Device for filtering a fluid flow and method for operating a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for filtering a liquid flow and to a method for operating a device. In order to provide a low-maintenance device and a method for filtering a liquid flow, which can filter a liquid flow in a simple and reliable manner, it is proposed that the device (10, 10a) for filtering a liquid flow has a tube element (12) for conducting the liquid flow and a filter unit (14, 14a) for filtering the liquid flow, which filter unit is arranged in the tube element (12) in a stationary manner. The device (10, 10a) further comprises: a cleaning rotor (16, 16a), which is arranged on the filter unit (14, 14a) and can be rotated about an axis of rotation (D) arranged in the flow direction (S) of the liquid flow; and a drive unit (18) having a drive mechanism (19) for generating a drive torque and a device (20) for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor (16, 16a). Furthermore, the device (10, 10a) has a blocking unit (17, 17a) which is arranged in the pipe element (12) in the direction of the force flow of the drive torque and which can be adjusted between a blocking position, in which the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is fixed, and a release position, in which the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is released for rotation about the axis of rotation (D).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for filtering a liquid flow and to a method for operating a device for filtering a liquid flow. Background Art

[0002] The device for filtering a liquid stream is used to filter particles in the liquid stream out of the liquid stream in order to prevent clogging and / or blocking of equipment downstream of the device, such as a condenser or a heat exchanger.

[0003] For this purpose, known devices have a pipe element for guiding a liquid flow, for example a cooling water flow, and a movable or fixed filter unit arranged in the pipe element for separating and / or separating particles contaminating the liquid flow, for example dirt and / or pollution particles and residues, from the liquid flow.

[0004] Since the filter unit becomes blocked and / or clogged by the separated particles as the operating time continues, known devices for filtering liquid flows have a rotatable cleaning rotor arranged at the filter unit. In order to clean the blocked and / or clogged filter unit, the cleaning rotor is rotated so that a local flow reversal of the liquid is caused in the area of ​​the cleaning rotor and the particles arranged at the filter unit are transported away by a small amount of liquid. For example, DE 3833 807 A1 discloses a device for separating solids from cooling water.

[0005] Known devices for filtering liquid flows have the disadvantage that the cleaning rotor and the drive unit driving the cleaning rotor can fail unexpectedly and unpredictably in extreme cases due to very high mechanical loads, for example due to flow-induced undesired forces and moments, making the device maintenance-intensive. Summary of the invention

[0006] It can be seen as an object to provide a low-maintenance device and a method for filtering liquid flows, which can realize the filtration of liquid flows in a simple and reliable manner, in particular in the field of power plants or large industrial liquid systems.

[0007] The invention is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0008] According to the present invention, the device for filtering a liquid flow has a pipe element for guiding the liquid flow and a filter unit for filtering the liquid flow, wherein the filter unit is fixedly arranged in the pipe element. According to the present invention, the device also has: a cleaning rotor, which is arranged at the filter unit and can rotate around a rotation axis arranged along the flow direction of the liquid flow; and a drive unit, which has a drive mechanism for generating a drive torque and a device for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor.

[0009] The inventor has recognized that according to the present invention, a blocking unit arranged in a tube element along the force flow direction of the driving torque, which can be adjusted between a blocking position of a fixed cleaning rotor and a release position of a cleaning rotor to rotate around a rotation axis, not only protects the cleaning rotor but also protects the drive unit from the loads caused by the undesirable forces and moments caused by the flow and the vibrations caused by them and the undesirable rotation of the cleaning rotor that may be produced. By fixing the cleaning rotor and / or the drive unit by means of a blocking unit arranged in the tube element, the forces and moments caused by the flow are prevented, thereby also preventing the unplanned rotation of the cleaning rotor and / or the drive unit, so that the loss caused by the unpredictable, flow-induced loads and the cleaning rotor and / or the drive unit are prevented from being destroyed in the most serious cases. The cleaning rotor and / or the drive unit can be reliably and effectively protected by the blocking unit being arranged in the tube element. Thus, a low-maintenance device for filtering a liquid flow can be realized, which simultaneously ensures that the liquid flow is filtered by means of a filter unit in a simple and reliable manner.

[0010] An apparatus for filtering a liquid flow is preferably understood to be an apparatus which is designed to separate and / or separate particles contained in the liquid flow from the liquid flow and / or to discharge and / or remove particles from the liquid flow.

