Filter press with automatic device for extracting / inserting filtering septa

Abstract

A filter press (100) comprising: a support structure (300), an array of filtering plates (105) associated with the support structure (300) and aligned along a predetermined longitudinal axis (A), a plurality of filtering septa (140) oriented parallel to the filtering plates (105) and interposed therebetween, and an automatic device (400) for removing and / or inserting the filtering septa (140); wherein each filtering septum (140) hangs from a support bar (150) provided with at least one pair of hooking eyelets (155); wherein said automatic device (400) comprises a framework (405), a movement system (410) of the framework (405), a lifting frame (425) adapted to hook the support bars (150) of the filtering septa (140), which is slidably coupled to the framework (405), and a plurality of pairs of gripping members (465) installed on said lifting frame (425); wherein the gripping members (465) of each pair are associated with an actuation sys-tem adapted to move them between an engagement configuration and a disengage-ment configuration.

Description

[0001] FILTER PRESS WITH AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING / INSERTING FILTER¬

[0002] ING SEPTA

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to filter presses, such as those commonly used to filter liquid substances containing suspended solids (known as solid-liquid suspensions), typically sludge that may originate from both civil and industrial waste water purification processes or from several other production processes, typically but not exclusively chemical / phar- maceutical or mining.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] As is well known, a filter press generally comprises an array of filtering plates, which are arranged in a row along a predetermined horizontal direction.

[0007] Between each pair of filtering plates, two filtering septa, typically two filtering cloths, each of which is adapted to cover one of the main faces of the filtering plate adjacent to it.

[0008] The filtering plates of the filter press are also mutually movable in the longitudinal axis direction, between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

[0009] In the closed configuration, the filtering plates are closed in a pack against the filtering cloths interposed between them, which thus delimit a plurality of filtration chambers.

[0010] In the open configuration, the filtering plates are spaced apart, separating and releasing the corresponding filtering cloths and opening the filtration chambers laterally.

[0011] Through a suitable inlet hydraulic circuit, the sludge to be filtered is supplied into the filtration chambers when all the filtering plates are in a closed configuration.

[0012] Thus, the solid fraction within the sludge remains confined within the filtration chambers, where it forms a compact residue, while the liquid fraction passes through the filtering septa to an outlet hydraulic circuit, through which it may be discharged or collected.

[0013] At the end of this filtration cycle, the pairs of adjacent filtering plates are brought, either simultaneously or one at a time, into an open configuration, so that the solid deposit can fall outside the filtration chambers by gravity.

[0014] However, with prolonged use, the filtering cloths of the filter press are subject to wear and therefore need to be replaced.

[0015] At present, the replacement of the filtering cloths is mostly done manually, with the help of equipment that, typically by means of an overhead crane, is brought above the filtering cloths placed between the filtering plates and then lowered onto them. This equipment comprises a plurality of manually operated hooks, which are operated by the operators, to hook the support bars from which the filtering cloths are normally hung. Once hooking is complete, the equipment may be lifted, still using the overhead crane, dragging along the support bars and their respective filtering cloths, which are then extracted from the filtering plates.

[0016] The overhead crane can then be commanded to transport the equipment, with the filtering cloths attached thereto, to a work area, adjacent to the filter press, where operators can remove the worn-out filtering cloths from the support bars and replace them with new ones.

[0017] Finally, the equipment may be moved backwards onto the filter press, so that the new filtering cloths may be placed between the filtering plates.

[0018] To simplify these operations, devices have recently been proposed to automatically replace the filtering cloths of the filter press, or at least to automatically carry out the extraction of the worn-out filtering cloths and the insertion of new ones.

[0019] However, these devices have the drawback of being rather complex and consequently expensive.

[0020] Disclosure of the invention

[0021] An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawback of the prior art by making available an automatic system for replacing the filtering cloths of a filter press that is rather simple and relatively cost-effective.

[0022] This and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention which however are not strictly required for the implementation thereof.

[0023] In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available a filter press comprising:

[0024] - a support structure,

[0025] - an array of filtering plates associated with the support structure, mutually aligned along a predetermined horizontal longitudinal axis and oriented perpendicularly thereto,

[0026] - a plurality of filtering septa (e.g. filtering cloths) oriented parallel to the filtering plates and individually interposed between a pair of consecutive filtering plates, and

[0027] - an automatic device for removing and / or inserting filtering septa, which is adapted to extract and / or insert a plurality of filtering septa from / into the space between corresponding pairs of filtering plates, wherein each filtering septum hangs from a horizontal support bar, which is oriented transversally to the longitudinal axis and is provided with at least one pair of hooking eyelets, each of which is positioned at a respective axial end of the support bar, wherein said automatic removal and / or insertion of the filtering septa comprises:

[0028] - a framework, e.g. a containment cage,

[0029] - a movement system adapted to move the framework in a horizontal and vertical direction above the filtering plates, so that said framework may be released to rest in different positions on the filter press support structure,

[0030] - a lifting frame adapted to hook the support bars of the filtering cloths, which is slidably coupled to the framework, so as to be adapted to move in a vertical direction relative thereto, e.g. inside the containment cage,

[0031] - operating means to operate said movement of the lifting frame relative to the framework, and

[0032] - a plurality of pairs of gripping members installed on said lifting frame, wherein each pair of gripping members is associated with an actuation system adapted to move it (e.g., by moving at least one of the respective gripping members) between an engagement configuration, wherein each gripping member of the pair is adapted to hook a hooking eyelet of a support bar, and a disengagement configuration, wherein each gripping member of said pair is adapted to unhook from said hooking eyelet.

[0033] For example, each pair of gripping members may be a pair of locking pins mutually aligned along an alignment direction parallel to the support bars, and the actuation system may be adapted to move each locking pin, preferably independently of all others, between an extracted position, wherein said locking pin is adapted to be inserted into a hooking eyelet of a support bar, and a retracted position, where said locking pin is adapted to be pulled out of said hooking eyelet.

