Devices for removing impurities from fluids

Beginning of the patent period: October 15, 1971.

The invention relates to a settling tank with deflecting walls for the separation of solid, suspended in a liquid particles through which the liquid to be purified is passed in the circulation system.

The previously known settling tanks of this type operate with open, that is below 5 atmospheric pressure settling chambers to which the liquid to be purified must be supplied by means of a pressure pump, if the liquid can not run from a higher reservoir. The latter possibility exists but only in exceptional cases. There are also closed, higher pressure filter devices known, which naturally have an even greater power requirement for their operation. The Absetzkammem are usually arranged side by side or one behind the other, whereby the spatial dimensions of such settling tanks are relatively large. Strong flows caused by overpressure feeding of the settling tanks create undesirable vortices in the settling chambers, which disturb the deposition of impurities.

Although there are already round settling tank arranged concentrically with each other, projecting from the top of the container deflecting walls, through which the liquid in the container downwardly and again directed upward and thereby passed at the bottom of the container through a settling chamber. The flow areas are hiebei but above the baffles open, so that the liquid can flow only through the action of the natural gradient through the settling tank. There is often no possibility for this. The liquid must be lifted in each case first under appropriate force to a level above the settling tank, so that the required flow gradient is created. As a result, the height of the settling tank is limited to economically viable limits, so that the settling tank must receive larger dimensions in width or in diameter and requires more space accordingly.

The invention has for its object to overcome the shortcomings of the known devices and to provide a settling tank, which requires very little or virtually almost no force for its operation, can be accommodated on a relatively small footprint, but still the advantage of a very simple and has cheap design and works reliably with great effectiveness.

This object is achieved in that within the Absetzbehälters with circular cylindrical outer wall baffles, which are each sealingly connected to a floor, concentrically arranged substantially perpendicular to these trays, between these deflecting walls further deflection provided on the lid of a concentric in settling Diving bell are arranged sealingly, intervene in a conventional manner and that in the immersion bell from below concentric to the central axis of the settling tank, a siphon for discharging the purified liquid under suction opens and that the Flüssigkeitszufiihrung in the room - 2 -

Nr.299254 opens between the outer bell wall and outer wall.

According to a particularly advantageous and space-saving embodiment of the invention, the trays are arranged one above the other at a reduced diameter at a mutual distance above each other, each carrying at its periphery only one baffle, wherein the settling chambers are axially superimposed.

By applying the lift principle according to the invention it is achieved that the settling tank can receive a very large, almost up to 10 m reaching height, which on the one hand, the base area for the device can be small, on the other hand very large vertical flow paths for the discontinuation of heavy materials To be available. Since only the constant atmospheric pressure always acts on the liquid level, a smooth, uniform flow is achieved from which the heavy materials or Impurities particularly effective and quickly fall down. The rest of the flow can be arbitrarily increased by choosing according to further flow cross sections. Since the lift operates virtually automatically, results in a very low power consumption and a simple, inexpensive construction without moving parts.

The settling tank may be open above the immersion bell, wherein the liquid to be purified flows from above and flows through the annular gap between the outer shell of the settling tank and the outer shell of the immersion bell down and passes under the diving bell. This embodiment is, for example, for devices for cleaning parts in trade and industry, in repair shops for motor vehicles, etc. Particularly suitable because the dirty scrubbing liquid can easily flow from a washing container arranged above the settling tank down into the settling tank, from which it can be recirculated through the suction pipe into the washing tank or into a spray nozzle. According to another embodiment, the z3. Especially for oil cleaner of internal combustion engines both in motor vehicles and stationary, the settling tank can also be completed above, preferably by the correspondingly enlarged bottom of the immersion bell itself. The supply of the oil to be cleaned from the oil pan of the engine can also by a lateral inlet port of the Settling made. In this case, the oil sump forms the sump for the liquid, on the mirror of which the atmospheric pressure rests, which then brings about the suppression in the suction pipe or the siphon effect. Further fields of application of a cleaning device designed according to the invention are, for example, water purifiers of all kinds, cleaning systems for waste oil or other liquids and other sewage treatment and filter plants.

