Hydraulic filtering device

Abstract

Filtering device (10) comprising: an interconnection group (11) that has two connectors (112, 113) which define a first channel (B) and a second channel, respectively (C); a closure body (13) which can be coupled with the interconnection group (11) so that together they delimit a filtering chamber (F) suitable for housing means for filtering a liquid passing through it; a shutter (14) configured to be watertight housed in an internal chamber (A) of the interconnection group (11); The internal chamber (A) has a wall with a cylindrical or truncated conical shape along an operational axis (X), and the shutter (14) has a tubular skirt (141) with a truncated conical or cylindrical shape along a development axis. The first (B) and the second channel (C) extend substantially on the same lying plane (W) with respect to which the operational axis (X) is perpendicular.

Description

[0001] HYDRAULIC FILTERING DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates a filtering device particularly suitable for installation in a hydraulic system.

[0004] The present filtering device is especially suitable for installation in a heating system, whether domestic or industrial, to filter the circulating liquid .

[0005] In the specific technical field, it is known to provide for the installation of at least one filtering device in heating systems.

[0006] Known filtering devices now comprise, for example, an internal compartment that communicates with an inlet opening and an outlet opening.

[0007] Hydraulically, a mesh filter is provided between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

[0008] If there is only one opening and one outlet, the filtering device is defined as two-way, if -on the other hand- it has three interconnections with a hydraulic system, it is defined as three-way.

[0009] A traditional filtering device is, for example, described in EP4255603.

[0010] This filtering device comprises an interconnection group with three hydraulic connectors that define as many channels.

[0011] The first and second of the channels open onto an internal chamber of the interconnection group, the third being separated from the latter by a septum.

[0012] Liquid in the third channel cannot therefore flow into the internal chamber, or vice versa into the interconnection group.

[0013] Hydraulic connectors are used to hydraulically connect the filtering device to pipes in a hydraulic system.

[0014] Two of the channels are coaxial and the third is perpendicular to the first two, all having the same lying plane.

[0015] The filtering device also includes a cup-shaped closure body containing a housing for a magnetic element, which protrudes from the bottom.

[0016] In addition, the filtering device comprises a tubular mesh filter that also extends from the bottom around the housing of the magnetic element.

[0017] The mesh filter delimits an internal chamber in which the housing of the magnetic element extends.

[0018] Opposite the bottom, the closure body has a threaded edge for coupling with a corresponding thread of a sleeve of the interconnection group.

[0019] When the filtering device is assembled, i.e. when the closure body is screwed to the interconnection group, the mesh filter is coupled to the interconnection group to separate the internal chamber from a surrounding cavity within the closure body.

[0020] The interconnection group has a central passageway extending from the internal chamber so that it is in communication with the internal chamber, when the filtering device is assembled.

[0021] In addition, the interconnection group has a side passage that extends from the third channel so that it communicates with the cavity when the filtering device is assembled.

[0022] In this way, a flow of water from the first or second channel enters the internal chamber, laps the housing of the magnetic element, passes through the mesh filter, enters the cavity and exits via the side passage, then exits the filtering device via the third channel. A ball shutter is housed in the internal chamber in which it is rotatable between a first and second position along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the three channels of the interconnection group.

[0023] Inside, the shutter has a T-duct, i.e. having three mouths mutually communicating through the shutter.

[0024] Furthermore, the shutter has a wall that in the first position closes the central passage so that the first and second channels are connected by the T-duct but are not in fluidic communication with the internal chamber.

[0025] In the second position, the wall leaves the central passageway free and the first and second channels are in fluidic communication with the internal chamber through the central opening.

[0026] A shutter is attached to the first or second hydraulic connector so that one of the first and second channel is closed, the other being available to be coupled to a pipe of a hydraulic system.

[0027] Thus, in this known filtering device, when the shutter is in the first position, it allows water to be prevented from entering the shutter body so that the filtering device can be opened by disassembling the shutter body in order to clean the latter.

[0028] When the shutter is in the second position, however, it allows normal operation of the filtering device.

[0029] The channels of the interconnection group are made by removing material from a single piece.

[0030] Therefore, the interconnection group is now made as small as possible, according to implementation requirements, to limit complexity and production costs. To ensure accuracy and shape stability, the shutter must be made of a metal material, typically brass.

[0031] To ensure hydraulic sealing and smooth movement of the shutter in the central chamber, plastic seals must be provided between the shutter and the walls of the internal chamber, e.g. made of polyethylene terephthalate PTFE.

[0032] In the present disclosure as well as in the claims enclosed herein, certain terms and expressions are deemed to have, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the meaning expressed in the following definitions.