[0011] The tube element is designed so that the liquid flow is guided and / or conducted in the tube element. The tube element has a tube wall with a cross section extending in the flow direction of the liquid flow, for example a circular, oval or polygonal cross section. Preferably, the tube element is designed to be straight in the region of the filter unit and the cleaning rotor, so that the longitudinal axis of the tube element extends parallel to the flow direction of the liquid flow. In addition, the tube element has an inner region delimited by an inner wall, in which the liquid flow is conducted.

[0012] The filter unit is configured so that when a liquid stream flows through the filter unit, particles present in the liquid stream, such as dirt and / or dirt particles, are separated and / or separated from the liquid stream. The filter unit is preferably arranged in a fixed position in the tube element at a certain angle, preferably perpendicular to the flow direction of the liquid stream. Fixed position is understood here to mean that the filter unit is fixed in the axial and / or radial direction of the tube element. Particularly preferably, the filter unit is formed in a sealing manner in the tube element so that the inner cross section of the tube element, which is limited by the inner wall of the tube element, is completely covered by the filter unit. Preferably, the filter unit has, for example, a polygonal, elliptical or circular filter surface to filter the liquid stream.

[0013] The filter surface of the filter unit is preferably arranged at one or more filter elements of the filter unit. Preferably, the filter element is formed of a metal material, such as stainless steel, a plastic material or a composite material. Depending on the type and design and / or arrangement of the filter element, the filter surface of the filter unit is, for example, conical. The filter unit, in particular the filter element, is preferably configured as a screen, such as a perforated plate or a grid, so that the particles at the filter surface are separated and / or separated from the liquid flow flowing through the filter unit.

[0014] The cleaning rotor is designed and / or arranged at the filter unit so that a local reversal of the flow direction of the liquid flow in the area of ​​the cleaning rotor causes a small amount of liquid to flow backward through the filter unit, preferably the filter surface, and triggers the removal of particles for cleaning the filter unit in a pressure-releasing manner. Preferably, the cleaning rotor is arranged at a discharge element for transporting and / or sucking away particles separated from the liquid flow by means of the filter unit, the discharge element being arranged at the tube element. The discharge element is designed for suction, i.e., for locally reversing the flow direction of the liquid flow in the area of ​​the cleaning rotor. Preferably, the discharge element is arranged in the tube element. For example, the discharge element can be designed as a pipeline or a tube.

[0015] The axis of rotation of the cleaning rotor is arranged along the flow direction of the liquid flow and is preferably arranged in the longitudinal axis of the tube element. The cleaning rotor extends in the tube element in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the cleaning rotor has a partially circular or polygonal profile arranged at a certain angle, preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation and / or the flow direction of the liquid flow. For example, in the case of a filter surface formed in a circular shape, the cleaning rotor has a profile formed in a sector shape, or in the case of a filter surface formed in a conical shape, the cleaning rotor has, for example, a rectangular profile. By rotating the cleaning rotor around the axis of rotation, the filter surface is substantially, preferably completely covered by the cleaning rotor, so that particles arranged in the filter unit, especially at the filter surface, can be sucked from the filter unit by means of the cleaning rotor.

[0016] The cleaning rotor can be driven by a drive unit. According to the present invention, the drive mechanism of the drive unit is configured as a hydraulic drive mechanism or an electric drive mechanism. The device is configured so that the driving torque generated by the drive mechanism is transmitted to the cleaning rotor. By switching on the drive mechanism and transmitting the driving torque to the cleaning rotor through the device, rotation, i.e., rotational movement of the cleaning rotor around the rotation axis, is performed.

[0017] The blocking unit is preferably understood as a device or unit: the device or unit is configured to protect the cleaning rotor, the device and / or the drive unit from undesired rotation, and / or the device or unit is configured to fix the rotor to prevent undesired twisting around the axis of rotation and absorb the force introduced by the liquid flow at the rotor. The blocking unit can be adjusted between a release position and a blocking position. The blocking unit is also configured to prevent the cleaning rotor from rotating around the axis of rotation in the blocking position. The cleaning rotor is released in the release position to rotate around the axis of rotation, thereby preferably to clean the filter unit. Preferably, the blocking unit is arranged in the pipe element so that the cleaning rotor and / or the drive unit and / or the device and / or the drive mechanism are fixed in the blocking position.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for operating an apparatus for filtering a liquid flow, in particular an apparatus as described within the scope of the present patent application. The liquid flow guided in the tube element is filtered by means of a filter unit arranged in the tube element in order to separate particles from the liquid flow. A cleaning rotor is fixedly held by means of a blocking unit, which is arranged on the filter unit and can rotate about an axis of rotation arranged in the flow direction of the liquid flow, and the blocking unit is arranged in the tube element in a blocking position and in the force flow direction of the driving torque of the cleaning rotor.

