FLUID DIVERTING SYSTEM

Abstract

Provided is a fluid flow diverting system including a housing configured with at least one fluid conduit and being selectively open or closed by a plane blade-type gate member configured with one or more openings and displaceable between at least one open position facilitating fluid flow through one or more of the at least one fluid conduit, and at least one closed position prohibiting fluid flow through one or more of the at least one fluid conduit.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

The presently disclosed subject matter is concerned with a fluid flow control and divert valve and system.

More specifically the disclosed subject matter is concerned with a blade type valve of the type comprising a shut-off member disposed within a flow path and configured for displacing between a closed and an open, thereby governing fluid flow through said flow conduit.

Such valves are referred to at times as ‘fluid diverters’ or ‘shut-off valves’ or ‘blade/knife valves’, ‘edge gates’ or ‘guillotine valves’.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

Valves of the aforementioned type, namely ‘shut-off valve’, ‘blade/knife valve’, ‘edge valve’, ‘guillotine valve’, are known and are employed primarily, though not exclusively’ in the field of transfer, dispensing and dosing of loose particle material (e.g. granular material, powder, etc) contained in a hopper and the like.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,057 presents a guillotine valve, used for example in pipelines includes a single block body incorporating sealing elements, each in the form of an annular hose section, which are made of an elastomeric material and which are hollow along their entire circumference, each providing an airtight pneumatic circumferential chamber filled with air. Due to the compressibility of the chambers the contact faces of the hose sections deform uniformly in relation to a closing blade. Convex contours on the internal faces of the hose sections result in a further sealing effect due the pressing together of the contact faces by the pressure of the pipeline fluid. The hose sections can each also incorporate a T-shaped metal core comprising an axial portion and a radial portion.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

The disclosed fluid flow diverting assembly is a fluid flow diverting system (flow diverter) comprising a mono-block housing configured with at least one fluid conduit, said at least one fluid conduit being selectively open or closed by a blade-type gate member configured with one or more openings and displaceable between at least one open position facilitating fluid flow through one or more of said at least one fluid conduit, and at least one closed position prohibiting fluid flow through one or more of said at least one fluid conduit.

A fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosure is configured for diverting fluid flow from one or more flow conduits to one or more other flow conduits. Fluid flow can take place in either direction, i.e. fluid flow in one or more conduits can be in one sense whilst fluid flow in other conduits can take place in an opposite sense. The fluid flow diverting system is also configured for shutting fluid flow through one or more conduits, regardless of the flow state (open/closed) through other conduits in the system.

The blade-type gate member is displaceable about a plane transecting said one or more fluid conduits.

The blade-type gate member is displaceable within the mono-block housing in a sealed type fashion, whereby a sealing arrangement is provided between the gate member and the respective fluid conduits, to thereby prevent fluid leak therebetween.

The term mono-block suggests, according to some particular embodiments, that one or more of housing components of the fluid flow diverting system constitute a house component of a fluid treating device (e.g. filtration unit and the like).

Accordingly, the housing thereof constitutes part of a housing of a fluid treating device articulated thereto and being in fluid communication with one or more fluid flow conduits of the fluid flow diverting system, and configured for cooperation in conjunction therewith.

Furthermore, one or more fluid flow diverting systems according to the disclosed subject matter can be configured for modular configurations, i.e. assembled in series, whereby at least some of the fluid conduits continuously extend between neighboring fluid flow diverting systems and wherein each fluid flow diverting system is associated with a fluid treating device. The arrangement is such that each of the fluid flow diverting systems is controlled independently.

According to one particular application, the fluid flow diverting system is used in conjunction with a filtering assembly and it is appreciated that filtering assembly disclosure can be any type of filtering media such as a stack of filtering disks, a filtering screen (i.e. a fine mash of material) or a thread-type cylinder, etc. in the context of a filtering assembly the fluid flow diverting assembly is used for controlling and manipulating (diverting) inlet ports and outlet ports between a filtration mode and a backwash/rinsing mode, for opening/closing respective ports.

