WO2023181033A1

WO2023181033A1 - A pipe segment having a backflushing fluid filter device and system thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023181033A1
Application number: PCT/IL2023/050293
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoav Nahmias
Original assignee: Tavlit Plastic Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-03-21
Filing date: 2023-03-21
Publication date: 2023-09-28
Also published as: IL291561A

Abstract

A pipe segment forming a reverse flushing filtering device and system, the pipe segment forming a filter body featuring three ports in continuous fluid communication with one another and configured to form a flow path along a long axis of the pipe segment. The pipe segment featuring a filter member housing member extending internally from the third port and configured to house and/or receive at least one filter member and/or a filter member assembly.

Description

A PIPE SEGMENT HAVING A BACKFLUSHING FLUID FILTER DEVICE AND SYSTEM THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a backflushing fluid filter device and system, and in particulars, to such a device and system in which a pipe segment functions both as a filter housing and an upstream pipe inlet segment. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filters assemblies and in particular fluid filters utilized to filter a flowing fluid, for example water, generally comprise an upstream “raw” and/or “un- filtered” fluid inlet pipeline, a housing that features a filtering element that allows a fluid to flow across the filter element so as to remove debris suspended in the flowing fluid, and an outlet pipeline for delivering downstream “clean” and/or filtered fluid. .

Prior art filter apparatuses, for example as shown in FIG. 1, taken from US Patent Publication 2007/0095742 to Ruskin, generally comprises three ports including an inlet port for receiving upstream “raw” fluid from an upstream pipeline, an outlet port for conveying filtered “clean” fluid and a flush port for conveying filtered waste material and/or debris. To this end, prior art filter units are configured such that the inlet and outlet are isolated from one another across the filtering member and/or element(s). Generally, this has been done to ensure that the two fluids remain separated. The flush port allows to reverse fluid flow across the filtering element so as to clean the filtering member and/or element(s) and to evacuate debris from the filter housing. Such reverse flow fluid filters apparatuses may be combined to form a network and/or battery of filters so as to improve the overall performance of the filtering process by allowing continuous filtering and cleaning simultaneously.

Prior art filter battery systems, for example as shown in FIGs. 2A taken from US Patent Publication No. 2013/0256212 to Ben-Horin et al., and FIG. 2B taken from US Patent No.9, 675, 916 to Clements et al., are configured to have a battery network configuration including a plurality of filter units that are associated with one another so as to render the reverse flushing self-cleaning process more efficient, in a battery and/or network configuration. The battery configuration has a common upstream inlet pipe that is common to all filter members forming the battery, a common outlet pipe, a plurality of individual filter assemblies disposed between the inlet and outlet.

The battery configuration is considered to provide an efficient process for reverse-flush self-cleaning as the self-cleaning function is optimized by enabling adjacent filters to facilitate flushing and/or cleaning of one another. In such a way the flushing process is made seamless and allows to the filter battery network to continue working even when one member is being flushed and/or cleaned.

State of the art battery and/or network configuration, individual filter apparatus are associated with one another, however, each filter apparatus remains as an individually isolated functioning member. Accordingly, each of the network and/or battery associated filter apparatuses are independent of one another. The filter apparatus is a single, self-standing, filter housing apparatus that is an isolated housing that is linked in a network and/or battery configuration for facilitating automated self-cleaning. An example of a prior art battery configuration is shown in in FIG. 2A-B. As seen each filter is isolated from another and renders it an individual functioning filter apparatus and is therefore a “self-standing” filter. Its joint function is only realized during the back flushing and/or cleaning mode. However, each cannot be directly linked and/or coupled to similar filter apparatus, each filter assembly must be coupled across a common shared piping hub. Therefore, each filter housing apparatus is a self-standing individual filter assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While the self-cleaning battery configuration of filter systems, as is utilized in the art, does present an advantage over a single stand-alone filter. However, a shortcoming of the state of the art battery and/or network configuration of selfcleaning filtering systems is the required pipe network and in particular the inlet pipe network. Furthermore, state of the art filter assembly cannot seamlessly grow (i.e. increase filtering volume) and/or change with a change in flow parameters and/or water quality.

State of the art reverse flushing filter assemblies and/or systems require three separate pipe network, upstream pipe network for example inlet pipe 14 shown in FIG. 2 A, downstream pipe network for example outlet pipe 16 shown in FIG. 2 A, and a plurality of dedicated filter housings 12, for example as shown in FIG. 2A. Each filter housing 12 of FIG. 2 A is independent of the other and is not directly coupled to its neighboring network member filter.