[0033] The term "lying plane" means the totality of the directions of lines belonging to parallel planes, so that planes or directions having the same lying plane are to be considered parallel.

[0034] It is understood that certain directions have "substantially" the same lying plane when any inclination of the respective lying plane does not lead to a noticeable technical effect on the structure or functionality, or preferably, when they are not greater than 10° and more preferably when they are not greater than 3°.

[0035] The term "direction" refers to a path passing through two identified points in space. Preferably, the direction corresponds to the line passing through these points; however, curved components may define corresponding curved directions between two characteristic points of the component.

[0036] The term "orientation" refers to the orientation of the directions between the two points. In other words, a direction identifies two opposite orientations, a first orientation from the first point to the second point and a second orientation from the second point to the first point. Coupling" means a join that allows the joined parts to be handled as a single body, and preferably a watertight, i.e. sealed, join.

[0037] The expression "substantially", referring to a geometrical, positional and / or dimensional characteristic of a part of the present filtering device, means that said part may diverge from the specified characteristic of an entity which is not sensitive, i.e. which does not impair the functionality or geometry of the described part, preferably meaning that said part substantially exhibits said characteristic when it may diverge from said characteristic by no more than 10% and more preferably by no more than 3%, depending on the contingent implementation requirements of the present invention. For example, if a part of the device is described as being substantially perpendicular to a direction or plane, that part will have an extension that may be exactly parallel or perpendicular to the said direction or plane as well as being inclined with respect to them by an angular entity not sensitive to the function of the part or filtering device as a whole.

[0038] Today's Applicant noted that this well-known filtering device presents of cleanliness and construction problems.

[0039] In particular, the Applicant noted that the cleaning of the closure body is complicated and that the bottom of the closure body is difficult to access in order to remove dirt and scale from it.

[0040] Furthermore, the Applicant noted that, in some cases, cleaning the closure body leads to damage to the housing of the magnetic element.

[0041] The Applicant further observed that the coupling of the mesh filter is difficult because one end of the filter has to be engaged in a receiving recess provided in the bottom of the closure body circumferentially to the housing of the magnetic element.

[0042] In fact, this operation is not only not simple, but is also likely to damage, among other things by deformation, the mesh filter, with the consequence of compromising the functionality of the filtering device.

[0043] At the same time, the Applicant noted that an interconnection group of a conventional filtering device, as described above, requires it to be made in two separate parts that can be coupled to each other.

[0044] These two parts must cooperate to define the internal chamber.

[0045] Before they are coupled, the ball valve must be interposed between them so that, following the coupling of the two parts, the ball valve is tightly engaged in the internal chamber and is reversibly rotatable between the first and second position.

[0046] The Applicant thus observed that, not only was such a traditional filtering device complex to construct, but also complicated to mount in such a way that the ball valve is correctly positioned in the internal chamber.

[0047] Moreover, the Applicant noted that the filtering device described above is energy inefficient because of the heat loss it causes as hot water passes through it, to the detriment of the energy consumption of the hydraulic system in which it is installed.

[0048] In this respect, the Applicant considered providing for a removably attachable insulating liner to the filtering device, but this solution - although reasonably effective - is inconvenient and expensive to implement.

[0049] The Applicant has therefore realised that it is preferable to use a material with lower thermal conductivity than the metal material currently used for the interconnection group. However, the Applicant noted that this solution is not compatible with the use of plastic material to form a shutter according to the known filtering device.

[0050] In fact, not only would the shutter be complex to manufacture with the necessary dimensional tolerances, but it would also not have mechanical characteristics suitable for being subjected to the stresses it would undergo through and on the polytetrafluoroethylene supports and gaskets provided to maintain the hydraulic seals.

[0051] In this context, the Applicant realised that avoiding a metal ball shutter would greatly simplify the structure and manufacturability of the filtering device.

[0052] The invention at the basis of the present invention thus consists of making an at least two-way filtering device, with a cylindrical or truncated conical shutter that can be inserted into the interconnection group transversely to the hydraulic connector channels.

[0053] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0054] According to an aspect of the present invention, the filtration device comprises an interconnection group that has an internal chamber, a sleeve and two connectors functional for a connection to a hydraulic system.

[0055] In particular, the filtering device may be intended to protect pumps, boilers or other equipment from impurities in the fluid circulating within the system. The connectors can define, respectively: a first channel, which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber, and a second channel which is separated from the internal chamber by a septum.

[0056] The sleeve can surround a first opening, which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber, and a second opening which is in hydraulic communication with the second channel.

[0057] The filtering device may comprise a closure body that has an edge configured to mate with the sleeve of the interconnection group, preferably through threads, such that following coupling of the closure body with the interconnection group, they cooperatively define a filtering chamber that is inside the filtering device and into which the first opening and the second opening open.