[0034] Thanks to this solution, the operation of extracting and repositioning the filtering septa of the filter press may be performed fully automatically, by means of a rather simple and relatively cost-effective device. According to an aspect of the invention, the actuation system of each pair of gripping members, e.g. of locking pins, may comprise at least one linear actuator, e.g. pneumatic or electric, more preferably one linear actuator for each gripping member, e.g. for each locking pin.

[0035] Thanks to this solution, the various pairs of gripping members, e.g. locking pins, may be operated independently, allowing a variable number of support bars and, thus, corresponding filtering septa, to be hooked and subsequently moved.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention provides that the framework, e.g., the containment cage may comprise a plurality of support feet, each of which is adapted to interlock with a corresponding abutment element of the support structure, to counteract horizontal displacements of the frame, e.g., the containment cage, relative to the support structure itself.

[0037] For example, each element of the support structure may comprise a vertical, preferably conical, pin adapted to fit into a cavity in the support foot.

[0038] Thus, it is advantageously possible to ensure a precise positioning of the framework, e.g. of the containment cage, and of the associated lifting frame, relative to the support bars of the filtering septa that are installed in the filter press support structure.

[0039] According to a different aspect of the invention, the system for moving the framework, e.g. the containment cage, may comprise an overhead crane, preferably an automatically controlled overhead crane, e.g. having an electronic control unit configured to control the movements of the framework, e.g. the containment cage, associated therewith.

[0040] The operating means of the lifting frame may instead comprise at least one drive belt, which is wound on a pair of pulleys installed on the framework, e.g. on the containment cage, so as to have a vertical section to which the lifting frame is anchored, and a motor, also installed on the frame, e.g. on the containment cage, which is adapted to make at least one of said pulleys rotate.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention provides that the filter press may also comprise two comblike devices, installed on the framework, e.g. on the containment cage, on opposite sides of the lifting frame, each of which comprises an array of horizontal prongs, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, which are adapted to be inserted laterally between the filtering septa hooked to the lifting frame.

[0042] These comb-like devices are useful to keep the filtering septa separate, e.g. when moving the lifting frame and / or the framework, e.g. of the containment cage.

[0043] Preferably, each comb-like device may comprise means to vary the mutual distance between two or more prongs of the respective array of prongs in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0044] Thus, the prongs of the comb-like devices may switch between a closer position, so they may be inserted between the filtering septa, and a spread-out position, so that they space the filtering septa from each other.

[0045] More specifically, each array of prongs may comprise a first plurality of prongs and a second plurality of prongs, wherein the prongs of the second plurality are alternated with the prongs of the first plurality, and the means for varying the distance between them are adapted to rigidly move all the prongs of the second plurality relative to the prongs of the first plurality in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or vice versa.

[0046] For example, the prongs of the second plurality may be fixed cantilevered to a tubular element oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the prongs of the first plurality may be fixed cantilevered to a rod coaxially inserted into the tubular element, protruding from the latter through respective slots, the means for varying the mutual distance being adapted to axially move the tubular element relative to the rod and / or vice versa.

[0047] These means may comprise at least one linear actuator, e.g. pneumatic or hydraulic, more preferably two linear actuators to move the rod and the tubular element respectively. Thus, the operation of the prongs is performed by a rather simple and reliable solution.

[0048] According to another aspect of the invention, the filter press may further comprise means, installed on the framework, e.g. on the containment cage, which are adapted to move both comb-like devices in a horizontal direction, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, closer to and away from each other.

[0049] Thus, the prongs of the comb-like devices may be inserted and extracted relative to the filtering septa by means of a translatory movement.

[0050] These means for moving the comb-like devices in a horizontal direction may comprise, for each comb-like device, at least one drive belt, which is wound on a pair of pulleys installed on the framework, for example on the containment cage so as to have a horizontal section to which a slider is anchored carrying the comb-like device, and a motor, also installed on the frame, for example on the containment cage, which is adapted to rotate at least one of said pulleys. Another aspect of the invention provides that the filter press may also comprise means, installed on the frame, e.g. on the containment cage, which are adapted to rotate both comb-like devices about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, between a first position wherein the respective prongs are oriented horizontally and a second position wherein the respective prongs are oriented vertically.

[0051] Thus, the prongs of the comb-like devices may be inserted and extracted relative to the filtering septa by means of a rotary movement.

[0052] These means for rotating the comb-like devices may comprise, for each comb-like device, at least one linear actuator, e.g. of the pneumatic or electric type, adapted to rotate at least one lever, which carries the comb-like device and is adapted to rotate about said rotation axis.

[0053] Brief description of the figures

[0054] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filter press according to the present invention.

[0056] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an assembly consisting of a filtering plate of the filter press and associated filtering septa.

[0057] Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1 .

[0058] Figure 4 is a front view of the filter press of Figure 1 .

[0059] Figure 5 is a partial side view of the filter press of Figure 1 .

[0060] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an assembly belonging to the filtering septa replacement device.

[0061] Figures 7 and 8 are two perspective views, from different angles, of a lifting frame belonging to the assembly of Figure 6.

[0062] Figures 9 and 10 are two perspective views, from different angles, of a framework, e.g. a containment cage, belonging to the assembly of Figure 6.

[0063] Figures 11 , 12 and 13 are the section XI-XI shown in Figure 5, shown in an enlarged scale and in as many different steps during the operation of the filtering septa replacement device.

[0064] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing, in an enlarged scale, the lower part of the assembly of Figure 6. Figures 15 and 16 are two further enlarged details of Figure 14.

[0065] Figure 17 is the section XVII-XVII indicated in Figure 13.

[0066] Figure 18 is the detail XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17 shown in an enlarged scale.

[0067] Figure 19 is the detail XIX of Figure 11 shown in section and in an enlarged scale.

[0068] Figures 20 and 21 are details XX and XXI of Figure 12, shown in an enlarged scale and with the gripping members in a disengagement configuration, in this case with the locking pins in a retracted position.

