Multi-function filter cartridge with flow distribution control

In a filter cartridge for fluid treatment including a body of bonded activated carbon particles having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow interior with an axial open end and an opposite closed remote end, said cartridge disposed within a housing and positioned to allow the passage of the fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, and axially along the hollow interior to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means extending axially along the carbon body for distributing the radial flow of fluid uniformly and equally through the carbon body axially along substantially the full length thereof, thereby maximizing the capacity of the filter body and minimizing the short circuiting through the filtered fluid outlet;
• and,
• wherein said flow distribution means comprises means formed as an integral part of said carbon body for providing said carbon body with radial flow capacity which varies axially along the length of the body from a minimum adjacent the outlet end to a maximum adjacent the remote end.

In a filter cartridge including a body of bonded activated carbon particles having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow interior with an axial open end and an opposite closed remote end, and a particulate filter media bed filling the hollowing interior, said cartridge disposed within a housing and positioned to allow the passage of a fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, into the interior media bed, and axially through the media bed to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means extending axially along the carbon body for distributing a greater portion of the flow of fluid after passing initially through the carbon body axially toward the end of the filter media bed remote from the open end, whereby contact between the fluid and both the carbon body and media bed is substantially balanced and maximized;
• and,
• wherein said flow distribution means comprises means formed as an integral part of said carbon body for providing said carbon body with a radial flow capacity which varies axially along the length of the body from a maximum adjacent the outlet end to a maximum adjacent the remote end.

In a filter cartridge including a self-supporting body of a porous filter material having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow generally cylindrical interior with an axial open end, and a particulate filter media bed filling the hollow interior, said cartridge disposed within housing and positioned to allow the passage of a fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, into the interior media bed, and axially through the media bed to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means defining at least a portion of the interface between the filter body and the particulate filter media for distributing the radial flow of fluid through the filter body substantially equally along its length, said flow distribution means including barrier means for preventing direct passage of at least a portion of the flow of fluid after passage initially through the filter body into said media bed adjacent the open end and means for directing said portion of the flow axially along said barrier means toward the end of the filter media bed remote from the open end, whereby contact between the fluid and the filter body and media bed is substantially balanced and maximized.

In a filter cartridge including a self-supporting body of a porous filter material having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow interior with an axial open end and an opposite closed remote end, said cartridge disposed within a housing and positioned to allow the passage of a fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, and axially along the hollow interior to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means extending axially along the hollow interior of the filter body for distributing the flow of fluid through the filter body axially along substantially the full length thereof;
• and,
• wherein said flow distribution means comprises a cylindrical tubular member in contact with the filter body and with the surface of the tubular member extending generally normal to the direction of radial flow through said body, said tubular member extending axially from the open end of the filter body to an opposite end adjacent the remote end of the filter body, said tubular member having a uniformly varying porosity along its length which increases progressively from a minimum adjacent the outlet to a maximum adjacent the remote end.

In a filter cartridge for fluid treatment including a body of bonded activated carbon particles having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow interior with an axial open end and an opposite closed remote end, said cartridge disposed within a housing and positioned to allow the passage of the fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, and axially along the hollow interior to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means extending axially along the carbon body for distributing the radial flow of fluid uniformly and equally through the carbon body axially along substantially the full length thereof, thereby maximizing the capacity of the filter body and minimizing the short circuiting through the filtered fluid outlet;
• and,
• wherein said flow distribution means comprises a cylindrical tubular member lying adjacent the hollow interior of the carbon body, said tubular member extending axially from the open end of the carbon body to an opposite end adjacent the remote end of the carbon body, said tubular member having a uniformly varying porosity along its length which increases progressively from a minimum adjacent the outlet to a maximum adjacent the remote end.

In a filter cartridge including a body of bonded activated carbon particles having a cylindrical outer wall and a hollow interior with an axial open end and an opposite closed remote end, and a particulate filter media bed filling the hollow interior, said cartridge disposed within a hosing and positioned to allow the passage of a fluid to be treated inwardly through the cylindrical outer wall in a generally radial direction, into the interior media bed, and axially through the media bed to a filtered fluid outlet in the open end, the improvement comprising:

• flow distribution means extending axially along the carbon body for distributing a greater portion of the flow of fluid after passing initially through the carbon body axially toward the end of the filter media bed remote from the open end, whereby contact between the fluid and both the carbon body and media bed is substantially balanced and maximized;
• and,
• wherein said flow distribution means comprises a cylindrical tubular member defining the interface between the carbon body and the media bed, said tubular member extending axially from the open end of the carbon body to an opposite end adjacent the remote end of the media bed, said tubular member having a uniformly varying porosity along its length which increases progressively from a minimum adjacent the outlet to a maximum adjacent the remote end.