[0019] To start the cleaning phase, the blocking unit is adjusted from the blocking position into a release position that releases the cleaning rotor, and the cleaning rotor is rotated by means of a drive unit to remove particles separated from the liquid flow, the drive unit having a hydraulic drive or an electric drive for generating a drive torque and a device for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor. Preferably, suction is started by means of a discharge element during the cleaning phase, for example before or after the blocking unit is adjusted.

[0020] The device for filtering a liquid flow is preferably used in the field of large-scale industrial liquid systems and / or power plants. In this context, the field of large-scale industry and / or power plants is understood to mean that the device, in particular the pipe element, the filter unit and / or the cleaning rotor is preferably designed so that a liquid having a liquid volume of approximately 500-180,000 m can be guided through and / or filtered. 3 / h, preferably 1000-120000m 3 / h, particularly preferably 1500-110000m3 / h volume of liquid flow.

[0021] The drive mechanism is arranged, for example, in the liquid flow, or preferably outside the liquid flow. The device is constructed according to the arrangement of the drive mechanism at the pipe element. For example, in the case where the drive mechanism is arranged in the liquid flow, the device has a drive shaft connected to the cleaning rotor to transmit the driving torque from the drive mechanism to the cleaning rotor.

[0022] However, according to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, it is proposed that the device has a transmission mechanism and a rotor shaft to transmit the driving torque to the cleaning rotor, wherein the blocking unit is arranged at the transmission mechanism downstream along the force flow direction of the driving torque. For the situation that the driving mechanism is arranged at the tube element outside the liquid flow, the transmission mechanism is preferably configured as a deflection transmission mechanism. The deflection transmission mechanism is understood as the following transmission mechanism at this: wherein the driving mechanism and the driven mechanism are arranged at a certain angle, for example, perpendicularly to each other. The rotor shaft is connected to the cleaning rotor and supported at the filter unit so that the cleaning rotor can rotate around the axis of rotation. The rotor shaft is connected to the transmission mechanism so that the driving torque is transmitted to the cleaning rotor from the transmission mechanism. By having a transmission mechanism and a rotor shaft in an advantageous manner by the device, the driving torque can be reliably transmitted to the cleaning rotor regardless of the setting of the driving mechanism. By being arranged at the transmission mechanism downstream along the force flow direction of the driving torque by the blocking unit, the transmission mechanism of the device is reliably protected from mechanical overload caused by the undesirable rotation of the cleaning rotor. In this way, mechanical overloads and excessive wear of the drive unit can be compensated, for example in the transmission mechanism and / or at the connections between the transmission mechanism and the drive mechanism and / or between the transmission mechanism and the rotor shaft, for example at form-fitting and / or force-fitting connections, such as toothed or keyed connections.

[0023] The blocking unit is arranged between the transmission mechanism and the rotor shaft, for example, along the force flow direction of the driving torque. However, according to an advantageous design of the present invention, it is proposed that the blocking unit is arranged at the rotor shaft. Here, the rotor shaft is understood as the blocking unit being arranged directly at the rotor shaft and / or at the intermediate shaft connecting the transmission mechanism to the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is preferably formed in one piece or in multiple pieces. The intermediate shaft is, for example, formed as a separate component, or preferably formed as a part of the rotor shaft formed in multiple pieces. The driving torque is transmitted from the transmission mechanism to the rotor shaft through the intermediate shaft. The rotor shaft is preferably rotatably supported in a bearing unit arranged at the filter unit. For this purpose, the bearing unit preferably has at least two bearing elements, such as sliding bearings or preferably rolling bearings. By arranging the blocking unit at the rotor shaft, it can be ensured in an advantageous manner that in addition to the rotor shaft, the device connected to the upstream of the cleaning rotor and the drive unit are also fully protected and are not affected by the force and torque from the flow. This can prevent the relative movement between the sealing element of the bearing unit and the rotor shaft, thereby offsetting the wear and loss of the sealing element, such as the O-ring, the shaft sealing ring and / or the radial shaft sealing ring.

