Filtration device with optical image capture device for filtration membrane

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for optical imaging of a filtration membrane (S), comprising a support frame (105) on which are mounted at least one mirror (135) having a reflective surface (140), at least one camera (145) having an optical axis (A) adapted to intercept the reflective surface (140) at an angle of incidence other than perpendicular and generating a reflected optical axis (B) that is inclined and not coincident with the optical axis (A) itself, and at least one illumination device (150) adapted to illuminate at least one point on the reflected optical axis (B) spaced apart from the reflective surface (140).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical image capture device for filtration diaphragms and to a filtration device, in particular, but not exclusively, a filter press, equipped with such an optical image capture device. [Background technology]

[0002] As is well known, a filter press is a filtering device that filters liquid materials containing suspended solids (known as a solid-liquid suspension) and is typically used to filter sludge that may be generated from commercial and industrial wastewater treatment processes or from many other production processes, including but not limited to chemical / pharmaceutical, mining, etc. To that end, a filter press typically comprises an array of containment plates arranged in sequence along a predetermined horizontal direction.

[0003] Between each pair of containment plates are two opposing filtration diaphragms, usually two-piece filtration fabrics, each mounted over one of the major faces of the adjacent containment plate. Each pair of containment plates is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the containment plates are secured together against a filtration diaphragm disposed therebetween, thereby defining a filtration chamber. In the open configuration, the containment plates are spaced apart, separating corresponding filtration diaphragms and opening the filtration chambers laterally.

[0004] When all containment plates are in the closed configuration, the sludge to be filtered is fed into the filtering chamber through an appropriate inlet hydraulic circuit. In this way, the solids of the sludge remain trapped in the filtering chamber where they form a solid residue, while the liquids pass through the filtering membrane and into the hydraulic drain circuit from where they can be discharged or collected. At the end of this filtration cycle, each pair of containment plates is placed in an open configuration, either simultaneously or one by one, allowing the solid precipitate to fall out of the filtration chamber.

[0005] Since some of the solid matter may clog the filtration membranes separating the filtration chambers, the filtration membranes may be periodically subjected to a cleaning process with a high-pressure water jet. This cleaning process can generally be carried out in an automated manner with the aid of a robot equipped with a trolley adjusted to move along the alignment direction of the containment plates and a bar that moves laterally on the trolley, the bar designed to slide between each pair of containment plates in the open configuration, i.e., between each corresponding filtration diaphragm.

[0006] A dispensing nozzle is attached to this bar and connected to an appropriate water supply circuit, making it possible to deliver a high pressure water stream to both filtration diaphragms, washing the solid residues from the filtration diaphragms. Apart from these periodic cleaning procedures, filtration membranes are subject to gradual wear and tear and must be replaced periodically.

[0007] Currently, this exchange is carried out in two different ways. The first method follows the logic of so-called "preventive maintenance," which involves preventatively replacing all filtration membranes after a certain number of filtration cycles have been reached. However, for this method to be effective, the number of filtration cycles leading to replacement of the filtration membranes must be sufficiently low so that none of the filtration membranes break before replacement, which obviously means that some of the filtration membranes are replaced prematurely, which obviously leads to a waste of resources and increased costs.

[0008] Furthermore, this determination of the number of filtration cycles can only be made based on the average wear pattern of the filtration membrane and does not take into account random events that may cause unexpected damage. In fact, the filter membrane can be damaged not only by wear and tear but also by other factors, such as the presence of large (several mm) particles that impinge violently on the filter membrane due to high sludge feed rates / velocities.

[0009] To try to overcome these drawbacks, a second method has been proposed that follows the logic of so-called "just-in-time or event-based maintenance". This involves replacing one or more filtration membranes only if an abnormality in the filter press is detected.

[0010] In particular, turbidimeters are commonly used to measure the turbidity of the filtrate discharged from the filter press through a hydraulic discharge circuit. If the measured turbidity is above a preset threshold, this means that part of the solid phase contained in the sludge has passed through a breach in at least one filtration membrane.

[0011] When such an incident occurs, the operator manually inspects all the filtration membranes installed in the filter press, identifies the filtration membrane that is actually torn, and replaces it. However, this second method obviously increases production downtime and the workload of the operator inspecting the filtration diaphragms.

[0012] This is not only time-consuming but can also be difficult to perform depending on the type of filter press, as the space between the two containment plates in the open configuration is small, making accurate inspection of the filtration membrane very difficult or even impossible. To overcome or at least mitigate this drawback, a solution has been proposed in which the bar of the cleaning robot is equipped with several cameras, so that the movement of the bar effectively scans the filtration membrane.

[0013] This has the advantage that the movement of the bar allows the camera to take images of each area of ​​the filtration membrane, eliminating the need for an operator to physically stand between the containment plates of the filter press, making it easier, faster, and generally more effective to check the state of use of the filtration membrane compared to known techniques.

[0014] The ease and speed of this scanning also allows inspection of the filtration membrane to be performed more frequently, for example during or after each cleaning operation, rather than just when an abnormality is detected. However, the available space between the two containment plates in the open configuration is usually very limited, making the use of such cameras very restrictive and technically difficult. In fact, when inserted between two containment plates, these cameras are very close to the filtration membrane, and even when equipped with wide-angle systems, the area they can capture is quite limited.

[0015] Furthermore, if we add to this the fact that filtration diaphragms are usually quite large, it can be seen that in order to reconstruct a complete image of each filtration diaphragm, the bar of the cleaning robot would have to be equipped with a very large number of cameras. This number is doubled by the fact that it is necessary to install a first set of cameras facing in one direction to scan one filtration membrane, and a second set of cameras facing in the opposite direction to scan the other filtration membrane.

[0016] This large number of cameras inevitably complicates the system construction layout and leads to a significant increase in costs. However, this drawback does not depend on installing a camera on the cleaning robot bar, and occurs equally when the camera is installed on a dedicated robot. Moreover, this drawback does not only affect filter presses, but more generally any filtration device in which the filtration membrane is only accessible through a narrow space. Summary of the Invention

[0017] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical image acquisition device for a filtration diaphragm that can be installed in a narrow space, for example, but not limited to, a filter press, and that does not cause the above-mentioned inconveniences or at least significantly alleviates them.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to achieve the aforementioned objectives within the framework of a simple, rational and relatively inexpensive solution. This object is achieved by the features of the invention set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe aspects of the invention which, while not strictly necessary for its implementation, are preferred and / or particularly advantageous.