In the drawings, the invention is illustrated in various embodiments, for example. Fig.l shows a vertical section through a cleaning device according to the invention with three concentric settling chambers, Figure 2 shows the Reinigungsvorachtung partially in horizontal section along the line AB of Fig.l, Figure 3 shows schematically in vertical section a mobile workpiece washing machine with a cleaning device according to FIG. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 shows the workpiece washing machine according to FIG. 3 in a plan view with a partially broken off washing container bottom, 5 shows schematically in vertical section the lower part of a motor vehicle engine with an oil purification device in a modified Ausfiihrungsform, Figure 6 shows in vertical section a cleaning device according to Fig.l with built filter bodies and heating and Figure 7 shows schematically in vertical section another embodiment of a cleaning device for liquids with a further variant indicated by dashed lines.

The cleaning device shown in Fig.l and 2 consists essentially of a cup-shaped settling - 1-, inserted into the container -1- diving bell -2- and a suction pipe -3-. The settling tank - 1, the diving bell -2- and the suction pipe -3 - have according to the embodiment circular cross sections and are built into each other concentrically. Preferably, these parts are made of sheet metal, but they could possibly also from another material, such as Plastic, be made.

The settling tank -1- consists of a bottom - 4-, an outer jacket -5- and two annular Zwischenmänteln -6 and 7-, whose lower edges are tightly connected to the container bottom -4-, eg welded, are. In the middle of the container bottom -4- has an opening through which the suction pipe -3- out and also connected to the bottom -4- or welded.

The diving bell -2- consists of a bottom -8-, a bell outer shell -9-, an annular intermediate shell -10- and an annular inner shell -11-. The

Coats -9,10 and 11 - are also tightly connected to the bubble -8-, for example

welded.

- 3 -

Nr.299254

The diving bell -2- is in the settling tank -1- concentric to the latter arranged such that the upper edges of the container intermediate shells -6 and 7- and the upper edge of the suction pipe -3- at a distance -a- from the diving bell bottom -8- free ends , while the lower edges of the diving bell shells -9,10,11- at a distance -b- above the container bottom -4- also free ends. The distance -b- may preferably be greater than the distance -a-. In order to obtain the desired position of the dipping bell -2- in the settling tank -1- in a simple manner, according to the embodiment at the upper end of the suction tube -3- by means of supporting webs -12- a support plate -13- with a threaded bolt - 14- attached. The diving bell bottom -2- has a hole in its center, with which it is inserted over the threaded bolt -14-, placed on the support plate -13- and tightened by a nut -15-.

If necessary, between the suction tube -3- and the inner bell shell -11- can still be arranged an annular sieve -16-, for example a perforated tube or a

Wire cloth or the like. Finally, the container bottom 4- between the concentric sheaths 5, 6, 7 is provided with drainage openings, which are normally closed by means of screws 17, while the diving bell base 8 between the concentric bell shells 9, 9 and 11. provided with vent holes, which are normally closed by means of screws -18-.

By the described arrangement of the diving bell -2- in the settling tank -1- are in the lower part of the settling tank -1- between the container shells -5, 6,7- and below the lower edges of the bell shells -9,10,11- annular Absetzkammern - 19,20,21- formed, and in the upper part of the diving bell -2- remain annular passage slots -22, 23,24- between the upper edges of Zwischenmäntel -6 and 7- and the suction tube -3- and the Tauchglockenhoden -8- free ,

The liquid to be cleaned is introduced into the top of the settling tank -1- and flows in the direction of the arrows drawn first outside between the coats -5 and 9- down, through the settling chamber -19- again between the jackets -9 and 6- upwards then through the annular slot -22- and the jackets -6 and 10 down, through the settling chamber -20- and the jackets -10 and 7 upwards, through the annular slot -23- and the jackets -7 and 11- downward, through the settling chamber -21- and between the jacket -11- and the suction pipe -3- again upwards and finally through the annular slot -24- in the interior of the suction pipe -3- and in the latter downwards. To the suction pipe -3- may be connected to a mammalian pump, but possibly also satisfies the lifting action to suck the liquid through the device in the way described. The coarse, medium-fine and fine impurities, dirt particles, etc. settle in the settling chambers 19, 20, 21, the remainder being optionally retained by the tubular sieve 16, 20. Oil or oily or fatty components contained in the liquid rise upwards within the annular spaces and form an oil or fat layer, which can be removed from the container -1- from time to time after removal of the diving bell -2-. The contaminants, sludge, etc., can be drained down through the discharge ports from the settling chambers -19, 20, 21, after loosening the plugs -17-.