According to a particular design of the fluid flow control assembly, manipulating between the open position and the closed position takes place at a single stroke.

The blade-type gate member is displaceable within the housing between its respective closed/open positions in a planner fashion, and is thus slidingly received within a slot at the housing. According to a first configuration the gate member is linearly displaceable within the hosing and according to another configuration the gate member is angularly displaceable (rotary) about a pivot point within the hosing.

According to yet a configuration the blade-type gate member is displaceable within the housing about an axis substantially normal to the inlet ports and outlet ports and according to a different example the gate member is displaceable within the housing about an axis inclined (slanted) with respect to the inlet ports and outlet ports. It is however appreciated that a combination of the above configurations can be employed with a fluid flow control assembly of the present disclosure.

It is appreciated that the set-up of the inlet/outlet ports and the openings at the gate member can be configured such that a single stroke (linear or rotary) simultaneously opens or closes all ports, whilst according to other configurations the gate member is displaceable between more than one closed and/or more than one closed position, whereby several strokes of the gate member are required.

The gate member is articulated to a manipulator for displacing it between the respective closed/open positions, said manipulator can be of any type, e.g. hydraulic, electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic, etc.

Activating the manipulator is facilitated by a controller generating a control signal.

According to a specific configuration of the fluid flow diverting assembly, the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space. The fluid conduits are each configured with a first opening extending at a first wall surface of said gate space and coaxially extending with a second opening configured at an opposite, second wall surface. The first and second openings are respective inlet/outlet openings depending on the fluid flow direction within the respective fluid conduit.

The respective first openings and second openings are configured with a sealing member, e.g. an O-ring, whereby the gate member is displaceable substantially flush over the first openings and second openings, in a sealing tight fashion.

The gate space is a gap formed between the first wall surface and the second wall surface of the housing. Said gap can be configured by a cut-out portion configured at one or both of said first wall surface and the second wall surface, or within an adapter/spacer member disposed between said walls.

As may be desired, inserts can be provided between the gate member and the first wall surface and the second wall surface. For example, said inserts can be made of a material easier to machine than the mono-block housing.

It is appreciated, that in any configuration, a fluid conduit can be referred to as an inlet conduit or as an outlet conduit, configured with an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively, depending on the context and the particular application for which the fluid flow diverter is configured to be used.

Furthermore, fluid flow can take in either direction through the gate member, and even more so, fluid can flow simultaneously in one direction through one or more conduits, and at an opposite direction through other conduits.

Either one or both of the gate member and the gate space can be configured with guide members, e.g. rails or limiting members, to facilitate restricted linear displacement and in desired orientation only.

The term fluid as used in the specification and claims denotes any flowable matter, i.e. gas or liquid, regardless its purpose, degree of contamination, particle size, viscosity, pressure or any other parameters. Hence, herein in the specification and claims the term fluid is used in its broadest sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective exploded view of a fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic plane section along line I-I in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic representations illustrating three respective positions of the fluid flow diverting system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are schematic representations illustrating four respective positions of a variation of a fluid flow diverting system of the type illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are schematic representations illustrating four respective positions of another modification of a rotary fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a mono-block fluid flow diverting system according to the disclosed subject matter, used in conjunction with a filtration assembly;

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal isometric section along line X-X in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an isometric exploded view of only principle components of the mono-block fluid flow diverting system of FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 5D is a longitudinal plane section along line XI-XI in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5E is a view of the mono-block fluid flow diverting system seen in FIGS. 5A to 5D, with the filtration assembly removed;

FIG. 6 illustrate a mono-block fluid flow diverting system according to the disclosed subject matter, in conjunction with a filtration assembly according to the disclosed subject matter, at a backwash/rinsing mode; wherein:

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the assembly;

FIG. 6B is a longitudinal isometric section along line XI-XI in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a longitudinal plane section along line XI-XI in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a view of the mono-block fluid flow diverting system seen in FIGS. 5A to 5D, with the filtration assembly removed;

FIG. 7A is a further example of filtration assembly configured with a fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosed subject matter, at its filtration mode;

FIG. 7B is a section along the gate member of the fluid flow diverting system seen in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A illustrates the filtration assembly of FIG. 7A at the backwash/rinsing mode;

FIG. 8B is a view taken along the gate member of the fluid flow diverting system, with the filtration unit, however with the mono-block housing removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, schematically illustrating a fluid flow diverting system according to the disclosed subject matter and generally designated 20.

