A filter device for removing particles from a liquid.

Abstract

A filtering device for removing particles from a liquid, wherein the filtering device includes a liquid inlet side and a filtrate outlet side, and the filtering device includes a plurality of lamellae, the lamellae being movable between a filtering position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a filtering distance to define a filtering surface and a flushing position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter device for removing particles from a liquid, a cyclone filter including such a filter device, and a method for filtering and a method for flushing a filter device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional filters typically include a membrane with a plurality of perforations of a certain size. The liquid or fluid to be filtered passes through the perforations, thereby capturing any particles suspended in the liquid that are larger than the perforations in the filter. The drawback of this method of filtration is that the particles removed from the liquid remain in the filter, thereby gradually clogging the filter and reducing the flow rate of the liquid through the filter. To restore the flow rate of the liquid through the filter, the filter can be replaced with a new filter. Alternatively, the filter can be cleaned. However, commonly used filter materials are made of deformable materials, whereby particles are trapped in such a way that they are not removed even when the filter is cleaned. In addition, these materials may deteriorate over time, reducing the possibility of repeatedly cleaning the filter. In addition, the deformable nature of the common materials from which filters are made results in the size of the perforations in the filter being unstable, thereby allowing particles larger or smaller than desired to pass through the filter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition to other objectives, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter device in which at least one of the above-mentioned problems is at least partially mitigated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This objective is achieved, among other objectives, by the filter device described in claim 1. More specifically, this objective is achieved, among other objectives, by a filter device including a liquid inlet side and a filtrate outlet side, wherein the filter device includes a plurality of lamellae, the lamellae being movable between a filtering position where adjacent lamellae extend a filtering distance to define a filtering surface and a flushing position where adjacent lamellae extend a distance greater than the filtering distance. By providing a filter device in which a filtering surface is defined by a plurality of lamellae at least in the filtering position, a robust filter is provided that can also be efficiently flushed.

[0006] At the filtering position, the lamellae extend in close proximity to each other with a non-zero filtering distance. The filtering distance defines the coarseness of the filter. Preferably, the filtering distance is at most the size of the smallest particles to be filtered from the liquid. Thus, only particles smaller than the filtering distance can pass through the filtering surface at the filtering position of the lamellae, while larger particles are blocked. The filtering distance can be set between 0.6 mm and 0.1 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.15 mm, and more preferably, the filtering distance is about 0.2 mm.

[0007] When moving the lamellae to the flushing position, any clogging material can be washed away by moving the lamellae to a distance greater than the filtering distance. Preferably, flushing is performed by inducing a liquid flow from the filtrate outlet side to the inlet side, i.e., in the opposite direction to the normal filtering direction, so that clogging particles can be washed away.

[0008] The lamellae are preferably made from a rigid and / or robust material such as metal or plastic. A robust filter device is thus obtained. Preferably, the lamellae include (stainless steel) lamellae.

[0009] As used herein, the term “lamellae” should be interpreted as a strip-like material. Preferably, the lamellae has a length that is, for example, more than twice its width, and preferably more than five times its width. The height of the lamellae is substantially less than its height or width.

[0010] For example, by using translational motion to move lamellae relative to each other, lamellae can be moved between filtering and flushing positions. To move two adjacent lamellae between these positions, these lamellae can be moved closer together or further apart.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the lamellae is movable between a filtering position and a flushing position by rotating the lamellae, preferably about an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the lamellae. The distance between adjacent lamellae is efficiently increased in this case. More preferably, the lamellae is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the long edge of the lamellae, and more preferably the axis of rotation extends on or near the long edge of the lamellae. In this case, the lamellae can be efficiently moved between the filtering position and the flushing position.