[0069] Figures 22 and 23 are the same as the previous figures, shown with the gripping members in an engagement configuration, in this case with the locking pins in the extended position. Detailed description

[0070] The attached figures show a filter press 100, which is generally adapted to filter liquid substances wherein suspended solids, known as solid-liquid suspensions, are dispersed. For example, the filter press 100 may be used to filter sludge from both civil and industrial waste water treatment processes, or from other technological processes, typically but not exclusively chemical / pharmaceutical or mining.

[0071] The filter press 100 comprises an array of filtering plates 105, i.e. a plurality of filtering plates 105 mutually aligned along a predetermined longitudinal axis A, preferably horizontal.

[0072] As shown in Figure 2, each of these filtering plates 105 can generally be shaped as a relatively thin body with two main faces that are larger, mutually opposite and substantially parallel, and a (much) smaller thickness than the dimensions of the main faces.

[0073] The filtering plates 105, i.e. their main faces, may be oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A, e.g. they may be oriented vertically.

[0074] The filtering plates 105 can also be arranged in sequence along said longitudinal axis A, in such a way that they are aligned and face each other two by two.

[0075] In particular, each filtering plate 105 may have a substantially rectangular or square shape, comprising a lower side, an upper side and two lateral sidewalls, which globally define the perimeter of the main faces.

[0076] Regardless of their specific shape, the filtering plates 105 installed in the filter press 100 may be the equal to each other.

[0077] The filter press 100 further comprises a support structure 300 for the filtering plates 105, on which the filtering plates 105 can slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A. As may be seen in Figure 3, the support structure 300 may comprise, for example, a pair of struts 315 parallel to the sliding axis A, between which the filtering plates 105 are interposed.

[0078] A support bar 115, whose ends rest slidably on respective guide rails 320, each of which may be fixed to a respective strut 315 parallel thereto, may be fixed to the upper sidewall of each filtering plate 105.

[0079] Being on board the support structure 300, the filtering plates 105 are preferably interposed, in the longitudinal axis A direction, between a stationary head 325 and a movable head 330.

[0080] Each filtering plate 105 thus comprises a front main face 120 facing the stationary head 325 and a rear main face 125 facing the movable head 330.

[0081] Both the front face 120 and the rear face 125 may comprise a recess 130 and a perimeter frame 135 which perimetrally delimits said recess 130.

[0082] The movable head 330 may be moved closer to and away from the stationary head 325, sliding in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0083] This displacement of the movable head 330 may be achieved by means of suitable movement systems, which may comprise, for example, one or more hydraulic jacks.

[0084] Moving closer to the stationary head 325, the movable head 330 is able to close all of the filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100 in a pack with one other and against the stationary head 325 itself.

[0085] Conversely, by moving away from the stationary head 325, the movable head 330 may leave enough space so that each pair of consecutive filtering plates 105 can switch from a closed configuration (wherein they are closed in a pack), to an open configuration, wherein said pair of filtering plates 105 are mutually spaced apart.

[0086] In the embodiment shown, the displacement from the closed configuration to the open configuration may be achieved by means of a plurality of chains (not visible), one of which connects the movable head 330 to the first filtering plate 105 closest to it, while each of the other chains connects a respective pair of mutually consecutive filtering plates 105.

[0087] Thus, moving away from the stationary head 325, the movable head 330 initially separates from the first filtering plate 105 until it stretches the first chain, after which the first filtering plate 105 is forced to follow the movement of the movable head 330, moving away from the second filtering plate until it stretches the next chain, and so on until all the pairs of filtering plates 105 reach the open configuration.

[0088] Regardless of all these considerations, two filtering septa may be associated with each filtering plate 105, of which a first filtering septum 140 is adapted to cover the front face 120 thereof and a second filtering septum adapted to cover the rear face 125 thereof.

[0089] In particular, each of these filtering septa 140 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, e.g. oriented substantially vertically.

[0090] In particular, each filtering septum 140 may be adapted to adhere to the perimeter frame 135 of the respective main face and to fully cover the recess 130 thereof, for example by assuming its shape and adhering to the bottom thereof.

[0091] In the example illustrated, each filtering septum 140 consists of a portion of a filtering cloth.

[0092] However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, each filtering septum 140 may consist of a grid, mesh or perforated sheet, for example made of metal material.

[0093] The filtering septa 140 associated with each filtering plate 105 may be hung on a respective support bar 150.

[0094] Each support bar 150 may be oriented horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A and may preferably be above the respective filtering plate 105.

[0095] For example, each support bar 150 may rest on the upper sidewall of the respective filtering plate 105, wherein it lies substantially coplanar with the latter, for example in an overlapping position parallel to the support bar 115.

[0096] Between the filtering plate 105 and the support bar 150, they may possibly be interposed one or more vertical spacer columns 145, the tops of which fit into corresponding holes in the support bar 150 and are delimited by annular brackets on which the support bar 150 rests.

[0097] Each support bar 150 may further comprise a pair of hooking eyelets 155, which may be located at opposite ends of the respective support bar 150, e.g. protruding upwards from the upper sidewall thereof.

[0098] Each of these hooking eyelets 155 may be oriented so that its passage axis is substantially parallel to the respective support bar 150, for example coinciding with the passage axis of the other hooking eyelet 155 of the pair.

[0099] Although in the embodiment illustrated, two separate and distinct filtering septa 140 are associated with each filtering plate 105, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the two filtering septa 140 may be joined together to form a single body.

[0100] In any case, between each pair of consecutive filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100, two mutually facing filtering septa 140 are interposed, one of which is associated with the front face 120 of a filtering plate 105 while the other is associated with the rear face 125 of the other filtering plate 105 of the pair.

[0101] When these filtering plates 105 are in a closed configuration, the two filtering septa 140 interposed therebetween are substantially in contact with each other at the perimeter frames 135 while they may be at least slightly spaced apart at the recesses 130.

