Fluid filtering apparatus and method
AssigneeWalt Disney World Co.
InventorsIvey Lee Burns, William Glenn Ham, Rory Dean Harvick, Charles Leroy Holzman, Jr.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component are described. A screen for filtering the effluent is positioned to divide a chamber into two compartments, one for concentrating sludge and one for receiving filtered liquid. The screen is curved in an arc that extends away from the liquid outlet, and a spray arm is mounted for arcuate motion to conform to the curvature of the screen to dispense a fluid against the screen to dislodge attached sludge, to unclog the screen apertures.
Claims20
An apparatus for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component, the apparatus comprising:
- a chamber;
- a screen for filtering the effluent positioned to divide the chamber into a first compartment for concentrating sludge, the first compartment having an inlet for incoming effluent and a sludge outlet, and a second compartment for receiving filtered liquid, the second compartment having a liquid outlet, the screen curved in an arc extending away from the liquid outlet;
- and
- a spray arm pivotable mounted in the second compartment for arcuate motion conforming to the curvature of the screen for dispensing a fluid against the screen to dislodge sludge attached thereto, the spray arm having a distal dispensing end maintaining a spaced relation to the screen throughout the arcuate motion.
An apparatus for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component, the apparatus comprising:
- a chamber;
- a screen for filtering the effluent positioned to divide the chamber into a first compartment for concentrating sludge, the first compartment having an inlet for incoming effluent, a first sector having a first sludge outlet, and a second sector having a second sludge outlet, the first and the second sectors adjacent, respectively, a first and a second portion of the screen, and a second compartment for receiving filtered liquid from the first and the second sectors, the second compartment having a liquid outlet, the screen curved in an arc extending away from the liquid outlet;
- means for apportioning incoming effluent from the inlet between the first compartment sectors;
- and
- a spray arm mounted in the second compartment for arcuate motion conforming to the curvature of the screen for dispensing a fluid against the screen to dislodge sludge attached thereto, the spray arm having a distal dispensing end maintaining a spaced relation to the screen throughout the arcuate motion.
A method for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a chamber;
- dividing the chamber into a first compartment having an inlet for incoming effluent and a sludge outlet and a second compartment having a liquid outlet, the chamber divided with a screen for filtering the effluent and for concentrating sludge, the screen curved in an arc extending away from the liquid outlet;
- directing effluent into the first compartment inlet;
- permitting a liquid component of the effluent to filter through the screen into the second compartment and out through the liquid outlet;
- and
- dispensing a fluid against the screen to dislodge sludge attached thereto using a spray arm pivotable mounted in the second compartment for arcuate motion conforming to the curvature of the screen, the spray arm having a distal dispensing end maintaining a spaced relation to the screen throughout the arcuate motion.
A method for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a chamber;
- dividing the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having an inlet for incoming effluent, a first sector having a first sludge outlet, and a second sector having a second sludge outlet, the second compartment having a liquid outlet, the chamber divided with a screen for filtering the effluent and for concentrating sludge, the screen curved in an arc extending away from the liquid outlet, the first and the second sectors adjacent, respectively, a first and a second portion of the screen;
- apportioning incoming effluent from the inlet between the first compartment sectors;
- permitting a liquid component of the effluent to filter through the screen into the second compartment and out through the liquid outlet;
- and
- dispensing a fluid against the screen to dislodge sludge attached thereto using a spray arm mounted in the second compartment for arcuate motion conforming to the curvature of the screen, the spray arm having a distal dispensing end maintaining a spaced relation to the screen throughout the arcuate motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.