Magnetic filter device

Abstract

A magnetic filter device for filtering ferromagnetic material from a fluid in which said material is suspended, has a pair of annular plates ( 5, 6 ) attached to either side of an annular magnet ( 2 ) of smaller diameter. Pairs of pole pieces ( 11, 12 ) radially disposed on the plates ( 5, 6 ) are aligned so as to generate fields of magnetic flux which promote the collection and retention of ferromagnetic material between the pairs of polepieces ( 11, 12 ).

1 . A device for filtering ferromagnetic material from a fluid, the device comprising:
 a magnet having a first face and a second face, the first face having a first polarity and the second face having a second polarity;   a first plate disposed in abutment with the first face, the first plate including:   a first recess radially displaced from the magnet;   a second recess radially displaced from the magnet;   a first pole piece extending radially from the magnet, wherein the first pole piece is between the first recess and the second recess; and   a second pole piece extending radially from the magnet, wherein the second recess is between the first pole piece and the second pole piece;   a second plate disposed in abutment with the second face, the second plate including:   a third recess radially displaced from the magnet and axially aligned with the first recess;   a fourth recess radially displaced from the magnet and axially aligned with the second recess;   a third pole piece extending radially from the magnet and axially aligned with the first pole piece, wherein the third pole piece is between the third recess and the fourth recess; and   a fourth pole piece extending radially from the magnet and axially aligned with the second pole piece, wherein the fourth recess is between the third pole piece and the fourth pole piece;   a first passage defined by the first recess and the third recess, wherein the first passage is usable with at least one fluid guide for guiding the fluid to flow substantially axially through the first passage;   a second passage defined by the second recess and the fourth recess, wherein the first passage is usable with the at least one fluid guide for guiding the fluid to flow substantially, axially through the second passage;   a first collection region defined by the first pole piece and the third pole piece, the first collection region adapted to attract and retain ferromagnetic material from at least one of the first passage and the second passage; and   a second collection region defined by the second pole piece and the fourth pole piece, the second collection region adapted to attract and retain ferromagnetic material from at least one of the first passage and the second passage, wherein a first edge of the first recess includes a first slot and a second edge of the third recess includes a second slot.