Self contained unit can backflush filter elements in fraction of the time expended by presently used equipment. This innovation may be of interest to manufacturers of hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as to chemical, food, processing, and filter manufacturing industries

Boex, M. W.

Descamp, V. A.

Hussey, M. W.

Larson, T. P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1973
	 B73-10405 
•	 NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
- 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
---.--	
-:_ 
Backflushing System Rapidly Cleans Fluid Filters 
The problem: 
Cleaning of fluid filters is frequently done by 
backflushing. In many cases, backflushing is a good 
substitute for time-consuming, uneconomical filter re-
placements. Some systems, however, require fast servicing 
which cannot be provided by the existing backflushing 
equipment. 
The solution: 
A self contained unit was developed which can
backflush filter elements in a fraction of the time ex-
pended by the presently used equipment. 
How it's done: 
The system is operated (see figure) with an electrically 
driven pump which conveys the fluid onto the inner 
surface of the filter element through high velocity jets. 
The jets are part of the housing which encloses a 
regenerable filter element. The filter element is designed 
for backflushing and is constructed of stainless steel 
Regenerabte Filter I
By-Pass Valve 
Flow Gauge
Accumulator	 00 ______
Relief Valve i 
Secondary	
nM.tor Pump Filter 
Particle 
Separator 
Trap
Electronic 
I	 Controls 
.
[i Backflushing System
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the Sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000405 2020-03-17T07:28:18+00:00Z
composite material. All of the removed particles are 
carried into the vortex particle separation where 88 to 
93% are removed and trapped. The remaining particulate 
material is removed by the secondary filter. 
This design provides 98 to 100% cleaning efficiency 
with a 10-micron filter using a backflush of 38 liters 
(10 gallons) per minute. Comparable backflushing tech-
niques without the impingement jet require over 114 
liters (30 gallons) per minute for periods exceeding 30 
minutes. 
Additional advantages of the system include: 
1. reduced down-time of the flushed system to a 
fraction of that normally required, 
2. no need for bleed or purge, 
3. elimination of spillage, 
4. requirement of little or no operator time, 
5. elimination of contact with toxic fluids, 
6. reduction of maintenance to a minimum, and 
7. capability of automation. 
Notes: 
1. This innovation'may be of interest to manufacturers 
of hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as to 
chemical, food processing, and filter manufacturing 
industries.
2. The following documentation may be obtained from: 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single document price $9.00 
(or microfiche $1.45) 
Reference: NASA CR-115505 (N73-23084), Re-
generative Particulate Filter Development 
Patent status: 
This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent 
application has been filed. Inquiries concerning non-
exclusive or exclusive license for its commercial develop-
ment should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Johnson Space Center 
Code AM 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Source: V. A. DesCamp, M. W. Boex,
M. W. Hussey, and T. P. Larson of 
Martin Marietta Corp. 
under contract to
Johnson Space Center 
(MSC-14273)
fl 
B73-10405	 Category 06


Backflushing system rapidly cleans fluid filters

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server