The fluid flow diverting system 20 comprises a mono-block 22 composed of a first block 24 and a second block 26 securely coupled to one another (e.g. by bolts; not shown). In the particular example, the first block 24 is configured with three through going conduits 30A, 30B and 30C, and the second block 26 is configured with four through going conduits 32A, 32B and 32C extending coaxially opposite those conduits in the first block 24, as can be seen in FIG. 1B. It is seen that conduits 30A and 30B have their respective axis X₁ and X₂ coaxially disposed.

The first block 24 is configured with a first wall surface 36A depressed with respect to surface 38 and facing a second wall surface 36B of the second block 26, said wall surfaces 36A and 36B being substantially parallel to one another and defining therebetween a gate space/gate gap 40 (FIG. 1B).

Slidingly disposed within the gate space 40 there is a gate member 42 in the form of a flat/planer blade like member with substantially smooth side wall faces 44A and 44B and configured for sliding displacement within the gate space 40, as will be discussed hereinafter.

It is seen that each of the fluid conduits 30 and 32 is configured at least at its respective opening within the gate space 40, with a fluid seal in the form of an O-ring 42A and 42B, respectively, wherein the gate member 42 displaces flush against the surfaces 36A and 36B, and sealingly against the O-rings 42A and 42B.

Further there is provided a manipulating mechanism schematically designated M for displacing the gate member 42 between its respective closed/open positions, as will be discussed hereinafter. The manipulator M can be of any type, e.g. hydraulic, electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic, etc. and receives an operating signal from an appropriate controller (not shown).

It is further seen that the gate member 42 is configured with four through going openings 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D, corresponding in size and location with the conduit openings formed in the first block 24 and second block 26 of the housing. The purpose of the fourth opening 33D will become apparent herein after with reference to FIG. 2). It is also noted that the length l of the gate member 42 is shorter then the length L of the gate space 40 (i.e. of the depression formed in surface 38 of the first block 24), thereby facilitating sliding displacement of the gate member 42 within the gate space 40.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A to 2B, the fluid flow diverting system 20 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a schematic fashion, in three respective positions. For sake of clarity the mono-block housing is designated as a flat member designated B and the gate member 42 is supper imposed thereover, distinguished by thick lines. Likewise, the conduit apertures in the block member are designated 30A, 30B and 30C, and openings in the gate member are designated 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D, their position and size corresponding with those of the conduits in the block member B.

In a first position shown in FIG. 2A the fluid flow diverting system 20 is illustrated in its so called fully closed position, wherein neither of openings 33A, 33B, 33C and (i.e. concides) 33D of gate member 42 extends coaxial with the conduits 30A, 30B and 30C of the block member B, thus prohibiting any fluid flow therethrough.

However, in the fully open position of FIG. 2B, the gate member 42 has displaced one move in direction of arrow 50, whereby the openings 33A, 33B and 33C extend coaxially (coincide) opposite respective conduit openings 30A, 30B and 30C (and conduits 32A, 32B and 32C of the second block, not shown), thus facilitating fluid flow through the three respective conduits.

In the position of FIG. 2C the gate member 42 has displaced two moves in direction of arrow 52, whereby only opening 33D coincides coaxially with a corresponding fluid conduit 30C, facilitating fluid flow therethrough, whilst the fluid conduits 30A and 30B remain sealed (as the openings 33A, 33B and 33C now extend opposite wall portions of surface 36, rather than opposite the openings of the conduits).

It is appreciated, in accordance with any of the configurations disclosed herein, that the gate member is displaceable between different positions and it can fully or partially exposed the fluid conduits to facilitate fluid flow at different rates there through, or cab completely shut said fluid conduits, in a sealed fashion.

