Method of cleaning a filter
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsMichael Ekholm, Dean Brabec, Tom Steinke, Steve Uban
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.
Claims24
A method of cleaning a filter that is submerged in a body of water, comprising:
- supplying a gas to a tank that is filled with water and is submerged in the body of water;
- displacing water from the tank to the body of water, while the tank fills with the gas;
- forming a gas/water interface in the tank as the gas displaces water from the tank, wherein the gas/water interface is simultaneously reflected in a conduit that provides communication between the tank and the filter;
- injecting the gas into the filter via the conduit;
- and
- cleaning the filter with the gas that is injected into the filter via the conduit.
A method of cleaning a filter, comprising:
- supplying a gas to a tank that is filled with water, thereby displacing water from the tank;
- forming a gas/water interface in the tank and in a conduit that provides communication between the tank and the filter, while the water is displaced by the gas;
- injecting the gas into the filter via the conduit;
- and
- removing debris from the filter using the gas that is injected into the filter.
A method of cleaning a filter, comprising:
- supplying a gas to a tank that is filled with water;
- forming a gas/water interface in the tank and in a conduit that provides communication between the tank and the filter;
- and
- injecting the gas into the filter via the conduit to clean the filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.