Water filtration system

Abstract

To provide an improved portable filtration system.SOLUTION: A particle filtration system includes first, second and third filter segments that include respective pluralities of first, second and third filters. Each of the first, second and third filters includes a fibrous layer sandwiched between a pair of surface or outer layers. The range of pore sizes of each of the first, second and third filters varies according to the density of the surface layers relative to the fibrous layers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62936111, filed on November 15, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62948784, filed on December 16, 2019, and U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 16735615, filed on January 6, 2020, and these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to a filtering device, and more particularly to a water filtration system for drinking water and other liquids.

Background Art

[0003] In developing countries, about 80% of diseases are related to poor water and sanitation environments. One in five deaths among children under five years old worldwide is due to water - related diseases.

[0004] Clean and safe water is essential for a healthy life, but clean drinking water remains difficult to access for many people in countries with lower per - capita income levels and less industrialization compared to developed countries.

[0005] Water pollution can include physical, chemical, and biological contaminants such as turbidity, metals, organic substances, and bacteria. Various techniques, including physical treatment to remove contaminants by filtration, coagulation, and flocculation, and disinfection treatment such as chlorination, are used to remove contaminants.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 16 - 18, a conventional sediment filter is composed of perforations of the same or similar pore sizes in a planar structure. When multiple filters are stacked, the flow of debris is as per the pore size. The flow through the filter is generally linear from the filter surface facing the inlet to the filter surface facing the outlet until it exits. When the pores are blocked by sediment, the flow rate decreases.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Various types of portable filter systems are available for purifying drinking water. However, some small systems may have limited performance or filtration life, and may also be fragile and / or expensive. Therefore, there is a demand for improved portable filtration systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one comprehensive embodiment, the filter assembly includes an inlet end, a sediment filter having a sediment filter surface facing the inlet end, and a plurality of generally cylindrical filters. The sediment filter surface is perpendicular to each surface of the generally cylindrical filters.

[0009] The embodiment may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sediment filter may include a generally circular disk, and the surface of the sediment filter may include a plane whose boundary is defined by a circle. Another feature is that multiple cylindrical filters may be arranged within a concentric ring.

[0010] The first and second channels can fluidly connect the sediment filter to a plurality of cylindrical filters. The first channel may have a central axis perpendicular to the central axis of the plurality of cylindrical filters. The central axis of the second channel may be oriented along the length of the plurality of cylindrical filters.

[0011] At least one of the multiple cylindrical filters may include an annular ring of activated carbon. The multiple cylindrical filters may also include a plurality of ribbed medium filters configured as concentric rings.

[0012] The discharge pipe at the center of the concentric ring may include a wall that changes the water flow from a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pleated media filter to a direction parallel to the central axis of the pleated media filter. The discharge pipe wall can then exit the filter assembly through the outlet by changing the water flow in the opposite direction parallel to the central axis of the pleated media filter.

[0013] In another comprehensive embodiment, the filter assembly includes an inlet end and a sediment filter having a sediment filter surface facing the inlet end. The sediment filter includes a generally circular disk, a plurality of cylindrical filters in the form of a concentric ring, a flow path for fluid connection of the sediment filter to the plurality of cylindrical filters, and a discharge pipe at the center of the concentric ring. The discharge pipe includes walls that change the water flow from a direction perpendicular to the central axes of the plurality of cylindrical filters to a direction parallel to the central axes of the plurality of cylindrical filters toward the sediment filter, and then in the opposite direction toward the sediment filter, until it reaches the outlet at the end of the discharge pipe.

[0014] The embodiment may include one or more of the features described above or below. For example, the sediment filter surface may be orthogonal to the surface of each cylindrical filter of a plurality of cylindrical filters.

[0015] Multiple cylindrical filters include an annular ring of activated carbon and / or ion exchange resin, and multiple corrugated medium filters configured as concentric rings inside the activated carbon ring.

[0016] In yet another comprehensive embodiment, the filter assembly includes a circular intake cover for receiving the flow of water from a container; a cylindrical wall attached to the circular intake cover; a circular wall with internal ports within the cylindrical wall that divides the volume within the cylindrical wall into a sediment filter chamber and a cylindrical filter chamber; a sediment filter within the sediment filter chamber; a plurality of cylindrical filters in the form of concentric rings within the cylindrical filter chamber; a cover wall within the cylindrical filter chamber that changes the flow of water from the sediment filter to a lateral direction toward the outside of the concentric rings; and a circular discharge pipe inside the concentric rings of the plurality of cylindrical filters that changes the direction of the water flow upward toward the sediment filter and then downward again toward the outlet chamber through the discharge port. Embodiments may include one or more of the above features.

