Patent Application
20120160783
The present invention is generally related to water filtration, and more particularly to a filtration device and a related method capable of self-cleaning.
Following the industrial development, water pollution has become a serious problem and various water filtration devices are therefore provided and installed. Depending on how clean the water is required, there are various types of filtration devices at different costs. However, in general, the meshed material such as fiber cotton, active carbon, sand, etc., is most common. Water is introduced through the meshed material and, as water flows, contaminants are detained by the meshed material while purified water is consumed or collected for future use.
In a scenario where large amount of water is involved such as the water treatment plant, the contaminants would accumulate on the filter material quickly, deteriorating its filtration capability, blocking water flow, and reducing the filtration efficiency. Conventionally, the filter material as such has to be replaced periodically, so as to maintain the water filtration effect. However, the filter material itself is a pollutant, and the constant replacement would also incur significant cost, operation effort, and affect normal water supply.
Therefore, how to remove the contaminants on the filter material by an appropriate mechanism with minimized cost and effort while, in the mean time, to maintain the filtration quality and efficiency is a subject requiring further investigation.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a water filtration method capable of self-cleaning where filter elements are spun at high speed so as to remove contaminants by centrifugal force.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a water filtration method capable of reducing the consumption of filter elements and filtration cost.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a water filtration method capable of reducing the cleaning time of the filter elements and the interruption time of water supply.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a water filtration device capable of rotating filter elements at high speed so as to achieve self-cleaning.
To achieve the foregoing objectives, the water filtration method contains the following steps: introducing raw water into a filtration barrel; filtering the raw water by attracting contaminants with filter elements in the filtration barrel; deciding whether the filter elements require cleaning; if yes, detaching the contaminants from the filter elements' surfaces by the centrifugal force of rotating the filter elements at high speed; deciding whether the filter elements are cleaned; if yes, stopping the high-speed rotation of the filter elements.
The filtration device contains a filtration barrel having an open top with an outlet and an inlet at an upper lateral side and at a bottom side, respectively; a main frame housed inside the filtration barrel having a bearing seat, equipped with a bearing, and a motor seat above the bearing seat; a driving motor rested upon the motor seat having a shaft to deliver torque, a holding rack having an axle coupling with the shaft so that the holding rack is engaged to spin by the driving motor; at least a filter elements positioned on the holding rack for attaching contaminants in the water and for detaching the contaminants when the filter element is spun along with the holding rack by centrifugal force.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.
The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
As shown in
As illustrated in
The filtration device and method operate as follows. First, in the steps S01 and S02, un-filtered or sewage water from reservoir, cultivation pond, etc., is drawn into the filtration barrel 1 through the inlet 11. As the water flows, the contaminants in the water contact with the filter elements 5 and are attached to the surfaces of the filter elements 5, thereby purifying the water. The filtered water then is drained from the outlet 12 back to the reservoir or cultivation pond. Then, in step S03, the filter elements 5 are examined by bare eye or detection equipment to see if cleaning is required. If not, the filter elements 5 are still capable of filtration and the process returns to step S01 to repeat itself.
On the other hand, if the filter elements 5 has accumulated too many contaminants by detecting the weakened filtration capability or the slow down of water flow, un-filtered or sewage water is stopped in step S04 and, by turning on the driving motor 3 in step S05, the holding rack 4, along with filter elements, is spun at high speed. The contaminants on the surfaces of the filter elements 5 are thereby shaken off by the centrifugal force, and then expelled from the drain 14. The filtration device therefore is capable of self-cleaning as described. In step S06, by the same examination by bare eye or detection equipment, the filter elements 5 are determined if they are cleaned. If not, the step S05 is repeated to further clean the filter elements 5. Otherwise, if the filter elements 5 are clean enough, step S07 stops the rotation of the filter elements 5 and step S08 decides whether to continue the filtration process. If yes, the process returns to step S01 to start all over again and, if not, the process is terminated.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