[0024] According to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, it is proposed that the blocking unit is arranged substantially aligned with the bearing unit of the rotor shaft along the flow direction of the liquid flow. Here, substantially aligned is understood to mean that the blocking unit is arranged downstream of the bearing unit of the rotor shaft along the flow direction. Preferably, the bearing unit and the blocking unit are arranged coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the blocking unit has a diameter perpendicular to the flow direction of the liquid flow and / or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cleaning rotor: the diameter has a ratio of a maximum of 1.2:1, preferably a maximum of 1.1:1, particularly preferably a maximum of 1:1 to the diameter of the bearing unit. The impairment of the liquid flow caused by the flow resistance is reduced in an advantageous manner by the blocking unit aligned with the bearing unit, whereby undesirable pressure buildup in the region of the blocking unit can be counteracted.

[0025] According to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, it is proposed that the blocking unit is designed so that the cleaning rotor is fixed in the blocking position in a form-fitting and / or friction-fitting manner, whereby the cleaning rotor can be reliably fixed by the blocking unit arranged in the blocking position. Fixing the cleaning rotor is understood here to mean that the cleaning rotor is fixed directly and / or indirectly, for example, to the rotor shaft and / or the drive unit, in order to prevent an undesired rotation about the rotation axis.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the blocking unit is preloaded internally toward the blocking position. Preload is understood here to mean that an external force, such as a pulling force or a pressure force, is required to adjust the blocking unit from the blocking position to the release position, and the blocking unit remains in the blocking position without an external effect. Internally, it is understood that the blocking unit is configured so that the preload toward the blocking position is caused by the blocking unit itself. For example, the preload of the blocking unit can be generated by a spring stress. By preloading the blocking unit toward the blocking position, it can be ensured in an advantageous manner that the cleaning rotor is automatically fixed outside the cleaning phase, without the need to continuously manipulate the blocking unit for this purpose. The risk of the cleaning rotor being unexpectedly twisted can thus be further reduced.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the blocking unit has an adjustment element arranged at the tube element, and the adjustment element is effectively connected with the holding section arranged at the cleaning rotor in the blocking position. The adjustment element is, for example, arranged at the tube element in a sealed manner in the inner region of the tube element or in a manner that penetrates the tube wall. The holding section is preferably arranged at the cleaning rotor in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of the cleaning rotor. The adjustment element and / or the holding section are preferably configured so that the cleaning rotor and the adjustment element form a shape fit in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of the cleaning rotor in the blocking position. The adjustment element and the holding section preferably have a shaped section, for example, a ridge and a recess that are alternately arranged, that engage with each other in the blocking position. In addition, the adjustment element can be adjusted between the release orientation associated with the release position and the blocking orientation associated with the blocking position. The adjustment element and the holding section can realize in a simple manner that the cleaning rotor is reliably fixed in the blocking position. Because the barrier unit has an adjusting element and a holding section arranged on the cleaning rotor, flow-induced undesirable forces and moments can be advantageously absorbed and prevented directly at the point of occurrence, ie in the region between the cleaning rotor and the inner wall of the tube element.

[0028] According to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, it is proposed that the blocking unit is configured as a hydraulically operated brake. The blocking unit configured as a hydraulically operated brake is preferably arranged on the rotor shaft or the intermediate shaft. Particularly preferably, the hydraulically operated brake is arranged in a manner that surrounds and / or surrounds the rotor shaft or the intermediate shaft. The hydraulically operated brake is configured to prevent the rotor shaft from rotating by fixing the rotor shaft or the intermediate shaft in a blocking position. For this purpose, the braking torque is greater than the torque generated by the flow of the cleaning rotor. The hydraulic brake is preferably designed as a laminated brake. In order to preload and / or press the laminated plates together toward the blocking position, the laminated brake preferably has a preloaded spring element, such as a spring assembly.