Such a configuration presents a limitation in that its is not readily adaptable to different environments and in particular as the environments change. That is, a state of the art filter battery network cannot be readily adaptable to change its setting based on changing filtering requirements. For example, when filtering requirements change, such as, the volume of water to be filtered increases and/or decreases, or if the water quality changes. State of the art battery network systems cannot be adjusted to account for the changes. Instead, such systems require re-planning the system by way of changing the diameter of the filter body or by adding a new battery network. Both options are costly and time consuming. Re-planning the system to account for the increase in fluid volume while maintaining acceptable pressure levels, by changing the filter’s diameter, is time consuming, very costly but also requires a larger footprint. Alternatively, adding an additional battery is also very costly while increasing the footprint.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a filter assembly that is configured to be fit within an inlet pipe itself, therein embodiments of the present invention provide a pipe segments that is integrated with a filter housing that combine to form the primary fluid inlet pipe. That is, the filter assembly according to embodiments of the present invention unifies the inlet pipe with filter body, and therefore provides a single housing for both filter and inlet pipe. Such configuration greatly reduces costs of the hardware required, and greatly saves on space required for such filter assemblies particularly in an industrial application. Furthermore, this allows for a filtering system that is readily adaptable to changing parameters.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a schematic illustration of a prior art backflush filter device;

FIG. 2A is a schematic prior art battery network backflush fluid filter system;

FIG. 2B is a schematic prior art battery network backflush fluid filter system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary backflush filter device according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary low footprint backflush fluid filter system according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A-C are illustrative schematic diagrams of a backflushing fluid filtering device according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 5 A shows a perspective side view; FIG. 5B shows a sectional side view; FIG. 5C shows a further sectional side view with the filtering elements removed;

FIG. 6A-D are illustrative schematic diagrams of a backflushing fluid filtering device according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 6A shows a perspective side view; FIG. 6B shows a sectional side view; FIG. 6C shows a top down view; FIG. 6D shows a further sectional side view with the filtering elements removed;

FIG.7A-C are illustrative schematic diagrams of a backflushing fluid filtering system according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 7A shows a perspective view; FIG. 7B shows a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7A; FIG. 7C additional configuration of FIG. 7 A that is fit with a flush valve; and FIG.8 is an illustrative schematic diagrams of cross sectional view of an optional backflushing fluid filtering system according to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

The following figure reference labels are used throughout the description to refer to similarly functioning components are used throughout the specification hereinbelow.

10 inlet manifold;

20 outlet manifold;

50 valve;

52 flush port;

54 three way flush valve;

54p flush port;

100 unitary pipe segment with filter housing body;

100a first end;

100b second end;

100c coupling element; lOOe capping element;

100L body lumen;

102 first port;

104 second port;

105 flow path;

106 third port;

108 filter body surface;

110 filter member housing;

110a filter member housing support arm;

112 filter member filter member assembly;

150 low footprint filter system;

152 filter network branch; Now referring to FIG. 3 showing a schematic box diagram of a backwash fluid filtering device 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. The filtering device 100 is characterized in that two such filter body devices 100 may be directly coupled to one another such that they may form a backwashing fluid filter system 150, for example as schematically shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7A-8, so as to allow the formation of a filtering system 150.

FIG. 3 shows filter body 100 that is utilized as a reverse flushing filter that may be optionally and preferably be utilized in a reverse flushing automated filtering system 150. Filter body 100 has a circumferential surface 108 that features three ports respective ports 102, 104, 106 that are configured to be in continuous fluid communication with one another. Filter body 100 comprise an open internal lumen the features a filter member housing 110 provided for housing and/or receiving a filtering member and/or a filter member assembly 112. Filtering member and/or filter member assembly are collectively referred to as 112 that may for example include but is not limited to any filtering media and or the like member for example including but not limited to a mesh filer, a media based filter, a disc filter media, a stacked disc filter members and its corresponding spine assembly (details not shown herein), or the like filtering elements as is known in the art.

In embodiments, filter body 100, is optionally but preferably provided in the form of a generally pipe-like tubular cylindrical housing, however, body 100 is not limited to such a geometric configuration and may be realized in other geometric configurations.

In embodiments, filter body 100 includes a first port 102, a second port 104 and a third port 106. Preferably the first port 102 and the second port 104 are disposed opposite one another on opposing ends of body 100 respectively labelled 100a, 100b, as best seen in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6A. Accordingly, the opposite positioning of ports 102, 104 across the long axis of body 100 provide for forming a flow path 105 along a long axis of body 100, as best seen in FIG. 5 A.