[0019] In particular, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for optically acquiring an image of a filtration membrane, the apparatus comprising: - at least one mirror with a reflective surface; - at least one camera having an optical axis adapted to intercept the reflective surface at an angle of incidence other than normal, producing an oblique reflected optical axis that is not coincident with the optical axis itself; - at least one lighting device adapted to illuminate at least one point on the reflected optical axis spaced from the reflecting surface; The apparatus includes a support frame equipped with

[0020] With this solution, the image is acquired not directly as in known techniques, but via the reflective surface of the mirror, so that the mirror can be placed very close to the filtration membrane to be scanned, but far enough away from the camera to frame the area or range to which the camera is elevated, and can also be placed in a small space, for example with its optical axis substantially parallel to the filtration membrane rather than perpendicular thereto.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the reflective surface of the mirror may be selected from the group consisting of a flat reflective surface, a concave reflective surface, and a convex reflective surface. These types of reflective surfaces are particularly suited to effectively framing filtration diaphragms.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention is that the reflective surface may extend primarily along a predetermined longitudinal direction of the mirror, eg, with a constant cross-sectional shape, perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera. In this way, a single camera can frame a much larger area of ​​the filtration membrane, at least in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mirror, and as a result fewer cameras can be used than in known techniques for the same overall size of the filtration membrane.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the camera may be selected from the group consisting of a matrix camera and a linear camera. These types of cameras have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, yet capable of obtaining high resolution images of the filtration membrane or portions thereof.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention is that the lighting device is capable of emitting light with wavelengths between 10 nm (ultraviolet) and 1 mm (infrared). Depending on the characteristics of the filtration membrane and the camera, emitting light at these wavelengths can result in images that highlight the most important details of the filtration membrane (e.g., wear, tears, etc.).

[0025] To further enhance image clarity, the lighting device can emit a continuous or strobe light. According to a further aspect of the invention, the lighting device may comprise one or more lighting devices positioned between the mirror and the camera and / or one or more lighting devices positioned on an opposite side of the mirror from the camera.

[0026] This arrangement of the lighting device is particularly recommended in order to effectively illuminate the area of ​​the filtration membrane that is photographed by the camera. Each of the aforementioned lighting devices can provide a spotlight or can provide illumination extending primarily in a predetermined longitudinal direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera, for example parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mirror.

[0027] In this way, the illumination device can effectively illuminate the entire area of ​​the filtration membrane that is imaged by the optical acquisition device. In other embodiments of the invention, the lighting device may further comprise one or more lenses for diffusing and / or concentrating the light generated thereby. This solution also has the advantage of improving the illumination of the filtration membrane and hence the image quality.

[0028] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the mirror can oscillate on the support frame by rotating about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera. In this solution, the reflected light axis produced by the reflective surface of the mirror can be directed in different directions, allowing the camera to take images of different areas of the filtration membrane or different filtration membranes.

[0029] For example, in the case of a filter press or other filtration device with opposing filtration membranes, by properly orienting the mirrors, one camera can effectively capture images of both filtration membranes. Other embodiments of the present invention allow the camera to be oriented on the support frame by rotating it about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera.

[0030] This solution also allows the reflected optical axis to be oriented as desired. For example, an embodiment may be envisaged in which both the mirror and the camera are orientable. Another embodiment is a support frame having: - a second mirror having a reflective surface adapted to be intercepted by the optical axis of the camera at an angle of incidence different from normal to the optical axis of the camera, and which, upon rotation about the rotation axis of the camera, generates a second reflected optical axis directed from an opposite side to the reflected optical axis; a second illumination device arranged to illuminate at least one point on a second reflected optical axis spaced from the reflecting surface of the second mirror.

[0031] In this way, by selectively pointing the camera towards one or the other mirror, it is advantageously possible to scan both filtration membranes with one camera in the case of a filter press or other filtration device with opposing filtration membranes.

[0032] Another embodiment is a support frame having: a second mirror having a reflective surface; a second camera having an optical axis adapted to intercept the reflective surface of the second mirror at an angle of incidence different from normal, generating a second reflected optical axis directed opposite the reflected optical axis; a second illumination device for illuminating at least one point on the second reflected optical axis spaced from the reflecting surface of the second mirror.

[0033] This solution has the advantage that, for example in the case of a filter press or other filtration device with opposing filtration diaphragms, both filtration diaphragms can be scanned simultaneously with each camera.

[0034] Another aspect of the invention is that a panel can be attached to a frame to define a closed case containing the at least one mirror, at least one camera, and at least one lighting device, the case having at least one slit positioned so that the reflected optical axis of the camera and the light generated by the lighting device intersect.

[0035] This case has the advantage of protecting and ensuring the cleanliness of the active parts of the optical acquisition system, in particular the camera, mirrors and lighting system. To further enhance this effect, in one embodiment of the present invention, the slit may be closed by at least one protective glass plate arranged substantially perpendicular to the reflected optical axis.

[0036] The slit may be further closed by one or more additional protective glass plates that are substantially perpendicular to the emission axis of the light generated by the illumination device. This solution has the advantage that it avoids problems with light reflections that could otherwise impair the illumination of the filtering diaphragm.

[0037] Another embodiment of the invention then makes available a filtering device comprising at least one filtering diaphragm and at least one optical acquisition device of the type described above, arranged so that its reflected optical axis intersects said filtering diaphragm. This filtration device has the advantage that the characteristics of the optical acquisition device allow for efficient and relatively inexpensive monitoring of the filtration membrane even if the filtration membrane is located in a narrow space.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the device may comprise a movable part capable of moving the optical scanning device along at least one translational direction parallel to the filtration diaphragm. In this way, it is advantageously possible to sequentially scan different areas of the filtration membrane and ultimately reconstruct a complete image.

[0039] However, particularly in cases where the filtering diaphragms are particularly large, it is possible to envisage an apparatus comprising several optical scanning devices arranged side by side along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of each camera. This modular solution has the advantage that it reduces the movement of the scanning device, thereby allowing for a perfect scan.

[0040] According to certain embodiments, the filtration device comprises: a plurality of filtration chambers aligned along a predetermined longitudinal direction, each filtration chamber being defined by two opposing filtration diaphragms sandwiched between a pair of containment plates; - a moving device adapted to move each pair of containment plates along said longitudinal direction between a closed configuration in which the containment plates sandwich the respective filtration diaphragms to close the filtration chamber, and an open configuration in which the containment plates are spaced apart to separate the respective filtration diaphragms to laterally open the filtration chamber; - an inlet hydraulic circuit adapted to supply the liquid to be filtered into each filtration chamber when all pairs of containment plates are in a closed configuration; - an outlet hydraulic circuit adapted to discharge filtered liquid from each filtering chamber through its respective filtering diaphragm when all pairs of containment plates are in a closed configuration; The at least one optical scanning device may be adapted to be positioned between each pair of containment plates in the open configuration.

[0041] This embodiment in fact illustrates the application of the scanning device according to the invention to the particular case of a filter press, where its use is particularly advantageous, although it is not limited thereto. In this context, the device (filter press) is in particular - a trolley adapted to move along said longitudinal direction relative to the containment plate; a bar mounted on the trolley and movable transversely relative to said longitudinal direction so as to be able to slide between the filtration diaphragms disposed between each pair of containment plates in the open configuration; The at least one optical scanning device may be mounted on the bar.

