Submicron disc filters

A support member for a filter element, comprising:

• a plurality of one-piece annular support members each of which includes an annular boss section having a central opening, an annular outer frame section, and an intermediate section radially outwardly extending between said boss section and said outer frame section, said plurality of support members including first and second support members, said first support member being located above said second support member;
• means for securely disposing said support members one upon another in a manner that the central openings of said support members are axially aligned with each other;
• means defining a plurality of curved and winding continuous ridges in said intermediate section on upper and lower sides of said support member, each of said ridges projecting axially from surface of base of said intermediate section to form a land, each ridge extending generally radially and having a first end extending toward said outer frame section, and a second end extending toward said boss section so as to form an elongate groove between adjacent said ridges, said elongate groove continuing to the central opening of said boss section, said ridges including ridges each having a plurality of arcuate segments generally parallel with each other, and a plurality of rounded segments each connecting the adjacent arcuate segments to form a generally C-shaped segment;
• porous filter membranes each sealingly covering at least said support member intermediate section, each filter membrane defining on opposite sides thereof a dirty side and a clean side on which said intermediate section is positioned, said filter membrane including first and second annular filter membranes, said first filter membrane covering said intermediate section on the lower side of said first support member, said second filter membrane covering said intermediate section on the upper side of said second support member, said first filter membrane having an outer peripheral section hermetically sealed to said first support member outer frame, and an inner peripheral section, said second filter membrane having an outer peripheral section hermetically sealed to said second support member outer frame section, and an inner peripheral section hermetically sealed to the first filter membrane inner peripheral section;
• and
• means for causing fluid to flow from said dirty side to said clean side so that fluid pressure is applied to press said membrane onto said ridges.

A support member for a filter membrane in use for a filter, comprising:

• an annular boss section having a central opening;
• an annular outer frame section;
• an intermediate section radially outwardly extending between said boss section and said outer frame section, the filter membrane being supportable on said intermediate section;
• and
• means defining a plurality of curved and winding continuous ridges in said intermediate section on upper and lower sides of said support member, each of said curved ridges projecting axially from surface of base of said intermediate section to form a land, each ridge extending generally radially and having a first end extending toward said outer frame section, and a second end extending toward said boss section so as to form an elongate groove between adjacent said ridges, said elongate groove continuing to the central opening of said boss section, said ridges including ridges each having a plurality of arcuate segments generally parallel with each other, and a plurality of rounded segments each connecting the adjacent arcuate segments to form a generally C-shaped segment.