[0102] Consequently, between these two filtering septa 140 a narrow gap is defined, substantially closed at the perimeter, which defines a filtration chamber adapted to receive the liquid to be filtered.

[0103] Since the filter press 100 comprises multiple filtering plates 105 and thus multiple pairs of filtering septa 140, it will also make multiple of these filtration chambers globally available. The liquid to be filtered may be supplied into the filtration chambers through one or more inlet ducts, each of which may be made from a sequence of through holes which are obtained directly in the filtering plates 105.

[0104] For example, in the embodiment illustrated, the filter press 100 may comprise two inlet ducts, each of which is formed by a sequence of through holes 180 that are individually made in a respective filtering plate 105.

[0105] In other words, each filtering plate 105 may comprise two through holes 180, each of which has an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A and is coaxial with a corresponding through hole 180 of all the other filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100.

[0106] The through holes 180 may be made e.g. at the perimeter frames 135 of the filtering plate 105, externally in relation to the recesses 130, in this case near the upper sidewall of the filtering plate 105 itself.

[0107] In a position coaxial with each of these through holes 180, the two filtering septa 140 associated with the filtering plate 105 may have a respective through hole 185.

[0108] For each through hole 180, each filtering plate 105 may be further provided with two distribution rings arranged coaxially with the respective through hole 180, of which a first distribution ring 190 that is fixed to the front face 120 of the filtering plate 105, for example embedded in a suitable seat obtained in its perimeter frame 135, and a second distribution ring 195 that is fixed to the rear face 125 of the same filtering plate 105, for example embedded in a suitable seat obtained in its perimeter frame 135.

[0109] The through holes 185 of the filtering septa 140 may have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the distribution rings 190 and 195, so that the first distribution rings 190 are also adapted to clamp the first filtering septum 140 against the front face 120 of the filtering plate 105, while the second distribution rings 195 are also adapted to clamp the second filtering septum 140 against the rear face 125 of the filtering plate 105.

[0110] When all the pairs of filtering plates 105 are in a closed configuration, i.e. , when all the filtering plates 105 are in a pack together, the first distribution rings 190 of each filtering plate 105 may be singularly in contact, frontally, with a respective second distribution ring 195 of an immediately adjacent filtering plate 105, making a section of tube therewith.

[0111] At the mutual contact zone, each first and second distribution ring 190 and 195 may be shaped in such a way as to define lateral openings which place the section of tube defined by them in hydraulic communication with the filtration chamber.

[0112] Each section of pipe defined by a first and a second distribution ring 190 and 195 is then in hydraulic communication with all the similar sections of tube defined by the other pairs of filtering plates 105, forming overall the already mentioned inlet ducts.

[0113] Each inlet duct can then be connected to an inlet hydraulic circuit (not shown) adapted to supply it with the fluid to be filtered.

[0114] The liquid to be filtered reaching the filtration chambers of the filter press 100 thus tends to pass through the filtering septa 140 which, interposed between each pair of consecutive filtering plates 105, delimit each filtration chamber, while the solid part remains inside the filtration chamber itself, forming a relatively compact deposit.

[0115] After passing through the filtering septa 140, the filtered liquid may flow into one or more discharge ducts, each of which may be made from a sequence of through holes 200 which are obtained directly in the filtering plates 105, similarly to the previously described inlet ducts.

[0116] In practice, each filtering plate 105 may comprise one or more through holes 200, each of which has an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A and is coaxial with a corresponding through hole 200 of all the other filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100.

[0117] Each of these through holes 200 may be made at the perimeter frames 135 of the respective filtering plate 105, externally relative to the recesses 130.

[0118] In the embodiment shown, each filtering plate 105 may comprise e.g. six through holes 200, of which a first pair of through holes 200 is positioned at the upper sidewall of the filtering plate 105, a second pair of through holes 200 is obtained in an appendage of the filtering plate 105 that protrudes from the right lateral sidewall, and a third pair of through holes 200 is obtained in an appendage that protrudes from the left lateral sidewall.

[0119] In a position coaxial with each through hole 200 of the first pair, the filtering septa 140 may also have a respective through hole 205, while the through holes 200 of the second and third pairs may remain entirely uncovered.

[0120] When all the pairs of filtering plates 105 are in a closed configuration, i.e. , when all the filtering plates 105 are packed together, each through hole 200 of a filtering plate 105 is in hydraulic communication with a succession of homologous through holes 200 of all the other filtering plates 105, globally forming one of the aforementioned discharge ducts.

[0121] Each through hole 200 may also be in communication, e.g. through a suitable system of channels obtained in the body of the filtering plate 105, with the bottom surfaces of the recesses 130 made in the front face 120 and in the back face 125.

[0122] Thus, the filtered liquid passing through the filtering septa 140 may first flow into said inner channels, and then into the through-holes 200 and then into the discharge ducts. These discharge ducts may eventually be connected with a suitable outlet hydraulic circuit adapted to convey the filtered fluid to a storage tank, a disposal system or to other uses.

[0123] In the operation of the filter press 100, the supply of the fluid to be filtered inside the filtration chambers and the consequent extraction of the filtered liquid does not take place continuously, but is interrupted after a certain period of time, when the filtration chambers are substantially full of solid residue forming the aforementioned compact deposit.

[0124] When this occurs, each pair of consecutive filtering plates 105 may be brought into an open configuration, in the way outlined above, so that the filtering septa 140 that are interposed between them separate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A, laterally opening the filtration chamber and thereby allowing the compact deposit to fall downwards outside the filter press 100.

[0125] This compact deposit may then be collected, for example, in special compartments provided underneath the filtering plates 105, to be then disposed of or submitted to further treatment.

[0126] With prolonged use, the filtering septa 140 are submitted to wear and need to be replaced. For this reason, the filter press 100 may also comprise an automatic device 400 for removing and / or inserting the filtering septa 140, which is adapted to remove and / or insert a plurality of filtering septa 140 from / into the space between the corresponding pairs of filtering plates 105, when the latter are in an open configuration.