[0012] More preferably, the lamella is rotatable from a flushing position to a filtering position in a direction having a component in the inlet-to-outlet direction, for example, about an axis of rotation on or near its edge. The flow of liquid in the inlet-to-outlet direction thus moves the lamella to the filtering position. Preferably, the filtering device includes a stop or spacer to restrict the movement of the lamella in the filtering position. The fluid flow from inlet to outlet then biases the lamella onto the stop at the filtering position. The fluid flow from the opposite direction, and therefore from outlet to inlet, can then move the lamella from filtering to the flushing position. Generally, the lamella is rotated toward the liquid inlet side in order to move it toward the flushing position.

[0013] The lamellae can be actively moved, for example, by a rotary motor, but preferably the lamellae is freely pivotable or rotatable, and is moved between filtering and flushing positions by changing the direction of flow through the filtering surface.

[0014] To maintain the lamellae at the filtering distance, the filtering device preferably includes spacers that keep the lamellae at a filtering distance from each other, providing filtering openings on the filtering surface. The filter and spacers can be arranged so that the lamellae press against the spacers as the liquid flows from the inlet to the outlet. When the liquid is supplied from the inlet side, the lamellae then extend at the filtering distance.

[0015] At the filtering position, if adjacent lamellae partially overlap, an efficient filtering surface can be obtained. In particular, when combined with the rotating lamellae described above, the first lamella rotates toward the second lamellae to move toward the filtering position, and the first lamellae partially overlaps with the second lamellae. The flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet pushes the first lamellae toward the second lamellae.

[0016] Preferably, spacers are provided to maintain the filtering distance of partially overlapping lamellae at the filtering position. In this case, a filtering opening or gap is defined between the two overlapping portions of the lamellae. Spacers can be formed on the lamellae to maintain their relative distance.

[0017] According to one preferred embodiment, the spacer includes a recess in the lamellar having a depth corresponding to or defining the filtering distance. Thus, no additional parts are required. The recess is preferably formed by deforming the surface of the lamellar by pressing or machining, or by other means.

[0018] Preferably, the recess has a portion that is offset from the surface of the lamellar. The space between the offset portion and the overlapping surface of the lamellar can then define the filtering gap. More preferably, the offset portion is substantially planar. The filtering gap is then preferably substantially slot-shaped. In this case, the filtering distance can be efficiently set while increasing the flow rate through the filtering gap, compared to, for example, a tubular or circular filtering gap.

[0019] Preferably, the lamella has a first edge having at least one recess, preferably a plurality of recesses, and a second, opposing edge having a substantially flat or at least smooth surface without recesses. The first edge of the first lamella then overlaps with the second edge of the second lamella at the filtering position.

[0020] The filtering device can have a substantially planar configuration, at least at the filtering position. Preferably, the lamellae are rotatable to move one edge of the lamellae from and toward the plane in order to move between the flushing and filtering positions.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and at the filtering position, the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical. Such a configuration can be effectively incorporated into a filtering system, such as a cyclone filter as described in more detail below. The lamella is preferably rotatable between a filtering position where the lamella extends substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and a flushing position where the lamella rotates in a radially outward or inward direction depending on the orientation of the inlet and outlet sides.

[0022] Preferably, the liquid inlet side is arranged outside the cylindrical filtering surface, and the liquid outlet side is arranged radially inward with respect to the cylindrical filtering surface. The filtered liquid thus flows inside the cylindrical filtering device.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the filtering device includes two end faces or end plates, and a plurality of lamella extend between the end faces to form a cylindrical surface at the filtering position. The lamella thereby closes the cylindrical filtering device by forming a cylindrical filtering surface, at least at the filtering position. Preferably, an outlet is provided in at least one of the two end faces. The end faces establish a flow path, and fluid, more specifically liquid, flows from the outside of the volume surrounded by the filtering surface and the end faces to the inside of this volume. The filtered liquid exits the filtering device through the outlet. Alternatively, an inlet for unfiltered liquid is provided in at least one of the end faces.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment further includes a plurality of rotating shafts extending between the two end faces, and the lamella are configured to rotate about the rotating shafts.

