Method and apparatus for a self-cleaning filter

Patent · Tue Nov 16 00:00:00 EST 2010

OSTI ID:1014912

Diebold, James P ^[1]; Lilley, Arthur ^[2]; Walt, Robb Ray ^[3]; Duncan, Dustin ^[4]; Walker, Michael ^[5]; Steele, John ^[3]; Fields, Michael ^[6]

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1. Lakewood, CO
2. Finleyville, PA
3. Aurora, CO
4. Littleton, CO
5. Longmont, CO
6. Arvada, CO

A method and apparatus for removing fine particulate matter from a fluid stream without interrupting the overall process or flow. The flowing fluid inflates and expands the flexible filter, and particulate is deposited on the filter media while clean fluid is permitted to pass through the filter. This filter is cleaned when the fluid flow is stopped, the filter collapses, and a force is applied to distort the flexible filter media to dislodge the built-up filter cake. The dislodged filter cake falls to a location that allows undisrupted flow of the fluid after flow is restored. The shed particulate is removed to a bin for periodic collection. A plurality of filter cells can operate independently or in concert, in parallel, or in series to permit cleaning the filters without shutting off the overall fluid flow. The self-cleaning filter is low cost, has low power consumption, and exhibits low differential pressures.

• Research Organization: Community Power Corporation (Littleton, CO)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-03ER83630
• Assignee: Community Power Corporation (Littleton, CO)
• Patent Number(s): 7,833,320
• Application Number: US Patent Application 11/427,221
• OSTI ID: 1014912
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English