[0127] This automatic device 400 may comprise a framework, e.g. a containment cage 405, made, for example, of metal material, and a movement system 410 adapted to move said containment cage 405 horizontally and vertically above the support structure 300 and the array of filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100.

[0128] The containment cage 405, which may generally be in the shape of a right prism, may comprise a base frame and a top frame, both of which are essentially rectangular in shape, connected by a series of vertical bars defining their comers.

[0129] The base frame is preferably open while the upper frame may be crossed by one or more stiffening crossbeams.

[0130] The containment cage 405 may further comprise a plurality of support feet 415, in this case four support feet 415, which may be fixed to the base frame, for example distributed on two opposite sides of the latter.

[0131] As illustrated in Figure 19, the support feet 415 may be individually shaped as (small) vertical columns, and may be internally hollow and open at the bottom.

[0132] The support feet 415 can also be cushioned, e.g. by comprising two telescopic portions and a spring adapted to normally hold said telescopic portions in a spaced position, and then to compress under the weight of the containment cage 405.

[0133] The movement system 410 of the containment cage 405 may comprise an overhead crane device 420 that is above the support structure 300 of the filter press 100.

[0134] This overhead crane device 420 may be adapted to move the containment cage in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction, along a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A and a second direction orthogonal to said first direction.

[0135] The overhead crane device 420, which may be replaced by a Cartesian robot or any other known system, may be separated from the support structure 300, as illustrated in the figures, or may be integrated and / or suitably coupled to it.

[0136] In any case, the movement system 410 may comprise an electronic control unit, such as a PLC, which is adapted to control the displacements of the containment cage 405, for example by controlling the overhead crane device 420, in a fully automatic manner. A lifting frame 425, also made, for example, of metal material, may be accommodated within the containment cage 405, which is adapted to hook a plurality of the filtering septa 140 that are associated with the filtering plates 105.

[0137] This lifting frame 425, which may have a substantially planar shape, may have a substantially rectangular perimeter with two longitudinal sides, parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and two transverse sides.

[0138] The lifting frame 425 may be slidably coupled to the containment cage 405, so that it is adapted to move therein in a vertical direction.

[0139] For example, substantially at the centreline of each of the transverse sides, the lifting frame 425 may comprise a skid 430 provided with rollers (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0140] Each of these skids 430 may be smoothly coupled, by means of respective rollers, with a corresponding guide rail 435, which is vertically oriented and may be fixed to an upright 440 firmly fixed to the containment cage 405 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0141] At the top of the containment cage 405, the two uprights 440 may be joined by a stiffening beam.

[0142] The operation of the lifting frame 425 relative to the containment cage 405 may be obtained by means of at least one, and preferably a pair, of drive belts 445 (see Fig. 6).

[0143] Each of these drive belts 445 may be wound on at least one respective pair of pulleys 450, which are installed on the containment cage 405, e.g. positioned and rotatably installed at opposite ends of a respective upright 440, so that the drive belt 445 has at least one vertical operating section.

[0144] The lifting frame 425 is anchored to the operating section of each drive belt 445, e.g. by means of a vice connection, so that the sliding of the drive belt 445, caused by the rotation of at least one of the respective pulleys 450, causes the simultaneous sliding of the lifting frame 425 in a vertical direction.

[0145] The rotation of said pulley 450, e.g. of the one located higher up on the containment cage 405, may be obtained by means of a motor 455, e.g. an electric motor, which is also installed on the containment cage 405 and may be adapted to rotate one or more drive shafts 460 to which a pulley 450 of both drive belts 445 may be keyed.

[0146] By moving vertically within the containment cage 405, the lifting frame 425 may move from a raised position, illustrated in Figure 11 , to a lowered position, illustrated in Figure 12. It should be noted that, since the base (i.e. the base frame) of the containment cage 405 is open, the lifting frame 425 in the lowered position may protrude entirely or at least partially below the containment cage 405 itself.

[0147] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, a plurality of pairs of gripping devices, e.g. a plurality of pairs of locking pins 465, may be installed on the lifting frame 425, the number of which (in this case ten pairs) may, however, be lower than the number of the support bars 150 for the filtering septa 140 that are globally installed on the filter press 100.

[0148] The locking pins 465 of each of these pairs may be mutually aligned along an alignment direction parallel to the support bars 150, e.g. horizontal and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A of the filter press 100.

[0149] For example, each pair of locking pins 465 may comprise a first locking pin positioned at one of the longitudinal sides of the lifting frame 425, and a second locking pin positioned at the opposite longitudinal side.

[0150] Each pair of gripping members, e.g. each pair of locking pins 465, is then associated with an actuation system, which is adapted to move at least one of the relevant gripping members, so as to arrange said pair of gripping members in a engagement configuration or alternatively in a disengagement configuration.

[0151] For example, the actuation system may be adapted to move both locking pins 465 of each pair along the direction of mutual alignment, i.e. parallel to the support bars 150 and / or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, between a retracted position and an extracted position.

[0152] In Figures 7 and 8, some locking pins 465, those marked with the corresponding numerical reference, are shown in the extracted position, while the remainder are shown in the retracted position.

[0153] In the retracted position, the mutual distance between the two locking pins 465 of each pair, along the direction of mutual alignment, is at least slightly lower than the distance separating the hooking eyelets 155 of each support bar 150.

[0154] In the extracted position, the mutual distance between the two locking pins 465 of each pair, along the direction of mutual alignment, is instead substantially equal to the distance separating the hooking eyelets 155 of each support bar 150.

[0155] The actuation system of each pair of locking pins 465, which may also be installed on the lifting frame 425, may comprise an actuator 470 for each locking pin 465, for example a pneumatic or electric linear actuator.