[0058] The filtering chamber may be prevalently cylindrical.

[0059] The filtering chamber may be suitable for housing means which - in use - preferably filter a liquid flowing through it.

[0060] The filtering device can comprise a shutter configured to be watertight housed in the internal chamber.

[0061] For example, the shutter and the chamber can be of a complementary shape so that a shape coupling can be achieved between them, with clearance, to allow rotation of the shutter in the internal chamber.

[0062] The internal chamber can have a wall that has a cylindrical or truncated cone shape along an operational axis. Correspondingly, the shutter can be at least partly cylindrical or truncated conical shaped and complementary to the cylindrical shape.

[0063] In other words, along the operational axis, the wall of the internal chamber can develop to form a cylindrical or truncated conical surface with the operational axis around which it develops.

[0064] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the shutter may have a tubular skirt having a truncated conical or cylindrical shape along a development axis and preferably being shaped complementary at least to the part of the internal chamber which it is adapted to engage.

[0065] The skirt can be sized to engage within the internal chamber along the operational axis such that it is rotatable within the internal chamber about the operational axis between a closed position and an open position.

[0066] The skirt can have through holes that can be of such size and position that in the closed position, the skirt hydraulically closes the first opening and in the open position it places the first channel in communication with the filtering chamber through at least one of said holes.

[0067] Preferably, the skirt has first outer portions and second outer portions wherein the first portions are raised with respect to the second portions or the latter are indented with respect to the first portions. The first portions can be developed on the skirt to delimit sections of the skirt in such a way that, when the skirt is meshed into the internal chamber, a cavity is defined between the wall of the internal chamber and the skirt at each of said sections, surrounded by the first portions. The skirt has at least one section without said holes so that, in the closed position, the section of the skirt without holes faces the first opening and first portions hydraulically isolate it from the other sections to prevent noticeable leakage of liquid between the internal chamber and the shutter. In this case, it is particularly preferable to make both the wall of the internal chamber and the shutter out of the same polymer material, preferably in such a way that the former portions smoothly engage the wall of the internal chamber to ensure a hydraulic seal between them.

[0068] Functionally, the filtering device defines a path for a liquid that is introduced into it through the first channel.

[0069] In fact, when the shutter is in the open position, a liquid fed through the first channel from this is directed into the internal chamber from which it flows through the first opening into the filtering chamber where it is filtered by the filter means. Once filtered, through the second opening, the liquid enters the second channel from which it exits the filtering device, filtered, into the hydraulic system.

[0070] Otherwise, when the shutter is in the closed position, liquid from a hydraulic system connected to the first channel from this enters the first chamber but cannot pass through the first opening that would lead it into the filtering chamber, as the first opening is closed by the shutter.

[0071] This makes it easy to clean the filtering device and especially the filtering chamber and / or filter means by simply removing the closure body from the shut-off unit.

[0072] In fact, as the first opening is closed by the shutter, pressurised liquid from the hydraulic system is prevented from exiting the interconnection group. Following cleaning, it is just as easy to re-couple the closure body with the interconnection group as the coupling does not need to overcome the pressure of the hydraulic circuit liquid.

[0073] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second channels may extend substantially over the same lying plane with respect to which the operational axis is incident and, preferably, perpendicular. In particular, the first and second channels may be straight and preferably have parallel or coinciding axes, or they may have perpendicular axes and preferably lying on the same plane.

[0074] In this way, respectively, it is possible to couple the filtering device in line with respect to a pipe (in the case of aligned connectors) or L-shaped, where the filtering device is to be coupled to the pipe at two branches thereof which are perpendicular.

[0075] It is understood how, according to this aspect of the present invention, the interconnection group can comprise two first connectors to allow for greater flexibility in installation (in-line or L-shaped) depending on the contingent use requirements. In this case, a cap can be provided to close the one of the first two connectors that is not hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system.

[0076] A filtering device according to this aspect of the present invention can be made entirely of polymeric material, i.e. both the interconnection group and the shutter can be made of polymeric material, e.g. by injection moulding. In other words, a filtering device according to this aspect of the present invention, with the same hydraulic performance (such as flow rate, seal, etc.) is lighter and / or simpler in construction and / or more compact and / or having greater thermal insulation for a fluid flowing through it.

[0077] In particular, a filtering device according to this aspect of the present invention has a flexible structure, being easily implemented in a three-way or two-way configuration. In fact, the shutter is not aligned with any of the connectors so that it does not have to be placed in a position opposite one of them, this position being free to provide for the second way (i.e., the second connector) or a third way.