[0017] In a more comprehensive embodiment, the filter system includes first, second, and third filters having overlapping ranges of pore sizes. Each of the first, second, and third filters includes a fiber layer having first and second filter surfaces, and a pair of surface layers flanking the first and second filter surfaces of the fiber layer. The surface layers have a higher density than the fiber layer. Each surface layer of the first, second, and third filters has first, second, and third ranges of pore sizes, respectively. The second range of pore sizes overlaps with the first range of pore sizes, but smaller than the third range of pore sizes.

[0018] The embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the fiber layers and surface layers of the first, second, and third filters may include edges that are integrally bonded. In another embodiment, the surfaces of the fiber layer and the surface layer are integrally bonded.

[0019] The fiber layers of the first, second, and third filters may include a web of intertwined fibers configured as a three-dimensional layer, which may have a thickness significantly greater than the thickness of a pair of surface layers.

[0020] The fiber layers of the first, second, and third filters may include polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and / or polyethylene terephthalate. The fiber layers may also include a highly intertwined fiber structure and / or a crystalline structure such as pseudoboehmite.

[0021] The pore size range of the second filter can be made smaller than that of the first filter by adding an additional surface layer to the second filter, and the pore size range of the third filter can be made smaller than that of the second filter by adding an additional surface layer to the third filter.

[0022] In another comprehensive embodiment, the sediment filter system comprises a series of segmented layers, each having a fibrous layer sandwiched between outer layers, where each segmented layer contains the material constituting the fibrous layer in a different ratio to the material constituting the outer layer. The fibrous layer has a lower density than the outer layer, and segmented layers with a higher composition outer layer have a reduced range of pore sizes by including an additional sheet of outer layer.

[0023] The embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, a series of segment layers may include a first segment layer having a composition of 50-95% fiber layer and 5-50% outer layer, a second segment layer having a composition of 40-85% fiber layer and 15-60% outer layer, and a third segment layer having a composition of 0-75% fiber layer and 25-100% outer layer.

[0024] The series of segment layers may include a first segment layer having a composition of 75% PET and 25% PP, a second segment layer having a composition of 55% PET and 45% PP, a third segment layer having a composition of 25% PET and 75% PP, and a fourth segment layer having a composition of 100% PP.

[0025] The outer layer may include polypropylene (PP), and the fiber layer may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The low-density fiber layer can be configured as a three-dimensional structure that allows dust particles to move through the fiber layer in a circumferential direction. The circumferential path of the dust particles through the fiber layer can increase the dust particle storage capacity of the fiber layer. In one general aspect, a water purification system includes a storage container having an inlet and a sediment outlet, the storage container defining an internal volume with a fluid path between the inlet and the sediment outlet, a filter housing including a cylindrical filter wall having an inlet end and an outlet end, a sediment filter disposed within the inlet end and having a sediment filter surface facing the inlet end, a plurality of cylindrical filters proximate the outlet end, and a threaded cap surrounding the outlet end of the cylindrical filter wall and configured to receive a threaded collar in the storage container, wherein the sediment filter surface is substantially parallel to the fluid path between the inlet and the sediment outlet, each of the plurality of cylindrical filters has a cylindrical filter surface, the sediment filter surface is orthogonal to each of the cylindrical filter surfaces, and the threaded cap has an outlet fluidly connected to a volume inside the innermost cylindrical filter surface. At least a portion of the filter housing is disposed within the internal volume of the storage container.

[0026] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sediment filter may be a generally circular disk, and the cylindrical filters may include a plurality of filters as concentric rings.

[0027] A first flow path and a second flow path can fluidly connect the sediment filter to the plurality of cylindrical filters, the first flow path having a first central axis orthogonal to the cylindrical filter central axes of the plurality of cylindrical filters. A second central axis of the second flow path is parallel to the cylindrical filter central axis.

[0028] Multiple cylindrical filters may include an annular ring or annular ring filter having a first circular wall and a second circular wall installed between a first annular wall and a second annular wall. The annular ring is filled with adsorbent particles such as granular activated carbon, and the first and second circular walls are permeable to water but retain the granular activated carbon.

[0029] By installing a pair of partition walls between the first circular wall and the second circular wall, the space can be divided into first, second, and third flow paths. Between the first and second circular walls, and by attaching dividing walls to the first and second partition walls, the direction of the water flow can be changed from a first direction in the first flow path to a second direction in the second flow path and a third direction in the third flow path.

[0030] Projecting walls can be installed in the second channel to partially block it and create fluid turbulence in the second channel. For example, the projecting walls include a plurality of pairs of wedge-shaped or curved walls configured to generate a Z-shaped or S-shaped water flow in the second channel. The projecting walls may be installed on one or both of the first and second annular walls. In another embodiment, the projections may be wedge-shaped or icicle-shaped (stalactite and stalagmite) structures extending from the annular wall into the second channel.

