Improvements in the Method of and Means for Cleansing Filters Used in Downward Filtration.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Cleansing Filters
Used in Downward Filtration.
I, HENRY FLEMMING HIBBERT, of Southport Road, Chorley, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the method of and appliances for cleansing the surfaces
of the filters used in the downward filtration of water and other liquids.
According to the present invention I arrange one or more pairs of rails preferably
parallel with the length of the filter and so that the whole surface of the filter may
be commanded by a carriage or carriages each of which runs upon a pair of the rails.
This carriage, or each of the carriages is provided with an appliance or appliances for
disturbing and removing deposit from the surface of the filter, which appliance or
appliances may consist of rotary rakes, rotary brushes, scrapers and the like singly
or in combination, and may be driven or operated by manual or mechanical power
while at the same time the carriage is moved from end to end of the filter.
During the operation, either the water or liquid which is on the surface of the
filter may be drawn off carrying the disturbed and removed deposit with it, or an
upward current of liquid through the filter may be arranged for the same purpose.
Alternatively, a supply of liquid to carry away the disturbed deposit may be derived
from an external source and be distributed to the surface of the filter through or by
means of the appliance by which the deposit is disturbed.
Tina ini. Twentyeirth day of September A.D. 1898.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Cleansing Filters
Used in Downward Filtration.
I, HENRY FLEMMING HIBBERT, of Southport Road, Chorley, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and, by the following stateinent :-
This invention relates to the method of and appliances for cleansing the surfaces of
the filters used in the downward filtration of water and other liquids.
According to the present invention I arrange one or more pairs of rails within or
upon the filter in such a manner that the whole surface of the filter may be com-
manded by a carriage or carriages which or each of which runs upon the rails or upon

page_text: a pair of the rails. This carriage or each of the carriages is provided with an appliance
or appliances for disturbing the surface of the filter and the deposit thereon or
therein, which appliance or appliances may consist of rotary rakes, rotary brushes,
scrapers or the like either alone or in combination and driven or operated by manual
or mechanical power while at the same time the carriage is moved about or from end
to end of the filter.
During or immediately after the operation the water or liquid which is on the
surface of the filter may be drawn off, carrying the disturbed deposit with it, or an
upward current of liquid through the filter may be arranged for the same purpose.
Alternatively, a supply of liquid to carry away the disturbed deposit may be derived
from an external source and be distributed to the surface of the filter through or by
means of the appliance by which the deposit is disturbed.
The accompanying drawings illustrate in what manner this invention may be
carried into effect.
Figures 1 and 2 shew in end elevation and plan respectively an appliance which
may be used to disturb the surface of a filter in order to effect the separation of any
deposit.
Figure 3 illustrates the application of the improved appliance to a filter having an
upper surface formed of or consisting of sand and adapted for the treatment of
sewage.
As will be seen on referring to Figures 1 and 2 the apparatus has a frame work A
mounted upon wheels B. Mounted upon the frame work is a hand wheel C secured
to which is a chain wheel D geared to a shaft E at the bottom of the machine.
Mounted upon or secured to this shaft is a series of spikes, teeth or the like F, which
are consequently rotated when the hand wheel C is turned. They are arranged to
enter the substance of the surface of the filter and to disturb or agitate it. The depth
to which the surface may be disturbed may be varied by raising or lowering the
shaft carrying the teeth. To enable this to be easily done the hand wheel shaft and
the toothed shaft may be carried in the slides G, one at each end of the machine,
and these slides may be raised or depressed by screws H.
The filter J is provided with one or more pairs of rails so arranged that when the
machine is placed upon them every part of the filter may be operated upon by the
rotary rake or the like. In the example shown, Figure 3, two pairs of rails K, K³,
and L, L' are employed. The inner rails K¹ and L of each pair may form or consist
of or be substitutes for the rails which form the trough in filters of ordinary
construction.
The machine is placed upon one pair of rails as illustrated, and the hand wheel C is
rotated, thus effecting the rotation of the toothed shaft and digging up the surface
of the filter. At the same time the machine is slowly pushed forward until it has
traversed the entire length of the filter. It may then be transferred to the other pair
of rails by means of crossing rails or the like, and the other part of the filter may be
similarly treated. During the operation liquid may be admitted to the surface of the
filter either from above or below in order to remove the disturbed deposit. After this
cleansing liquid has flowed away the surface of filter may be brushed with a soft brush
to remove any deposit which may still lie upon it.
Steam, electric or other power may be employed to drive the machine in place of
manual power, in which case the running wheels B may be geared to the first motion
or other convenient shaft so that the machine is automatically fed forward.
When of a sufficient size the ends of the filter may be semicircular and concentric
rails may be laid round the ends so that the machine can be moved up one side of the
filter and down the other without stoppage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. An apparatus for use in cleansing filters provided with a rotary rake or the like

page_text: constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
2. The herein before described method of cleansing filters substantially as and by
the means herein set forth and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this with day of June A D 1900
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.