[0042] This aspect of the invention provides a particularly efficient solution for moving an optical scanning device between the filtration diaphragms of a filter press. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1]1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 viewed from a different angle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 with the infill panel removed to highlight the internal components. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3, shown schematically as placed between two filtration membranes. [Figure 5] 3, but for an apparatus conforming to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 6] 4, but for an apparatus conforming to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 7] 3, but for an apparatus conforming to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4, but for an apparatus conforming to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3, but for an apparatus conforming to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 4, but for an apparatus conforming to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 3, but for an apparatus conforming to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 4, but for an apparatus conforming to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic detail of the device of FIG. 4. [Figure 14] 5 is a perspective view of a modified version, showing a schematic detail of the device of FIG. 4; FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a perspective view of an optical acquisition device system according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown without an infill panel. [Figure 16] This is a modification of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter press according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a pack of containment plates of the filter press of FIG. 17, shown in the plane of a vertical section and including the longitudinal axis D. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a containment plate and associated filtration diaphragm belonging to the filter press of FIG. 17. [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pair of successive containment plates and a cleaning robot belonging to the filter press of FIG. 17 shown in an open configuration. [Figure 21] 21 is a perspective view of the cleaning robot of FIG. 20 from a different angle, with one containment plate hidden to better illustrate certain details of the invention, and with an optical acquisition device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The above figure shows an apparatus 100 for optical imaging of a filtration membrane S. The device 100 comprises a frame 105 on which various functional components are mounted. The frame 105 may have a substantially box-like shape, i.e., a rectangular parallelepiped shape having two major dimensions, width L and height H, and a smaller dimension defining a thickness S.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the frame 105 may comprise a plurality of bars extending along its edges and rigidly joined together, for example by welding, bolting, or the like, to define an internal framework. This internal frame can be fitted with infill panels 110 (seen in Figures 1 and 2) which are designed to close / define the side walls of the frame 105, thereby creating a hollow, closed case or cabinet-like shape.

[0046] Specifically, the case may have two major or large side walls 115 facing each other along the thickness S direction, and four minor or small side walls: two first side walls 120 facing each other along the width L direction and two second side walls 125 facing each other along the height H direction.

[0047] At least one, and more preferably two, panels 110, such as those defining the main side walls 115, may be individually provided with slits 130 allowing optical connection between the interior volume and the exterior. Each slit 130 has a substantially rectangular shape extending primarily in a direction generally parallel to the width L of the frame 105, and may, for example, extend substantially the entire distance separating the first side walls 120, while having a smaller extension in the direction of the height H.

[0048] The slits 130 may be located near one of the two second side walls 125 (e.g., the upper side wall in the figure) and may be opposed to each other, e.g., substantially mirror images with respect to a plane of symmetry that is parallel and equidistant from the main side wall 115 (see, e.g., FIG. 4).

[0049] In use, the frame 105 is intended to be placed next to at least one filtration diaphragm S to be scanned, so that the at least one slit 130 faces that filtration diaphragm S. More preferably, the frame 105 can be placed between the two filtration diaphragms S to be scanned, for example equidistant therefrom, so that each slit 130 faces a respective filtration diaphragm S.

[0050] In particular, in the exemplary case shown in the figure, since the filtration diaphragms S are planar and parallel to each other, the frame 105 can be oriented so that its main side wall 115 (having the slits 130) is parallel to the filtration diaphragms S. On the frame 105, for example in a case defined therein, at least one mirror 135 having a reflective surface 140, at least one camera 145 having a predetermined optical axis A, and at least one lighting device 150 are mounted.

[0051] The optical axis A of the camera 145 naturally means the optical axis of the objective lens of the camera 145 . The camera 145 is generally positioned so that its optical axis A intersects the reflective surface 140 of the mirror 135 at an angle of incidence other than normal, and upon reflection produces a reflected optical axis B that is tilted and non-coincident with the original optical axis A, e.g., substantially orthogonal to the optical axis A.

[0052] In this way, while optical axis A remains within frame 105, reflected optical axis B can pass through one of the slits 130, allowing camera 145 to capture an image of the filtering diaphragm S located outside the case of frame 105 via the reflective surface 140 of mirror 135.

[0053] With regard to the illumination device 150, it is intended to generate light capable of illuminating, for example through the same slit 130, at least one point on the reflected optical axis B located at a position away from the reflective surface 140 of the mirror 135, preferably outside the frame 105.

[0054] In this way, the illumination device 150 can be used to illuminate at least the area of ​​the filtration diaphragm S that is imaged by the camera 145 via the reflective surface 140 of the mirror 135 . More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the camera 145 can be mounted in a fixed position on the frame 105 so that its optical axis A is always in a constant orientation, for example parallel to the height H of the frame 105 itself.

[0055] For example, the camera 145 may be fixed to one of the second side walls 125 of the frame 105 , preferably the second side wall furthest from the slit 130 . The camera 145 may also be positioned substantially equidistant from the two first sidewalls 120 and / or the main sidewall 115 .

[0056] The mirror 135 can be positioned essentially at the same height as the two slits 130 and can be rotatably mounted on the frame 105 so that it can be oriented about the rotation axis X. The rotation axis X of the mirror 135 can be orthogonal (incident or not) to the optical axis A of the camera 145 and is preferably oriented parallel to the width L of the frame 105 .

[0057] Thus, by appropriate rotation of mirror 135 about rotation axis X, the reflected optical axis B produced by reflective surface 140 can be directed in various directions. For example, in order to be able to capture images of the filtration diaphragms S located on both sides of the frame case 105, the reflected optical axis B can be directed in opposite directions by selectively passing the reflected optical axis B through one or the other of the two slits 130.

[0058] The rotation of the mirror 135 can be driven, for example, by a linear or rotary actuator (not shown), which can be electric, piezoelectric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or any other type, and can be mounted on the frame 105.

[0059] To complete this embodiment, the device 100 further preferably comprises two illumination devices 150, one of which is capable of illuminating a point on the reflected optical axis B as it passes through one of the slits 130, and the other of which is capable of illuminating a point on the reflected optical axis B as it passes through the other slit 130.

[0060] To improve the triangulation between camera 145 and mirror 135, a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is otherwise entirely similar to the previous embodiment, but assumes that camera 145 can be oriented on support frame 105 by rotating it about an axis of rotation Y that is perpendicular to the optical axis A of camera 145 itself, e.g., an axis parallel to axis of rotation X of mirror 135.

[0061] In this way, it is also advantageous to be able to orient the camera 145 appropriately depending on whether images are to be taken on one side or the other of the support frame 105 . Alternatively, a third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, which is otherwise similar to the second embodiment, also includes the possibility of replacing the oscillating mirror 135 with two mirrors, i.e., a first and a second mirror 135, each with its own reflective surface 140.

[0062] These first and second mirrors 135 may be fixedly mounted on the support frame 105 and positioned such that their respective reflective surfaces 140 are substantially symmetrical about a plane of symmetry that includes the rotation axis Y of the camera 145, and extend, for example, parallel to the main side wall 115 of the support frame 105.