[0031] Multiple cylindrical filters may include multiple pleated media filters arranged as concentric rings inside an annular ring. Another feature is that a discharge pipe is located at the center of the concentric ring, and the discharge pipe includes a wall that changes the water flow from a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pleated media filter to a direction parallel to the central axis of the pleated media filter.

[0032] The storage container may be a rectangular parallelepiped and / or may have substantially vertical walls with openings, and the filter housing is housed within these vertical walls. The vertical walls may be positioned so that the sediment filter surface is substantially parallel to the vertical walls, allowing non-buoyant particles to bypass the sediment filter.

[0033] In another comprehensive embodiment, a filter assembly for a fluid container includes a filter housing having a cylindrical filter wall with an inlet end and an outlet end, a sediment filter disposed within the inlet end having a sediment filter surface facing the inlet end and including a generally circular disc, and at least one cylindrical filter having an annular ring filter, the annular ring filter defining an internal volume at least partially filled with adsorbed particles, and having a first annular wall and a second annular wall that are impermeable to water, and the first The structure includes a first circular wall and a second circular wall, which are permeable but retain adsorbed particles, installed between the annular wall and the second annular wall; a partition wall installed between the first circular wall and the second circular wall to divide the internal volume into first and second flow channels; a dividing wall installed between the first circular wall and the second circular wall to change the direction of the water flow from a first direction in the first flow channel to a second direction in the second flow channel; and a plurality of protruding walls installed in the second flow channel to increase the turbulence of water in the second flow channel by partially obstructing the second flow channel.

[0034] The embodiment may include one or more of the features described above or the following features. For example, the protruding wall may include a plurality of pairs of walls configured to generate a Z-shaped or S-shaped water flow in the second flow path. The plurality of pairs may include paired curved surfaces. Each protruding wall may be installed on one or both of the first annular wall and the second annular wall.

[0035] Another feature is that the flow path may be fluidly connected to the sediment filter and at least one cylindrical filter, and the discharge pipe may be positioned at the center of the cylindrical filter. The discharge pipe may include walls that change the water flow from a direction perpendicular to the central axes of the multiple cylindrical filters, to a direction parallel to the central axes of the multiple cylindrical filters toward the sediment filter, and then in the opposite direction toward the sediment filter, until it reaches the outlet at the end of the discharge pipe.

[0036] A threaded cap may be configured to receive a threaded collar in the fluid container. The fluid container may have an inlet and a sediment outlet, and the fluid container includes an internal volume defining a first fluid path from the inlet to the sediment outlet and a second fluid path from the inlet end through the sediment filter, which is substantially perpendicular to the first fluid path, and the fluid container houses at least a portion of the filter housing.

[0037] Another feature is that the sediment filter surface may be perpendicular to each cylindrical filter surface of at least one cylindrical filter. The adsorbed particles may include granular activated carbon.

[0038] The cylindrical filter may include multiple corrugated medium filters configured as concentric rings inside an annular ring filter.

[0039] In yet another comprehensive embodiment, the annular ring filter includes a first annular wall and a second annular wall that are impermeable; a first circular wall and a second circular wall that are permeable, placed between the first annular wall and the second annular wall; a partition wall placed between the first circular wall and the second circular wall that divides the internal volume defined within the first and second annular walls and the first and second circular walls into first and second flow channels; a dividing wall installed between the first circular wall and the second circular wall to change the direction of the water flow from a first direction in the first flow channel to a second direction in the second flow channel; and a plurality of protruding walls installed in the second flow channel, the protruding walls increasing the turbulence of water in the second flow channel by partially obstructing the second flow channel, and the internal volume is filled at least in part with adsorbed particles.