[0025] Preferably, the lamella is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft, for example by folding a part of the lamella around the rotating shaft. Alternatively, pins can be mounted on the lamella, and these are mounted in corresponding holes in the end faces. Preferably, the end faces and the rotating shaft form a cage-like structure.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, the filtering device further includes a flushing device configured to direct the flow of the flushing fluid from the filtrate outlet side towards the lamella. As described above, the outlet can be used for this purpose by reversing the flow of the liquid, but it is preferred to provide a dedicated flushing device or inlet. At this time, the liquid can be provided through the device or inlet without requiring connection to the fluid outlet containing the filtrate. Preferably, the flushing device includes one or more nozzles for directing the flow of the fluid. Preferably, the flushing fluid flows through the flushing device from one or more nozzles.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the flushing device is movable relative to the filtering surface, preferably movable along the filtering surface. Thereby, while washing away any adhering particles, it becomes possible to move the lamella from the filtering position to the flushing position. By moving the flushing device, one or more nozzles can move a plurality of lamella. Preferably, the lamella can be moved from the filtering position to the flushing position by the liquid supplied from the flushing device. Preferably, the lamella moves from the filtering position to the flushing position by the pressure generated by the fluid flowing from the flushing device towards the lamella. Preferably, any particles adhering to the lamella are removed by the flow of the fluid from one or more flushing nozzles. Preferably, when the filtering surface is cylindrical, the flushing device is rotatably arranged within the cylindrical filtering device.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, one or more flushing nozzles are oriented in one or more directions having a component perpendicular to the radial direction of the cylindrical filtering surface. In other words, the flushing device includes one or more nozzles oriented at an acute angle to the radius emanating from the centerline of the cylinder enclosed by the lamellae. If the nozzles are rotatably positioned within the cylindrical filtering surface, the obliquely oriented nozzles induce rotation, thereby moving the nozzles along the filtering surface.

[0029] The filtering device preferably includes a flushing inlet coupled to a flushing device, the flushing inlet being located on at least one of two end faces. The flushing fluid preferably enters the flushing device through the flushing inlet and exits the flushing device through one or more nozzles. The flushing inlet may be located on the central axis of a cylindrical filtering surface. The flushing device may include a hollow member rotatably positioned around the central axis. The hollow member may include nozzles for guiding the fluid from the flushing inlet toward the filtering surface, thereby removing any adhering particles, and preferably moving the lamellae from the filtering position to the flushing position. When the nozzles are oriented so as to have a component perpendicular to the radial direction, the freely rotatable flushing device will rotate automatically when supplying the fluid.

[0030] Another embodiment relates to a cyclone filter for removing particles from a liquid, the cyclone filter comprising a fluid chamber and a liquid inlet, a filtrate outlet, and a particle outlet, respectively coupled to the fluid chamber. The cyclone filter more preferably includes a flow induction mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis within the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber preferably comprises the filtering device described in any of the embodiments described above. Centrifugal force introduced by the rotational motion of the liquid pushes particles denser than the liquid outwards from the cyclone filter. The liquid, including any residual particles, then flows through the filtering surface of the lamellar filtering device according to any of the previous embodiments, thereby capturing any particles larger than the filtering gap on the filtering surface and thereby removing them from the liquid.

[0031] The particle outlet is preferably positioned radially outward with respect to the vortex axis induced by the flow induction mechanism. This pushes particles, such as dirt, toward the particle outlet. This results in an efficient filtering process that is independent of the overall orientation of the filter apparatus, i.e., independent of the direction of gravity. In this context, the location of the outlet refers to the point where the outlet enters or connects to the fluid chamber.

[0032] A suitable cyclone filter is described in Patent Document 1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the cyclone filter, valve means for opening and closing the inlets and outlets are further provided at all fluid inlets and outlets.