[0063] Therefore, by rotating the camera 145 around the rotation axis Y, it is possible to selectively direct the optical axis A toward the reflective surface 140 of the first mirror 135 or the reflective surface 140 of the second mirror 135, and in either case the angle of incidence will be an angle other than a right angle, thereby obtaining a first reflected optical axis B directed in one direction within one slit 130 and a second reflected optical axis B (not shown, but a mirror image of the former) directed in the opposite direction within the other slit 130.

[0064] The three embodiments described so far have the advantage of allowing the scanning of filtration diaphragms S located on opposite sides of the support frame 105 via a single camera 145 . However, these solutions only allow scanning of one diaphragm S at a time.

[0065] To enable simultaneous scanning of both filtration membranes S, another embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 12 involves replacing the oscillating camera 145 of Figure 8 with first and second cameras 145 having first and second optical axes A and A', respectively.

[0066] These first and second cameras 145 can be fixedly mounted on the support frame 105 and can be positioned so that their respective optical axes A, A' are substantially mirror-plane relative to the same plane of symmetry of the reflective surfaces 140 of the two mirrors 135. In particular, the optical axis A of the first camera 145 is directed at the reflective surface 140 of the first mirror 135 at an angle of incidence other than normal, resulting in a first reflected optical axis B directed in one direction, while the optical axis A' of the second camera 145 is directed at the reflective surface 140 of the second mirror 135 at an angle of incidence other than normal, resulting in a second reflected optical axis B' directed in the opposite direction to the first reflected optical axis B.

[0067] The first and second cameras 145 may be arranged side by side along the width L of the frame 105 as in the embodiment of FIG. 10, or along the thickness S as in the embodiment of FIG. 12, or may be arranged substantially adjacent to each other within a short distance.

[0068] In any embodiment, such as any of the examples described above, the components of device 100 may have the following characteristics: For each mirror 135, its reflective surface 140 may be flat, convex, or concave.

[0069] In either case, the reflective surface 140 may have, for example, a constant cross-sectional shape and extend primarily along a predetermined longitudinal direction of the mirror 135 . In other words, reflective surface 140 may have one dimension that is larger than the other, with the larger dimension oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0070] This longitudinal direction is preferably perpendicular to (but not necessarily incident on) the optical axis A and / or A′ of the camera 145 . For example, the longitudinal direction of one or more mirrors 135 may be parallel to the width L of the frame 105, may be parallel to the axis of rotation X of the mirror in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, and / or may be parallel to the axis of rotation Y of the camera 145 in FIG. 6 or FIG. 8. Each mirror 135 may be of a conventional type or may be a mirror having a first surface reflection.

[0071] The dimensions of each mirror 135 can vary from a minimum of 5x10mm to a maximum of 50x1000mm, while the thickness can be between 0.1mm and 10mm. In embodiments of fixed mirrors 135, each mirror may be tilted at an angle between 5° and 175° relative to the optical axis A and / or A′ of camera 145. In particular, it must be angled so that the reflected light strikes the objective lens of the camera 145 exactly.

[0072] Regarding the cameras 145, each camera may be, for example, a matrix camera or a linear camera. In embodiments having an oscillating camera 145, the camera 145 may be moved, for example, by linear or rotary actuators (not shown), which may be electric, piezoelectric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or any other type, and may be mounted on the frame 105. The support for the camera 145 may allow for one, two, or three axis position adjustment.

[0073] With respect to the illuminators 150, each illuminator is capable of emitting light having a wavelength between 10 nm (ultraviolet) and 1 mm (infrared). Additionally, the light emitted by each lighting device 150 may be either continuous or strobe light. As shown in all previous embodiments, each lighting device 150 may include one or more illuminators 155 positioned between the mirror 135 and the camera 145, and one or more illuminators 160 positioned on the opposite side of the camera 145 from the mirror 135.

[0074] However, it is not excluded that in other embodiments, each lighting device 150 may comprise only one or more illuminators 155 or only one or more illuminators 160 . In either case, the number of illuminators 155 and / or 160 in each lighting device preferably comprises between a minimum of one and a maximum of six. Illuminators 155 and / or 160 can operate independently or in coordination with one another.

[0075] Each of the illuminators 155, 160 described above can be of the spot light type or of the diffuse type (eg, linear). In the second case, each illuminator 155, 160 may extend primarily in a predetermined longitudinal direction.

[0076] The longitudinal direction may be perpendicular to (but not necessarily incident on) the optical axis A and / or A′ of the camera 145 . For example, the longitudinal direction may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of one or more mirrors 135, may be parallel to the width L of the frame 105, may be parallel to the axis of rotation X of the mirrors in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, and / or may be parallel to the axis of rotation Y of the camera 145 in FIG. 6 or FIG. 8.

[0077] In particular, each illuminator 155 and / or 160 preferably extends the entire length of mirror 135 . The light generated by one or more illuminators 155 and / or 160 can be projected directly onto the filtering diaphragm S, for example through one of the slits 130, or it can be diffused by a lens (for example, an opaque lens) and focused with an aperture angle comprised between 5° and 130°, which can be selected / adjusted at any time depending on the properties of the filtering diaphragm S.

[0078] In the latter case, in addition to illuminators 155 and / or 160, each lighting device 150 may be equipped with one or more lenses (not shown) adapted to diffuse and / or focus the light generated by the illuminator.

[0079] The angle of incidence of the light generated by each lighting device 155, 160 on the filtering diaphragm S may be comprised between 5° and 175° and may be selected on a case-by-case basis depending on the properties of the filtering diaphragm S.

[0080] In addition to the infill panel 110 that defines the case of the frame 105, in order to protect the one or more cameras 145, the one or more mirrors 135, the one or more illuminators 155 and / or 160, it is preferable to provide a gasket to make the entire structure waterproof.

[0081] As shown in detail in Figures 13 and 14, it is also preferable to close each slit 130 with one or more protective glass plates 165 that can prevent, for example, the intrusion of solid objects and / or liquids, but at the same time are sufficiently transparent to allow light from illuminators 155 and / or 160 to escape and to allow one or more cameras 145 to photograph one or more filtration diaphragms S located outside. The protective glass plate 165 may be plain, laminated, tempered, or optical glass. Its surface may be anti-reflective and / or hydrophobic treated.

[0082] In some embodiments (eg, FIG. 14), each slit 130 may be completely closed by a single protective glass plate 165 positioned parallel / flush with the corresponding major side wall 115 . In other embodiments (e.g., FIG. 13 ), each slit 130 may be closed by a plurality of protective glass plates 165, consisting of at least one central glass plate located within the frame 105 and oriented parallel to the corresponding main side wall 115 or substantially perpendicular to the reflected optical axis B or B′ of the camera 145, and one or more other side protective glass plates, each inclined relative to the central glass plate and, for example, oriented substantially perpendicular to the emission direction of light generated by the corresponding lighting device 150.

