DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an apparatus for filtering/cleaning coolants and more particularly, but not exclusively to a paper band coolant filtration apparatus for filtering (cleaning) coolant used in a metal removal machine and the like.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a coolant is used in metal removal machines such as CNC (computer numerical control) machines, grinding machines, milling machines and the like, for removing heat and/or metal chips/powder generated during machining. The coolant carrying the metal chips/powder has to be filtered or cleaned before re-circulating the coolant back to the machine. The coolant used in association with machine tools is relatively costly, and an attempt is made to reuse same. However, during use, the coolant becomes highly contaminated with not only coarse contaminants such as metal chips and the like, but also fine metal contaminants which are difficult to remove. The coolant also becomes contaminated due to its contact with typical oils such as hydraulic fluids as used in association with machines, such oils being referred to as tramp oil, and becomes rancid.
[003] At the present time, effective cleaning and reusing of coolant is limited by the ability to effectively remove the contaminants, particularly the fine particles, from the used coolant. While various techniques and apparatus have been utilized in an attempt to clean the coolant so as to permit reuse, nevertheless such techniques and apparatus have provided only limited results.
[004] For example, one commonly used apparatus employs a separator wherein the contaminated coolant is deposited in a tank having a drag conveyor movable along the bottom thereof, which conveyor collects thereon the coarse contaminants and removes them from the coolant. Such arrangement also often employs a skimmer for removing the tramp oil from the surface of the coolant. This known apparatus, however, is wholly unsuitable for removing the fine particles, and hence the coolant is only partially cleaned. Often the coolant is then supplied to a hydro cyclone; also such device does not effectively remove the fine particles.
[005] Another known cleaning apparatus employs a paper bed filter positioned over a carrier chain, whereupon the contaminated coolant is deposited onto the filter and the contaminants create a filter cake thereon, whereupon the coolant filters downwardly by gravity into a collecting chamber. With such arrangement, the carrier chain and the paper filter are periodically advanced in an intermittent manner to sequentially move a clean filter under the inlet since the filter cake, after reaching a certain size, prevents any effective flow of coolant there through. While such arrangement is effective for removing fine particles, nevertheless such arrangement provides a very small flow rate there through, and the apparatus does not provide multiple filtering stages or steps so as to optimize both the rate and efficiency of the coolant cleaning operation.
[006] Further, the conventional paper band filtration system uses a float switch for facilitating the movement of the paper clogged by the impurities. The float switch used in conventional paper band filtration system is frequently deposited with the metal powder/waste present in the coolant and gets heavy and stops functioning, resulting in coolant overflow and frequent cleaning of the float switch. Further, seepage of unclean coolant through the paper in the conventional paper band filtration system results in poor surface finish of the component, poor performance of the tool and affects the life of the tool. Furthermore, disposal of clogged paper from the conventional paper band filtration system is a tedious and time consuming task and provides fatigue to the operator.
[007] Therefore, there exists a need for a paper band filtration apparatus for filtering (cleaning) a coolant used in any metal removal machine. Furthermore, there exists a need for a paper band filtration apparatus that can eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[008] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a paper band coolant filtration apparatus for filtering (cleaning) a coolant used in any metal removal machine.
[009] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a paper band coolant filtration apparatus that eliminates the need for a float switch.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a paper band coolant filtration apparatus that restricts the seepage of contaminated coolant from a rotatable container to a filtered coolant tank through the filter paper.
[0011] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a paper band coolant filtration apparatus that facilitates ease in disposal of clogged paper.
[0012] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a filter element clog identification device of a paper band coolant filtration apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a colour sensor of the paper band coolant filtration apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the paper band coolant filtration apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a paper band filtration apparatus for filtering (cleaning) a coolant used in any metal removal machine. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the paper band coolant filtration apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In general, a coolant is used in metal removal machines such as CNC (computer numerical control) machines, grinding machines, milling machines, honing machines and the like, for removing heat and/or metal chips/powder generated during machining. The coolant carrying the metal chips/powder has to be filtered or cleaned before re-circulating the coolant back to the machine. The apparatus 100 is used for filtering the contaminated coolant used in the metal removal machine (not shown). In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a coolant filter element 102, a filter element clog identification device 104 (as shown in fig. 1), a plurality of colour sensors 106 (as shown in fig. 2), a filter element rolling means 108, a rotatable container (not shown), a drive mechanism (not shown), a holding means (not shown), a colour sensor holding means (not shown), a motor unit (not shown), a controller unit (not shown), an indicating means (not shown), a filtered coolant tank (not shown), a pump and may include other standard components as present in standard paper band coolant filtration apparatus.