[0029] In order to start the cleaning phase, i.e. preferably adjust from the blocking position to the release position, the laminations of the blocking unit, which is preferably configured as a lamination brake, are released and the rotor shaft is released to rotate about the axis of rotation. Preferably, the laminations are released by a hydraulically generated pressure. Therefore, according to an advantageous design of the present invention, it is proposed that the device has a pressure unit for providing hydraulic pressure to adjust the hydraulically operated brake between the blocking position and the release position. The pressure unit is preferably configured as a storage container for a liquid, such as oil. In order to release the blocking unit configured as a hydraulically operated brake, the brake is loaded with preferably oil hydraulic pressure provided by the pressure unit, and in the case of a lamination brake, for example, the preloaded spring group is released. Preferably, the pressure unit is arranged outside the filter unit, particularly preferably outside the pipe element. By the pressure unit and by releasing the hydraulically operated brake by means of a hydraulically generated pressure, adjustment between the blocking position and the release position can be achieved in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

[0030] According to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, the device has a control unit for controlling the drive unit, which is connected to at least one sensor element. The control unit is preferably formed as a programmable unit, for example, formed as a computer, SPS or in the form of an external and / or superior control device. Preferably, the device has at least one, particularly preferably multiple sensor elements, which are used to detect sensor signals, for example, to detect - with respect to the flow direction of the liquid flow - the pressure upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit and / or the hydraulic pressure of the blocking unit for releasing the hydraulically operated brake. One or more sensor elements are connected to the control unit to forward the detected data. The sensor element is, for example, arranged at the pipe element and / or in the pipe element and / or at the blocking unit upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit. The control unit is preferably connected to at least a control mechanism to activate and deactivate the drive mechanism. Preferably, the control unit is configured so that the control unit executes a preset program according to the sensor signal. The preset program preferably has the possibility of setting the boundary value of the pressure of the liquid flow upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit. In addition, the control unit is formed to forward the detected data to a receiver that is particularly preferably arranged outside the pipe element.

[0031] The cleaning or washing phase of the filter unit by means of the cleaning rotor can be carried out in principle in any manner and at any time point and in any duration. However, preferably, the cleaning is controlled periodically and / or in relation to a preset boundary value and / or in a prescribed duration and / or according to a prescribed time interval or in a prescribed time interval. Particularly preferably, the maximum pressure upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit is set to a preset boundary value. Preferably, the pressure upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit is detected and particularly preferably continuously monitored by means of the sensor element described above. One and / or two different preset boundary values ​​can be provided for the pressure upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit. For example, the cleaning rotor is activated when the first boundary value of the pressure upstream of the filter unit is exceeded or when the second boundary value of the pressure downstream of the filter unit is lower than. In addition, the pressure upstream and downstream of the filter unit can be detected and the pressure difference can be obtained, wherein the maximum pressure difference can preferably be preset as a boundary value. Preferably, the device has a sensor element configured as a differential pressure sensor. Alternatively and / or additionally, other measurements can also be performed on the liquid flow, such as the flow rate. In the case of a blocking unit having a holding section which is arranged on the cleaning rotor, the device preferably has a sensor element which is designed as an orientation sensor for detecting the angular position of the cleaning rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention according to the accompanying drawings. It is shown here:

[0033] Figure 1a A schematic view of a longitudinal section of a device for filtering a liquid flow is shown;

[0034] Figure 1b Show Figure 1a Schematic detail view B of a blocking unit of the device in;

[0035] Figure 1c Shown in Figure 1a A schematic cross section along line AA of the device shown in ;

[0036] Figure 2a A schematic view of a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a device for filtering a liquid flow;

[0037] Figure 2b Shown in Figure 2a A schematic cross section along line CC of the device shown in ;

[0038] Figure 2c Shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b Schematic detail view D of the barrier unit of the device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] exist Figure 1a , a schematic view of a longitudinal section of a device 10 for filtering a liquid flow is shown. The device 10 has a tube element 12 for guiding the liquid flow and a filter unit 14 arranged in a fixed position in the tube element 12. A cleaning rotor 16 is arranged at the filter unit 14, which can rotate about an axis of rotation D arranged in the flow direction S of the liquid flow. In addition, the device 10 has a drive unit 18, which has a drive mechanism 19 for generating a drive torque and a device 20 for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor 16. In addition, the device 10 has a blocking unit 17 arranged in the tube element 12 in the force flow direction of the drive torque.

