Leaf filter system and replaceable filter leaf apparatus

Abstract

Filter and replaceable filter leaf apparatus are provided. The filter includes a housing defining a cavity having fluid inlet and outlet ports and a lid member with a manifold coupled to the outlet port and being adapted to conduct a fluid flow between the outlet port and a plurality of attachment areas. Replaceable filter leafs are selectively movable through an opening into the housing cavity and attachable with the manifold at the plurality of attachment areas. The replaceable filter leafs include a filter envelope consisting of a filter panel, a nozzle member on the filter panel and defining a passageway adjacent an opening in the filter envelope for conducting fluids therethrough. The nozzle member is selectively attachable onto the manifold of the polishing filter apparatus at any one of the plurality of attachment areas.

1 . A replaceable filter leaf apparatus for use in an associated filter system including a housing having a cavity with fluid inlet and outlet ports for conducting a flow of fluids into and out from the housing and having a manifold coupled to the outlet port, the filter leaf apparatus comprising:
 a filter envelope consisting of a porous filter media, the filter media defining a first opening;   a nozzle adapter member attached with said filter media and defining an elongate first passageway adjacent said first opening for conducting a first flow of fluids in a first direction therethrough, the nozzle adapter member adapting the filter leaf apparatus for selective connection with the manifold of the associated filter system and being formed of a substantially rigid material and including a connection portion adapted for slidable connection with the manifold of the associated filter system along a virtual attachment axis in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the elongate first passageway being elongated in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the fluids conducted therethrough, the nozzle adapter member defining at least one second passageway in fluid communication with the elongate first passageway, the at least one second passageway conducting the first flow of fluids in the manifold in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions; and,   a grid member contained within said filter envelope.   
     
     
         2 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first opening in the filter media is formed at a crease line. 
     
     
         3 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the crease line bisects edges of said filter media. 
     
     
         4 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle member extends through the first opening defined by said filter media. 
     
     
         5 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the grid member is adapted to provide i) a mechanical spacing between opposed portions of the filter media, and ii) a fluid channel for conducting fluid between said opposed portions of the filter media. 
     
     
         6 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support member extending from the filter media at a position spaced from the nozzle member for supporting the filter envelope relative to an associated structure.   
     
     
         7 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion is adapted for the slidable connection with the manifold of the associated leaf filter along the virtual attachment axis to enable the filter leaf apparatus to be easily slid onto and off from the manifold of the associated filter system by movement of the filter leaf apparatus relative to the filter system along the virtual attachment axis in the second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the manifold of the associated filter system defines a C-shaped pocket region configured to slidably receive the nozzle member in the C-shaped pocket region. 
     
     
         9 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle member defines a latch configured to selectively couple the filter leaf with the manifold of the associated filter system. 
     
     
         10 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the filter media is formed of a one of a polyester and a polypropylene material having a porosity of about 1-1000 microns (5-100 microns typically); and,   the grid member is formed of a plastic material having a porosity of about ⅛-⅜ inch.   
     
     
         11 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second passageway defined by the nozzle adapter member comprises a plurality of second passageways defined by the nozzle adapter member, the plurality of second passageways dividing the first flow of fluids into a corresponding plurality of second flows in the manifold, each of the plurality of second flows being conducted in directions perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . The replaceable filter leaf apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of second passageways comprise two oppositely directed passageways defined by the nozzle adapter member, the two oppositely directed passageways dividing the first flow of fluids into two corresponding flows in the manifold, each of the two corresponding flows being conducted in directions perpendicular to the first direction.