The cleaning device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above can be used for a variety of purposes, for example as water purifier, for cleaning used oil and optionally also for purifying air and gases, wherein filter bodies and / or fillings of water or other suitable liquids to be used in the device.

In Fig. 3 and 4 a particularly advantageous application example of the invention is shown with reference to a workpiece washing machine which can be used for cleaning soiled workpieces or parts for industrial or commercial purposes. Preferably, a mobile workpiece washing machine of this type is suitable for cleaning heavily soiled and oily parts in motor vehicle repair shops.

The workpiece washing machine consists of a suitably provided with fairing plates -25-, which is mounted on wheels or casters -26-. On the lower part -25- a removable washing container -27- is attached. In the lower part -25- is housed in a side of a settling tank -1- and immersion bell -2- existing cleaning device, which is formed, for example, according to Fig.l and 2. The bottom -28- of the washing container -27- is above the cleaning device -1, 2- provided with holes -29- through which the washing liquid in the direction of the drawn - 4 -

Nr.299254

Arrows in the settling tank -1- above the diving bell -2-- can flow.

On the side adjacent to the cleaning device of the lower part -25-, a pump, for example a gear pump -30-, arranged, which is driven by an electric motor -31-. The motor -31- is supplied via a cable -32- power. The expediently provided switch, fuses or the like. have been omitted for the sake of simplicity in the illustrated embodiment. The lower end of the suction pipe -3- of the cleaning device -1,2- is connected via a suction line -33- to the pump -30-. From the pump -30- leads a pressure line -34-, to the outside of the machine frame -25- a flexible hose -35- is connected through the

Outlet nozzle - 36 - a jet of purified washing liquid on the in the washing container -27- stored, to be cleaned workpieces, parts, etc. can be injected. The dirty washing liquid then flows through the holes -29- into the cleaning device -1, 2-, is sucked from the latter by the pump -30- and cleansed returns through the hose -35- back into the washing tank 27- back.

5 shows an application example of the invention for the oil purification of internal combustion engines, which can be arranged in vehicles or stationary. On a in the drawings only indicated motor housing - 37 - an oil pan -38- is fixed in the above the

Oil level -40- is arranged, which supplies the oil through a pressure line -41- the crankshaft bearings and other lubrication points.

From the lower part of the sump -38-- branches off a riser -42-, which leads to an oil purification device, which is formed according to the principle already described with reference to the Fig.l and 2. This oil cleaner could as well as the cleaning device according to Fig.l and 2 from a settling -1- and a diving bell -2- consist, the annular Absetzkammern in the same plane are concentric to each other. In view of the limited space under the hood of motor vehicles, however, in this case an embodiment of the oil cleaner according to Figure 5 is advantageous, hei the settling chambers are indeed concentric to the central axis of the device, but axially superimposed.

This oil cleaner consists of a tubular outer container - 43--, the bottom by a

Floor -44- and above by a removable cover -45- is completely sealed. In the lower part of the outer container -43- opens through an inlet opening --46-, coming from the oil sump -38- riser -42-. In the ground -44- is one

Ablassöffnung - 47- attached, the nozzle by means of a screw plug - 48- is completed. The container lid -45- is tightly fastened to the upper edge of the container tube -43- by means of a ring seal -49-.

In the central axis of the container -43- runs a suction pipe -50-, which at -51- passed through a bore of the container bottom -44- and with the latter firmly connected, for example, welded, is. The suction pipe -50- opens into a sieve nipple or the like. -52- and in the latter is connected to a suction line -53-, which is passed through the bottom of the oil pan -38- and connected to the oil pump - 40- connected.

Concentric with the outer container - 43- is a slightly shorter, tubular inner container -54- arranged with a bottom -55-, through which the suction pipe -50- is also passed. The inner container -54- supports itself z3. on a compression spring -56- and is sealed by means of a Simmerringes -57- against the suction pipe -50-. Above the bottom -55- of this inner container -54- another, even shorter inner container -58- is arranged, whose bottom -59- is supported on a compression spring -60-. The jacket tube of this inner container -58- can be provided with apertures -61- and be covered with a wire mesh or sieve fabric -62-.

On the container lid - 45- is a concentric with the suction pipe -50- lying pipe -63- attached, eg welded. This tube terminates in the inner container -54- between the container bottom -55- thereof and the container -59- of the second inner container -58-. The jacket tube of the inner container -54- is provided at its upper end with slot-like openings -64-. The suction pipe -50- runs inside the perforated

Inner container -58- up through the container lid - 45-, where it is tightly closed.