[0040] The tube element 12 has a tube wall 22 with a circular cross section QR extending in the flow direction S of the liquid flow. Furthermore, the tube element 12 is designed to be straight in the region of the filter unit 14, so that the longitudinal axis L of the tube element extends parallel to the flow direction S of the liquid flow and in the rotation axis D of the cleaning rotor. The liquid flow is conducted between the inner walls 24 of the tube element 12.

[0041] The filter unit 14 is arranged in a fixed position in the tube element 12 perpendicular to the flow direction S of the liquid flow, that is, the filter unit 14 is fixed in the axial direction and radial direction of the longitudinal axis L of the tube element 12. In addition, the filter unit 14 has a conically designed filter surface 26 for filtering the liquid flow. Figure 1c As shown in FIG. 1 , filter surface 26 is provided on a plurality of filter elements 28 . When a liquid flow flows through filter unit 14 , particles present in the liquid flow, such as dirt and / or contamination particles, can be separated from the liquid flow at filter surface 26 .

[0042] The cleaning rotor 16 extends in the tubular element 12 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis D and has a rectangularly designed contour 30 arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis D and the flow direction S of the liquid flow. The cleaning rotor 16 is arranged centrally in the tubular element 12 at the filter unit 14. The device 10 has a discharge element 15 arranged at the cleaning rotor 16, which is used to suck and / or carry away particles separated from the liquid flow by means of the filter unit 14 and the filter surface 26. The discharge element 15 is arranged in the tubular element 12. By means of the suction of the discharge element 15, the rotation of the cleaning rotor 16 about the rotation axis D at the filter unit 14 causes a local reversal of the flow direction S of the liquid flow in the area of ​​the cleaning rotor 16, thereby triggering a small amount of liquid to flow backward through the filter surface 26 and carry away particles, so as to clean the filter unit 14 in a pressure-releasing manner.

[0043] The drive unit 18 is designed as an electric motor 19. The device 20 has a transmission in the form of a yaw gear 32 and a rotor shaft 34 to transmit the drive torque generated by the motor 19 to the cleaning rotor 16. The yaw gear 32 is connected to the rotor shaft 34 via an intermediate shaft 36 which is designed as part of the rotor shaft 36. The rotor shaft 34 is rotatably supported in a bearing unit 38 provided on the filter unit 14. The bearing unit 38 has two bearing elements in the form of rolling bearings 40.

[0044] The blocking unit 17 can be adjusted between a blocking position, in which the cleaning rotor 16 is fixed, and a release position, in which the cleaning rotor 16 is released for rotation about the rotation axis D. The blocking unit 17 is arranged on an intermediate shaft 36, which connects the deflection drive 32 to the rotor shaft 34, and is arranged substantially aligned with a bearing unit 38 of the rotor shaft 34 in the flow direction S of the liquid flow, i.e. the blocking unit 17 has a diameter D1 perpendicular to the flow direction S of the liquid flow and perpendicular to the rotation axis D of the cleaning rotor 16, which has a ratio of 1.1:1 to a diameter D2 of the bearing unit 38, so that there is only a slight overhang by the flange section 45 of the blocking unit 17.

[0045] Furthermore, the blocking unit is designed as a hydraulically actuated brake in the form of a laminated brake 17 (see Figure 1b ). The laminated brake 17 is preloaded toward the blocking position and has a preloaded spring element in the form of a spring assembly for this purpose. To adjust from the blocking position to the release position, the preloaded spring assembly of the laminated brake 17 is released by hydraulically generated pressure. For this purpose, the device 10 has a pressure unit designed as a storage container for providing the hydraulic pressure. The storage container 41 is arranged outside the filter unit 14 and the filter surface 26.

[0046] The device 10 also has a control unit 42 connected to a sensor element designed as a differential pressure sensor 43, which serves to control the drive unit 18. The differential pressure sensors 43 are arranged at connections upstream and downstream of the filter unit 14 and are connected to the control unit 42 to forward the detected differential pressures.