[0083] For example, if each lighting device includes both illuminator 155 and illuminator 160, it is preferable to include two of the above-mentioned other side protective glass plates 165, one of which is substantially perpendicular to the emission direction of the light generated by illuminator 155 and the other of which is substantially perpendicular to the emission direction of the light generated by illuminator 160.

[0084] This makes it possible to prevent the problem of light reflection on the protective glass plate 165, which would reduce the quality of the illumination of the filtration diaphragm S and the image captured by the camera 145. All side protection glass plates 165 may be substantially rectangular in shape with a major dimension parallel to the major dimension of slit 130, and may be positioned adjacent to each other and connected at their two long sides, or spaced apart and individually supported by suitable support structures (not shown).

[0085] To keep the protective glass pane 165 clean, an automatic cleaning system (not shown) may be provided, which may be implemented by a rotating brush, a glass squeegee, and / or a sprayer that sprays water directly onto the glass. Additionally, a drying system (not shown) may be provided, including a system using compressed air or a blower, to dry the glass sheets after cleaning.

[0086] Of course, the images of the filtration membrane S that can be acquired with the above-described device 100 (in all embodiments) are generally limited to a portion of one or more filtration membranes S, the size of which depends on the shooting angle of the camera(s) 145 and the size of the reflective surface 140 of one or more mirrors 135. It is therefore conceivable that the frame 105 of the device 100 is coupled to a suitable movement means (not shown in Figures 1 to 14, but an example of which is shown below) that can move at least along a predetermined direction Q, for example substantially parallel to the optical axis A or A' of the camera(s) 145 and / or, for example, parallel to the one or more filtration membranes S, so that the device 100 can scan at least one (preferably the entire) area of ​​the one or more filtration membranes S along said direction Q by sequentially acquiring multiple images during said movement.

[0087] In this regard, one or more cameras 145 of device 100 may be connected to an electronic control unit (not shown) adapted to "combine" the captured images to produce a single image. The processing speed (and therefore the scanning speed of the filtration diaphragm S) can be set to 0.5 to 10,000 mm / s.

[0088] The means for movement may include a belt, chain, gears, rack, articulated quadrilateral, cartesian robot, or humanoid robot. The above-described device 100 (any embodiment) can be used as part of a modular system 200 to also scan a large filtration membrane S in the transverse direction.

[0089] That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the modular system 200 may include multiple devices 100, preferably identical to each other, all of which may be oriented in the same direction and aligned in a row along the width L of each frame 105, and the frames 105 may, in turn, be aligned parallel to the filtration membrane S and perpendicular to the translation direction Q.

[0090] The frames 105 of these optical devices 100 can then be brought into contact with one another and secured, if desired, by any mechanical connection such as bolting or bracketing. In this way, each device 100 remains functionally independent while allowing for the scanning of a very large filtration septum S as a whole.

[0091] For example, while a modular system 200 consisting of three devices 100 is shown in Figure 15, it is not excluded that in other embodiments there may be more or fewer devices 100 depending on the size of the filtration membrane S to be scanned.

[0092] Another possibility for scanning large filtration membranes S is to use a single frame 105 carrying multiple functional groups, each consisting of at least one or more cameras 145 and one or more mirrors 135 (e.g., according to any of the embodiments described above), as illustrated in Figure 16.

[0093] In this case, each functional group may have one or more respective illuminators 150, or illuminators 155 and / or 160 may be provided across the entire width of frame 105 to serve all functional groups. This configuration allows for a lighter weight system than modular system 200.

[0094] Although FIG. 16 shows three functional groups on the same frame 105, it is also possible to envisage embodiments in which a single frame supports and carries a greater or lesser number of functional groups, depending on the size of the filtration membrane S to be scanned.

[0095] A third possibility (not shown) is that the moving means can move the device 100 not only in direction Q but also in a transverse direction, for example perpendicular to direction Q and parallel to one or more filtration membranes / diaphragms S. In this manner, the device 100 can be used to scan one or more diaphragms S over their entire length, regardless of size.

[0096] 17 to 21, a filtration device that may include the optical acquisition device 100 (or associated system 200) described above according to any embodiment, in addition to including at least one filtration diaphragm S, is described below as a non-limiting example. In particular, the filtration device is a filter press 300, which is designed to filter liquid materials having suspended solids dispersed therein, commonly known as solid-liquid suspensions.

[0097] For example, the filter press 300 can be used to filter sludge from civil and industrial wastewater treatment processes or other technological processes, typically but not exclusively, chemical / pharmaceutical or mining. The filter press 300 includes a plurality of containment plates 305 aligned with one another along a predetermined longitudinal direction D, which is preferably horizontal.

[0098] Each of these containment plates 305 is generally shaped like a thin plate with two larger main faces facing each other and substantially parallel, and a thickness (much) smaller than the size of the main faces. The containment plates 305 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D, such that the longitudinal direction D is substantially parallel to their thickness, and they are arranged consecutively along said longitudinal direction D adjacent to one another.

[0099] In particular, each containment plate 305 may have a substantially rectangular or square shape with a lower surface, an upper surface, and two lateral surfaces that define a major perimeter.

[0100] Regardless of their particular shape, the containment plates 305 of the filter press 300 may be identical to one another or may be arranged in pairs as mirror images. The containment plate 305 is slidably mounted to the support structure 500 and can slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction D relative to the support structure.

[0101] In the embodiment described herein, the support structure 500 comprises an elongate member 510 that overlies the containment plate 305 and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction D. A hook (not shown) may be secured to the upper surface of each containment plate 305 and slidably suspended from a corresponding number of guide bars (not shown) secured to the support structure 500 and extending parallel to the elongate members 510.

[0102] On the support structure 500, the containment plate 305 is preferably interposed in the longitudinal direction D between the fixed head 525 and the movable head 530. Thus, each containment plate 305 comprises a front major surface 320 facing the fixed head 525 and a rear major surface 325 facing the movable head 530 .

[0103] Both the front surface 320 and the rear surface 325 may include a recess 330 and a side frame 335 that circumscribes the recess 330 . The movable head 530 can slide in the longitudinal direction D toward and away from the fixed head 525 .

[0104] This movement of the movable head 530 can be achieved by a suitable movement system, which may, for example, comprise one or more hydraulic jacks 535 . As it moves towards the fixed head 525, the movable head 530 can close all of the containment plates 305 of the filter press 300 together and against the fixed head 525 itself.

[0105] Conversely, by moving away from the fixed head 525, the movable head 530 can ensure sufficient space for each pair of consecutive containment plates 305 to move from a closed configuration (clamped together) to an open configuration in which the containment plates 305 of the pair are spaced apart from each other.

[0106] For example, movement from the closed configuration to the open configuration can be achieved by a separation device (not shown) that slides in the longitudinal direction A, which can engage one containment plate 305 at a time, starting with the one closest to the movable head 530, and move it a predetermined amount away from the next containment plate 305.