[0034] The filtering surface of the filtering device is preferably cylindrical as described above, and the liquid inlet side is positioned radially outward from the cylindrical filtering surface. Preferably, a vortex is provided on the liquid inlet side of the cylindrical filtering device. The filtrate outlet side of the cylindrical filtering device is positioned radially inward and corresponds to the filtrate outlet of the cyclone filter. The cyclone filter preferably includes a flushing fluid inlet, which is preferably connected to a flushing fluid inlet in a lamellar filter, and preferably further connected to a flushing device.

[0035] Preferably, the lamellar filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and in the filtering position, the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface, and the lamellae are rotatable from the filtering position to the flushing position in the opposite direction to the vortex flow in the fluid chamber. Due to this orientation, the lamellae are held in the filtering position by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generated by the fluid flow. At this time, the lamellae can be moved to the flushing position by a fluid flow from within the cylindrical filtering surface, for example, using a nozzle device as described above. The attached particles can then be washed away and discharged through the particle outlet as described above.

[0036] Another embodiment relates to a method for filtering a liquid using the filtering device described above, which includes inducing a flow of liquid from the liquid inlet side to the filtered liquid outlet side. Preferably, the liquid flows through the filtering surface, thereby capturing any particles larger than the filtering gap within the filtering surface, and thereby removing these particles from the liquid. Preferably, the lamellae are held in the filtering position by the fluid flowing from the inlet side to the outlet side of the filtering device.

[0037] A method for flushing the filtering device as described above preferably includes the step of moving the lamellae from a filtering position where adjacent lamellae extend over a filtering distance to define the filtering surface to a flushing position where adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance. A more preferably, this method includes the step of inducing a flow of liquid from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side.

[0038] In the method for flushing the filtering device as described above, the step of moving the lamellae from the filtering position to the flushing position preferably further includes inducing a flow of liquid from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side using the flushing device.

[0039] A method for flushing a cylindrical filtering device as described above, wherein at the filtering position the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical, and the lamellae are rotatable between a filtering position in which the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and a flushing position in which the lamellae rotate in a radially outward direction, preferably comprising the step of flushing the filtering device, further comprising the step of rotating the flushing device.

[0040] The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the filter and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] This shows a cyclone filter device. [Figure 2] The cyclone filter system shown in Figure 1 is further illustrated in detail along with the lamellar filter and flushing device. [Figure 3] An example of a flow guidance mechanism is shown. [Figure 4] The operating principle of the filter device is outlined below. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along arrow V in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along arrow VI in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This shows the details of the nozzle component of the lamellar filter. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the lamellar filter located at the filtering position. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the lamellar filter located in the flashing position. [Figure 10A] This is a cross-sectional view of the lamellar filter at the filtering position along line XA in Figure 8. [Figure 10B] This is a cross-sectional view of the lamellar filter at the flashing position along line XB in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the cyclone filter device 1, which is equipped with a lamellar filter device 6 that is most clearly visible in Figure 2. The cyclone filter 1 itself corresponds to a filter such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, and its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] Filter 1 includes an inlet 2 for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet 3 for the filtered liquid. An additional outlet 4 is provided for discharging the particles filtered from the liquid. An additional outlet 18 is provided for discharging (larger) particles blocked by the inlet sieve 7 (most commonly seen in Figure 9). Inlets 19 and 652 are provided to allow the inflow of fluid to wash away the inlet sieve 7 and the lamellar filter 6, respectively. The body 10 of the cyclone filter includes housing components 101, 11, and 12 connected by screws 13. In addition to the inlets and outlets 2, 3, 4, 18, 19, and 652, screw threads 21, 31, 41, 181, 191, and 6521 are provided, respectively.

[0044] Referring also to Figures 5 and 6, the body of the cyclone filter 1 encloses a volume 14 which is divided by wall members 5 into an inlet chamber 15 and a vortex chamber (or fluid chamber) 16. The inlet chamber 15 further includes an inlet sieve 7, which serves to prevent particles larger than a certain size from flowing further into the cyclone filter. The inlet chamber 15 functions as a buffer for the liquid. The sieve 7 can be washed away by introducing liquid from the inlet 19, thereby removing any attached particles. The liquid containing the removed particles can be discharged through the outlet 18.

