Low pressure high volume filter apparatus

Claim 1

A high volume low pressure drop filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising a container having a bottom and at least one side wall, the container having a plurality of spaced-apart guide means and a plurality of open-ended first conduits with the first conduits disposed adjacent the bottom of the container and extending generally parallel thereto, the terminal end of each of the first conduits being in generally fixed spaced relationship from one of the guide means, disposed within the guide means at least one cam which on rotation moves toward or away from the first conduit associated with the guide means, a plurality of generally rectangular filter plates, the filter plates comprising a generally hollow rectangular frame defining a generally rectangular passageway from one side of the frame to the other side of the frame, a first filter element adjacent a first side of the frame, a second filter element adjacent the second side of the frame, the first and second filter elements being generally spaced apart from each other and maintained in fixed relationship in the hollow rectangular frame, a conduit receiving passage defined in one edge of the frame and having liquid-tight sealing means associated therewith, said frame being of sufficient size to extend between a conduit and its associated guide means, the guide means adapted to receive an edge of the rectangular frame remote from the conduit receiving passage, maintaining the frame in a generally vertical position, the edge supported by the guide means and remote from the conduit receiving passage engaging the cam and the guide means maintaining the filter elements in a generally fixed position within the container and a second conduit communicating with space exterior to the filter plates within the container.