In embodiments first port 102 disposed about an end 100a of body 100 is configured to be couplable with a second filter body 100, according to embodiments of the present invention, about second port 104 disposed about end 100b, in a stacked manner. The combined filter bodies are configured to have a common and/or shared lumen such that the open lumen allows for continuous flow therebetween, for example as shown in FIG. 7A-8. In embodiments, first port 102 and second port 104 may individually feature a coupling arrangement and/or element 100c, for example including but not limited to threading or snap fit configuration and/or configured to receiving an external coupling member, for example including but not limited to a coupling ring and/or clamp.

In embodiments third port 106 is preferably disposed along the external surface of circumferential surface 108. Third port 106 is preferably continuous with filter member housing 110. In embodiments, filter member housing 110 preferably extends internally from third port 106 and is disposed within the internal lumen of filter 100.

In embodiments, filter member housing 110 is configured to receive a filter member and/or a filter member assembly 112. In embodiments, filter member housing 110 is preferably configured so as to orient filter member and/or filter member assembly 112 internally within the lumen 100L of body 100 along the long axis of body 100. In embodiments the long axis defined between ends 100a and 100b and/or first port 102 and second port 104.

In embodiments, filter member housing 110 may optionally comprise structural support members 110a that are configured to extending toward the internal surface of the circumferential surface 108 within the lumen of body 100.

In embodiments, filter member housing 110 may be configured to receive at least one or more filter members and/or filter member assemblies 112.

In embodiments, filter member housing 110 may be configured to receive at least two or more filter members and/or filter member assemblies 112.

In embodiments, the respective ports 102, 104, 106 of filter body 100 may be configured to feature a coupling adaptor or member for coupling at least one or more selected from the group comprising of : a second filter body 100, a valve member 50, pipe coupling member 100c, pipe capping member lOOe (FIG. 7E), pipe manifold 20 , the like or any combination thereof.

Now referring to FIG. 4 showing schematic box diagram of a backflushing fluid filter system 150 comprising at least two or more individual filter units 100 according to embodiments of the present invention, for example as described above and shown in FIG. 3. In embodiments, filter system 150 comprises at least two or more individual filter units 100 wherein the each of the filter bodies 100 are directly coupled to one another about the ends 100a and 100b. That is a first filter body 100 is coupled to a second filter body 100 one onto the other, such that they share their respective lumen 100L to form a common continuous lumen, and a common flow path 105.

In embodiments, Coupling may be achieved by coupling second end 104,100b of the first (bottom) filter body to the first end 102, 100a of the second (top) filter body, for example as schematically shown in FIG.7A-C.

In embodiments filter system 150 preferably further comprises at least one or more valve(s) 50. Preferably, the at least one valve 50 is provided for controlling flow through at least two or more coupled filter bodies 100. In embodiments, at least one or more valve 50 may be placed along any portion of a branch 152 of system 150, wherein valve 50 is configured to provide for flow through at least two filter bodies 100 that are directly coupled with one another so as to share a lumen 100L.

In embodiments, the valve may be provided in the form of a three-way two position flush valve 52, for example as shown in FIG. 7B.

In embodiments valve 50 may be provided in any form as is known in art for example including but not limited to a ball valve, butterfly valve, diaphragm valve, the like or any combination thereof.

FIG. 5A-C shows a schematic illustration of backflushing filter body 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of body 100 shown as a cylindrical body having a body surface 108 featuring a first end 100a defining a first port 102 an opposing second end 100b featuring second port 104, and a third port 106 disposed along surface 108. Flow path 105 depicts the linear flow path within the lumen 100L of body between opposing ends 100a, 100b.

In embodiments, any one of port 102, 104, 106 may feature a coupling element and/or arrangement 100c. In a preferred embodiments opposing ports 102, 104 preferably feature corresponding coupling arrangements 100c for facilitating mating and/or coupling with one another in optional forms for example including but not limited to a male to female coupling configuration, and/or threading, and/or snap fit and/or clamping configuration, the like or any combination thereof.

In embodiments, coupling arrangement and/or element 100c, may for example include but is not limited to threading or snap fit configuration and/or configured to receiving an external coupling member, for example including but not limited to a coupling ring and/or clamp. FIG. 5B shows a sectional view of FIG. 5A to reveal lumen 100L showing third port 106, filter member housing 110 and its associated filter member and/or filter member assembly 112. As shown, lumen 100L is an open lumen featuring two opposing ends 100a, 100b enabling a linear flow path 105 to flow therebetween.