[0107] Regardless of these considerations, each containment plate 305 has two filtration diaphragms associated with it, a first filtration diaphragm 340 of which is adapted to fit along the front surface 320 and a second filtration diaphragm 345 of which is adapted to fit along the rear surface 325. In particular, each of these filtration diaphragms 340, 345 may be adhered to the peripheral frame 335 on its respective main surface, for example by assuming its shape and being fixed to its bottom surface, and adapted to completely cover those recesses 330.

[0108] In the illustrated example, each of the filtration diaphragms 340, 345 comprises a section of filtration fabric. However, it is not excluded that in other embodiments, each of the filtration diaphragms 340, 345 may be made from a grid, mesh or perforated sheet made of, for example, a metallic material.

[0109] The first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 may be secured to their respective containment plates 305 in many different ways without departing from the scope of the present discussion. For example, the filtration diaphragms 340, 345 can be attached by wrapping them partially around the sidewalls of the containment plate 305.

[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, first and second separate and independent filtration diaphragms 340 , 345 are associated with each containment plate 305 . However, it is not excluded that in other embodiments, the first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 may be joined and formed integrally.

[0111] In any event, the net result of this structure is that two filtration diaphragms 340, 345 are always maintained between each successive pair of containment plates 305, facing each other, with the first filtration diaphragm 340 associated with the containment plate 305 closest to the movable head 530 and the second filtration diaphragm 345 associated with the containment plate 305 closest to the fixed head 525.

[0112] When these containment plates 305 are in a closed configuration, the first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 interposed therebetween are substantially in contact with each other at the peripheral frame 335, albeit at least slightly spaced apart at the recess 330.

[0113] Thus, as shown in the simplified diagram of FIG. 18, between these first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 remains a narrow, substantially closed filtration chamber 355 suitable for receiving the liquid to be filtered. The liquid to be filtered may be supplied to the filtration chamber 355 through one or more inlet ducts, each consisting of a series of through holes formed directly in the containment plate 305 .

[0114] For example, in the embodiment illustrated here, the filter press 300 includes a single inlet duct realized by a series of through holes 360 individually formed in each of the containment plates 305 . In practice, each containment plate 305 includes a through-hole 360 ​​having an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction D and substantially coaxial with corresponding through-holes 360 in all other containment plates 305 of the filter press 300 .

[0115] This through hole 360 ​​may be located in the center of the containment plate 305 , for example, in the bottom of the recess 330 . Coaxially with this through-hole 360, the first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 associated with the same containment plate 305 also have respective through-holes 365.

[0116] Each containment plate 305 further comprises two distribution rings arranged coaxially with the through-holes 360, of which a first distribution ring 370 is fixed to the front face 320 of the containment plate 305, e.g., to the bottom surface of its recess 330, and a second distribution ring 375 is fixed to the rear face 325 of the same containment plate 305, e.g., to the bottom surface of its recess 330.

[0117] In this case, the through holes 365 of the first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 preferably have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the distribution rings 370, 375, such that the first distribution ring 370 is adapted to clamp the first filtration diaphragm 340 against the front surface 320 of the containment plate 305, while the second distribution ring 375 is adapted to clamp the second filtration diaphragm 345 against the rear surface 325 of the containment plate 305.

[0118] When all pairs of containment plates 305 are in a closed configuration, i.e., when all containment plates 305 are grouped together, the first distribution ring 370 of each containment plate 305 may be in face-to-face contact with the second distribution ring 375 of the adjacent containment plate 305, thereby forming a pipe section passing through the filtration chamber 355.

[0119] However, the first and second distribution rings 370 , 375 may also be formed to define lateral openings at their contact areas that place the pipe sections in fluid communication with the filtering chamber 355 . Through holes 360 formed in the containment plate 305 place this pipe section in fluid communication with similar pipe sections defined between all other pairs of containment plates 305, collectively forming the aforementioned inlet duct. The inlet duct is connected to an inlet hydraulic circuit for supplying the fluid to be filtered.

[0120] In the embodiment illustrated herein, the inlet hydraulic circuit may include a single supply duct 550 that engages with the through hole 360 ​​in the first containment plate 305 adjacent the fixed head 525, and a pump (not shown) that pumps the liquid to be filtered into said supply duct 550.

[0121] The liquid to be filtered that reaches the filtration chamber 355 tends to cross the first and second filtration membranes 340, 345 that separate them, but the solid portion remains inside and forms a relatively compact precipitate. After passing through the filtration membranes 340, 345, the filtered liquid flows into one or more collection ducts, each of which may consist of a series of through holes 400 formed directly in the containment plate 305, similar to the inlet ducts described above.

[0122] In practice, each containment plate 305 comprises one or more through-holes 400 having an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction D and coaxial with corresponding through-holes 400 in all other containment plates 305 . Each of these through holes 400 may be located outside of the recess 330 in the perimeter frame 335 of the respective containment plate 305 .

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, each containment plate 305 includes four through holes 400 located, for example, at the edge of the containment plate 305 itself. Coaxial with each through-hole 400, first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 associated with containment plate 305 also have respective through-holes 405.

[0124] When all pairs of containment plates 305 are in a closed configuration, i.e., when all containment plates 305 are grouped together, each through-hole 400 in a containment plate 305 is in fluid communication with the same consecutive through-holes 400 in all other containment plates 305, collectively forming one of the aforementioned collection ducts.

[0125] Each through-hole 400 communicates, for example via a suitable channel system provided in the body of the containment plate 305, with a narrow cavity defined between the front face 320 of the containment plate 305 and the first filtration diaphragm 340, for example between the latter and the bottom surface of a recess 330 made in the front face 320, and / or with a narrow cavity defined between the rear face 325 of the containment plate 305 and the second filtration diaphragm 345, for example between the latter and the bottom surface of a recess 330 made in the rear face 325.

[0126] In this way, the filtrate that has passed through the filtration membranes 340, 345 first flows into the cavity, then passes through the internal flow path to the through-holes 400, and then reaches the collection duct. These collection ducts are preferably connected at the fixed head 525 to a hydraulic discharge circuit adapted to discharge the filtered fluid, for example to convey the fluid to a storage tank, a disposal system, or other use.

[0127] This hydraulic discharge circuit may, for example, comprise a plurality of conveying ducts 560 individually connected to each of the through holes 400 in the first containment plate 305 adjacent the fixed head 425 and then converging into a single discharge pipe. It is provided herein that the supply of fluid to be filtered in the filtration chamber 355 and the resulting extraction of the filtered liquid are not carried out continuously, but are interrupted after a certain time when the filtration chamber 355 is substantially filled with solid residues forming the aforementioned compact deposit.

[0128] At this point, each successive pair of containment plates 305 is placed in the open configuration as described above. In this way, the first and second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 interposed between the pair of containment plates 305 move apart in the longitudinal direction D, and the filtration chamber 355 opens laterally, resulting in the compacted deposits falling downward and outside the filter press 300.