[0045] In the wall member 5, openings 51 forming the nozzle 54 are provided at equal intervals in a circular shape. The nozzle 54 has an opening 52 oriented tangentially around the central axis A1 of the vortex chamber 16. For example, liquid entering the inlet chamber 15, indicated by arrow A in Figure 8, flows into the opening 51, exits the nozzle 54 through the opening 52, and enters the fluid chamber 16. A vortex, indicated by arrow B in Figure 4, is thus created within the fluid chamber 16. The wall member 5, with its openings 51 and 52, is thus configured to induce a liquid vortex within the vortex chamber 16.

[0046] The fluid rotates around the vortex axis, which coincides with the central axis A1 of the fluid chamber 16. The particle outlet 4 is located perpendicular to and away from the vortex axis A1 (see, for example, Figure 4). Through centrifugal force, the particles are pushed out from the vortex axis A1 toward the inner wall 16a of the fluid chamber 16. This is schematically shown by arrow F in Figure 4. The outlet 4 is located on this inner wall 16a, and at least the outlet 4 exits into the fluid chamber 16 at the inner wall 16a. As the particles move outward, the liquid moves inward, as shown by arrow C, and can flow into the filtered fluid outlet 3 through the lamellar filter 6. The lamellar filter 6 is provided to ensure that no particles larger than a certain size remain in the liquid flowing into the outlet 3. The lamellar filter 6 is located between the lower wall 16b of the fluid chamber 16 and the lower wall 5b of the wall member 5 (see Figure 6). The outlet 3 is located inside the cylindrical lamellar filter 6.

[0047] Figures 7 to 10 show the lamellar filter 6 in more detail. The lamellar filter 6 includes multiple lamellae 61 rotatably connected to a shaft 64. The shaft 64 is mounted between two end plates 66. One of the end plates 66 is provided with an outlet 67 connected to an outlet 3, allowing the filtrate to flow out. The lamellae 61 can be positioned in a closed (filtering) position, as seen in Figures 7, 8, and 10a, and in an open (flushing) position, as seen in Figures 9 and 10b. In the filtering position, the lamellae 61 overlap to form a filtering surface 60. Spacers 63 create multiple filtering gaps 62 (see detail in Figure 8). The fluid flows through the filtering gaps 62, thereby capturing any particles larger than the filtering gaps 62.

[0048] The lamellar 61 includes a first edge region 61a and a second, opposing edge region 61b, with a spacer 63 provided in the second edge region 61b. The filtering gap 62 is provided by press-forming a recess 63. The distance between the offset surface 62a and the bottom surface 62b of the lamellar 61 then defines the filtering distance d. A filtering gap 62 with a filtering distance d is provided because the second edge region 61b abuts against or overlaps with the first edge region 61a. The offset surface 62a is substantially planar, so that the filtering gap 62 is slot-shaped. Instead of press-forming the recess 63 to form the gap 62 between them, it is also possible to extrude the surface 62a against the bottom surface 62b.

[0049] A flushing device 65 can be provided inside the lamellar filter 6. The flushing device 65 is rotatably mounted between the end plates 66 and can rotate around an axis coinciding with axis A1. The flushing device 65 includes an internal volume 654 that forms a flow path for flushing fluid from the flushing device inlet 655 (see Figure 5) to the flushing nozzle 651 (see detail in Figure 7). The flushing device inlet 655 is located on the rotation axis A1. A flushing fluid flow path 653 connecting the flushing inlet 652 to the flushing device inlet 655 is provided in the cyclone filter device body 1 (see Figure 5). The nozzle 651 is oriented at an acute angle to the radius emanating from axis A1. As a result, the fluid flowing out of the nozzle 651 generates a hydraulic component perpendicular to axis A1 and tangential to a circle centered on axis A1, which can induce rotational motion of the flushing device 65 in direction R (see Figure 10B).