[0078] A filtering device according to this aspect of the present invention can be easily opened to be cleaned of debris and scale and to clean any filtering means placed in the filtering chamber; it therefore does not need to be configured to be placed in a backwash condition of the filtering means, which is to the advantage of structural simplicity and compactness.

[0079] In other words, a filtering device according to this aspect of the present invention allows for simple cleaning by opening of the filtering chamber without the need for a drain connector and a shutter position configuration to reverse the flow of liquid, compared to normal operating conditions, in order to perform a backwash of filtering means, for example, of the net or mesh type.

[0080] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the closure body may have a bottom which, for example, extends at least predominantly substantially over a plane. From the bottom, the housing of the magnetic element and the edge, which preferably is annular and surrounds, e.g. coaxially, the housing of the magnetic element and, likewise, the tubular filter when the filtering device is assembled, may protrude along an extension direction.

[0081] In accordance with this second aspect of the present invention, along the extension direction, the extension of the housing can be greater than the extension of the edge.

[0082] The present solution, in at least one of the aforesaid aspects, can have at least one of the further preferred features set forth below.

[0083] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, preferably sealing elements, for example gaskets, for example made of polymeric material and preferably elastomeric material, for example O-rings, are interposed between the shutter and the wall of the internal chamber in order to ensure a hydraulic seal between the shutter and the wall of the internal chamber i.e. to counteract the seepage of liquid between the shutter and the wall of the internal chamber in order to prevent such liquid from bypassing the shutter and reaching the first channel from the internal chamber even when the shutter is in the closed position.

[0084] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the skirt may have circumferential grooves to receive a portion of the sealing elements or gaskets, so that they protrude from the grooves and interfere with the wall of the internal chamber, deforming elastically.

[0085] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, sealing elements are preferably designed to minimise friction with the wall of the internal chamber, e.g. they may be made of elastomeric material and preferably of EPDM, NBR. or the like.

[0086] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the holes in the skirt may comprise a first hole and a second hole which are preferably oriented in accordance with the reciprocal orientation of the first opening with respect to the first channel in such a way that in the opening position of the shutter, the first hole is in hydraulic communication with the first channel and the second hole is in hydraulic communication with the first opening and, through the filtering chamber, with the second channel. In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the interconnection group may have the first opening extending in a direction substantially perpendicular or parallel to that of the first channel. Accordingly, the shutter may have the second hole perpendicular or parallel to the first hole, respectively.

[0087] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, where two mutually perpendicular first channels are provided, two mutually perpendicular first holes may be provided so that one of them may be substantially parallel to the second hole and the other may be substantially perpendicular to the latter.

[0088] In other words, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the shutter is configured such that, in use, in the open position the first hole is in hydraulic communication with the first channel and the second hole is in hydraulic communication with the second channel, via the filtering chamber.

[0089] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the skirt may have a closing portion without said holes positioned with respect to said holes in such a way that it closes the first opening when the shutter is in the closed position.

[0090] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the filtering device may comprise a tubular filter that is housed in the filtering chamber. The tubular filter can be configured to be coupled in a seal-tight manner to the closure body and to the interconnection group to delimit an internal chamber in the filtering chamber that the tubular filter surrounds. In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, preferably, the tubular filter comprises a net having openings with widths and / or lengths not exceeding 800 pm, and preferably comprised between 700 pm and 500 pm.

[0091] In this way, the filtering surface area is maximised, corresponding to the entire filtering surface area of the tubular filter, which preferably extends circumferentially to the axis of the tubular filter substantially along its entire length. Thus, the overall dimensions of the filtering device can be reduced to a minimum so that it can be easily installed even in the tightest spaces, e.g. in the casing of a boiler or a thermal apparatus of a hydraulic system.

[0092] In other words, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the tubular filter may consist of a tubular piece diffusely perforated or formed by mesh, preferably made of metallic material.

[0093] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the interconnection group may comprise a bottom connector which surrounds the first opening and is configured to couple in a seal-tight manner to the tubular filter to prevent liquid passage from the first opening to the second opening except through the tubular filter when the latter is coupled to the closure body and the interconnection group.

[0094] Seals can be provided between the tubular filter and the closure body and the interconnection group, respectively, in order to prevent liquid passage, instead of through the tubular filter, between the tubular filter and the closure body and / or the interconnection group.

[0095] In other words, the tubular filter, which -for example- can be cylindrical or truncated conical shaped, can have two opposing ends that engage respective housing seats provided in the lower connector of the interconnection group and in the closure body, respectively.

[0096] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the closure body may comprise a housing for a magnetic element configured to protrude internally into the filtering chamber for -in use, attracting and capturing magnetically active or reactive particles that are drawn by a stream of water flowing through the filtering chamber lapping against the housing engaged by the magnetic element.

