Integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing means

Abstract

There is provided an integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing device which prevents leakage of unfiltered fluid across the interface area between a rotating filtering apparatus and non-rotating bulkhead. The exclusion filter utilized is of the type which utilizes Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer methodology to achieve filtration, and which includes a cylindrical stack of substantially flat annular plates. A pressurizing device is utilized downstream from the exclusion filter to repressurize filtered fluid and direct the filtered fluid toward the interface area. Either all the filtered fluid or only a portion may be repressurized, and some of the filtered fluid may be directed toward the bulkhead itself to aid pressurization by creating a local stagnation region. The pressurizing device may utilize flow diverting vanes in a housing, including blowers, pumps, compressors, and fans. The housing design may be modified to improve fluid flow and multistage pressurizing means designs may be used to enhance repressurization. External vanes may also be added to the filtering apparatus to disperse particles ejected by the exclusion filter, reduce the particle density of the unfiltered fluid surrounding the exclusion filter, cool the system served by the filtering apparatus, or dilute the exhaust of the system served by the filtering apparatus.