[0129] This compact deposit is collected, for example in a special compartment provided below the containment plate 305, for disposal or further processing. However, over time, some of the solid material that has separated from the filtered liquid may remain attached to the filtration membranes 340, 345, thereby fouling them and reducing their efficiency.

[0130] For this reason, the filter press 300 is generally equipped with a cleaning robot, generally designated 600, which is responsible for cleaning the filtration membranes 340, 345 between each pair of successive containment plates 305, for example after each filtration cycle or after certain filtration cycles.

[0131] The cleaning robot 600 may include a trolley 605 that is movable along a longitudinal direction D relative to the containment plate 305 . In particular, the trolley 605 may be slidably coupled to the support structure 500 and may be configured to be movable on the containment plate 305 without interfering with the containment plate 305 (which remains stationary).

[0132] In the illustrated embodiment, the trolley 605 of the cleaning robot 600 may have a gantry structure that defines a passageway that lies in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction D and faces and is aligned with the continuous containment plates 305. In particular, the trolley 605 may include two vertical supports 610 located on opposite sides of the containment plate 305 and an upper crossbar 615 connecting the two vertical supports 610 and overlying the containment plate 305.

[0133] The trolley 605 may be slidably coupled to the support structure 500 by an upper crossbar 615 that is supported on and slides along an elongated member 510 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A that overlies the containment plate 305.

[0134] The sliding of the trolley 605 can be performed by an electromechanical system comprising a linear rack 570 fixed to the elongated member 510 and at least one pinion (not shown) mounted on the upper crossbar 615, driven by an electric motor, and rotating in mesh with the linear rack 570.

[0135] However, the sliding of the trolley 605 on the support structure 500 can also be entrusted to any other known drive, for example electromechanical or electrohydraulic. The cleaning robot 600 may further include a bar 645 mounted on the trolley 605 and movable relative to the trolley 605 in a transverse direction (e.g., perpendicular direction) to the longitudinal direction D, enabling the bar 645 to move within the space defined between any pair of consecutive containment plates 305 when the containment plates 305 are in the open configuration.

[0136] In particular, the bar 645 is preferably horizontal and straight in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D and may be arranged for vertical translational movement between upper and lower end positions relative to the trolley 605 to which it is mounted. In the upper position, the bars 645 may be positioned higher than the containment plates 305, and in the lower position, they may be positioned substantially level with or below the lower surfaces thereof.

[0137] A plurality of nozzles 650 may be provided on the bar 645, each of which may provide a flow of cleaning fluid, typically water, toward the first and / or second filtration diaphragms 340, 345 covering the front surface 320 of one containment plate 305 and the rear surface 325 of the other containment plate 305 of the pair, respectively.

[0138] For example, the bar 645 may have a first array of nozzles 650 directed towards the fixed head 525, e.g., arranged in a row along the longitudinal extension of the bar, and / or a second array of nozzles 650 directed towards the movable head 530, e.g., arranged in a row along the longitudinal extension of the bar.

[0139] To emit a jet of cleaning fluid, the nozzle 650 may be connected to a suitable hydraulic cleaning fluid supply system, which may typically include a pump, preferably a high-pressure pump, adapted to take cleaning fluid from a tank or supply network and deliver it under pressure to and from the nozzle 650.

[0140] In particular, the hydraulic supply system may comprise at least one manifold 655 attached to and / or forming an integral part of the bar 645 . The manifold 655 is shaped as a hollow body, for example a tube, preferably extending straight and oriented parallel to the bar 645 .

[0141] The nozzles 650 can be inserted directly into respective through-holes in the sidewall of the aforementioned manifold 655 or be directly defined by the latter. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar 645 comprises a single manifold 655 to which both the nozzles 650 facing the fixed head 525 and the nozzles 650 facing the movable head 530 are connected, and is substantially defined by the manifold 655.

[0142] The movement of the bar 645 on the trolley 605 can be actuated by any suitable drive system, for example, electromechanical or electrohydraulic. Operation of the cleaning robot 600 causes the trolley 605 to slide along the longitudinal direction D on the support structure 500 and stop sequentially on all pairs of consecutive containment plates 305 that are in the open configuration.

[0143] During sliding of the trolley 605 , the bar 645 is maintained in an upper end position so as not to interfere with the containment plate 305 . When the trolley 605 comes to a stop, the bar 645 is then configured between successive pairs of containment plates 305 and vertically aligned with the space in the open configuration.

[0144] As a result, the bar 645 can be manipulated to move vertically relative to the (stationary) trolley 605 from an upper end position to a lower end position and back again. During one or both of these strokes, the cleaning fluid supply hydraulic system may be activated so that a jet of cleaning fluid (preferably at high pressure) is sprayed from a nozzle 650 mounted on the bar 645 onto the filtration diaphragms 340, 345 lining the containment plate 305 to clean and remove any adhering solid deposits.

[0145] However, over repeated filtration cycles, the filtration membranes 340, 345 attached to the containment plate 305 will eventually wear out or may be damaged by accident, necessitating replacement. To monitor the integrity and wear condition of the filtration membranes 340, 345, the filter press 300 is equipped with a screening system.

[0146] According to embodiments described herein, the screening system may include at least one of the optical acquisition devices 100 described above, or more preferably, a system 200 extending across the full width of the containment plates 305, when in the open configuration in the manner described above, moving between each pair of successive containment plates 305 to scan the filtration diaphragms 340 and / or 345.

[0147] For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the device 100 can be mounted (e.g., hooked) onto the bar 645 of the cleaning robot 600 so that its width L is parallel to the bar 645 itself and oriented parallel to the containment plate 305. Alternatively, if the filtration membranes 340, 345 are very large, as described above, the screening system may comprise multiple of the devices 100 to form a modular system 200 (which may comprise a single frame 105), which may also be attached (e.g., hooked) to the bar 645 of the cleaning robot 600.

[0148] Thus, by moving the bar 645 between a pair of continuous and open containment plates 305, one or more devices 100 can acquire one or more images of the first and / or second filtration diaphragms 340, 345. Although it is envisaged that one or more devices 100 may be installed on the bar 645 of the cleaning robot 600, it is not excluded that in other embodiments one or more devices 100 may be installed on a separate dedicated robot.

[0149] Such a robot may be structurally similar to the cleaning robot 600, but functionally independent. As envisaged, one or more devices 100 may be connected to a central processing unit configured to process and combine the images acquired by each device 100, thereby acquiring a complete image of each filtration membrane 340, 345, in effect obtaining a true scan thereof.

[0150] The connection to the electronic unit can be via any connection system, either wired or wireless. The image of each filtration membrane 340, 345 may be used by a computer processing unit to verify whether the filtration membrane in question is damaged, for example at an early stage (wear or micro-damage) and / or at an advanced stage (macro-damage), and / or to make a prognostic assessment of its remaining life.