[0097] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the housing may have an inlet for the magnetic element which is positioned so as to be external to the filtering chamber so that the magnetic element can be inserted into and extracted from the housing from outside the filtering chamber and, in general, from outside the filtering device.

[0098] The tubular filter can be coupled to the closure body so that it surrounds the housing of the magnetic element when the filtering device is assembled.

[0099] Thus, the magnetic element, in operation, can be surrounded by the tubular filter and can attract magnetically active or reactive particles before they reach the tubular filter.

[0100] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the interconnection group may comprise a connection body from which the connectors and sleeve extend.

[0101] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the sleeve extends from the connection body so as to at least partially surround the housing of the magnetic element following a coupling of the interconnection group with the closure body.

[0102] This makes the circumferential area to the magnetic element housing more easily accessible for cleaning.

[0103] In fact, the edge can be sized to extend from the bottom only by an extension suitable for coupling with the sleeve of the interconnection group, making the portion of the bottom extending from the housing to the edge far more accessible than the known filtering device described above.

[0104] In contrast to the known filtering device, the filtering chamber is enclosed laterally (e.g. in a radial direction to the housing or tubular filter or parallel to the main bottom extension plane) predominantly by the sleeve of the interconnection group.

[0105] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the skirt has an internal cavity which, at one end along the development axis, is closed by an end wall of the shutter to which an element capable of rotating the shutter in the internal chamber is connected.

[0106] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] This solution is described hereinafter according to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

[0108] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a filtering device made according to the present invention;

[0109] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the filtering device according to the present invention in which the shutter is in the open position;

[0110] Figure 3 shows a detail III of Figure 2 in which the shutter is in the closed position;

[0111] Figures 4 and 5 show the shutter of a filtering device in perspective and front elevation views, respectively; Figures 6 and 7 show two sections of the shutter according to plane

[0112] A-A and B-B in Figure 5, respectively.

[0113] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] With particular reference to the accompanying figures, a filtering device according to the present invention is collectively referred to as 10.

[0115] The filtering device 10 is of the three-way type (i.e. with three channels B, Bl and C), however, without loss of generality, it is understood that the following description applies mutatis mutandis to a two-way filtering device (i.e. with only two channels B and C).

[0116] Structurally, the filtering device 10 comprises an interconnection group 11 having an internal chamber A, a sleeve 111 and three connectors 112, 112a, 113 functional for connection to a hydraulic system, not illustrated and which may be, for example, a heating and / or cooling system.

[0117] The connectors 112, 113 , 112a define, respectively:

[0118] - a first channel B, which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber A, and

[0119] - a second channel C which is separated from the internal chamber A by a septum 12;

[0120] - a third channel Bl, which can be used as an alternative to B.

[0121] The three connectors 112, 113, 112a may be arranged in a T-shape, i.e. two substantially aligned or parallel to each other and a third substantially perpendicular to the other two.

[0122] In particular, the first connector 112 may be substantially perpendicular to the prevailing development of the second connector 113 and the third connector 112a, of the connectors 112, 113 , 112a. The filtering device 10 comprises a shutter 115 that can be selectively coupled to the first connector 112 or to the third connector 112a so as to allow the filtering device to be connected according to a T configuration or according to an L configuration, respectively.

[0123] In fact, the filtering device 10 is to be connected to two aligned pipe sections of a hydraulic system, it is possible to couple, and thus obstruct, the first connector 112 with the shutter 115, and connect the second connector 113 the third connector 112a to the pipe sections, obtaining a T- connection.

[0124] On the other hand, if the filtering device 10 is to be connected to two mutually perpendicular stretches of pipe, it is possible to couple, and thus obstruct, the third connector 112a with the shutter 115 and connect the filtering device 10 to the first connector 112 and to the second connector 113, resulting in an L-shaped connection.

[0125] The sleeve 111 can surround a first opening D, which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber A, and a second opening E which is in hydraulic communication with the second channel C.

[0126] The filtering device 10 may comprise a closure body 13 that has an edge 131 configured to mate with the sleeve 111 of the interconnection group 11, preferably through threads, such that following coupling of the closure body 13 with the interconnection group 11, they cooperatively define a filtering chamber F, prevalently cylindrical, that is inside the filtering device 10 and into which the first opening D and the second opening E open. The filtering chamber F is adapted to accommodate means for filtering a liquid flowing in it, i.e. passing through it as described in more detail below. The filtering device 10 comprises a shutter 14 configured to be watertight housed in the internal chamber A, which has a wall having a cylindrical or truncated conical shape according to an operational axis X.