[0050] The lamellae 61 is movable between the filtering position (Figure 10A) and the flushing position (10B) by rotating the lamellae 61 outward, as indicated by arrow 100 for one lamellae 61 in Figure 10A. The lamellae 61 is rotatable about a rotation axis 64a, which is in the form of an axis 64, parallel to the surface of the lamellae 61. The rotation axis 64a extends near the long edge of the lamellae 61.

[0051] Movement toward the flushing position, as shown in Figure 10B, is achieved by providing fluid flow from the outlet side 66 to the inlet side 69, or by providing a pressure difference between them. This can be achieved by the flushing device 65 as described above, and / or by reversing the direction of fluid flow in the lamellar filter 6.

[0052] Returning the lamellar filter 6 to the filtering position shown in Figure 10A can be achieved by providing fluid flow from the inlet side 69 to the outlet side 68. The lamellae 61 will rotate back until further movement is prevented by the first lamella abutting against the second lamellae. This is seen in detail in Figure 8. The second edge region 61b then abuts against the first edge region 61a, which is coupled to the axis 64. Further inward rotation is thus prevented.

[0053] During normal operation, a fluid containing suspended particles flows into the inlet 2, is filtered by the cyclone filter and the lamellar filter 6, and the filtered fluid then flows out from the outlet 3. The particles accumulate at least on the inlet sieve 7, near the vortex chamber wall 16a, and on the filtering surface 60 of the lamellar filter 6. Means are provided to remove the particles from each of these three areas.

[0054] To remove particles from the inlet sieve 7, the outlet 18 can be opened as described above, and the outlet 3 can be optionally closed. This allows the fluid flowing into the inlet chamber 15 through inlet 2 in direction A to entrain particles trapped in the inlet chamber 15 and on the inlet sieve 7, and wash them out from outlet 18 in direction K. Optionally, a fluid can also be induced to flow into the inlet chamber 15 through inlet 19 in direction H. This fluid then entrains any particles trapped in the inlet chamber 15 and on the inlet sieve 7. The entrained particles are then washed out of the inlet chamber 15 through outlet 18.

[0055] To remove particles from the vortex chamber 16, outlet 4 can be opened, and outlet 3 can be optionally closed. This allows the fluid flowing into the vortex chamber from inlet 2 to entrain any particles accumulated on the vortex chamber wall 16a and on the vortex chamber 16, and to wash these particles out of the cyclone filter in direction D through outlet 4.

[0056] The particles accumulated in filter 6 can first be flushed out by closing inlets 2 and 19 and outlets 3 and 18, if they are open. Next, inlet 652 and outlet 4 are opened if they are closed. The flushing fluid flowing through inlet 652, flushing device 65, and nozzle 651 generates water pressure, which causes flushing device 65 to rotate and push open the lamellae 61 (see Figure 9). The flushing fluid then flushes out all particles from the lamellae 61 and exits the cyclone filter in direction D through outlet 4. Once flushing is complete, inlet 652 is closed. Inlet 2 is opened to resume normal operation of the cyclone filter. The water pressure generated by the fluid flowing through the open lamellae 61 pushes the lamellae back into the filtering position. The fluid exits from outlet 4 in direction D. Once the lamellae are closed, outlet 3 is opened and outlet 4 is closed. The cyclone filter will now function correctly, and the fluid will flow into the cyclone filter through inlet 2 and then through the filtering gap 63 between the lamellae 61. The filtered fluid will then flow out from outlet 3.

[0057] Under normal operation, inlets 19 and 652 and outlets 4 and 18 are closed. As part of one of the three flushing operations described above, outlet 3 can be closed to increase the fluid pressure in the fluid chamber, thereby improving the efficiency of the flushing operation.