The example schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D is directed at a fluid flow diverting system 20′ similar to that disclosed in connection with the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, however with the blade member configured for displacement in an X-Y planer-like matrix.

The mono-block housing designated B′ and the gate member 42′ is supper imposed thereover, distinguished by thick lines. Like in the previous example, the conduit apertures in the block member are designated 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D and openings in the gate member are designated 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D, their position and size corresponding with those of the conduits in the block member B′.

In a first position shown in FIG. 3A the However, in the fully open position of FIG. 2B, the gate member 42 has displaced one move in direction of arrow 50, whereby the openings 33A, 33B and 33C extend coaxially (coincide) opposite respective conduit openings 30A, 30B and 30C (and conduits 32A, 32B and 32C of the second block, not shown), thus facilitating fluid flow through the three respective conduits.

is illustrated in its so called fully closed position, wherein neither of openings 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D of gate member 42′ extends coaxial (i.e. coincides) with the respective conduits 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D of the block member B′, thus prohibiting any fluid flow therethrough.

However, in the fully open position of FIG. 3B, the gate member 42′ has displaced one move in direction of arrow 56, whereby the openings 33A, 33B and 33D extend coaxially (coincide) opposite respective conduit openings 30A, 30B and 30D (and respective conduits 32A, 32B and 32D of the second block, not shown), thus facilitating fluid flow through the three respective conduits. It is however noticeable that in this position the fluid conduit 30C remains closed, since there is no corresponding opening of the gate member 42′ opposite it.

In FIG. 3C the gate member 42′ has displaced one move in direction of arrow 58 (with respect to the already displaced position of FIG. 3B), whereby opening 33B of the gate member 42′ now coincides with conduit 30A of the block B′. In this position fluid flow is facilitated only through the conduit 30A, whilst conduits 30B, 30C and 30D remain sealingly closed.

In FIG. 3D the gate member 42′ has displaced one move in direction of arrow 60 (with respect to the original, start position of FIG. 3A), whereby opening 33C of the gate member 42′ now coincides with conduit 30C of the block B′. In this position fluid flow is facilitated only through the conduit 30C, whilst conduits 30A, 30B and 30D remain sealingly closed.

Yet a schematic representation is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D, directed at a rotary type fluid flow diverting system generally designated 66. The mono-block housing is configured with a circular blade gap designated B″ and a circular gate member 42″ is supper-imposed thereover, distinguished by thick lines. Likewise, the conduit apertures in the block member are designated 30A, 30B and 30C, and openings in the gate member are designated 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D and 33E, their position and size corresponding with those of the conduits in the block member B. it is noticed that the respective openings in the gate member 42″ extend about the same radii with respect to the respective (i.e. designated) conduit apertures formed at the blade gap B″ (namely conduit 30A and openings 33A and 33B are disposed about a first radii, conduit 30B and opening 33C are disposed about a second radii, and conduit 30C and openings 33D and 33E are disposed about a third radii), the reason of which to become apparent hereinafter.

In the fully closed, sealed position of FIG. 4A, neither of the openings of the gate member 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D and 33E coincides with any of the conduit apertures in the block member 30A, 30B and 30C, whereby fluid flow is prohibited.

Turning now to FIG. 4B, the gate member 42″ is rotated in direction of arrow 70 at an extent α°, whereby openings 33A, 33C, 33D now coincide with conduit apertures 30A, 30B and 30C, respectively, facilitating fluid flow therethrough.

Further rotation of the gate member 42″ in same direction, at an extent β° results in that the conduit 30A remains open as it coincides with opening 33B of the gate member 42″, whilst all other conduits, namely conduits 30B and 30C become sealed by the surface of the gate member 42″.

Once in the start-point position of FIG. 4A, if the gate member 42″ is rotated in direction of arrow 73 at an extent γ° into the position illustrated in FIG. 4D, the conduit 30C becomes open as the opening 33E now coincides with it, whilst conduits 30A and 30B remain sealingly closed.