[0127] The shutter 14 has a tubular skirt 141 which has a truncated conical (or cylindrical) shape along a development axis and which is configured to engage in the internal chamber A, which has a truncated conical (or cylindrical) shape so that the development axis Y coincides with the operational axis X (as exemplified in Figure 1).

[0128] In detail, the skirt 141 is dimensioned to engage in the internal chamber A along the operational axis X in such a way that it is rotatable in the internal chamber A about the operational axis X between a closed position (exemplified in Figure 3) and an open position (exemplified in Figures 1 and 2).

[0129] The skirt 141 has holes G, H, J arranged on three sides in such a way that in the closed position, the skirt 141 hydraulically closes the first channel B (e.g. as in Figure 3) and in the open position places the first channel B in communication with the filtering chamber F through a first hole G and a second hole H of the holes G, H, J (e.g. as in Figure 2).

[0130] The skirt 141 has first outer portions 142 and second outer portions 143 wherein the first portions 142 are raised with respect to the second portions 143 or the latter are indented with respect to the first portions 142. The first portions 142 are developed on the skirt 141 to delimit sections 144 of the skirt 141 in such a way that, when the skirt 141 is engaged in the internal chamber A, a cavity I is defined between the wall of the internal chamber and the skirt 141 at each of the sections 144, surrounded by the first portions 142. The skirt 141 has at least one first section 144a of the sections 144 without said holes G, H, J so that, in the closed position, the first section 144a of the skirt 141, without holes G, H, J, faces the first opening and first portions 142 hydraulically isolate it from the other sections 144 to prevent noticeable leakage of liquid between the internal chamber and the shutter.

[0131] The first channel B and the second channel C extend substantially on the same lying plane W (parallel to the plane of the sheet in Figures 2 and 3) with respect to which the operational axis X (parallel to the plane of the sheet in Figures 2 and 3) is incident and, preferably, perpendicular.

[0132] In particular, the first channel B and the second channel C, of the example in the accompanying figures, are rectilinear and have perpendicular axes and preferably lie on the same plane.

[0133] The filtering device 10 illustrated in the accompanying figures can be made substantially entirely of polymeric material, i.e. both the interconnection group 11 and the shutter 14 can be made of polymeric material, e.g. by injection moulding.

[0134] The closure body 13 may have a bottom 132 that is predominantly in a plane P.

[0135] Protruding from the bottom 132, along an extension direction K, substantially perpendicular to the plane P, are a housing 133 (cylindrical) for a magnetic element 17 and the edge 131 which is annular and surrounds, for example coaxially, the housing 133 of the magnetic element 17 and, likewise, a tubular filter 18 when the filtering device 10 is assembled.

[0136] In accordance with this second aspect of the present invention, along the extension direction K, the extension of the housing 133 may be greater than the extension of the edge 131.

[0137] Sealing elements, such as gaskets, for example made of polymeric and preferably elastomeric material, for example O-rings, are interposed between the skirt 141 and the wall of the internal chamber A in order to ensure a hydraulic seal between the shutter 14 and the wall of the internal chamber A, i.e. to counteract the seepage of liquid between the shutter 14 and the wall of the internal chamber A in order to prevent such liquid from bypassing the shutter 14 and reaching the first channel B from the internal chamber A even when the shutter 14 is in the closed position.

[0138] Such sealing elements or gaskets (not illustrated) may be housed in at least one circumferential groove 145 of the skirt and / or found on at least one shoulder 146, e.g. head, of the skirt 14.

[0139] The sealing elements are adapted to minimise friction with the wall of the internal chamber A, e.g. they can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0140] As more generally described above, in detail the holes G, H, J of the skirt 141 comprise first hole G and a second hole H which are oriented in accordance with the reciprocal orientation of the first opening D with respect to the first channel B in such a way that in the opening position of the shutter 14, the first hole G is in hydraulic communication with the first channel B and the second hole H is in hydraulic communication with the first opening D.

[0141] As mentioned above, the interconnection group 11 has the first opening D extending in a direction substantially perpendicular (or parallel) to that of the first channel B. Concordantly, the shutter 14 has the second opening H perpendicular (or respectively parallel) to the first opening G.

[0142] The shutter 14 is -in general- configured in such a way that, in use, in the open position the first hole G is in hydraulic communication with the first channel B and the second hole H is in hydraulic communication with the second channel C through the filtering chamber F.

[0143] In detail, the skirt 141 has a closing portion 147, e.g. defined by the section 144a, without said holes G, H, J and positioned with respect to the holes G, H, J in such a way that it closes the first channel B when the shutter 14 is in the closed position.

