Filtration of liquid coolants

Abstract

A coolant for a machine is filtered by passing some of the coolant into a discharge tube having an opening, the discharge tube supporting a filter bag. Coolant flowing into the discharge tube flows out of the tube through the opening, and then through the bag, and the filtered fluid is recirculated. An end piece, pivotably mounted to the discharge tube, prevents the bag from falling off while in operation, but can be pivoted to a position which facilitates insertion and removal of the bag. When filled, the bag can therefore easily be removed and replaced with a new bag. The invention greatly simplifies the process of filtering a coolant fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for filtration of a coolant, comprising:
 a) a conduit for supplying a fluid coolant, the conduit being connected to means for delivering some of the coolant to a workpiece,   b) a discharge tube, the discharge tube being in fluid communication with the conduit, the discharge tube having an internal channel which permits fluid flow through the tube, the discharge tube also having an opening in communication with the internal channel and allowing fluid to flow out of the tube,   c) a filter bag disposed around the discharge tube, and suspended from the discharge tube, the filter bag being made of a filter material, wherein fluid entering the discharge tube flows through the opening and into the bag, wherein fluid is filtered by passage through the filter material of the bag.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the discharge tube comprises a slot which extends through a body of the discharge tube, the slot extending along most of a length of the discharge tube. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the discharge tube is connected to an end piece, the end piece being pivotably mounted to the discharge tube, wherein the end piece can be pivoted to a position wherein the end piece is substantially parallel to the discharge tube, and to another position wherein the end piece is substantially perpendicular to the discharge tube. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the end piece is in the position substantially perpendicular to the discharge tube, when the filter bag is in place over the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the discharge tube includes a mounting block having at least one hole for insertion of a fastener for affixing the discharge tube to a structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a valve, in fluid communication with the discharge tube, for controlling a flow of fluid into the discharge tube. 
     
     
         7 . A discharge tube comprising:
 a) a generally cylindrical body, the body having a longitudinal axis, the body including an internal channel for fluid flow, the body having an opening which allows fluid to flow out of the tube in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body,   b) the cylindrical body being connected to an end piece which is pivotably mounted to the body, wherein the end piece can be pivoted to a position wherein the end piece is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and to another position wherein the end piece is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.   
     
     
         8 . The discharge tube of  claim 7 , wherein the body is connected to a mounting block, the mounting block including at least one hole through which a fastener can be inserted for affixing the discharge tube to a structure. 
     
     
         9 . The discharge tube of  claim 8 , wherein the body is connected to a valve which controls a flow of fluid into the body. 
     
     
         10 . The discharge tube of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is positioned adjacent to the mounting block. 
     
     
         11 . The discharge tube of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is positioned remotely from the mounting block, the valve being connected to the body by a hose. 
     
     
         12 . The discharge tube of  claim 7 , wherein the opening comprises a slot which extends through the body, the slot extending along most of a length of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The discharge tube of  claim 7 , further comprising a filter bag, the bag comprising a pair of layers which are fastened together except at one end, wherein the bag is looped around the body, and is suspended therefrom, wherein fluid flowing into the body can flow into the filter bag. 
     
     
         14 . A method of filtering a coolant fluid for a machine, the coolant fluid being supplied from a supply conduit, the method comprising:
 a) connecting a discharge tube to the supply conduit, the discharge tube having a longitudinal axis, the discharge tube having a generally cylindrical body defining an internal channel for fluid flow, the discharge tube also having an opening allowing fluid in the internal channel to flow out of the tube, the tube being connected to an end piece which is pivotably mounted to the tube,   b) positioning the end piece such that the end piece is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube,   c) sliding a filter bag onto the discharge tube,   d) positioning the end piece such that the end piece is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube,   e) actuating a valve, in fluid communication with the discharge tube, for enabling fluid to flow into the discharge tube,   wherein fluid entering the discharge tube flows into the filter bag and becomes filtered.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 f) determining when the filter bag has become filled with particulate material,   g) actuating the valve to stop fluid flow into the discharge tube,   h) positioning the end piece as in step (b),   i) sliding the filter bag off the discharge tube, and   j) performing steps (c), (d), and (e) with a new filter bag.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the opening comprises a slot which extends along a length of the body of the discharge tube, and wherein step (c) includes positioning the filter bag such that the bag covers substantially all of the slot. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising recirculating fluid which has passed through the bag by pumping the fluid into the supply conduit.