It is appreciated, that in any configuration, a fluid conduit can be referred to as an inlet conduit or as an outlet conduit, configured with an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively, depending on the context and the particular application for which the fluid flow diverter is configured to be used.

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate how a fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosed subject matter can be used, by way of example, with a fluid filtration system.

It is however appreciated that the filter unit in the following examples may be any type of filtering media such as a stack of filtering disks, a filtering screen (i.e. a fine mash of material) or a thread-type cylinder, and the following embodiments are mere examples.

In the following figures the filtration assembly is generally designated 500 and is composed of a filtration assembly generally designated 510 and a mono-block flow control system (diverter) generally designated 520 used in conjunction therewith. As mentioned hereinabove, the filtration assembly can be replaced by any filtration assembly and likewise, the mono-block flow diverting system can be replaced by a different system.

Filters in accordance with the disclosed subject matter may be used for filtering different fluid media, including gaseous material and different liquids such as fresh water, irrigation water, sea water, contaminated water including sewage, emulsions, viscous liquids, with the range of fluid pressure and other parameters thereof being substantially unlimited.

The following is a list of terminology used throughout the description concerned with the filtration assembly:

Filter unit—a unit comprising one or more fluid filtering media, of one or more types, through which raw fluid is passed for filtration thereof;

Raw fluid—(identified in the relevant drawings by ‘R’ indexed arrows)—denotes a fluid (gas or liquid) to be filtered;

Rinsing fluid—(identified in the relevant drawings by ‘C’ indexed arrows)—denotes a fluid (gas and/or liquid) used for rinsing/flushing the filter unit or filtering media or other components of the filter assembly. It should be noted that in some cases filtered fluid serves as a rinsing fluid;

Filtered fluid—(identified in the relevant drawings by ‘F’ indexed arrows)—denotes the fluid/liquid obtained after a filtration process, namely after removing particles and contaminating matter.

Drain/waste fluid—a fluid carrying dirt and waste after a rinsing/cleaning process.

The filter unit 510 comprises a block housing 517 fitted with a cylindrical housing 530 accommodating a filtration unit generally designated 532 configured with a filtration media 536 (which in the present example is a stack of filtration disks). The filter unit 510 is configured with a raw fluid inlet port 540 extending from the mono-block fluid flow diverting system 520 (a partial exploded view of which is provided in FIG. 5C) into the space 542 of the filtration assembly. An internal space 550 of the filter unit 532 is in fluid communication with a drain chamber 552 and via a drain tube 556 into a fluid collecting chamber 558 of the housing.

Extending from the chamber 558 there is a filtered fluid outlet port 560 extending through the mono-block flow diverter 520, extending substantially parallel to the raw fluid inlet 540. It is however noticed that the filtered fluid outlet port 560 is configured substantially above the end of the tube 556 whereby the bottom space 558 serves as a filtered fluid accumulation chamber.

It is thus noted that the housing component of the fluid flow diverting system constitutes a house component of the filtration unit. Accordingly, the housing thereof constitutes part of a housing of the filtration unit articulated thereto and is in fluid communication with one or more fluid flow conduits of the fluid flow diverting system, and configured for cooperation in conjunction therewith, as will be explained herein after in further details.

Configured within the mono-block fluid flow diverter 520 there is further provided a rinsing fluid outlet port 564 (serving as a drain port) being in flow communication with the space 542 of the filter assembly. The mono-block flow diverter 520 is further configured with a pressurized fluid inlet port 568 extending into the chamber 558, the purpose of which to become apparent hereinafter.

Turning now to the mono-block fluid flow diverter 520 it is noted that the raw to fluid inlet port 540, the rinsing fluid outlet port 564, the pressurized fluid inlet port 568 and the filtered fluid outlet port 560 extends substantially co-planar within the block 570 of the mono-block flow diverter 520 and typically said fluid ports extend co-planar and parallel to one another whereby a blade-type gate member 580 is configured in the form of a flat member configured with openings corresponding with the location of said inlet/outlet fluid flow ports, said gate 580 being articulated to a manipulating piston assembly generally designated 586 being a hydraulic/pneumonic piston or otherwise controlled activator (e.g. solenoid operated and the like) configured for displacing the gate member 580 between a filtration mode (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D and 5E) and a backwash/rinsing mode (FIGS. 6A to 6D).