[0040] The embodiments may include one or more of the features described above or the following features. For example, the adsorbent particles include granular activated carbon. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1-6] This shows a portable water filtration system using a methodology developed by ADD. [Figure 7]This shows a protective filter cage for a portable water filtration system. [Figures 8-9A-9B] A partial cross-sectional view of a portable water filtration system is shown. [Figure 10] This shows an exploded assembly diagram of a water purification filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view of the water purification filter assembly is shown. [Figure 12] This is an exploded assembly diagram of the concentric filter in a water purification filter assembly. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a water purification filter assembly. [Figure 14-15] These are perspective and cross-sectional views of the protective filter cage for the water purification filter assembly. [Figure 16] A cross-sectional view of a conventional filter is shown. [Figure 17-18] A surface view of a conventional filter is shown. [Figure 19-20] A surface view of a sediment filter according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 21-23] This shows the segment layer of the sediment filter. [Figure 24-25] Surface and cross-sectional views of the sediment filter are shown. [Figure 26-28] Surface views, cross-sectional views, and a diagram of the overall laminate structure of the sediment filter segments AA, A, B, C, and D are shown. [Figure 29-33] The diagrams show a cross-sectional view of segment layer AAA of the sediment filter, a surface view in the stacked state, a surface view of a single layer, a structural view, and a structural view of the stacked body. [Figure 34-36] The surface view, structural diagram, and laminate structure diagram of segment layer D are shown. [Figure 37-39] The surface view, structural diagram, and laminate structure diagram of segment layer E are shown. [Figure 40-42] The surface view, structural diagram, and laminate structure diagram of segment layer F are shown. [Figure 43-44] The entire laminated structure of segment layers AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, and F is shown, each having one bottom outlet and two bottom outlets, respectively. [Figure 45]This shows a single-layer structure diagram of one of the segment layers AA, A, B, C, and D. [Figure 46-48] Another embodiment of the filter of the present invention as a cylindrical filter is shown. [Figure 49] Another embodiment of the present invention's filter as a bug filter is shown. [Figure 50-54] Another embodiment, including an annular ring filter, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] Referring to Figures 1-6, the portable water filtration system 100 can be used in areas where a drinking water supply system is unavailable. The system 100 includes a handle 105, a filter assembly 110, and a container 115 that holds a certain volume of water. By pressurizing the container 115 using a pump 120, the water flow through the filter assembly 110 can be accelerated.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3, the container 115 has an inlet covered with a cap 125. The cap 125 is held in place by a retaining ring 130. A sediment outlet covered with an outlet cap 135 is located at the bottom of the container 115. An outlet hose 140 is attached to the outlet of the filter assembly 110.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, the pump 120 includes a squeezing spherical part 145, a pressure hose 150, and a valve actuated by a butterfly valve 155. This valve can seal the container 115 and maintain pressure.

[0045] Referring to Figures 7, 14, and 15, the protective cage 158 surrounds the filter assembly (not shown). The cage 158 includes a series of ribs that encircle the filter assembly. This protects the filter assembly from impacts, such as when container 100 is dropped.

[0046] Referring to Figure 8, the filter assembly 110 includes a carbon ring 160 and a series of corrugated filters 165 as a concentric ring. As will be described in more detail below, water flows from the outside to the inside of the concentric ring of the filter toward the outlet.

[0047] Referring to Figure 9A, the filter assembly 110 is placed within a threaded collar 165 that is attached to the container 110. The filter assembly 110 is secured within the container 110 by screwing a threaded cap 170 onto the threaded collar 165. A seal ring 175 or gasket is placed between the threaded cap and the lip 180 of the filter assembly 110, thereby tightening the filter assembly between the threaded collar 165 and the threaded cap 170 for a watertight seal. Referring to Figure 9B, the threaded cap is integrated with the filter assembly 110, so that the entire filter assembly 110 is screwed onto the collar by rotating the integrated cap.

[0048] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the filter assembly 110 includes a circular intake cover 185, a sediment filter 190, a generally cylindrical wall 195, an internal circular wall 200, and a cover wall 205 that covers the concentric filter. The circular intake cover 185 has a series of ribs and openings that allow water to flow from the container 115 into the filter assembly 110. The internal circular wall 200 divides the filter assembly into a sediment filter chamber 210 and a concentric ring filter chamber 215. The internal circular wall 200 has a series of ports for allowing water to flow from the sediment filter chamber 210 to the concentric ring filter chamber 215.

[0049] The generally cylindrical wall 195 may have straight or parallel sides and a circular or elliptical cross-section in its cylindrical shape or form. However, it may also have other rectangular shafts or notches.

[0050] The sediment filter 190 is positioned perpendicular to the height of the container 115. Therefore, heavy sediment falls directly to the sediment outlet without passing through the sediment filter 190, thus extending the lifespan of the sediment filter 190.

[0051] Referring to Figure 11, water flows from the container 115 through the intake cover 185 into the sediment filter chamber 210 in the direction indicated by arrow A. Subsequently, the water flows from the sediment filter chamber into the concentric ring filter chamber 215. The cover wall 205 covering the concentric filter is a rigid circular wall that redirects the water flow from downward to laterally toward the outside of the concentric ring filter chamber 215, as indicated by arrow B. The water then flows downward between the cylindrical wall 195 and the outer surface of the carbon ring 160 in the direction indicated by arrow C. The carbon ring 160 contains activated carbon and may be a composition of multiple materials, such as silver-embedded carbon. Other types of filter media, such as ion exchange resins or ion exchange polymers, may be used instead of or in addition to carbon.