[0047] During operation of the device 10 for filtering a liquid flow, the liquid flow guided in the tube element 12 is filtered by means of the filter unit 14 arranged in the tube element 12 to separate particles from the liquid flow. The cleaning rotor 16 arranged at the filter unit 14 is fixedly held by means of a blocking unit configured as a lamellar brake 17 arranged in a blocking position. As long as the preset limit value of the pressure difference obtained by means of the pressure difference sensor 43 is reached, the lamellar brake 17 is adjusted from the blocking position to the release position of the cleaning rotor 16 by means of the control unit 42 to start the cleaning phase. For this purpose, the lamellar brake 17 is released by means of the oil hydraulic pressure provided by the storage container toward the blocking position. At the same time, the cleaning rotor 16 is rotated by means of the drive unit 18 to remove the particles separated from the liquid flow. By means of the outlet element 14, the suction, that is, the flow direction S of the liquid flow is locally reversed in the area of ​​the cleaning rotor 16, thereby causing a small amount of liquid to flow backward through the filter surface 26 and carry away the particles, so as to clean the filter unit 14 in a pressure-releasing manner. By rotating the cleaning rotor 16 about the rotation axis D, the filter surface 14 is completely covered by the cleaning rotor 16. The particles transported away are discharged from the tube element 12 via the discharge element 15 and separated from the liquid flow.

[0048] For a second embodiment of the device 10, Figure 2a The device 10a shown in FIG. 1 is similar to the device 10a according to FIG. 1 , and the same reference numerals are used for the same components. Figure 1a The device 10 of FIG. 1 differs in that a blocking unit 17 a has an adjustment element 44 arranged on the tube element 12 and a holding section 46 arranged on the cleaning rotor 16 a (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2b , Figure 2c ). The device 10a also has a filter unit 14a with a circular filter surface 26a and a cleaning rotor 16a with a contour 30a designed in the form of a sector.

[0049] The adjustment element 44 and the holding section 46 each have a shaped section in the form of alternating protrusions 48 and recesses 50 that engage with each other in the blocking position. In addition, the adjustment element 44 can be adjusted between a release position associated with the release position and a blocking position associated with the blocking position.

[0050] The device 10a also has a sensor element for the angular position of the cleaning rotor 16a, which is designed as a position sensor 52. The respective current position of the cleaning rotor 16a is ascertained by means of the position sensor 52 and is reported to the control unit 42.

[0051] During operation of the device 10a, the liquid flow is filtered as described above for the device 10. The cleaning rotor 16a arranged at the filter unit 14a is fixedly held by means of the blocking unit 17a arranged in the blocking position. Here, the adjustment element 44 is arranged in the blocking position. The protrusion 48 and the recess 50 are respectively engaged, so that the cleaning rotor 16a and the adjustment element 44 form a positive fit in the circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis D of the cleaning rotor 16a.

[0052] To carry out the cleaning, the adjusting element 44 is adjusted from the blocking position into the releasing position and the filter unit 14 a is cleaned by cleaning the rotor 16 a as described above for the device 10 .

[0053] In order to block the cleaning rotor 16a after cleaning, it is moved by means of the drive unit 18 into an angular position in which the holding section 46 is opposite the adjusting element 44, while being monitored by the position sensor 52. The adjusting element 44 is then adjusted from the release position into the blocking position so that it engages with the holding section 46.

[0054] By means of the barrier unit 17 , 17 a , it is possible to prevent a serious and unexpected failure of the device 10 , 10 a for filtering a fluid flow, so that planned maintenance intervals of the device 10 , 10 a are prolonged.

[0055] All features explained in connection with the various embodiments of the invention can be arranged in different combinations for the device 10, 10a for filtering a liquid flow and for the method for operating the device 10, 10a, in order to achieve their advantageous effects, even if the features have been described for different embodiments. For example, the device 10, 10a can have a plurality of, for example two or three, cleaning rotors 16, 16a, which can each be fixed via a blocking unit 17, 17a. In this case, the cleaning rotor 16 can be fixed, for example, via a blocking unit 17 arranged on the intermediate shaft 36, and the cleaning rotor 16a can be fixed via a blocking unit 17a arranged on the pipe element 12.

[0056] The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features set forth in the description or shown in the drawings.