As can best be seen in FIG. 5C, the fluid flow diverter 520 is configured with a housing composed of a first block portion 570 (not shown in FIG. 5C) and the second block portion 517 (being part of the filter unit). Each of the block portions 517 and 570 is configured with a recessed groove like portion 523A (best seen in FIG. 5E) and 523B (best seen in FIG. 5C), defining together space fixedly accommodating a pair of made of a machineable material e.g. light metal alloy, plastic material etc.

Each of the inserts/spacers 525A and 525B is configured with through going openings 527A, 527B and 527C and 529A, 529B and 529C, respectively, said openings coinciding (coaxially extending) with respect to openings 540, 564 and 560 formed in the second block portion 517, and corresponding openings formed in the first block portion 570. Sealing O-rings 575 are provided around each opening between the block portions and the respective insert plate.

A blade gap extends between facing surfaces 531A and 531B of the inserts/spacers 525A and 525B, said blade gap slidingly accommodates, in flush relationship, a blade seal (cut-off) member 580, configured with openings 540′, 564′ and 560′, corresponding with the conduits and openings of the block portions and the inserts, respectively. A set of sealing O-rings collectively designated 575 is provided, received within grooves configured at the static (fixed) inserts 525A and 525B and extending around each opening 527A, 527B and 527C and 529A, 529B and 529C, and an oval, large O-ring surrounding each of the smaller O-rings and defining the extreme displacement of the gate member 580.

The gate member 580 is coupled to the manipulating piston assembly generally designated 586, as discussed above.

In the filtration mode, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D and 5E, the raw fluid inlet port 540 and the filtered fluid outlet port 560 are open by virtue of displacement of the gate 580 into its downward position designated by arrowed line 589 whilst the rinsing fluid outlet port 564 and the pressurized fluid inlet port 568 are sealingly blocked by the gate member 580.

In this position, raw fluid enters in direction of arrow 592 through the raw fluid inlet port 540 whereby it is forced to flow through the filtering media 536 in direction of the arrowed lines 594 and then down through the tube segment 556 into the chamber 558 and then out, along the fluid flow path indicated by the arrowed lines 594 through the filtered fluid outlet port 560 from which it is to be consumed via suitable piping coupled to the mono-block flow diverter 520 (not shown). At the filtration mode, the filtered fluid accumulates at the bottom chamber 558 and filtered fluid will remain within the chamber 558 also upon shutting the supply of raw fluid into the system.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the assembly is illustrated at its backwash/rinsing mode wherein, as mentioned hereinabove, a residual amount of filtered liquid resides at the bottom chamber 558 and upon displacement of the gate member 580 into its upward position as indicated by arrowed line 599 the raw fluid inlet port 540 as well as the filtered fluid outlet port 560 sealingly shut whilst the rinsing fluid outlet port 564 as well as the pressurized fluid inlet port 568 open, whereby pressurized fluid (pressurized air in the particular example) is forced through the pressurized fluid inlet port 568, causing the liquid received within chamber 558 to propel upwards through the tube 556 and via chamber 552 out through the filtering media 536 in a reverse direction to the filtering mode, thereby rinsing any dirt particles from the filtering media, wherein the rinsing liquid together with the dirt are now forced along the dashed line 611 through the space 542 and then out through the rinsing fluid outlet port 564. The rinsing fluid flow path is represented by dashed line 609.

Thus, it is appreciated that the liquid filtered during the filtration mode (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D and 5E) accumulated at the bottom chamber 558 serves during the backwash/rinsing mode as the rinsing/washing liquid which is then forced in a reverse direction along the dashed arrows 611 to rinse the filtering media and is then evacuated through the mono-block.

