# US 2013/0153486 A1 · Rotary Disc Filter and Module for Constructing Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153486 A1 - Document ID: US20130153486A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/765,942 - Filed: 2013-02-13 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-26 - Assignees: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support - Inventors: Åke Danielsson; Åke Ralvert; Emil Svensson; Per Larsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153486A1 ## CPC - B01D 33/215: {the filtering discs being fixed inwardly on a rotating construction} - B01D 29/58: arranged concentrically or coaxially - B01D 33/21: with hollow filtering discs transversely mounted on a hollow rotary shaft - B01D 33/23: Construction of discs or component sectors thereof - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A rotary disc filter device includes a rotary drum and one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum. Each disc-shaped filter member includes a filter and a filter support comprising a series of modules. The modules each include a base that is secured to the rotary drum and a support arm projecting outwardly from the base. The modules are interconnected and disposed around the rotary drum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular rotary disc filter for filtering a liquid, comprising: a. a rotary drum for receiving the liquid and having a plurality of openings for permitting the liquid to flow from the drum; b. a drive for rotatively driving the rotary drum; c. one or more modular disc-shaped filter members secured around the drum for receiving the liquid from the drum and filtering the liquid; d. each disc-shaped filter member including a plurality of modules that form, in part at least, a series of compartments that extend around the drum and form a part of the disc-shaped filter member; e. each compartment being bound, at least in part, by opposed edge structures and on opposite sides by two filters; f. each edge structure having a length and a substantial open area along the length for permitting liquid communication between compartments such that as the disc-shaped filter member and compartments are rotated, liquid in the disc-shaped filter member moves through the open area in the edge structures and from one compartment to an adjacent compartment; and g. wherein liquid held in the disc-shaped filter member is filtered by flowing outwardly through the filters on opposite sides of the compartments. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein each compartment further comprises an inner structure supported by the drum, an outer structure spaced outwardly from the inner structure, and wherein each compartment is formed, in part at least, by the edge structures, the inner structure, the outer structure and the opposed filters. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 2 wherein the inner structure of each compartment includes at least one opening for permitting liquid to flow from the drum into the compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 2 wherein the inner structure of each compartment is curved. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein each compartment is formed in part at least by two consecutive modules connected to each other and which form the opposed edge structures and the inner structure of each compartment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 5 wherein the two consecutive modules are connected together and form a curved inner structure of each compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 6 wherein the outer structure of each compartment comprises outer supports forming a part of the two consecutive modules. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the compartments of the disc-shaped filter member are spaced one after the other around the disc-shaped filter member with each compartment being disposed between two other compartments and wherein the open areas in the edge structures of each compartment enable liquid held in the disc-shaped filter member to move between all of the compartments of each disc-shaped filter member when the disc-shaped filter member is rotated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the disc-shaped filter member and the compartments thereof are configured to provide for circumferential flow of liquid through the compartments as the disc-shaped filter member is rotated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the open areas in the edge structures substantially prevents liquid in the disc-shaped filter member from being entrained by the rotary motion of the compartments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 8 wherein each compartment of the disc-shaped filter member joins two other compartments such that as the disc-shaped filter member is rotated liquid held in a lower portion of the disc-shaped filter member moves through the open areas of the edge structures of the compartments and moves from one compartment to an adjacent compartment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the edge structures that form parts of the compartments comprise a series of circumferentially spaced radial arms that project outwardly from the drum. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein each module includes a base and a support arm extending outwardly from the base; wherein the modules are connected together such that the bases of two modules form an inner structure of one compartment and the support arms of two consecutive modules form the opposed edge structures of one compartment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 13 wherein each module further includes outer supports that project from an outer end portions of the support arm, and wherein the outer supports of two consecutive modules forms, in part at least, an outer structure of one compartment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the open area along the length of each edge structure includes multiple openings formed in the edge structure. ### Claim 16 A rotary disc filter for filtering a liquid comprising: a. a rotary drum for receiving the liquid and having a plurality of openings for permitting the liquid to flow from the drum; b. one or more disc-shaped filter members secured around the drum for receiving liquid from the drum and holding the liquid in a lower portion thereof and filtering the liquid; c. each disc-shaped filter member including a plurality of adjoining compartments that are disposed around the disc-shaped filter member and around the drum; d. each compartment of the disc-shaped filter member formed by an inner structure disposed adjacent the drum, an outer structure disposed outwardly of the inner structure, opposed edge structures, and a pair of filters disposed on opposite sides of the compartment; e. each edge structure including a length and an open area along the length that is effective to permit liquid communication between the compartments of the disc-shaped filter member such that as the disc-shaped filter member and compartments thereof are rotated, liquid in the disc-shaped filter member moves through the open areas in the edge structures from one compartment to an adjacent compartment; and f. wherein liquid held in the disc-shaped filter member is filtered by flowing outwardly through the filters disposed on opposite sides of the compartments. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein the open areas of the edge structures of the compartments are configured to generally prevent substantial amounts of the liquid in the disc-shaped filter member from being entrained by the rotary movement of the compartments. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein the compartments and open areas of the edge structures are configured such that liquid held in the disc-shaped filter member moves circumferentially through the compartments as the disc-shaped filter member and the compartments thereof are rotated. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein each compartment is formed, in part at least, by first and second consecutive modules that are connected together. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The rotary disc filter of claim 19 wherein each of the first and second modules form a part of the inner structure of two adjacent compartments and form one edge structure of two adjacent compartments. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The rotary disc filter of claim 18 wherein each of the first and second modules form a part of the inner structure of two adjacent compartments and form one edge structure of two adjacent compartments. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein the disc-shaped filter member includes a plurality of like modules that, in part at least, form the compartments of the disc-shaped filter member, each module comprising: i. a base secured adjacent the rotary drum and including an opening for permitting liquid to flow through; ii. a support arm projecting outwardly from the base; and wherein the bases of the modules form parts of the inner structures of the compartments and the support arms of the modules form edge structures of the compartments. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The rotary disc filter of claim 22 wherein the bases of the modules are connected in end-to-end relationship around the drum. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The rotary disc filter of claim 22 wherein each module includes outer supports that form at least a part of the outer structures of the compartments. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein the filters disposed on opposite sides of each compartment comprise two filter segments supported in grooves formed in at least the opposed edge structures of each compartment. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The rotary disc filter of claim 22 wherein the bases of the modules are curved to fit around the rotary drum. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The rotary disc filter of claim 26 wherein the bases of the modules are connected in end-to-end relationship around the drum. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein the modules are constructed of plastic. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) The rotary disc filter of claim 16 wherein the open area along the length of each edge structure includes multiple openings formed in the edge structure. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The rotary disc filter of claim 22 wherein each module is a plastic module and wherein the base includes a plate disposed adjacent the rotary drum; and wherein the support arm is a radial support arm that extends radially with respect to the rotary drum and is integral with the base; and wherein the rotary disc filter includes a series of fasteners for securing the bases together in end-to-end relationship around the rotary drum. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) The rotary disc filter of claim 22 wherein the filters disposed on opposite sides of each compartment comprise a pair of filter segments and wherein the filter segments are retained, in part at least, within grooves formed in the edge structures that form the compartments. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The rotary disc filter of claim 24 wherein each compartment includes a cover secured to the outer supports and wherein the outer supports and covers form, in part at least, the outer structures of the compartments. ### Claim 33 A modular rotary disc filter comprising: a. a rotary drum for receiving and holding liquid; b. a drive for rotatively driving the rotary drum; c. one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum and extending outwardly therefrom, each disc-shaped filter member being rotatable with the drum; d. each disc-shaped filter member including a modular filter frame made up, in part at least, by a series of like and connected modules; e. the disc-shaped filter member including a series of compartments that are disposed around the disc-shaped filter member wherein each compartment is defined, in part at least, by two consecutive like modules; f. each module comprising: i. a base; ii. a support arm projecting outwardly from the base; g. filters supported by the modules and disposed on opposite sides of each compartment for filtering liquid; and h. each support arm having a substantial open area for permitting liquid communication between compartments such that as the disc-shaped filter member and compartments are rotated, liquid in the disc-shaped filter member moves through the open areas in the support arms and from one compartment to an adjacent compartment. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the filters disposed on each side of the compartment comprise a pair of filter segments. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The rotary disc filter of claim 34 wherein each module includes a plurality of grooves for receiving and retaining a plurality of the filter segments. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the base of each module includes opposed ends and wherein each end of the base is configured to connect to the end of another base in end-to-end relationship. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the base of each module includes a curve plate secured adjacent the rotary drum, and wherein the base and support arm are integral. ### Claim 38 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein each module includes a pair of outer supports that project from an upper portion of the support arm. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The rotary disc filter of claim 38 wherein the disc-shaped filter member includes a series of covers that are secured to the outer supports. ### Claim 40 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the support arm includes a plurality of openings formed along a length of the support arm. ### Claim 41 (depends on 35) The rotary disc filter of claim 35 wherein the grooves are formed in the base and support arm of the modules, and wherein each compartment is bound on opposite sides by two filter segments retained in the grooves of at least two modules. ### Claim 42 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the bases of the modules are connected together in end-to-end relationship around the drum, and wherein the modules are also connected together outwardly of the bases. ### Claim 43 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein each compartment is bound, in part at least, by portions of the bases of two modules, the support arms of the two modules, a connecting structure extending between outer portions of the support arms, and two filter segments disposed of opposite sides of the compartment. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The rotary disc filter of claim 43 wherein the connecting structure extending between outer portions of the support arms include at least two outer supports that are integral with the support arms and project therefrom. ### Claim 45 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the open areas along the length of the support arms is effective to prevent substantial portions of the liquid in the disc-shaped filter member from being entrained by the rotary movement of the compartments as the disc-shaped filter member is rotated. ### Claim 46 (depends on 32) The rotary disc filter of claim 32 wherein the open areas along the length of the support arms are configured to reduce the tendency of the liquid to be entrained in the rotating compartments. ### Claim 47 (depends on 32) The rotary disc filter of claim 32 wherein each module comprises a plastic module and wherein the base includes a curve plate disposed adjacent the rotary drum; and wherein the support arm is a radial support arm that extends radially with respect to the rotary drum and is integral with the base, and wherein the rotary disc filter includes a series of fasteners for securing a series of bases together in end-to-end relationship around the rotary drum. ### Claim 48 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the disc-shaped filter member includes a rim structure that extends around the disc-shaped filter member and connects outer portions of the modules together. ### Claim 49 (depends on 33) The rotary disc filter of claim 33 wherein the base of each module includes a curved bottom, and a raised structure disposed on the curved bottom and having portions elevated with respect to the curved bottom; the curved bottom being secured adjacent the rotary drum; and wherein the raised structure disposed on the curved bottom forms, in part at least, an opening in the base for permitting liquid to flow through, and therein the support arm is integral with the raised structure of the base and extends outwardly therefrom. ### Claim 50 (depends on 1) The modular rotary disc filter of claim 1 wherein the open areas in the edge structures are sufficiently large such that as the disc-shaped filter member is rotated, liquid in the compartments moves through the open areas in the edge structures and from one compartment to another without being substantially entrained within the rotating compartments.