FIG. 5B shows a non -limiting optional configuration of filter body 100 featuring filter member housing 110 disposed centrally within lumen 100L. Such a configuration allows filter member housing to be functionally associated with at least two filter member and/or filter member assemblies 112, for example as shown in the form of upper and lower filter members. In some optional embodiments, filter member housing 110 may be distributed within the lumen 100L of filter body 100 in optional configuration and/or placement for example including but not limited to acentric, centric, concentric, symmetric, asymmetric, the like or any combination thereof.

In embodiments filter member housing 110 may optionally feature at least one or more support arms 110a that extend between housing 110 and the luminal side of surface 108, for example as shown.

FIG. 5C shows a further sectional view of filter body 100 similar to that shown in FIG. 5B wherein filter elements 112 have been removed.

FIG. 6A-D show a further optional configuration of filter body 100 similar to that shown in FIG. 5A-C, featuring a filter member housing 110 that is disposed near an end 100a, 100b of filter body 100. FIG. 6A-D shows a filter body 100 comprising a filter member housing 110 configured for receiving a single filter member assembly 112 and/or filter member 112, as best seen in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6C shows a top down view of the internal lumen 100L of body 100 showing a filter member housing 110 that is supported with a plurality of support members 110a surrounding filter member housing 110.

FIG. 6D shows a filter body 100 of FIG. 6A-B wherein filter member 112 has been removed for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 7A-B show a backflushing filter system 150 comprising a plurality of filter branches 152 wherein each branch 152 is composed of a plurality of directly interconnected backflush filter bodies 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, system 150 is formed from a plurality of individual filter bodies 100, depicted in FIGs. 3-6D, that are directly coupled to one another about an end 100a, 100b thereof, for example as shown. In embodiments, system 150 comprises a plurality of filter bodies 100 that are directly connected to one another such that they directly share their individual lumen 100L such configuration provides for forming a continuous filter network that may be assembled in a modular fashion, according to the required application. For example, in an industrial application having limited ground floor, a filter system 150 may be configured to be vertical and/or tower-like configuration having a small footprint. Such an application is particularly advantageous for situations where a small footprint is required for example in commercial and/or industrial applications where airspace, as opposed to land, is readily available. Another advantage is the system’s adaptability and ability to expand in a quick and convenient manner. Filter system 150 allows a user to add (or remove) filter bodies 100 as needed, for example when flow is increased or when water quality changes. Adding additional filter bodies is done both quickly and easily, without needing a complete reconfiguration of the filter system as is required by state of the art systems and in particular filter battery systems.

FIG. 7A-B show an illustrative schematic depiction of one non-limiting configuration of system 150 comprising, an inlet manifold 10 for introducing raw unfiltered fluid, an outlet manifold 20 for receiving clean filtered fluid, at least one or more valves 50, and a plurality of directly coupled and/or interconnected filter bodies 100 sharing a common lumen 100L.

In embodiments, as previously described, at least two directly coupled and/or stacked filter bodies 100 are coupled with one another about their ends 100a, 100b such that they share a common lumen 100L. In embodiments, two or more filter bodies 100 may be coupled via a dedicated coupling member 100c and/or element for example a clamping ring a non-limiting example of which is shown.

In embodiments, inlet manifold 10 provides for branching of fluid filter network system 150 into individual branches 152, a non-limiting example of two branched system 150 is shown however system 150 according to embodiments is not limited to a particular number of branches 152. Accordingly, manifold 10 provides for introducing “raw” unfiltered flowing fluid, for example water, into system 150 wherein a plurality of filter body 100 provides for filtering the raw fluid as it flows along the vertical axis of filter branch 152, along a flow path 105 within the common lumen 100L formed between interconnected filter bodies. Raw unfiltered water flows, from lumen 100L across filter members 112 associated with filter member housing 110 to filter the flowing fluid and to generate filtered fluid that exits filter body 100 via third port 106, toward outlet manifold 20.

In embodiments outlet manifold 20 is preferably provided in a pipe configuration and provided for coupling a plurality of induvial third port 106, for example a shown in FIG. 7B. In embodiments, outlet manifold 20 may be utilized across at least two or more branches 152 of system 150, for example a shown.