[0144] The tubular filter 18 is housed in the filtering chamber F and is configured to be coupled in a seal-tight manner to the closure body 13 and the interconnection group 11 to delimit in the filtering chamber F a central chamber M that the tubular filter 18 surrounds.

[0145] The tubular filter 18 comprises a net that can have openings with widths and / or lengths not exceeding 800 pm, and preferably comprised between 700 pm and 500 pm.

[0146] In this way, the filtering surface area is maximised by basically corresponding to the entire filtering surface area, and possibly almost the entire side surface area of the tubular filter 18, which preferably extends circumferentially to the axis of the tubular filter 18 substantially along its entire length. In other words, the tubular filter 18 can consist of a tubular piece diffusely perforated or formed by mesh, preferably made of metallic material.

[0147] The interconnection group 11 may comprise a bottom connector 121 which surrounds the first opening D and is configured to couple in a seal-tight manner to the tubular filter 18 so as to prevent liquid passage from the first opening D to the second opening E except through the tubular filter 18 when the latter is coupled to the closure body 13 and to the interconnection group 11.

[0148] Seals or gaskets, not illustrated, may be provided - in a manner known by itself - between the tubular filter 18 and the closure body 13 and the interconnection group 11 respectively, in order to prevent liquid passage, instead of through the tubular filter 18, between the tubular filter 18 and the closure body 13 and / or the interconnection group 11.

[0149] The tubular filter 18, which -for example- may be cylindrical or truncated conical shaped, and may have two opposite ends that engage respective housing seats 113, 134 provided in the lower connector 121 of the interconnection group 11 and in the closure body 13, respectively.

[0150] The closure body 13 may comprise a housing 133 for a magnetic element 17 configured to protrude internally into the filtering chamber F for -in useattracting and capturing magnetically active or reactive particles that are drawn by a stream of water flowing through the filtering chamber F lapping against the housing 133 engaged internally by the magnetic element 17 (as, for example, in Figures 2 and 3).

[0151] The housing 133 has an inlet for the magnetic element 17 provided on the bottom 132 and, in general, outside the filtering chamber F so that the magnetic element 17 can be inserted into and extracted from the housing

[0152] 133 from outside the filtering chamber F and, in general, from outside the filtering device 10.

[0153] The tubular filter 18 surrounds the housing 133 of the magnetic element 17 when the filtering device 10 is assembled, so that the magnetic element 17, in operation, can be surrounded by the tubular filter 18 and can attract magnetically active or reactive particles before they reach the tubular filter 18.

[0154] The interconnection group 11, in detail, comprises a connection body 114 from which the connectors 112, 113 and sleeve 111 extend.

[0155] In particular, the filtering device 10 has the sleeve 111 extending from the connection body 114 so as to at least partially surround the housing 133 of the magnetic element 17 as a result of the coupling of the interconnection group 11 with the closure body 13.

[0156] In this way, the circumferential area to the housing 133 of the magnetic element 17 is more easily accessible for cleaning, especially in the vicinity of the bottom 132 since, for the same volume of the filtering chamber, the edge 131 has a smaller extension from the bottom 132.

[0157] In fact, the edge 131 is sized to extend from the bottom 132 by only a minimal extension for coupling with the sleeve 111 of the interconnection group, making the portion of the bottom 132 that extends from the housing 133 to the edge 131 much more accessible than in known solutions.

[0158] The magnetic element 17 has a sleeve 171 which houses at least one permanent magnet 172 and, in this example, is preferably provided with a terminal 173 and a relief 174, so that it can be screwed in by means of a threaded coupling (or -for example- by means of a so-called "bayonet" coupling) and unscrewed from the housing 133 for maintenance or replacement operations.

[0159] The skirt 141 has an internal cavity Z which, at one end along the development axis X, is closed by an end wall 147 of the shutter to which an element is connected, capable of actuating in rotation the shutter in the internal chamber which may comprise a rod 148 coupled to a knob 149.

[0160] As a general rule, the internal cavity Z can be the only one in the shutter 14.

[0161] In other words, the shutter 14 may be free from internal walls or septa, having only a free space defining the internal cavity Z.

[0162] Again in other words, the skirt 141 may extend from the end wall 147 substantially only on one side of it along the operational axis X in order to ensure constructive and functional simplicity of the shutter 14 and, in general, of a filtering device 10.

[0163] In the example of the accompanying figures, without detracting in any way from the generality of the invention, the shutter 14 can be retained in the internal chamber A, for example by means of an elastic ring 150 or cotter pin which engages, in a manner in itself known, contextually both the shutter 14 and a coupling seat 151 of the interconnection group, in particular in such a way as to ensure the hydraulic seal of the shutter 14 in the interconnection group 11 (for example by compression of gaskets interposed between these preferably at the head of the shutter 14 and near the end wall 147).