[0052] The water flows from the outside to the inside through the carbon ring 190 in the direction of arrow D. Subsequently, the water flows through the partition wall 218 to the concentric ring of the waveform filter 165.

[0053] The embodiment shown in Figure 11 has a series of four waveform filters 220, 225, 230, and 235. The filters 220, 225, 230, and 235 are separated by partitions 240, 245, and 250.

[0054] As shown in Figure 12, each of the partitions 218, 240, 245, and 250 has a port or slot that allows water to flow toward the center of the concentric ring. A circular discharge pipe 255 is located at the center of the partitions 218, 240, 245, and 250. In other embodiments, additional partitions may be added, or partitions may not be used. One or more of the concentric filters 220, 225, 230, and 235 may be configured to remove suspended solids, microbiological materials, and / or chemicals.

[0055] Referring again to Figure 11, the circular discharge pipe 255 changes the direction of water flow, first upward toward the sediment filter 190, as indicated by arrow E, and then downward again toward the outlet chamber through the outlet 260. The water then flows downward toward the outlet 265 toward the container 100, as indicated by arrow F.

[0056] Referring to Figure 13, the spiral flow agitator 270 is positioned within the circular discharge pipe 255. The agitator 270 generates turbulence to increase contact between the water and the sterilizing medium in the discharge pipe 255. In another embodiment, the agitator may also contain the sterilizing medium.

[0057] Referring to Figures 19 and 20, the filter material is designed with a larger range of pore sizes than conventional filters. The range of pore sizes shown in Figure 19 is larger overall than that shown in Figure 20, although the ranges of pore sizes may overlap.

[0058] Figure 21 shows various filter medium segment layers that constitute a sediment filter. Generally, the range of pore sizes of the surface materials constituting each filter segment layer AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, F decreases progressively. In one embodiment, some of the segment layers AA, A, B, C, E, F consist of different amounts of the first surface material sandwiching a second filter material.

[0059] The range of pore sizes in the first surface material can be adjusted by adding or removing various layers of the filter material, such as a layer of melt-blown polypropylene (PP) web. The degree of fiber entanglement, fiber diameter, and density of this melt-blown web can also be used to vary the effective pore size of the PP. In another embodiment, spunbond cloth may be used in addition to or instead of PP, for example, when greater strength is required.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figure 21, the segment layers AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D each comprise four individual layers. In a different embodiment, the four individual layers may be bonded together at their surfaces to form a segment layer, or they may be stacked on top of each other without being bonded together, so that adjacent individual layers are in contact. In another embodiment, the surfaces of the individual layers are fixed to adjacent individual layers at dispersed locations, such as the center and edges of each layer.

[0061] Referring to Figures 22-23, the filter media segment layers AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, and F are stacked as a single unit. Each segment AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, and F is in contact with the adjacent segment layer, but the surfaces of the segment layers are not bonded together as a single unit.

[0062] Referring to Figure 24, the filter medium segment layers are stacked and cut together into the desired shape. For example, the segment layers may be stacked and an ultrasonic cutter may be used. Sealing or joining of the segment layers' edges may be formed during the cutting process. In another step, a form of heat welding may be used to integrally join the segment edges.

[0063] Referring to Figure 25, the edges of the segment layers can be integrally fixed or joined with plastic rings or by silicone molding to form a sediment filter. As shown, the sediment filter can be much denser at the edges, while the center expands outward at the top, bottom, or both.

[0064] Referring to Figures 29-33, the filter medium segment layer AAA is illustrated in more detail in surface views of multiple layers stacked, single-layer surface views, and structural diagrams. Each structural diagram is a side view with the filter medium sandwiched between glass slides, for illustrative purposes only. The segment layer AAA is formed from multiple integrally bonded layers of PP. In one embodiment, four individual layers have a density of 20-70 g / m³. 2 This constitutes one segment layer AAA, which is 100% PP.

[0065] Referring to Figures 26-28 and 45, segment layers AA, A, B, and C are shown in surface view, section view, overall laminate structure view, and single-layer structure view. The term "overall laminate structure" refers to the combination of individual layers that make up the segment, while "single-layer structure" refers to the individual layers of the segment layer. The outer layer of each individual layer is formed from PP bonded to an inner layer formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. The outer PP layer determines the range of pore sizes, while the PET fibers provide a three-dimensional matrix of the filter medium with much lower resistance to particle flow than the PP surface or outer layer. The PET fiber matrix allows sediment particles to move through the filter medium in various directions and laterally. This provides a larger volume of particle processing compared to filters with more unidirectional flow through the filter medium. The PET and PP fibers are bonded together to form each layer.

