Serpentine flowpath filtration apparatus with horizontally mounted

Abstract

An apparatus for filtering and cooling liquid, with four filtration chambers are connected by a series of passageways. The apparatus is mounted on a cart so that it may be rolled into position under a machine quickly and easily. Once the apparatus is in position, the machine is drained of its debris-laden oil which flows directly into the first chamber and through the first wire mesh filter. The liquid is then forced either by gravity or by pressure through the remaining chambers and their respective filters which have progressively smaller pore sizes. The tortuous movement of the liquid around the weirs helps to cool the liquid while the filters remove foreign particles from the liquid. Once the liquid reaches the fourth chamber, a pump is used to pump the cleansed liquid back into the machine so that it may be reused. The inlet to the pump may be fitted with an optional fifth filter element. Each chamber houses a tray assembly which includes a handle that protrudes above the chamber, a bracket that hold the replaceable wire mesh filters, and a catch pan that collects any solids that have settled to the bottom of each chamber. The filters have gaskets to prevent fluids from by-passing the filters and the filter pore size can vary with the application. The first embodiment may be operated at atmospheric pressure, while a second embodiment is equipped with a top on the tank which allows the system to be pressurized.