[0156] The pairs of locking pins 465 which are installed on the lifting frame 425 may be arranged parallel and coplanar to each other and may be spaced, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A, by a pitch substantially equal to the pitch separating the filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100, when they are in the open configuration.

[0157] The lifting frame 425 may further comprise one or more pairs of centring forks 475, vertically directed downwards, wherein the centring forks 475 of each pair are aligned with each other in a direction horizontal and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A, in such a way that said centring forks 475 are adapted to receive a respective support bar 150 of the filter press 100 being inserted, thereby creating with it a constraint which establishes with precision the relative position of the lifting frame 425 and of all relative locking pins 465 also relative to the other support bars 150.

[0158] In the example shown, the lifting frame 425 comprises in particular two of said pairs of centring forks 475, which are positioned at the first and last pairs of locking pins 465.

[0159] As illustrated in Figure 6, the filter press 100 may also comprise two comb-like devices 500, which may be installed on the containment cage 405, e.g. on opposite sides of the lifting frame 425, relative to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A.

[0160] Each of these comb-like devices 500 may comprise an elongated back support 505, which may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the filter press 100, and an array of prongs 510, shaped for example like sticks, which may protrude transversely cantilevered from said back support 505.

[0161] The prongs 510 of each comb-like device 500 may be arranged in sequence along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A, being mutually coplanar, parallel and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A itself.

[0162] Normally, the prongs 510 of each comb-like device 500 may lie in a horizontal plane.

[0163] When lying in said horizontal plane, the prongs 510 of each comb-like device 500 may face the prongs 510 of the other comb-like device 500, e.g. coplanar and aligned with them.

[0164] With particular reference to Figures 14 to 16, each comb-like device 500 may be associated with first movement means, installed on the containment cage 405, which are adapted to move said comb-like device 500 in a horizontal direction, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A, closer to and away from the other comb-like device 500. These first movement means may comprise at least one drive belt 515, more preferably a pair of drive belts 515, each of which is wound on a pair of pulleys (not visible) that are installed on the containment cage 405, so that said drive belt 515 has at least one horizontal operating section oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A.

[0165] A slider 520 supporting the comb-like device 500 may be anchored to the operating section of each drive belt 515, e.g. by means of a vice connection.

[0166] For example, in the embodiment illustrated, the back support 505 of each comb-like device 500 may be supported by two of said sliders 520 placed at its ends, each of which is anchored to the operating section of a respective drive belt 515.

[0167] Thus, by operating the simultaneous sliding of the drive belts 515, e.g. by operating at least one of the respective pulleys, it is advantageously also possible to cause the translation of the corresponding comb-like device 500.

[0168] The operation of said pulleys may be achieved by means of a motor 525, e.g. an electric motor, which is installed on the containment cage 405 and is adapted to rotate a drive shaft 530 to which at least one pulley of each drive belt 515 associated with the individual comb-like device 500 is keyed.

[0169] By means of the first movement means, the two comb-like devices 500 can thus move closer to and away from each other, between a maximum-distance position, illustrated in Figure 14, to a minimum-distance position, not illustrated.

[0170] Each comb-like device 500 may also be associated with second movement means, which are adapted to rotate it about a rotation axis Q, parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0171] For example, these second movement means may comprise at least one lever 535, preferably a pair of levers 535, each of which is adapted to connect the comb-like device 500 to one of the sliders 520 supporting the respective back support 505.

[0172] In particular, each lever 535 may have a first end articulated to the corresponding slider 520 according to said rotation axis Q, and an opposite end bearing, at a certain distance from said rotation axis Q, the back support 505.

[0173] The second movement means may then comprise at least one actuator 540, for example a pneumatic or electric linear actuator, more preferably a pair of said actuators 540, each of which is installed on a respective slider 520 and is adapted to act on the corresponding lever 535, to cause the rotation of the latter about the rotation axis Q and, thereby, to cause the rotation of the comb-like device 500. By second movement mean, each of the comb-like devices 500 can thus rotate between a lowered position, illustrated in Figure 14, wherein the respective prongs 510 are oriented horizontally as described above, to a raised position, not illustrated, wherein the respective prongs 510 are oriented substantially vertically.

[0174] Each comb-like device 500 may further comprise third movement means to vary the mutual distance between two or more of the respective prongs 510 along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0175] For example, the array of prongs 510 of each comb-like device 500 may include a plurality of first prongs 510-A and a plurality of second prongs 510-B, wherein the prongs 510-B of the second plurality are alternated with the prongs of the first plurality 510-A.

[0176] The third movement means may be adapted to rigidly move all the prongs 510-B of the second plurality relative to the prongs 510-A of the first plurality in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A and / or vice versa.

[0177] Specifically, the back support 505 of each comb-like device 500 may be arranged to comprise a rod 545, oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and a tubular element 550 coaxially inserted onto the rod 545 and sliding axially relative thereto.

[0178] The opposite ends of the rod 545 may protrude from either side of the tubular element 550 and may be supported by the levers 535 of the respective sliders 520, preferably by means of a sliding coupling which also allows the rod 545 to perform limited displacements in the axial direction.

[0179] The prongs 510-B of the second plurality may be fixed cantilevered to said tubular element 550, while the prongs 510-A of the first plurality may be fixed cantilevered to the rod 545, each protruding from the tubular element 550 through a respective slot 555 formed in the tubular element 550 itself and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0180] The third movement means may therefore be adapted to operate the sliding of the tubular element 550 relative to the rod 545 and / or vice versa.

[0181] For example, said third movement means may comprise a first actuator 560, e.g. a first pneumatic or electric linear actuator, which is adapted to connect the tubular element 550 to the lever 535 proximal thereto, so as to be adapted to cause the sliding of the tubular element 550.

[0182] Alternatively or additionally, the third movement means may comprise a second actuator 565, for example a second pneumatic or electric linear actuator, which is adapted to connect the rod 545 to the other lever 535, so as to be adapted to cause the sliding of the rod 545.