[0066] The segment layers have different compositions in which the pore size and sediment particle storage capacity gradually decrease. For example, in one embodiment, segment layer AA has a composition of 75% PET / 25% PP, segment layer A has a composition of 55% PET / 45% PP, segment layer B has a composition of 45% PET / 55% PP, and segment layer C has a composition of 25% PET / 75% PP. Segment layers AA, A, B, and C each have a density of approximately 70 g / m². 2 It may have a density.

[0067] Segment layers AA, A, B, and C can each consist of three or more layers, each being a separate sandwich structure with a PP layer positioned on each side of a PET fiber. The outer PP layer exhibits a pore size structure with randomly distributed pore sizes across the sheet surface, which is also a fine three-dimensional structure. This helps maintain flow rate and prevent pressure drop. The inner PET layer consists of fibers that form a further three-dimensional structure, enabling better dust content capacity while maintaining randomly distributed pore sizes (which also help prevent pressure drop and premature clogging). The PET layer typically has a lower density and much higher porosity than the PP layer.

[0068] Multiple sandwich layers are stacked to form a single segment, which is thicker and therefore has more voids, resulting in a more three-dimensional structure. These randomly distributed voids help trap a range of particle sizes, preventing subsequent segment layers from clogging prematurely. Stacking these layers helps to form a more three-dimensional structure with multi-directional flow.

[0069] Segment layer AA is made from PET fibers sandwiched between layers of PP. This "sandwich" is more open than the subsequent segment layer and exhibits a larger overall pore size structure than the subsequent segment layer, but has a smaller pore size than the preceding segment layer.

[0070] In one embodiment, segment layer AA may consist of three or more separate sandwich structures. The outer layer of each sandwich is made of melt-blown polypropylene and exhibits a randomly distributed pore size structure across the surface of the sheet, which is also a fine three-dimensional structure. This helps maintain flow rate and prevent pressure drop. The inner layer consists of polyethylene terephthalate fibers, which form a further three-dimensional structure that allows for better dust capacity while maintaining randomly distributed pore sizes (which also help prevent pressure drop and premature clogging).

[0071] Multiple sandwich layers are stacked to form a single segment, which is thicker and therefore has more voids, resulting in a more three-dimensional structure. These randomly distributed voids help prevent subsequent segment layers from clogging prematurely by trapping multiple particle sizes. Stacking these layers helps to form a more three-dimensional structure with multi-directional flow.

[0072] Referring to Figures 34-36, the segment layer D is shown in the structural diagram, the laminated structure diagram, and the surface diagram. In one embodiment, the segment layer D has a density of approximately 40 g / m³ 2 The structure has individual sheets, all made of PP, which are bonded together to form a segment layer D. The PP sheets may have a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm. Multiple individual sheets are laminated to form a segment with thickness and voids. These randomly distributed voids help to trap relatively large particles exceeding 3 microns, preventing subsequent layers from clogging prematurely and causing a pressure drop. This lamination helps to form a more three-dimensional filter segment with a higher dust retention capacity and multi-directional flow.

[0073] Referring to Figures 37-39, segment layer E is shown in surface view, section view, and structural view. Segment layer E has PP on its outer surface with pseudoboehmite sandwiched in between. Pseudoboehmite is an aluminum compound with the chemical composition AIO. It consists of fine crystalline boehmite, but has a higher water content than boehmite.

[0074] Segment layer E can consist of one or more layers, each a separate sandwich structure with an average pore size of 6.25 microns. The pseudoboehmite forms a further three-dimensional structure that allows for better debris capacity while maintaining randomly distributed pore sizes (which also helps prevent pressure drops and premature clogging). This helps maintain flow rate and prevent pressure drops due to multi-directional flow. Powdered activated carbon may be incorporated into the sandwich to reduce taste and odor contaminants.

[0075] Referring to Figures 40-42, segment layer F is shown in surface view, section view, and structural view. Similar to segment layer E, segment layer F contains PP on the outer surface with pseudoboehmite sandwiched in between, but the individual sandwich structure has a much smaller pore size, averaging 1.25 microns.

[0076] Other filter media, such as layers of extremely fine (small diameter), highly intertwined, and / or high-density PET fibers, may be used instead of pseudoboehmite.

[0077] Figures 43 and 44 are photographs of the entire stack of segment layers AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, and F shown in Figures 21-23 above. All segment layers are in contact with adjacent layers. The resulting sediment filter can have smaller pore sizes and / or a higher dust content capacity compared to conventional filters before the sediment filter becomes clogged and loses its filtration capacity.

[0078] Referring to Figures 46 and 47, a cylindrical sediment filter 300 is shown, in which the filter medium segment layers AAA', AA', A', B', C', D', E', and F' are configured as concentric rings. Each segment AAA', AA', A', B', C', D', E', and F' is in contact with an adjacent segment layer, but the surfaces of adjacent segment layers are not integrally bonded. The composition of the segment layers may be the same as that described above with respect to Figures 21-23 and 43-44. In other embodiments, there may be segment layers with slightly different compositions.

