Control mechanism for self-cleaning filtration systems

Abstract

A control mechanism for self-cleaning filtration systems. One embodiment is a controller for a filtration system that comprises a suction scanner and a screening element having modifiable respective locations therebetween. The controller comprises an input terminal for receiving a relative location signal and additional a differential pressure input terminal. The controller monitors differential pressure and outputs an activation signal after the differential pressure has exceeded a threshold value. The controller outputs a termination signal based on the relative location signal. Another embodiment is a filtration system that comprises: a screening element located within a filtration chamber, and a suction scanner for self-cleaning thereof. A location tracker communicates to a switching mechanism during self-cleaning sessions a signal indicative of a location of the suction scanner with respect to the screening element. The switching mechanism automatically terminates self-cleaning sessions based on the signal.

1 . An electronic controller for controlling a filtration system, wherein the filtration system comprises a cleaning scanner and a screening element having modifiable respective locations therebetween, the electronic controller comprises:
 a first input terminal for receiving a signal indicative of a location of the cleaning scanner with respect to the screening element, wherein the electronic controller is configured to output a termination signal based on the signal indicative of the location of the cleaning scanner with respect to the screening element.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic controller according to  claim 1 , wherein signal indicative of the location of the cleaning scanner with respect to the screening element is a signal indicative of a third fluid pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic controller according to  claim 2 , wherein the third fluid pressure is affected by a pressure exerted by a piston causing a relative linear movement between the cleaning scanner and the screening element. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic controller according to  claim 2 , wherein the third fluid pressure is measured at a location that is separated from and having no fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of a filtration chamber of the filtration system, wherein the screening element is comprised within the filtration chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic controller according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one additional input terminal for receiving a signal indicative of a differential pressure between a first fluid pressure and a second fluid pressure, wherein the electronic controller is configured to monitor the differential pressure between the first and second fluid pressures and to output an activation signal after the differential pressure has exceeded a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic controller according to  claim 5 , wherein the first fluid pressure is a monitored at an inlet of a filtration chamber in the filtration system, wherein the second fluid pressure is monitored at an outlet of the filtration chamber, whereby the first fluid pressure and the second fluid pressure are affected by fluid passing through the screening element, thereby indicating effectiveness of filtration of the screening element, 
     
     
         7 . The electronic controller according to  claim 5 , further comprising a timer, and configured to output the activation signal as a function of both a count of time and the differential pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic controller according to  claim 5 , further comprising a counter for counting the number of outputted activation signals and configured to output the activation signal as a function of both the differential pressure and a count of the number of outputted activation signals. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic controller according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one additional input terminal comprises a second terminal for receiving a signal indicative of the second fluid pressure, wherein said at least one additional input terminal further comprises a third terminal for receiving a signal indicative of the first fluid pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic controller according to  claim 1 , further comprising a timer, and configured to output the termination signal as a function of both the signal indicative of the location of the cleaning scanner with respect to the screening element and a time lapse since a predetermined event. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic controller according to  claim 10 , wherein the electronic controller is configured to output the termination signal taking the signal indicative of the location of the cleaning scanner with respect to the screening element reached a predetermined value as the predetermined event. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic controller according to the  claim 10 , wherein the electronic controller is configured to output the termination signal taking a recent outputting of activation signal as the predetermined event. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic controller according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning scanner is a suction scanner. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic controller according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning scanner is configured to perform a relative linear movement between the cleaning scanner and the screening element. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising the electronic controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises the filtration system, wherein the filtration system comprising an inlet and an outlet of a filtration chamber, wherein the filtration chamber comprising the screening element, wherein fluid entering via said inlet pass through said screening element before reaching said outlet.