[0183] By mutually sliding the rod 545 and the tubular element 550 in an axial direction, the third movement means are thus able to move the prongs 510-A of the first plurality relative to the prongs 510-B of the second plurality, between a closed configuration, illustrated in Figure 14, wherein each prong 510-B is in a close position relative to a corresponding prong 510-A, and a spread-out position, illustrated in Figure 18, wherein each prong 510- B is at a greater distance from the corresponding prong 510-A.

[0184] The operation of the automatic device 400 may be summarised as follows.

[0185] When the filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100 are in an open configuration, the movement system 410 may bring the containment cage 405 above an n-tuple of support bars 150 corresponding to the number of pairs of locking pins 465 that are installed on the lifting frame 425 (see Figure 5).

[0186] The movement system 410 can then lower the containment cage 405 until it rests, e.g. by means of the respective support feet 415, on the support structure 300 of the filter press 100, e.g. on two horizontal surfaces extending, parallel to the longitudinal axis A, from opposite sides of the array of filtering plates 105 and corresponding support bars 150 for the filtering septa 140 (see Figure 11 ).

[0187] Since the position of the containment cage 405, and with it, that of the lifting frame 425, relative to the support bars 150 must be as precise as possible, the support structure 300, in particular the surface(s) adapted to receive the containment cage 405, may be provided with a plurality of pins 700, protruding vertically, which are suitably positioned and are individually designed to fit into the inner cavity of a support foot 415, so as to create with it an interlocking which precisely establishes the position of the containment cage 405 (see Figure 19).

[0188] In order to ease the insertion of the pins 700 and thus the centring of the containment cage 405, the pins 700 and / or the inner cavity of the support feet 415 may have a conical shape.

[0189] Once the containment cage 405 has been placed on the support structure 300, the lifting frame 425, which, until now, could be kept in the raised position, may be moved vertically towards the lowered position (see Figure 12).

[0190] When passing through the open bottom of the containment cage 405, the lifting frame 425 may protrude at least partially downwards, so that each pair of locking pins 465 may be positioned in alignment between the hooking eyelets 155 of a respective support bar 150, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 20 and 21 .

[0191] The aforementioned forks 475 also contribute to this stable and precise positioning, as, by coupling with the respective 150 support bars, they improve the centring of the lifting frame 425.

[0192] Naturally, during this lowering and positioning step, the locking pins 465 are all in the retracted position, so as not to interfere with the hooking eyelets 155 of the support bars 150 and to be able to interpose themselves between them as explained above.

[0193] After the lifting frame 425 has reached the lowered position, the locking pins 465 may instead be operated so as to move from the retracted position to the extracted position, inserting themselves into the hooking eyelets 155 of the respective support bars 150, as illustrated for example in Figures 22 and 23.

[0194] At this point, while the containment cage 405 remains stationary resting on the support structure 300 of the filter press 100, the lifting frame 425 may be moved inside the containment cage 405 towards the raised position (see Fig. 13).

[0195] Thus, thanks to the previous insertion of the locking pins 465 in the hooking eyelets 155, the support bars 150 remain hanging from the lifting frame 425 and, together with the corresponding filtering septa 140, follow the vertical displacement thereof.

[0196] When the support bars 150 hanging from the lifting frame 425 exceed the height of the comb-like devices 500, the latter, which may initially be in the maximum-distance position and / or in the raised position, may (if necessary) be moved to the lowered position, so that the prongs 510 are oriented horizontally, and / or may (still if necessary) be taken to the minimum-distance position.

[0197] Thus, the prongs 510 of the two comb-like devices 500 insert laterally between the filtering septa 140 that are associated with the support bars 150 hanging from the lifting frame 425 (see Figures 17 and 18).

[0198] In particular, each pair of mutually adjacent prongs 510-A and 510B of each comb-like device 500 insert underneath a respective support bar 150, so as to be interposed between the filtering septa 140 hanging from said support bar 150.

[0199] After that, the prongs 510-A and 510-B of each comb-like device 500, which were initially in the closed position, are moved away towards the spread-out position, so as to space the filtering septa 140 from each other and from the filtering plate 105 interposed between them, thus favouring their extraction and increasing their stability in subsequent movements.

[0200] Once the spread-out is complete, the lifting frame 425 may continue its ascent within the containment cage 405, together with the support bars 150 and the associated filtering septa 140, until it reaches the raised position shown in Figure 13.

[0201] Once in the raised position, the lifting frame 425 may be stably constrained to the containment cage 405, for example by means of one or more latches or other mechanical locking elements which, installed on board the lifting frame 425, may be operated by respective actuators 705 (see Figs. 7 and 8), for example electric or pneumatic linear actuators, so as to engage in corresponding (non-visible) holes obtained in the containment cage 405, for example in the uprights 440.

[0202] Thus, the lifting frame 425 is firmly locked to the containment cage 405, ensuring that the subsequent movement of the load is carried out safely.

[0203] At this point, in fact, the movement system 410 may lift the containment cage 405 from the support structure 300 of the filter press 100 and bring it to a work area where the support bars 150 may be released, so as to allow the replacement of the associated filtering septa 140.

[0204] The support bars 150 may be released, for example, by moving the comb-like devices 500 back to the retracted position and the lifting frame 425 back to the lowered position, and finally by operating the locking pins 465 to the retracted position, so that they may be pulled out of the hooking eyelets 155 of the respective support bars 150.

[0205] In the same work area or in another area, the lifting frame 425 may then hook, in ways similar to those outlined above, a group of support bars 150 already equipped with new filtering septa 140, and then insert them between the filtering plates 105 of the filter press 100 previously emptied, substantially performing backwards the same operations that have been described for the extraction step.

[0206] For example, it is provided that the work area may be equipped with a device adapted to make available a first and a second operating station, each of which is adapted to receive the containment cage 405, respectively, to receive the support bars 150 with the filtering septa 140 to be replaced, and to allow the withdrawal of the support bars 150 prepared with the new filtering septa 140. This device may also be provided with movement means adapted to feed the support bars 150 from the first operating station to the second operating station, allowing, in the meantime, the operators to replace the filtering septa 140.

