Self-clearing filter

Abstract

A self-clearing filter for filtering a fluid, the self-clearing filter comprising a filter wall having a lumenous side and an external side and a pump for creating a flux of the fluid to impinge against the external side of the filter wall. Methods for filtering a fluid by diverting a portion of the fluid flux to impinge against the filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-clearing filter for filtering a fluid, the self-clearing filter comprising:
 a filter wall having a lumenous side and an external side;   a pump for creating a flux of the fluid to impinge against the external side of the filter wall.   
     
     
         2 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter wall is a screen, a wire mesh screen, a wire mesh blanket, a wire mesh tube, or a perforated wall. 
     
     
         3 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is substantially composed of water. 
     
     
         5 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 1 , wherein the flux of the fluid that impinges against the external side of the filter wall is composed of fluid that was filtered through the filter wall from the lumenous side. 
     
     
         6 . A self-clearing filter for filtering a fluid, the self-clearing filter comprising:
 a vessel through which a fluid passes, wherein the vessel has an interior chamber and a wall;   a filter component in the wall, the filter component having a lumenous side and an external side, wherein the lumenous side faces the interior chamber of the vessel;   a pump for creating a flux of the fluid to impinge against the external side of the filter wall.   
     
     
         7 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 6 , wherein the filter component is a screen, a wire mesh screen, a wire mesh blanket, a wire mesh tube, or a perforated wall. 
     
     
         8 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid is substantially composed of water. 
     
     
         10 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 6 , wherein the flux of the fluid that impinges against the external side of the filter component is composed of fluid that was filtered through the filter component from the interior chamber of the vessel. 
     
     
         11 . A self-clearing filter comprising a filter for filtering an influx source water, the filter comprising a screen having a lumenous side and an external side, a pump for supplying filtered influx source water to a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is fluidly connected to the pump for receiving the filtered influx source water from the pump, and wherein under pressure from the pump the filtered influx source water exits the nozzle in a spray impinging against the external side of the filter screen to force waste material off the lumenous side of the screen to clear the filter. 
     
     
         12 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 11 , wherein the screen is a wire mesh screen, a wire mesh blanket, a wire mesh tube, or a perforated screen. 
     
     
         13 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 11 , wherein the screen is a half-pipe filter screen. 
     
     
         14 . The self-clearing filter of  claim 11 , wherein the spray wobbles in direction across the filter screen, or impinges on the screen in a pattern. 
     
     
         15 . A water recycling system for providing a filtered water effluent comprising a self-clearing filter of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for filtering a fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a filter wall having a lumenous side and an external side;   providing a pump for creating a flux of the fluid through the filter wall from the lumenous side to the external side;   diverting at least a portion of the flux of the fluid on the external side to impinge against the external side of the filter wall, thereby clearing the filter wall.