It is appreciated that a fluid flow diverting system according to the present disclosure fluid flow diverting system can be configured for modular configurations, i.e. assembled in series, whereby at least some of the fluid conduits continuously extend between neighboring fluid flow diverting systems and wherein each fluid flow diverting system is associated with a fluid treating device. The arrangement is such that each of the fluid flow diverting systems is controlled independently. For that purpose, the housing 570 of the fluid flow diverting system 520 is configured with a removable sealing plate 573, removal of which exposes the fluid conduits of the diverter and further facilitates sealingly coupling of a like neighboring fluid flow diverting system, whereby the fluid conduits of the neighboring systems coextend in a sealing fashion.

Furthermore, one or more fluid flow diverting systems according to the disclosed subject matter can be configured for modular configurations, i.e. assembled in series, whereby at least some of the fluid conduits continuously extend between neighboring fluid flow diverting systems and wherein each fluid flow diverting system is associated with a fluid treating device. The arrangement is such that each of the fluid flow diverting systems is controlled independently.

Turning now to the example illustrated in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 there is illustrated a filtration assembly generally designated 600 comprising a filtering unit 602 integrated with a mono-block flow diverter unit generally designated 604 wherein the filtration assembly 602 comprises a housing 610 accommodating a filtration unit generally designated 612 within the internal space 614 of the housing. The filtering media 617 is a stack of filtration disks 617 supported over a central colon 620 and configured with a disk-compacting mechanism 624 fitted with a loaded spring 626.

The mono-block 604 is fitted with a raw fluid inlet port 650 and a filtered fluid outlet port 652 the latter extending from a draining chamber 654 being in fluid communication with the inside space 618 of the filter unit 612.

The mono-block fluid flow diverter 604 is further configured with a rinsing fluid inlet port 670 being in flow communication with the chamber 654 and further there is provided a rinsing fluid drain port 674 which is in flow communication with the internal space 614 of the filtration assembly.

It is appreciated that suitable sealing arrangements are provided to prevent fluid leakage, such as sealing gaskets CO rings') 675.

A blade-type gate member 680 is slidingly supported within the mono-block housing 605, said blade 680 is configured with four openings (best seen in FIGS. 7B and 8B, respectively), configured and registered with the respective inlet/outlet ports 650, 674, 652 and 670, said blade being axially displaceable in direction of arrow 689 by means of a displacing mechanism 690 which is for example a gate displaceable between two extreme positions by a hydraulic/pneumonic valve, an electric solenoid, etc.

It is however appreciated that the number of openings in the blade can be configured depending on different designs and the respective number and positioning of the conduits.

At the filtration mode of FIGS. 7A and 7B the gate 680 is displaced in its downwards position as illustrated by arrowed line 689 wherein the raw fluid inlet port 650 and the filtered fluid outlet port 652 are open, whilst the rinsing fluid outlet port 674 and the rinsing fluid inlet port 670 are closed by the gate member 680. At this position, raw fluid enters in direction of arrowed line 698 through the raw fluid inlet port 650 into the space 614 of the filter assembly 602, wherein the raw fluid is forced through the tightly compacted filtration disks 617 into the space 618 where it is filtered and allowed to drain, along arrowed lines 699 into the chamber 654 and then out through the filtered fluid outlet port 652.

Upon displacement of the gate member 680 into its backwash/rinsing mode of FIGS. 23A and 8A, the compacting arrangement 624 displaces upwards in direction of arrow 625 thereby allowing loosening of the filtration disks to facilitate their rinsing and backwashing. Then, upon displacement in direction of arrowed line 700, the raw fluid inlet port 650 and the filtered fluid outlet port 652 now shut by the gate member 680 whilst the rinsing fluid inlet port 670 and the rinsing fluid outlet port 674 (namely drain port) now open whereby rinsing fluid flowing in direction of dashed arrowed line 702 is forced through the internal space 618 of the filter unit 612 and then, through the loosened filtration disks 617 out to the space 614 and from there along the dashed arrows 704 through the rinsing fluid outlet port 674 to a suitable drain. It is however appreciated that the configuration disclosed herein is an example illustrating the association of a fluid flow diverting system with a fluid treating device, in conjunction therewith. It is however appreciated that a plurality of other combinations are possible too.

