered in supporting pole 8 through a polymer path 15 formed between a pair of keep plates 9a and 9b. Firstly, when the portion arranged with supporting portions 10a is viewed in the portion between keep plates 9a and 9b, the spaces other than supporting portions 10a in this portion are all formed as the polymer path 15. Therefore, an extremely great opening ratio can be obtained as compared with the conventional structure with small holes. This opening ratio is determined from the thickness and pitch of supporting portions 10a and the diameter at a position of radially inner edge of the arrangement of the supporting portions 10a. Although hub ring 2 must be designed so as to have a sufficient strength against deformation in consideration of a compression load applied to keep plates 9a and 9b, that is, a fastening load applied to the hub ring 2 in a case where a plurality of filters 1 are stacked, in the present invention, while a sufficiently high strength against deformation even against a total fastening load higher than 10 tons can be provided, an opening ratio greater than 40%, preferably greater than 45%, can be easily provided. For example, in the supporting member 10 shown in FIG. 7, because the thickness of supporting portion 10a is 1 mm and the pitch of the arrangement of the supporting portions 10a is 2.5 mm, a great opening ratio of about 71% can be realized. If the pitch of supporting portions 10a is maintained as it is and the thickness of supporting portion 10a is changed to 0.6 mm, an extremely great opening ratio of about 83% can be realized. In the portion where annular plate portion 10b is positioned, although the annular plate portion 10b blocks a part of polymer path 15 as shown in FIG. 2, because a plate merely extending annularly is only interposed in the polymer path 15, it does not cause a great resistance against the polymer flow, and even in this portion, a great opening ratio can be easily ensured. For example, when the gap between a pair of keep plates 9a and 9b is 2.5 mm and the thickness of annular plate portion 10b is 1 mm, a great opening ratio of 60% can be realized. When the thickness of annular plate portion 10b is 0.6 mm, an extremely great opening ratio of 76% can be realized. The pressure loss when the polymer passes can be greatly reduced by such a great opening ratio. Usually, in a filter apparatus, the life of a filter is determined by a rise of a filtration pressure (pressure at entrance of filter media) due to clogging of filter media, and when the filtration pressure reaches a predetermined upper limit, the filter is exchanged. As described above, if the opening ratio is increased and the pressure loss at a position of the hub ring is greatly reduced, an initial filtration pressure is extremely reduced, the time available for use of the filter until reaching the above-described upper limit is increased (that is, the cumulative total amount of the passing polymer is increased) and the life of the filter can be greatly extended. Further, since supporting portions 10a extend perpendicularly to keep plates 9a and 9b and they receive a load applied between the keep plates 9a and 9b most efficiently, they indicate a great pressure resistance. Therefore, it becomes structurally possible to design them so that they can easily indicate a great pressure resistance against a fastening force greater than 10 tons. Further, if supporting member 10 is constructed from a stainless steel as in this embodiment, when supporting portions 10a are formed in the supporting member 10 as aforementioned, a particular work hardening of the stainless steel occurs and the pressure resistance can be further increased. Moreover, since the opening ratio can be designed great as aforementioned, there generated no portion causing a polymer residence over the entire area of the polymer path 15 of the hub ring 2. Namely, the whole amount of polymer can be smoothly passed through the polymer path 15 of the hub ring 2. Because there occurs no polymer residence, degraded polymer is not generated, a defect in a product such as a fish eye caused by flowing-out of the degraded polymer can be prevented as well as troubles in manufacture of the product due to flowing-out of the degraded polymer can be prevented. Furthermore, in the hub ring 2 exemplified here, the method for manufacturing it can also be greatly simplified and facilitated as compared with that in the conventional hab ring. Namely, in the hub ring 2 keep plates 9a and 9b and supporting member 10 can be processed separately, the keep plates 9a and 9b, of course, can be easily manufactured at a large scale as well as, even in supporting member 10, as shown in FIG. 6, because merely the processing for defining slits 12 on the annular plate and the processing for twisting the portions 13 between the slits 12 at an angle of 90 degrees may be performed, it can be easily processed as compared with the conventional structure having small holes. By combining these members, a desired hub ring 2 can be easily completed. Therefore, the hub ring 2 can be manufactured easily, in a short period of time and inexpensively in a simple process. When the pair of keep plates 9a and 9b and the supporting member 10 are assembled, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, these members may be fixed to each other at a predetermined positional relationship by welding such as spot welding (welded portion 16). Thus, the hub ring 2 can be formed as an integrally formed part, and the handling thereof can be greatly improved. Further, although a method for manufacturing a supporting member 10 using an annular plate as a raw material plate has been explained in the above-described embodiment, other methods may be employed. For example, as shown in FIG.11, a plurality of slits 21 are defined on a straight plate 20 formed in a stripe-like shape, the portions positioned between the slits 21 and the end portions positioned outside of both end slits 21 are twisted at an angle of 90 degrees to form supporting portions, and thereafter, as shown by arrows, the plate member is rounded to form a annular plate by bending in order to manufacture a supporting member substantially the supporting member as that shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, although the annular plate portion 10b is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the