In embodiments, a plurality of valves 50 are preferably utilized to control flow and direction flow through system 150 and its respective branches. In embodiments, each branch 152 preferably comprises at least one valve 50, most preferably a flush valve 50. In embodiments, valve 50 provides for controlling the direction of flow through branch 152 during the different filtering phases, a filter phase or a selfcleaning phase. In embodiments, the filtering phase is provided when valve 50 is open to “raw” upstream flowing fluid from inlet 10 to enter branch 125 for undertaking filtering. In embodiments, the self-cleaning phase is provided when valve 50 is closed to inlet manifold 10, therein not allowing upstream “raw” fluid to enter branch 125. During self-cleaning, valve 50 opens an internal port 52 acting as a flush port for branch 152, allowing the reverse flow through branch 152. During reverse-flow and/or self-cleaning, branch 152 the direction of fluid flowthrough filter body 100 is reversed wherein clean fluid flows from outlet manifold 20 through port 106 across filter members 112, therein cleaning filter member 112, and toward port 52 of valve 50. In such a manner an individual branch 152 may be cleaned wherein all of its filter bodies 100 are cleaned simultaneously, along the shared lumen 100L of each filter body.

In embodiments a branch 152 may be capped with a second valve 50, for example a shown. In embodiments a branch 152 may be capped with a pipe fitting cap member (not shown).

In embodiments a plurality of branches 152 may be individually capped with a capping manifold so as to maintain a shared lumen 100L for the entire branch 152 of the filter network 150, for example with cap lOOe shown in FIG. 7C.

FIG. 7C show a further optional configuration of backflushing filter system 150 comprising a plurality of filter branches 152, similar to that as shown and described in FIG. 7A-B, however the distal end of each branch 152 features a capping member 1 lOe, provided to seal and/or cap the distal most filter housing member 100 and the proximal end of each branch 152 features a valve in the form of a backflush three way valve 54 having a dedicated flush port 54p. Accordingly, this configuration of the filter system is composed of a plurality of directly interconnected backflush filter bodies 100 according to embodiments of the present invention, as previously described, wherein the distalmost member of a branch 152 is sealed at a distal end with a caping member 1 lOe and a proximal end of a branch 152 is controllable with a valve in the form of a three way flush valve 54. Accordingly, system 150 is formed from a plurality of individual filter bodies 100, depicted in FIGs. 3-6D.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a further optional configuration for filter network system 150 having a plurality of branches 152 wherein each branch features at least two or more filter bodies 100, according to embodiments of the present invention, that are coupled along an end thereof such that they share a lumen 100L to form a common lumen, as shown.

As shown, FIG. 8 forms system 150 with filter body 100 featuring a filter member housing 110 disposed centrally, as shown in FIG. 5A-C, configured to have at least two filter member and/or filter member assemblies 112, as previously described.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that where reference numerals appear in the claims, such numerals are included solely or the purpose of improving the intelligibility of the claims and are no way limiting on the scope of the claims. Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Further modifications of the invention will also occur to persons skilled in the art and all such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention.

Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1) A pipe segment forming a reverse flushing filter unit comprising: a) a unitary filter body (100) featuring three ports (102,104,106) in continuous fluid communication with one another, including a first port (102), a second port (104) and a third port (106); wherein said first port and said second port are disposed opposite one another on opposing ends (100a, 100b) of said body (100) and configured to form a flow path (105) along a long axis of said body (100); and wherein said third port (106) is disposed on a circumferential surface (108) of said body (100); b) a filter member housing (110) extending internally from said third port (106) and disposed internally to said body (100); said filter member housing (110) configured to receive at least one filter member and/or a filter member assembly (112), and wherein said filter member and/or filter member assembly is disposed along the long axis of said body.

2) The device of claim 1 wherein said filter member housing (110) further comprise at least one support member (110a) extending toward said circumferential surface (108).

3) The device of claim 1 wherein said filter member housing (110) is further configured to receive at least two of: filter member and/or filter member assembly (H2).

4) The device of claim 1 wherein said filter member housing (110) is further configured to receive a plurality of filter member(s) or filter member assembly (H2).

5) The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second ports feature corresponding coupling members (100c) configured to couple adjacent filter body (100) about its end in a stacked manner.

6) A reverse flush filter system comprising at least two pipe segment according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein two unitary filter bodies (100) are directly coupled to one another about said opposing ends (100a, 100b).

7) A reverse flushing filter system according to claim 6 further comprising at least one valve. ) The system of claim 7 wherein said valve is a three way two position flush valve.) The system of claim 6 further comprising and outlet manifold (20) configured to be coupled to a plurality of individual third port(s) (106). 0) The system of claim 6 further comprising an inlet manifold (10). 1) The system of claim 10 wherein said inlet manifold (10) has at least two outlets, each outlet defining a filter network branch (152), and wherein each filter network branch (152) comprises at least two or more interconnected unitary filter bodies (100) having a common flow path (105). 2) The system of claim 6 further comprising a capping element (lOOe). 3) The system of claim 6 further comprising a coupling element (100c) configured to directly couple two unitary filter bodies (100) to one another about their opposing ends (100a, 100b) in a stacked manner.