For example, in connection with the example of FIG. 7 fluid collecting chamber 558 can be avoided, wherein fluid flow can extend directly from chamber 552 to filtered fluid outlet port 560

Claims

1. A fluid flow diverting system comprising a housing configured with at least one fluid conduit extending through a gate space and being selectively open or closed by a plane blade-type gate member configured with one or more openings and displaceable between at least one open position facilitating fluid flow through one or more of said at least one fluid conduit, and at least one closed position prohibiting fluid flow through one or more of said at least one fluid conduit.

2. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable about a plane transecting said one or more fluid conduits.

3. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable within housing in a sealed fashion, whereby a sealing arrangement is provided between the gate member and the respective fluid conduits, to thereby prevent fluid leak therebetween.

4. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flow diverting system is used in conjunction with a filtering assembly.

5. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein manipulating gate member between the open position and the closed position takes place at a single stroke.

6. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable within the housing between its respective closed/open positions in a planner fashion, and is slidingly received within the gate space at the housing.

7. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable within the housing between its respective closed/open positions in a planner fashion, and is slidingly received within the gate space at the housing and wherein the gate member is linearly displaceable within the gate space of the housing.

8. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable within the housing between its respective closed/open positions in a planner fashion, and is slidingly received within the gate space at the housing and wherein the gate member is rotationally displaceable about a pivot point within the gate space of the housing.

9. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable about an axis substantially normal to the fluid conduits within the housing.

10. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is displaceable about an axis slanted with respect to the fluid conduits within the housing.

11. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the gate member is articulated to a manipulator for displacing it between the respective closed/open positions.

12. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space.

13. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space and wherein each of the fluid conduits is configured with a first opening extending at a first wall surface of said gate space and coaxially extending with a second opening configured at an opposite, second wall surface.

14. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space and, wherein each of the fluid conduits is configured with a first opening extending at a first wall surface of said gate space and coaxially extending with a second opening configured at an opposite, second wall surface and wherein the respective first openings and second openings are configured with a sealing member whereby the gate member is displaceable substantially flush over the first openings and second openings, in a sealing tight fashion.

15. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space and, wherein each of the fluid conduits is configured with a first opening extending at a first wall surface of said gate space and coaxially extending with a second opening configured at an opposite, second wall surface and wherein the respective first openings and second openings are configured with a sealing member whereby the gate member is displaceable substantially flush over the first openings and second openings, in a sealing tight fashion and wherein the gate space is configured by a cut-out portion configured at one or both of said first wall surface and the second wall surface.

16. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid conduits extend within the mono-block housing into a planner gate space defined between two parallely extending wall faces, and defining therebetween a planner gate space, wherein the gate member is displaceable within said gate space and, wherein each of the fluid conduits is configured with a first opening extending at a first wall surface of said gate space and coaxially extending with a second opening configured at an opposite, second wall surface and wherein the respective first openings and second openings are configured with a sealing member whereby the gate member is displaceable substantially flush over the first openings and second openings, in a sealing tight fashion and wherein the gate space is configured between two spacer members fixedly secured to the first wall surface and the second wall surface of the housing.

17. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein either one or both of the gate member and the gate space is configured with guide members to facilitate restricted linear displacement and in desired orientation only.

18. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, configured for articulating in series to one or more like fluid flow diverting systems, wherein at least some of the flow conduits co-extend between neighboring fluid flow diverting systems.

19. The fluid flow diverting system according to claim 1, wherein the housing thereof constitutes part of a housing of a fluid treating device articulated thereto and being in fluid communication with one or more fluid flow conduits of the fluid flow diverting system, and configured for cooperation in conjunction therewith.

20. The flow diverter for a filtering assembly, comprising a control assembly for use in conjunction with a filtering assembly, said flow diverter comprising a mono-block type flow diverter configured with one or more fluid of inlet ports and one or more fluid outlet ports, said ports being selectively open or closed by a blade-type gate member displaceable between a filtration mode and a backwash/rinsing mode, for opening/closing respective ports at one stroke, in accordance with the design of the filtration assembly.