By means of an external thread -65- and a screw on the latter screw -66- the container lid -45- is inserted with the insertion of a rubber gasket -67- on the upper

Screwed on the end of the suction tube -50- and thereby pressed simultaneously on the ring seal -49- of the outer container -43-. The suction pipe -50- has something below the container lid - 5 -

No.299254 -45- at least one wall opening -68-.

In this way, in the oil cleaner described also several settling chambers are formed, namely a lower settling chamber -69- above the container bottom -44-, a middle settling chamber -70- above the inner container bottom -55- and an upper settling chamber -71- above the inner container bottom - 59-.

The oil circulates through the system in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. On the entire oil level -39- in the sump -38- affects the atmospheric pressure. When the engine is started by the oil pump -40- immediately at the lower end of the suction pipe -50- generates a suppression, whereby the lifting action of the device is set in motion. The dirty oil from the oil sump -38- now flows through the container, whereby the impurities in the settling chambers -69,70 and 71- deposit. The cleaned oil is forced by the oil pump -40- through the pressure line - 41- into the lubrication system of the engine and finally collects again in the sump -38-, from where the cycle starts again.

Such an oil cleaner can be used in all vehicle engines and stationary engines in which an oil circuit with an oil pan or other oil reservoir is present. Apart from the clarification by the successively arranged settling chambers, the lubrication system can absorb an additional amount of oil in the settling tank. This is beneficial to the oil cooling, which is significantly enhanced by the possibly provided with cooling fins and expediently exposed to the fan draft or the wind settling tank. The residues can be removed easily. The oil cleaner is according to the invention on the suction side of the oil circuit, and the oil strainer can be easily accessible outside of the oil pan, for example in the nipple -52-. So far, the oil strainer had to lie on the suction side within the oil pan in front of the oil pump, where it was very difficult to access. A special bypass filter on the pressure side of the oil system can be omitted, resulting in a cost savings. The oil pump can be placed anywhere outside the oil pan and be more accessible in this way. Practically, the oil purification is significantly improved by a device according to the invention. The bearings of the engine are spared more, because the metallic abrasion from the oil is almost completely removed. Finally, you can extend the oil change intervals accordingly.

As already mentioned, one or more sieves or filter bodies can be installed in the individual chambers or compartments of the settling tank. FIG. 6 shows, for example, the installation of various coarse and fine filter bodies -72, 73 and 74-. Furthermore, this embodiment shows the installation of a heating coil -75-, which is arranged in the annular space around the suction pipe -3- around. A heating of the medium can eg be advantageous in a parts washing device according to Figures 3 and 4, because the wash liquors are preferably used in such devices with a certain temperature.

7 of the drawings schematically illustrates a further, particularly simple embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention. The settling tank -1- and the diving bell -2- are formed substantially like the device according to Fig.l and 2. Only here is the settling tank not open at the top, but by the enlarged diameter in its diameter -8'- the diving bell -2- sealed. The diving bell bottom -8'- has an angled edge -76- on the circumference and lies down with the insertion of a sealing ring -77- on the upper edge of the outer jacket -5- of the settling tank -1-. Inserting a sealing ring -78-, the upper end of the suction tube -3- closed there is guided through a bore of the plunger bottom -8'- and screwed, for example, with a nut -79- which fixes the bottom -8'- onto the sealing ring - presses.

To a side inlet port -80- of the settling tank -1- a riser -81- is connected, the lower junction -82- in the example in a container -83- liquid located to below the liquid level immerses -84-. At the lower end of the suction pipe -3- a Hebersaugleitung -85- is connected, whose outlet opening -86- is below the level of the container -83-. This device can work without special pump only by the siphon, wherein the liquid to be purified from the container -83- in the direction of the arrows through the settling tank -1- and the various settling chambers flows and finally through the suction pipe -3- and Hebersaugleitung Flows out. On the liquid level -84- again affects the atmospheric pressure.

When the purified liquid is to be conveyed back into the container -83- where it is eg

For washing purposes, a pump -87- is expediently installed in line -85-.

This then conveys the liquid through a pressure line -88- back up into the container - 6 -

No.299254 -83- back. Such a device can also be used as an oil cleaner according to the system shown in Fig.5.