[0079] Figure 48 shows a cylindrical sediment filter 300 in use. The cylindrical sediment filter 300 is installed inside a filter case 310. The filter case has a water inlet line, and water flows into the filter case as indicated by arrow A.

[0080] The bottom of filter 300 is sealed or pressurized against the bottom of the case so that water flows through the filter as indicated by arrow B. The water flows into the open channel in the center of filter 300 and flows out of the case through the outlet line 330 in the direction indicated by arrow C.

[0081] Figure 49 shows another embodiment of the sediment filter configured as a bag filter 350. The bag filter 350 may include multiple segment layers as described above, or it may have segment layers of a different configuration. The edges of the bag filter 350 may be basically crimped or fixed by round collars, or they may be integrally heat-bonded or glued.

[0082] Referring to Figures 50-54, in another embodiment, the carbon ring 160 is replaced by an annular ring filter 510, which contains adsorbent particles such as granular activated carbon in a case or container. The filter 510 includes a first circular wall 515 and a second circular wall 520, which are placed between a first annular wall 525 and a second annular wall 530. The internal volume of the annular ring filter 510 is filled with granular activated carbon. The first circular wall 515 and the second circular wall 520 are permeable to water but retain carbon particles.

[0083] The first partition wall 535 and the second partition wall 540 are installed between the first circular wall 515 and the second circular wall 520, dividing the internal volume into a first flow path 545, a second flow path 550, and a third flow path 555. The dividing wall or terminal wall 560 is installed as a partition between the first circular wall and the second circular wall, changing the direction of the water flow from a first direction in the first flow path to a second direction in the second flow path and a third direction in the third flow path.

[0084] A protruding wall 565 is installed in the second flow channel, and this protruding wall increases the turbulence of the water in the second flow channel by partially obstructing the second flow channel. The protruding wall includes a plurality of pairs of curved walls configured to generate a Z-shaped or S-shaped water flow in the second flow channel. Each protruding wall 565 is installed in the partition walls 535, 540. Alternatively, the protruding wall 565 can be installed in both annular walls at some position within the second flow channel 555.

[0085] Water flows from the outside to the inside of the annular ring filter 510. The water enters the filter through the outer circular wall 515. The water flows through the first channel 550 until it reaches the end of the partition wall 535, where it enters the second channel 555. The second channel 555 has many protruding walls 565 that partially obstruct or change the direction of the water flow in the second channel 555. The resulting detours result in more contact with the granular activated carbon.

[0086] The water flows through the second channel 555 until it reaches the end of the second partition wall 540. The water then comes into contact with the permeable inner filter wall 520. Thereafter, the water flows through the permeable filter wall 520 and exits the annular ring filter 510 into the center of the ring. Some of the water also flows through the third channel 545 before exiting through the permeable inner filter wall 520. The water may then enter other filters that are part of the concentric ring inside the annular ring filter 510.

[0087] While the above description has been made with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to the spirit and scope intended by this disclosure to adapt to specific circumstances, materials, composition of substances, processes, or one or more steps of a process. For example, the filter assembly may be incorporated into another type of water container, such as a drum, barrel, or fixed water supply system. The filter assembly may also be used for other types of liquids. As another example, the sediment filter may have a different shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, spherical, or bag-shaped. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims provided below.

Claims

1. A particle filtration system, A first filter segment containing five first filters, A second filter segment containing five second filters, A third filter segment containing multiple third filters and Includes, The five first filters are physically in contact with other filters in the first filter, the five second filters are physically in contact with other filters in the second filter, and the plurality of third filters are physically in contact with other filters in the third filter. Each of the first filters comprises a first fiber layer and a first pair of surface layers sandwiching the first fiber layer, the first surface layers having a higher density than the first fiber layer, each of the first surface layers having a first pore size range, and each of the first filters having a composition of 75% first fiber layer and 25% first surface layer. Each of the aforementioned second filters comprises a second fiber layer and a second pair of surface layers sandwiching the second fiber layer, the second surface layers having a higher density than the second fiber layer, each of the second surface layers having a second pore size range, the second pore size range being smaller than the first pore size range but overlapping with the first pore size range, and each of the aforementioned second filters having a composition of 55% of the second fiber layer and 45% of the second surface layer. Each of the third filters comprises a third fiber layer and a third pair of surface layers sandwiching the third fiber layer, the third surface layers having a higher density than the third fiber layer, each of the third surface layers having a third pore size range, the third pore size range being smaller than but overlapping with the second pore size range, and each of the third filters having a composition of 25% of the third fiber layer and 75% of the third surface layer. All fluid flow passes through the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter. Particle filtration system.

2. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the fiber layer and surface layer of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter include an integrally bonded edge.

3. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous layer and the surface layer of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter are integrally bonded together.

4. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the fiber layers of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter include a web of intertwined fibers including a three-dimensional layer.

5. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the fiber layers of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first pair of surface layers, the second pair of surface layers, and the third pair of surface layers.

6. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the fiber layers of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

7. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface layers of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter comprises polypropylene.

8. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one fiber layer of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter includes an entangled fiber structure.

9. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the fiber layers of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter includes a crystalline structure.

10. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one fiber layer of the first filter, the second filter, the third filter and / or an additional fourth filter comprises pseudoboehmite.

11. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the range of the second pore size of the second filter is made smaller than the range of the first pore size of the first filter by adding an additional surface layer to the second filter, and the range of the third pore size of the third filter is made smaller than the range of the second pore size of the second filter by adding an additional surface layer to the third filter.

12. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the five first filters in the first filter segment are not integrally bonded but are in physical contact with one another, the five second filters in the second filter segment are not integrally bonded but are in physical contact with one another, and the plurality of third filters in the third filter segment are not integrally bonded but are in physical contact with one another.

13. The particle filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the first filter segment, the second filter segment, and the third filter segment are not integrally bonded but are in physical contact with each other.

14. A particle filtration system, A first filter segment containing multiple first filters, A second filter segment containing multiple second filters, A third filter segment containing multiple third filters and Includes, The plurality of first filters are physically in contact with other filters in the first filter, the plurality of second filters are physically in contact with other filters in the second filter, and the plurality of third filters are physically in contact with other filters in the third filter. Each of the first filters comprises a first fiber layer bonded between a pair of first outer layers, the first fiber layer being configured to trap particles between the pair of first outer layers, the first outer layers having a higher density than the first fiber layer, each of the first outer layers having a first pore size range, and each of the first filters having a composition of 50-95% of the first fiber layer and 5-50% of the first outer layer. Each of the aforementioned second filters includes a second fiber layer bonded between pairs of second outer layers, the second fiber layer being configured to trap particles between pairs of second outer layers, the second outer layer having a higher density than the second fiber layer, each of the second outer layers having a second pore size range, the second pore size range being smaller than but overlapping with the first pore size range, and each of the aforementioned second filters having a composition of 40-85% of the second fiber layer and 15-60% of the second outer layer. Each of the third filters comprises a third fiber layer bonded between a pair of third outer layers, the third fiber layer being configured to trap particles between the pair of third outer layers, the third outer layer having a higher density than the third fiber layer, each of the third outer layers having a third pore size range, the third pore size range being smaller than but overlapping with the second pore size range, and the third filter having a composition of 0-75% of the third fiber layer and 25-100% of the third outer layer. All fluid flow passes through the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter. Particle filtration system.

15. The particle filtration system according to claim 14, wherein the thickness of the first pair of outer layers, the second pair of outer layers, and the third pair of outer layers determines the pore size within the first pore size range, the second pore size range, and the third pore size range, and the pore size decreases as the thickness increases.

16. A particle filtration system, A first filter segment containing multiple first filters, A second filter segment containing multiple second filters, A third filter segment containing multiple third filters and Includes, Each of the plurality of first filters is in contact with another filter in the first filter, each of the plurality of second filters is in contact with another filter in the second filter, and each of the plurality of third filters is in contact with another filter in the third filter, Each of the first filters comprises a fibrous particle storage medium bonded between a pair of first filter media having a first pore size range, each of the first filters is in physical contact with each adjacent first filter, and only the edges of each of the plurality of first filters are integrally fixed. Each of the aforementioned second filters comprises a fibrous particle storage medium bonded between a pair of second filter media having a second pore size range, each of the aforementioned second filters is in physical contact with each adjacent aforementioned second filter, and only the edges of each of the plurality of aforementioned second filters are integrally fixed. Each of the third filters comprises a fibrous particle storage medium bonded between a pair of third filter media having a third pore size range, each of the third filters is in physical contact with each adjacent third filter, and only the edges of each of the plurality of third filters are integrally fixed. The range of the second pore size is smaller than the range of the first pore size but overlaps with the range of the first pore size, and the range of the third pore size is smaller than the range of the second pore size but overlaps with the range of the second pore size, All fluid flow passes through the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter, respectively. Particle filtration system.

17. The particle filtration system according to claim 16, wherein the first filter medium, the second filter medium, and the third filter medium each include a layer of melt-blown polymer fibers, and the range of the first pore size, the range of the second pore size, and the range of the third pore size decrease as the number of melt-blown polymer fiber layers increases.

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