[0164] Such seals may in general be placed in two opposing positions, one along the operational axis X, with respect to the second portions 143, 143a in order to prevent leakage from the latter to the outside of the interconnection group 11 through an engagement mouth 152 which it has and from which the shutter 14 is insertable into the internal chamber A. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0165] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be varied according to contingent requirements and to the state of the art.

[0166] Where constructive characteristics and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference marks or numbers, such reference marks or numbers have been affixed for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, they do not constitute in any way a limitation on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example only, by such reference marks or numbers.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Filtering device (10) comprising:- an interconnection group (11) that has an internal chamber (A), a sleeve (111), and two connectors (112, 113) functional for connection to a hydraulic system; the connectors (112, 113) define respectively a first channel (B), which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber (A), and a second channel (C) that is separated from the internal chamber (A) by a septum (12); the sleeve (111) surrounds a first opening (D), which is in hydraulic communication with the internal chamber (A), and a second opening (E) which is in hydraulic communication with the second channel (C);- a closure body (13) that has an edge (131) configured to mate with the sleeve (111) of the interconnection group (11) such that upon coupling the closure body (13) with the interconnection group (11), they cooperatively define a filtering chamber (F) that is inside the filtering device (10) and into which the first opening (D) and the second opening (E) open; the filtering chamber (F) is suitable for housing means for filtering a liquid passing through it;- a shutter (14) configured to be watertight housed in the internal chamber (A); wherein the internal chamber (A) has a wall with a cylindrical or truncated conical shape along an operational axis (X), and the shutter (14) has a tubular skirt (141) with a truncated conical or cylindrical shape along a development axis; the skirt (141) is sized to engage within the internal chamber (A) along the operational axis (X) such that it is rotatable withinthe internal chamber (A) around the operational axis (X) between a closed position and an open position; the skirt (141) has through holes (G, H, J) with dimensions and positions that are such that, in the closed position, the skirt (141) hydraulically seals the first opening (D) and in the open position it puts the first channel (B) in communication with the filtering chamber (F) through at least one of said holes (G, H, J); wherein the first channel (B) and the second channel (C) extend substantially on the same planar orientation (W) with respect to which the operational axis (X) is incident and preferably perpendicular.

2. Filtering device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the interconnection group (11) and the shutter (14) are made of polymeric material.

3. Filtering device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said holes (G, H, J) include a first hole (G) and a second hole (H), positioned such that, in the open position, the first hole (G) is in hydraulic communication with the first channel (B) and the second hole (H) is in hydraulic communication with the second channel (C) through the filtering chamber (F); wherein the skirt (141) has a closing portion (147) devoid of said holes (G, H, J) positioned relative to said holes (G, H, J) such that it closes said first channel (B) when the shutter (14) is in the closed position.

4. Filtering device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a tubular filter (18) that can be housed in the filtering chamber (F); the tubular filter (18) is configured to be coupled in a seal-tight manner to the closure body (13) and the interconnection group (11) to delimit withinthe filtering chamber (F) a central chamber (M) that the tubular filter (18) surrounds.

5. Filtering device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the interconnection group (11) comprises a lower connector (112121) that surrounds the first opening (D) and is configured to couple in a seal-tight manner to the tubular filter (18) to prevent liquid passage from the first opening (D) to the second opening (E) except through the tubular filter (18), when the tubular filter (18) is coupled to the closure body (13) and the interconnection group (11).

6. Filtering device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure body (13) includes a housing (133) for a magnetic element (17) configured to project internally into the filtering chamber (F); the housing (133) has an entrance for the magnetic element (17) positioned to be external to the filtering chamber (F).

7. Filtering device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tubular filter (18) is configured to be coupled to the closure body (13) so as to surround the housing (133) of the magnetic element (17).

8. Filtering device (10) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the closure body (13) has a bottom (132) from which the housing (133) of the magnetic element (17) and the edge (131) project along an extension direction (K); wherein along the extension direction (K), the extension of the housing (133) is greater than the extension of the edge (131).

9. Filtering device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the interconnection group (11) comprises a connection body (114) from whichthe connectors (112, 113) and the sleeve (111) extend; wherein the sleeve (111) extends from the connection body (114) so as to at least partially surround the housing (133) of the magnetic element (17) upon coupling the interconnection group (11) with the closure body (13).

10. Filtering device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (141) has an internal cavity (Z) that is closed, at one end along the development axis, by a terminal wall (147) of the shutter (14) to which an element suitable for rotating the shutter (14) in the internal chamber (A) is connected.

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