[0058] The present invention will be further described with reference to the following preferred embodiments.

[0059] 1. A filtering device for removing particles from a liquid, comprising a liquid inlet side and a filtrate outlet side, wherein the filtering device includes a plurality of lamellae, and the lamellae are movable between a filtering position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a filtering distance to define a filtering surface and a flushing position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance.

[0060] 2. The filtering apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the lamellae are rotatable between a filtering position and a flushing position.

[0061] 3. A filtering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein adjacent lamellae partially overlap at the filtering position.

[0062] 4. The filtering device according to Embodiment 3, wherein spacers are provided on the lamellae to maintain the filtering distance for lamellae that partially overlap at the filtering position.

[0063] 5. The filtering apparatus according to Embodiment 4, wherein the spacer includes a recess in the lamellar having a depth corresponding to the filtering distance, and the recess is formed by deforming the surface of the lamellar by pressing or machining.

[0064] 6. The filtering device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and at the filtering position, the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical.

[0065] 7. The filtering apparatus according to at least embodiments 2 and 6, wherein the lamellae are rotatable between a filtering position in which the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and a flushing position in which the lamellae rotate in a radially outward direction.

[0066] 8. The filtering device according to Embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the filtering device includes two end faces, a plurality of lamellae extending between the end faces to form a cylindrical surface at the filtering position, and an outlet is provided at least one of the two end faces.

[0067] 9. The filtering apparatus according to Embodiment 8, further comprising a plurality of rotation axes extending between two end faces, wherein the lamellae are configured to rotate about the rotation axes.

[0068] 10. A filtering apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a flushing device including one or more nozzles configured to guide the flow of fluid from the filtrate outlet side toward the lamellae.

[0069] 11. A filtering apparatus according to at least embodiments 6 and 10, wherein the flushing device is rotatably disposed within a cylindrical filtering device.

[0070] 12. The filtering apparatus according to Embodiment 11, wherein one or more flushing nozzles are oriented in a direction having a component perpendicular to the radial direction of the cylindrical filtering apparatus.

[0071] 13. A filtering device according to at least embodiments 8 and 12, wherein the filtering device includes a flushing inlet coupled to a flushing device, the flushing inlet being provided on at least one of two end faces.

[0072] 14. A cyclone filter for removing particles from a liquid, the cyclone filter comprising a fluid chamber and a liquid inlet, a filtrate outlet, and a particle outlet, respectively coupled to the fluid chamber, the cyclone filter further comprising a flow induction mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis within the fluid chamber, the fluid chamber comprising a filtering device as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0073] 15. The cyclone filter according to Embodiment 14, wherein the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and in the filtering position, the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface, and the lamellae are rotatable from the filtering position to the flushing position in the opposite direction to the vortex flow in the fluid chamber.

[0074] 16. A method for filtering a liquid using a filtering apparatus described in any of the above embodiments 1 to 13, comprising inducing a flow of liquid from the liquid inlet side to the filtrate outlet side.

[0075] 17. A step of moving a lamellar from a filtering position where adjacent lamellae extend over a filtering distance to define a filtering surface, to a flushing position where adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance, A step to induce liquid flow from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side, A method for rinsing a filtering device according to any of the above embodiments 1 to 13, including the above.

[0076] 18. The method according to Embodiment 17, wherein the step of moving the lamellae from the filtering position to the flushing position includes inducing a liquid flow from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side using a flushing device described in any of Embodiments 10 to 13.