[0020] The coolant filter element 102 is used to filter the contaminated coolant from the machine (not shown). The coolant filter element 102 is provided in form of roll that is connected to the holding means (not shown) provided adjacent to the rotatable container (not shown), where a portion of the coolant filter element 102 is provided between the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown), and corresponding end of the coolant filter element 102 is provided to the filter element rolling means 108 through the rotatable container (not shown) and the drive mechanism (not shown). The coolant filter element 102 is made of cellulose paper. The coolant filter element 102 defining a plurality of minute pores (not shown) adapted to trap the contaminants in the coolant from the machine (not shown). The contaminants in the coolant filtered by the coolant filter element 102 is at least a fine metal powders.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a filter element clog identification device 104 of the paper band coolant filtration apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the filter element clog identification device 104 includes a plurality of coolant level detector probes 104a and a control circuit (not shown). The filter element clog identification device 104 works on 1.8 Vdc on continuity principle. The plurality of coolant level detector probes 104a of filter element clog identification device 104 is adapted to detect the level of contaminated coolant in the rotatable container (not shown). In an embodiment, a polarity of each coolant level detector probes 104a of the filter element clog identification device 104 changes when the contaminated coolant rises to a predefined level in the rotatable container (not shown) and engages each of the coolant level detector probes 104a of the filter element clog identification device 104 due to clogging of contaminants in corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 provided between the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown), and the filter element clog identification device 104 is adapted to provide an output signal to the controller unit (not shown) of the apparatus 100 to activate the motor unit (not shown) to drive at least one of the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown) to move the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 towards the filter element rolling means 108 adapted to be driven by the motor unit (not shown) to roll the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102. The filter element clog identification device 104 is provided in vicinity of the rotatable container (not shown) and above corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102.
[0022] In an embodiment, the plurality of colour sensors 106 is adapted to detect the colour of corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102. Each colour sensor 106 is adapted to detect the change in colour of corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 106 and provides an output signal to the controller unit (not shown) to stop the operation of the apparatus 100, and the controller unit (not shown) activates the indicating means (not shown) to indicate the status of the apparatus 100 thereby restricting seepage of contaminated coolant from the rotatable container (not shown) to the filtered coolant tank (not shown) through corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 provided between the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown). Each colour sensor 106 is provided in the vicinity of the rotatable container (not shown) and above corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102.
[0023] The filter element rolling means 108 is adapted to roll the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102. The filter element rolling means 108 is rotatably connected to the motor unit (not shown) therein to be driven by the motor unit (not shown) through a chain and gear drive mechanism to roll the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a pulley and belt based drive mechanism to rotatably connect the filter element rolling means 108 to the motor unit (not shown).
[0024] The rotatable container (not shown) is adapted to receive contaminated coolant from a tank (not shown) of the machine (not shown). The rotatable container (not shown) is adapted to be driven by the motor unit (not shown) of the apparatus 100 during a predefined condition to move the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 towards the filter element rolling means 108. The rotatable container (not shown) remains stationary when corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 filters the contaminants in the coolant.
[0025] The drive mechanism (not shown) is adapted to be driven by the motor unit (not shown) during a predefined condition to facilitate movement of clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 towards the filter element rolling means 108. The drive mechanism (not shown) is at least one of a honey comb belt drive mechanism and a conveyor.
[0026] The holding means (not shown) is used to hold the coolant filter element roll 102. The colour sensor holding means (not shown) is adapted to mount each colour sensor 106.
[0027] The motor unit (not shown) is configured to drive at least one of the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown) to move the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 towards the filter element rolling means 108 adapted to be driven by the motor unit (not shown) to roll the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 based on activation of motor unit (not shown) by the controller unit (not shown).
[0028] The controller unit (not shown) is adapted to activate the motor unit (not shown) based on the output signal received from the filter element clog identification device 104. The controller unit is adapted to stop the operation of the apparatus 100 and activates the indicating means (not shown) to indicate the status of the apparatus 100 thereby restricting seepage of contaminated coolant from the rotatable container to the filtered coolant tank of the apparatus 100 through corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 provided between the drive mechanism and the rotatable container (not shown) based on the output signal received by the controller unit (not shown) from each colour sensor 106.
[0029] The indicating means (not shown) is activated by the controller unit (not shown) to indicate the status of the apparatus 100. The indicating means (not shown) is at least one of a light bulb and buzzer.
[0030] The filtered coolant tank (not shown) is used to receive the filtered coolant (clean coolant free from contaminants) through corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102. The filtered coolant in the filtered coolant tank (not shown) is pumped back to the machine for removing heat and/or metal chips/powder generated during machining. The pump (not shown) is used to pump the contaminated coolant from the tank (not shown) of the machine (not shown) to the rotatable container (not shown) of the apparatus 100.