arrangement of supporting portions 10a in the above-described embodiment, this annular plate portion 10b may be disposed on the inner circumferential side of the arrangement of the supporting portions 10a. For example, in a supporting member 17 shown in Fig. 12, an annular plate portion 17b is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the arrangement of supporting portions 17a formed by twisting at an angle of 90°. Fig. 13 shows a filter 60 in which the supporting plate 32 which is a plate according to the present invention is combined with a hub ring 61 similar to that shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 13, hub ring 61 comprises a pair of keep plates 62a and 62b disposed spacedly from each other and each formed as an annular plate, and a supporting member 63 disposed between the pair of keep plates 62a and 62b and extending annularly. In the supporting member 63, a plurality of supporting portions 63a each extending between the pair of keep plates 62a and 62b and each extending in the radial direction of the hub ring are arranged in the circumferential direction of the hub ring at an appropriate pitch. The plurality of supporting portions 63a are connected to an annular plate portion 63b at a position of the outer circumferential side of the annular arrangement of the supporting portions 63a. Label 64 indicates a spacer disposed between stacked hub rings. Such a hub ring can be manufactured in a manner similar to that aforementioned, and the advantages aforementioned can be obtained in the portion of the hub ring. Further, this hub ring portion can be integrally formed with a supporting plate according to the present invention. Namely, since a desired material is a stainless steel for both members, using a annular raw material plate composed of a stainless steel, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the supporting plate 32 and the supporting member 63 of the hub ring can be integrally formed as an integral plate 70. In FIG. 14, the supporting member 63 comprising supporting portions 63a and annular plate potion 63b is integrally formed at the inner circumferential portion of the supporting plate 32 having riser piece portions 39 (shown schematically here). By such a integral forming, the number of the parts for a filter element can be reduced as well as the handling of the filter element, the assembly of the filter element and the stacking construction of a plurality of the filter elements can be facilitated. Further, also the keep plates 62a and 62b can be substantially integrally constituted by welding them to the supporting member 63, thereby further improving the properties on assembly and handling.

Claims: A supporting plate for a disc-type filter characterised in that the supporting plate comprises: an annular base plate (81); and a plurality of riser piece portions (84) radially and circumferentially spaced on said base plate (81), each of said plurality of riser piece portions (84) extending in a radial direction of said base plate and being twisted substantially at an angle of 90° relative to said base plate to protrude perpendicularly from upper and lower surfaces thereof. A supporting plate according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of riser piece portions (84) are disposed concentrically on said base plate (81), and a ring portion (86) of said base plate between radially adjacent rows of riser piece portions is waved in a thickness direction of said base plate. A supporting plate according to claim 2, wherein the heights of said riser piece portions (84) from the upper and lower surfaces of said base plate (81) are substantially the same as the heights of a wave form of said ring portion (86) from the upper and lower surfaces of said base plate (81). A supporting plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is constructed from a stainless steel. An assembly of a supporting plate provided inside a disc-type filter having filter media at surface portions thereof and a hub ring provided on at least one of the inner and outer circumferences of the disc-type filter, characterised in that : said supporting plate is a supporting plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and said hub ring comprises: (a) a pair of annular keep plates (9a,9b) which are spaced apart, parallel and face each other; and (b) an annular supporting member (10) disposed between said pair of keep plates (9a,9b), said supporting member (10) having (i) a plurality of supporting portions (10a) spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of said hub ring, each of said plurality of supporting portions (10a) extending between said pair of keep plates (9a,9b) in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and extending in a radial direction of said hub ring and (ii) an annular plate portion (10b) connected to said plurality of supporting portions (10a). An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said annular support member (10) of the hub ring is formed integrally with said supporting plate. A method for manufacturing a supporting plate for a disc-type filter having filter media at surface portions thereof characterised in that said method comprises the steps of: defining a plurality of slits or slots (82) on an annular plate (81), said plurality of slits or slots extending in a radial direction of said annular plate (81), and being arranged in a plurality of annular rows; and forming a plurality of riser piece portions (84) protruding from upper and lower surfaces of a base plate portion of said annular plate (81) in a direction perpendicular to said base plate portion by twisting respective portions (83) between respective pairs of said slits or slots (82) substantially at an angle of 90° relative to said base plate portion. A method according to claim 7, wherein each of said slots (82) is formed as a slot having circular holes (82b) at both end portions in its longitudinal direction, said circular holes (82b) having a diameter greater than a width of a central portion (82a) of said slot (82).

Inventors: MURAKAMI KEIICHI, YASUE SYOICHI, MURAKAMI, KEIICHI, YASUE, SYOICHI
Applicants: NAGASE & CO LTD, TOKAI SPRING SEISAKUSHO KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOUKAI SPRING SEISAKUSHO, NAGASE & CO., LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B01D29
IPC codes: B01D25, B01D29