Filtering apparatus and quick-opening backwash valve therefor

A quick opening backwash valve in combination with a filter having an inlet and an outlet connectable for normal filtering flow of a pressurized fluid from said inlet to said outlet, and for reveresed backflow to clean the filter, said valve comprising:

• a. a valve body having a flow port adapted for connection with the filter inlet, and a discharge port, and said ports being connected by a flow passage in said body;
• b. an annular valve seat in said body flow passage between said ports;
• c. a poppet valve on the flow port side of said valve seat adapted to be normally urged by the pressurized fluid into a closed seated position opposing reversed backflow through the filter;
• and
• d. means for applying an actuating force to quickly unseat said valve, whereby the backflow will be released for flow through said discharge port with an explosive-like surge so as to more effectively dislodge and remove the filtered out media.

A quick opening valve, comprising:

• a. a valvebody having an inlet port and an outlet port interconnected by a flow passage;
• b. valving means in said passage including a valve member and operatively associated valve set;
• c. another port in communication with said inlet port and the connecting portion of said flow passage;
• d. a valve stem having an outer end portion positioned exteriorly of said valve body;
• e. valve actuating means for applying an impact opening force to the valve, comprising:
• an impacting member;
• means supporting said impacting member adjacent the outer end portion of said valve stem for movement to engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the outer end portion of said stem;
• and
• handle means carried by said impacting member enabling manual movement thereof to said engaged and disengaged positions.

A quick opening valve, comprising:

• a. a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port interconnected by a flow passage;
• b. valving means in said passage including a poppet valve member adapted to be normally urged to a closed position against an associated valve seat by an inlet pressurized fluid;
• c. a valve actuator having a fluid pressure chamber containing a wall movable in one direction under said chamber pressure;
• d. means interconnecting said wall and said valve including a compression spring having one end connected with said wall and the other end connected with said valve;
• e. said connecting means being operable to compress said spring in in response to said wall movement and initiate an opening movement of said valve, and whereupon the fluid pressure urging the valve towards the seat will be overcome by the force of the compressed spring to quickly fully open the valve.