[0031] The working of the apparatus 100 is as follows. The contaminated coolant from the machine (not shown) is stored in the tank (not shown). The pump (not shown) is used to pump the contaminated coolant from the tank (not shown) of the machine (not shown) to the rotatable container (not shown) of the apparatus 100. Thereafter, the contaminated coolant is provided to corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 provided between the rotatable container (not shown) and the drive mechanism (not shown). The corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 is adapted to filter the coolant and provide the filtered coolant to the filtered coolant tank (not shown). The contaminants in the coolant get accumulated in the plurality of pores (not shown) of corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102. Now, the contaminated coolant in the rotatable container (not shown) rises to a predefined level and engages each coolant level detector probes 104a of the filter element clog identification device 104 due to clogging of corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102. The polarity of each coolant level detector probes 104a of the filter element clog identification device 104 changes on engagement of the contaminated coolant in the rotatable container (not shown) and the filter element clog identification device 104 provides an output signal to the controller unit (not shown). Thereafter, the controller unit (not shown) activates the motor unit (not shown) to drive at least one of the drive mechanism and the rotatable container (not shown) to move the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102 towards the filter element rolling means 108 that is driven by the motor unit (not shown) to roll the clogged portion of the coolant filter element 102. Further, each colour sensor 106 is adapted to detect the change in colour of corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 due to accumulation of contaminants in the corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 and provides an output signal to the controller unit (not shown) to stop the operation of the apparatus 100 and the controller unit (not shown) activates the indicating means (not shown) to indicate the status of the apparatus 100 thereby restricting seepage of contaminated coolant from the rotatable container (not shown) to the filtered coolant tank (not shown) of the apparatus 100 through corresponding portion of the coolant filter element 102 provided between the drive mechanism (not shown) and the rotatable container (not shown). Therefore, an apparatus 100 that facilitates movement of clogged coolant filter element 102 and easy disposal of clogged coolant filter element 102 is provided.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An apparatus 100 for filtering a contaminated coolant from a machine, said apparatus 100 comprising:
a rotatable container adapted to receive contaminated coolant from the machine, said rotatable container adapted to be driven by a motor unit of said apparatus 100 during a predefined condition;
a filter element rolling means 108 adapted to be rotatably connected to the motor unit adapted to drive said filter element rolling means 108 during a predefined condition;
a drive mechanism adapted to be driven by the motor unit of said apparatus 100;
a coolant filter element 102 connected to a holding means provided adjacent to said rotatable container, where a portion of said coolant filter element 102 is provided between said drive mechanism and said rotatable container, and corresponding end of said coolant filter element 102 is provided to said filter element rolling means 108 through said rotatable container and said drive mechanism;
a filter element clog identification device 104 having a plurality of coolant level detector probes 104a, said probes 104a adapted to detect the level of contaminated coolant in said rotatable container; and
a plurality of colour sensors 106 adapted to detect the colour of corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102,
wherein
a polarity of each coolant level detector probes 104a of said filter element clog identification device 104 changes when the contaminated coolant rises to a predefined level in said rotatable container and engages each of the coolant level detector probes 104a of said filter element clog identification device 104 due to clogging of contaminants in corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102 provided between said drive mechanism and said rotatable container, and said filter element clog identification device 104 is adapted to provide an output signal to a controller unit of said apparatus 100 to activate the motor unit to drive at least one of said drive mechanism and said rotatable container to move the clogged portion of said coolant filter element 102 towards said filter element rolling means 108, and said filter element rolling means 108 is driven by the motor unit to roll the clogged portion of said coolant filter element 102; and
each of said colour sensor 106 is adapted to detect the change in colour of corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 106 and provides an output signal to the controller unit to stop the operation of said apparatus 100 and the controller unit activates a indicating means to indicate the status of said apparatus 100 thereby restricting seepage of contaminated coolant from said rotatable container to a filtered coolant tank of said apparatus 100 through corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102 provided between said drive mechanism and said rotatable container.

2. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant filter element 102 is made of cellulose paper.

3. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coolant filter element 102 defining a plurality of minute pores adapted to trap the contaminants in the coolant from the machine.

4. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtered coolant tank is provided below said drive mechanism.

5. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said colour sensors 106 is provided in the vicinity of said rotatable container and above corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102.

6. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a colour sensor holding means adapted to mount each of said colour sensor 106.

7. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter element clog identification device 104 is provided in vicinity of said rotatable container and above corresponding portion of said coolant filter element 102.

8. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contaminants in coolant filtered by corresponding portion of said coolant filter element is at least a fine metal powder.

9. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism is at least one of a honey comb belt drive mechanism and a conveyor.