[0207] In conclusion, we would like to emphasise that all of the operating steps described above may be managed fully automatically, e.g. by the electronic control unit (e.g. PLC), preferably with the aid of a plurality of sensors that guarantee maximum reliability and positioning accuracy.

[0208] Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make several technical-applicative modifications to all that above, without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed here- inbelow.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. A filter press (100) comprising:- a support structure (300),- an array of filtering plates (105) associated with the support structure (300), mutually aligned along a predetermined horizontal longitudinal axis (A) and oriented perpendicular to it,- a plurality of filtering septa (140) oriented parallel to the filtering plates (105) and individually interposed between a pair of consecutive filtering plates (105), and- an automatic device (400) for removing and / or inserting filtering septa (140), which is adapted to extract and / or insert a plurality of filtering septa (140) from / into the space between corresponding pairs of filtering plates (105), wherein each filtering septum (140) hangs from a horizontal support bar (150), which is oriented transversally relative to the longitudinal axis (A) and is provided with at least one pair of hooking eyelets (155), each of which is positioned at a respective axial end of the support bar (150) itself, wherein said automatic device (400) for removing and / or inserting the filtering septa (140) comprises:- a framework (405),- a movement system (410) adapted to move said framework (405) in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction above the filtering plates (105), so that said framework (405) may be released to rest in different positions on the support structure (300),- a lifting frame (425) adapted to engage the support bars (150) of the filtering septa (140), which is slidably coupled to the framework (405), so as to be adapted to move in a vertical direction relative thereto,- operating means to operate said movement of the lifting frame (425) relative to the framework (405), and- a plurality of pairs of gripping members (465) installed on said lifting frame (425), wherein each pair of gripping members (465) is associated with an actuation system adapted to move it between an engagement configuration, wherein each gripping member (465) of said pair is adapted to hook a hooking eyelet (155) of a support bar (150), and a disengagement configuration, wherein each gripping member (465) of said pair isadapted to unhook from said hooking eyelet (155).

2. A filter press (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said actuation system of each pair of gripping members (465) comprises at least one linear actuator (470).

3. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the framework (405) comprises a plurality of support feet (415), each of which is adapted to interlock with a corresponding abutment element of the support structure (300), to counteract horizontal displacements of the framework (405) relative to the support structure (300) itself.

4. A filter press (100) according to claim 3, wherein each abutment element comprises a vertical pin (700) adapted to fit into a cavity of the support foot (415).

5. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement system of the framework (405) comprises an overhead crane (420).

6. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating means of the lifting frame (425) comprise at least one drive belt (445), which is wound on a pair of pulleys (450) installed on the framework (405), so as to have a vertical section to which the lifting frame (425) is anchored, and a motor (455), also installed on the framework (405), which is adapted to rotate at least one of said pulleys (450).

7. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two comb-like devices (500), installed on the framework (405), on opposite sides relative to the lifting frame (425), each of which comprises an array of horizontal prongs (510), mutually parallel and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (A), which are adapted to be inserted laterally between the filtering septa (140) hooked to the lifting frame (425).

8. A filter press (100) according to claim 7, wherein each comb-like device (500) comprises means for varying the mutual distance between two or more prongs (510) of the respective array of prongs (510) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A).

9. A filter press (100) according to claim 8, wherein each array of prongs (510) comprises a first plurality of prongs (510-A) and a second plurality of prongs (510-B), wherein the prongs (510-B) of the second plurality are alternated with the prongs of the first plurality (510-A), and wherein the means for varying the mutual distance are adapted to rigidly move all of the prongs (510-B) of the second plurality relative to the prongs (510- A) of the first plurality in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) and / or vice versa.

10. A filter press (100) according to claim 9, the prongs (510-B) of the second plurality are fixed cantilevered to a tubular element (550) oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (A), and the prongs (510-A) of the first plurality are fixed cantilevered to a rod (545) coaxially inserted into the tubular element (550) from which they protrude through respective slots (555), the means for varying the mutual distance being adapted to axially move the tubular element (550) relative to the rod (545) and / or vice versa.

11. A filter press (100) according to claim 10, wherein said varying means comprise at least one linear actuator (560).

12. A filter press (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , comprising means, installed on the framework (405), which are adapted to move both comb-like devices (500) in a horizontal direction, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (A), closer to and away from each other.

13. A filter press (100) according to claim 12, wherein the means adapted to move the comb-like devices (500) in a horizontal direction comprise, for each comb-like device (500), at least one drive belt (515), which is wound on a pair of pulleys installed on the framework (405) so as to have a horizontal section to which a slider (520) carrying the comb-like device (500) is anchored, and a motor (525), also installed on the framework (405), which is adapted to rotate at least one of said pulleys.

14. A filter press (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 13, comprising means, installed on the framework (405), which are adapted to rotate both comb-like devices (500) about a rotation axis (Q) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A), between a first position wherein the respective prongs (510) are horizontally oriented and a second position wherein the respective prongs (510) are vertically oriented.

15. A filter press (100) according to claim 14, wherein said means for rotating the comblike devices (500) may comprise, for each comb-like device (500), at least one linear actuator (540), adapted to rotate at least one lever (535), which carries the comb-like device (500) and is adapted to rotate about said rotation axis (Q).

16. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the framework is shaped as a containment cage (425), within which the lifting frame (425) is received and vertically movable.

17. A filter press (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pair of gripping members is a pair of locking pins (465) mutually aligned along an alignmentdirection parallel to the support bars (150), and wherein the actuation system is adapted to move each locking pin (465) between an extracted position, wherein it is adapted to be inserted into a hooking eyelet (155) of a support bar (150), and a retracted position, wherein it is adapted to be pulled out of said hooking eyelet (155).

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