Flexible membrane filter assembly
AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsJ. Lee Pope, Jr., James W. Scott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A membrane filter assembly is disclosed which employs at least one filter membrane and includes support means to prevent overflexing or overstressing of the filter membrane when high fluid pressures occur. The membrane support means includes a substantially co-extensive support or back-up surface spaced a small distance from the membrane to allow liquid flow therethrough but to prevent stretching or flexing beyond its elastic limit. Preferably the support surface comprises a second filter membrane in parallel flow relationship with the first to provide high flow rates during normal flow conditions but which flex together during high pressures conditions to mutually support one another and to prevent further flexure of either membrane beyond its elastic limit.
Claims9
A filter assembly comprising:
- housing means defining an interior fluid passageway and inlet and outlet opening means communicating therewith;
- a pair of spaced-apart facing co-extensive microporous filter membranes carried within said fluid passageway in parallel flow relationship to filter liquid passing therealong at a selected pressure;
- said membranes having a modulus of elasticity to maintain said membranes spaced from each other at a selected normal flow pressure and to permit said membranes to flex to a mutually supporting position, where each membrane substantially fully rests against the other membrane at a flow pressure higher than said selected flow pressure,
- said membranes being spaced apart a selected distance which is sufficiently small that the stress in each of said flexed membranes does not exceed its elastic limit when resting substantially fully against said other membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.