[0151] For example, the electronic processing unit can be configured to determine the wear state of the filtration diaphragm based on the image of each filtration diaphragm 340, 345 and / or predict how many filtration cycles the filtration diaphragm can still perform before it becomes damaged or inefficient. In fact, the electronic processing unit can detect defects in the filtration diaphragms 340 , 345 in advance, even before the defects cause permanent damage to the rear containment plate 305 .

[0152] The determination of the remaining time can be performed by an electronic processing unit by executing a suitable evaluation logic, for example based on a suitably trained artificial intelligence algorithm, which receives an image of the filtration membrane 340 or 345 as input and automatically provides its remaining time as output. This evaluation logic may also take into account other aspects such as the degree of abrasiveness of the liquid being filtered and / or the filtration pressure.

[0153] The remaining time is then communicated to the operator, for example by an interface system, so that replacement of the different filtration membranes 340, 345 can be planned. For example, the evaluation logic used in the electronic processing unit may be based on a (e.g., mathematical, statistical, or empirical) model that describes the wear pattern of the filtration membranes 340, 345 with respect to time of use or number of filtration cycles performed.

[0154] This model can be corrected / updated by the electronic processing unit through a self-learning process, and by analyzing and / or processing (past) images of each filtration membrane 340, 345 successively acquired by the screening system, i.e., after an increasing number of filtration cycles have been performed, the evolution of the wear of the filtration membrane 340, 345 over time can be understood.

[0155] In other words, after acquiring multiple images of multiple filtration membranes 340, 345 at successive times, the electronic processing unit can advantageously use all of these images to modify the model on which the remaining life assessment logic is based, for example by the aforementioned artificial intelligence-based self-learning process. In this way, the model is constantly updated to more closely resemble the actual operation of the filter press 300 .

[0156] Of course, those skilled in the art can make some technical application modifications to all the above without departing from the scope of the invention described below.

Claims

1. A device (100) for acquiring an optical image of a filtration membrane (S), comprising: at least one mirror (135) having a reflective surface (140); at least one camera (145) having an optical axis (A) adapted to intercept the reflective surface (140) at an angle of incidence other than normal, producing an oblique reflected optical axis (B) that is not coincident with the optical axis (A) itself; and at least one illumination device (150) adapted to illuminate at least one point on the reflected optical axis (B) spaced apart from the reflecting surface (140).

2. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface (140) is selected from the group consisting of a flat reflective surface, a concave reflective surface, and a convex reflective surface.

3. 3. The apparatus (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reflective surface (140) extends primarily along a predetermined longitudinal direction perpendicular to an optical axis (A) of the camera (145).

4. The apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the camera (145) is selected from the group consisting of a matrix camera and a linear camera.

5. 5. The apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illumination device (150) is adapted to emit light having a wavelength between 10 nm and 1 mm.

6. The apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lighting device (150) is adapted to emit continuous or strobe light.

7. 7. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the illumination device (150) comprises one or more illuminators (155) arranged between the mirror (135) and the camera (145) and / or one or more illuminators (160) arranged on an opposite side of the camera (145) from the mirror (135).

8. 8. The apparatus (100) of claim 7, wherein each of the illuminators (155, 160) provides a spot light or extends primarily in a predetermined longitudinal direction perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of the camera (145).

9. 9. The apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the illumination device (150) comprises one or more lenses adapted to diffuse and / or focus light generated thereby.

10. 10. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the mirror (135) is orientable on the support frame (105) by rotating it about a rotation axis (Y) perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of the camera (145).

11. 11. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the camera (145) is orientable on the support frame (105) by rotating about an axis of rotation (X) perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of the camera (145).

12. a second mirror (135) having a reflective surface (140) adapted to be intercepted by the optical axis (A) of the camera (145) at an angle of incidence other than a normal angle, and which, when rotated about its rotation axis (X), generates a second reflected optical axis (B') directed in an opposite direction to the reflected optical axis (B), is mounted on the support frame; 12. The apparatus (100) of claim 11, wherein a second illumination device (150) is configured to illuminate at least one point on the second reflected optical axis (B') spaced from the reflective surface (140) of the second mirror (135).

13. On said support frame (105), a second mirror (135) having a reflective surface (140); a second camera (145) having an optical axis (A') adapted to intercept the reflective surface (140) of the second mirror (135) at an angle of incidence other than normal, generating a second reflected optical axis (B') directed opposite the reflected optical axis (B); and a second illumination device (150) adapted to illuminate at least one point on the second reflected optical axis (B') spaced apart from the reflective surface (140) of the second mirror (135).

14. the support frame (105) is provided with a panel (110) adapted to define a closed case containing the at least one mirror (135), the at least one camera (145) and the at least one lighting device (150); 14. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the case comprises at least one slit (130) arranged so that the reflected optical axis (B) of the camera (145) and the light generated by the lighting device (150) intersect.

15. 15. The device (100) according to claim 14, wherein the slit (130) is closed by at least one protective glass plate (165).

16. 16. The apparatus (100) of claim 15, wherein the protective glass plate (165) is substantially perpendicular to the reflected optical axis (B).

17. 16. The device (100) of claim 15, wherein the slit (130) is closed by one or more further protective glass plates (165), each of which is substantially perpendicular to the radiation axis of the light generated by the lighting device (150).

18. A filtration device (300) comprising at least one filtration membrane (340, 345) and at least one device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, arranged so that the reflected optical axis (B) intersects with the filtration membrane (340, 345).

19. 20. The device (300) of claim 18, comprising a moving member (600) adapted to move the device (100) along a translational direction parallel to the filtration diaphragm (340, 345).

20. 20. The apparatus (300) of claim 18 or 19, comprising a plurality of devices (100) aligned along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of each of the cameras (45).

21. a plurality of filtration chambers (355) aligned along a predetermined longitudinal direction (D), each of the filtration chambers being separated by two of the filtration diaphragms (340, 345) facing each other and placed between a pair of containment plates (305); a moving device adapted to move each pair of the containment plates (305) along the longitudinal direction (D) between a closed configuration in which the containment plates (305) are clamped together to each of the filtration diaphragms (340, 345) to close the filtration chamber (355) and an open configuration in which the containment plates (305) are spaced apart to separate each of the filtration diaphragms (340, 345) to laterally open the filtration chamber (355); an inlet hydraulic circuit adapted to supply liquid to be filtered into each of the filtering chambers (355) when all pairs of the containment plates (305) are in the closed configuration; an outlet hydraulic circuit adapted to discharge filtered liquid from each of the filtering chambers (355) through each of the filtering diaphragms (340, 345) when all pairs of the containment plates (305) are in a closed configuration; 21. The apparatus (300) of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the at least one device (100) is adapted to be positioned between each pair of the containment plates (305) in the open configuration.

22. a trolley (605) adapted to move along said longitudinal direction (D) relative to said containment plate (305); a bar (645) mounted on the trolley (605), movable relative to the trolley in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (D), and sliding between the filtration diaphragms (340, 345) interposed between each pair of the containment plates (305) in the open configuration; 22. The apparatus (300) of claim 21, wherein the at least one device (100) is mounted on the bar (645).

Images