[0077] 19. The filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and in the filtering position, the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical, and the lamellae are rotatable between a filtering position in which the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and a flushing position in which the lamellae rotate in a radially outward direction, the method further comprising the step of rotating the flushing device, the method according to Embodiment 18.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments listed or illustrated, but also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Cyclone filter device 10. Cyclone filter body 101, 11, 12 Housing parts 13 screws 14 volume 15 Entrance Chamber 16 Vortex Chamber 16a Inner wall 18 Additional exits 19 Entrance 2. Inlet for liquid to be filtered 21, 31, 41, 181, 191, 6521 screw threads 3. Outlet for filtered liquid 4 outlet for particles 5 Wall components 52 Aperture 54 nozzles 6 Lamella filter 60 filtering surfaces 61 Lamella 61a First edge region 61b Second edge region 62 Filtering Gap 62a Offset surface 62b Bottom surface 63 Spacers 64 axes 64a Rotation axis 65 Flushing device 651 Flushing Nozzle 652 Flushing entrance 653 Flushing fluid channel 654 Internal volume 655 Flushing device inlet 66 End plate 67 Exit 68 Exit side 69 Entrance side 7. Entrance sieve

Claims

1. A filtering device for removing particles from a liquid, the filtering device including a liquid inlet side and a filtrate outlet side, wherein the filtering device includes a plurality of lamellae, and the lamellae are movable between a filtering position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a filtering distance to define a filtering surface and a flushing position in which adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance.

2. The filtering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adjacent lamellae partially overlap at the filtering position.

3. The filtering device according to claim 2, wherein a spacer is provided on the lamellae to maintain the partially overlapping lamellae at the filtering position at the filtering distance.

4. The filtering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the spacer includes a recess in the lamellar having a depth corresponding to the filtering distance, and the recess is formed by deforming the surface of the lamellar by pressing or machining.

5. The filtering device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and at the filtering position, the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical.

6. The filtering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lamella is rotatable between the filtering position in which the lamella extends substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and the flushing position in which the lamella rotates in a radially outward direction.

7. The filtering device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the filtering device includes two end faces, the plurality of lamellae extend between the end faces to form the cylindrical surface at the filtering position, and an outlet is provided at least one of the two end faces.

8. The filtering device according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of rotating shafts extending between the two end faces, wherein the lamellae are configured to rotate about the rotating shafts.

9. The filtering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a flushing device including one or more nozzles configured to guide the flow of fluid from the filtrate outlet side toward the lamella.

10. The filtering device according to claim 9, as referenced to claim 5, wherein the flushing device is rotatably arranged within the cylindrical filtering device.

11. The filtering apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one or more flushing nozzles are oriented in a direction having a component perpendicular to the radial direction of the cylindrical filtering apparatus.

12. The filtering device according to claim 11, as referenced to claim 7, wherein the filtering device includes a flushing inlet coupled to the flushing device, and the flushing inlet is provided on at least one of the two end faces.

13. A cyclone filter for removing particles from a liquid, the cyclone filter comprising a fluid chamber and a liquid inlet, a filtrate outlet, and a particle outlet, each coupled to the fluid chamber, the cyclone filter further comprising a flow induction mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis within the fluid chamber, the fluid chamber comprising the filtering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The cyclone filter according to claim 13, wherein the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface at the filtering position, and the lamellae are rotatable from the filtering position to the flushing position in a direction opposite to the vortex flow in the fluid chamber.

15. A method for filtering a liquid using a filtering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the step of inducing a flow of liquid from the liquid inlet side to the filtered liquid outlet side.

16. A step of moving the lamella from the filtering position, where adjacent lamellae extend over the filtering distance to define the filtering surface, to the flushing position, where adjacent lamellae extend over a distance greater than the filtering distance; A step of inducing a liquid flow from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side, A method for rinsing a filtering device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, including the following:

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of moving the lamellae from the filtering position to the flushing position includes the step of inducing the flow of the liquid from the filtrate outlet side to the liquid inlet side using a flushing device according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the filtering device is substantially cylindrical, and at the filtering position, the filtering surface is substantially cylindrical, and the lamellae are rotatable between the filtering position in which the lamellae extend substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface and the flushing position in which the lamellae rotate in a radially outward direction, and the method further includes the step of rotating the flushing device.

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