[0057] Reference numerals list

[0058] 10, 10a Apparatus for filtering a liquid stream

[0059] 12 tube elements

[0060] 14, 14a Filter unit

[0061] 15 Export components

[0062] 16, 16a Cleaning the rotor

[0063] 17, 17a Blocking unit / laminated brake

[0064] 18 Drivers

[0065] 19 Driving mechanism

[0066] 20 Installation

[0067] 22 Pipe wall

[0068] 24 Inner wall

[0069] 26, 26a Filter surface

[0070] 28 filter elements

[0071] 30, 30a Cleaning the rotor profile

[0072] 32 Transmission mechanism / deflection transmission mechanism

[0073] 34 Rotor shaft

[0074] 36 Intermediate shaft

[0075] 38 Bearing units

[0076] 40 Bearing elements / rolling bearings

[0077] 41 Storage Container

[0078] 42 Control Unit

[0079] 43 Sensor element / differential pressure sensor

[0080] 44 Adjustment elements

[0081] 45 Flange section

[0082] 46 Holding section

[0083] 48 ridge

[0084] 50 recess

[0085] 52 Sensor element / position sensor

[0086] D Rotation axis

[0087] D1 Diameter of the blocking unit

[0088] D2 diameter of the bearing unit

[0089] L Longitudinal axis of the tube element

[0090] Cross section of a QR tube element

[0091] S Flow direction of liquid flow

Claims

1. An apparatus for filtering a liquid stream, the apparatus comprising: - a pipe element (12) for guiding the flow of said liquid, a filter unit (14, 14a) for filtering the liquid flow, the filter unit being arranged in a fixed position in the tube element (12), a cleaning rotor (16, 16a) which is arranged at the filter unit (14, 14a) and is rotatable about a rotation axis (D) arranged in the flow direction (S) of the liquid flow, a drive unit (18) having a hydraulic drive or an electric drive (19) for generating a drive torque and a device (20) for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor (16, 16a), and - a blocking unit (17, 17a) which is arranged in the tube element (12) in the force flow direction of the drive torque and which is adjustable between a blocking position in which the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is fixed and a release position in which the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is released for rotation about the rotation axis (D).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device (20) has a transmission (32) and a rotor shaft (34) for transmitting a drive torque to the cleaning rotor (16, 16a), wherein the barrier unit (17) is arranged downstream of the transmission (32) in the force flow direction of the drive torque.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The blocking unit (17) is arranged on the rotor shaft (34).

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The blocking unit (17, 17a) is arranged substantially aligned with the bearing unit (38) of the rotor shaft (34) along the flow direction (S) of the liquid flow.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The blocking unit (17, 17a) is designed such that the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is fixed in the blocking position in a form-fitting and / or friction-fitting manner.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The blocking unit (17) is internally prestressed toward the blocking position.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The blocking unit (17a) has an adjusting element (44) arranged on the tube element (12) and which, in the blocking position, is operatively connected to a holding section (46) arranged on the cleaning rotor (16, 16a).

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The blocking unit is designed as a hydraulically actuated brake (17).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that A pressure unit (41) is provided for providing hydraulic pressure for adjusting the hydraulically operated brake (17) between the blocking position and the release position.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The pressure unit (41) is arranged outside the filter unit (14, 14a).

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A control unit (42) is provided for controlling the drive unit (18), which is connected to at least one sensor element (43).

12. A method for operating an apparatus for filtering a liquid flow, wherein - filtering a liquid flow guided in the tube element (12) by means of a filter unit (14, 14a) arranged in the tube element (12) in order to separate particles from the liquid flow, wherein - a cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is fixedly held by means of a blocking unit (17, 17a), the cleaning rotor being arranged on the filter unit (14, 14a) and being rotatable about a rotation axis (D) arranged in the flow direction (S) of the liquid flow, the blocking unit being arranged in the pipe element (12) in a blocking position and in the force flow direction of the driving torque of the cleaning rotor (16, 16a), wherein - adjusting the blocking unit (17, 17a) from the blocking position into a release position releasing the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) in order to start the cleaning phase, and - the cleaning rotor (16, 16a) is rotated by means of a drive unit (18) for removing particles separated from the liquid flow, the drive unit having a hydraulic drive or an electric drive (19) for generating the drive torque and a device (20) for transmitting the drive torque to the cleaning rotor (16, 16a).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The cleaning phase is controlled periodically and / or as a function of a predefinable limit value and / or within a specified duration and / or according to specified time intervals.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that A pressure of the liquid flow detected by means of at least one sensor element (43) arranged upstream and / or downstream of the filter unit (14, 14a) is predefined as a limit value.

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