FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to improvements to filter plates for use with horizontal filter presses. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a unique modular “recessed-chamber”-type filter plate which comprises separable frame and/or stay boss members which are securable to a filter plate core using unique connecting means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in the arts.

In many industrial dewatering processes, horizontal filter presses are used to dewater infeed slurries and produce filtrate and filter cakes comprising dewatered solids. Examples of such devices can be found in WO2015127366A2, US Pat. No. 5855778A, and US Pat. No. 10,905,977B2, without limitation. Other examples can be gleaned from the FLSmidth® AFP line of filter presses, for example, the AFP2525 Automatic Filter Press, the EIMCO® AFP IV Filter Press, the AFP IV™ pilot filter press, and the EIMCO® Colossal™ automatic filter press (AFP).

FIG. 23 depicts a conventional “plate and frame” -type arrangement of alternating filter plates. FIG. 24 depicts a conventional “recessed-chamber”-type filter plate stack. The present invention pertains to “recessed-chamber”-type filter plates which are commonly used within horizontal filter press filters.

A problem with such prior/conventional “recessed-chamber”-type filter plate devices, is that portions of the filter plate body substrate material can wear due to solids becoming trapped between the filter plate and its respective draped or mounted filter cloth. Erosion of material frequently occurs at the perimeter of the filter plate, and/or at stay bosses. Over time, stack tolerances of worn or warped plates can negatively affect filtration and lead to spillage, leakage, damaged equipment, and potential safety hazards.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to improve upon existing filter plate apparatus to improve cost to manufacture, reduce filter plate scrap rates, improve serviceability of filter plates, and eliminate aforementioned problems associated with prior art designs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim that embodiments of the invention provide an improved horizontal filter press apparatus which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative to related conventional apparatus.

It is a further aim that embodiments of the invention provide an improved filter plate assembly or filter plate thereof, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative to related conventional apparatus.

It should be understood that not every embodiment may be configured to obtain each and every one of the abovementioned objects. However, specific embodiments may demonstrate the ability to achieve or satisfy at least one or more of the abovementioned goals.

Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A filter plate assembly (1 ) is disclosed. The filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise a lower plate assembly (3). The lower plate assembly (3) may comprise a plate core (4). The lower plate assembly (3) may further comprise two plate frames (5) disposed on opposing sides of the plate core (4). A plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be provided between the plate core (4) and each of the two plate frames (5). The plate frames (5) and/or plate core (4) may comprise a plurality of receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27”’) for receiving plate frame securement fasteners (16). The plate frame securement fasteners (16) may extend into or entirely through the plurality of receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27’”) for securing the at least one of plate frames (5) to the plate core (4).

The plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be distinct from the plate frame securement fasteners (16). The plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be configured to align the plate frames (5) with the plate core (4) prior to the receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27’”) receiving the plate frame securement fasteners (16).

The plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be integral with the plate core (4), and may enter receiving portions (25, 25’, 25’”) provided within the plate frames (5). The plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be integral with the plate frames (5) and may enter receiving portions (25, 25”) provided within the plate core (4). The plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be separate and distinct components from both the plate core (4) and the plate frames (5) and may extend into receiving portions (25, 25’, 25”, 25’”) provided within the plate core (4) and/or the plate frames (5).

The filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise two modular stay bosses (6), each disposed on opposing sides of the plate core (4). At least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be provided between the plate core (4) and at least one of the modular stay bosses (6). At least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be provided between the plate core (4) and at least one of the modular stay bosses (6). At least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ) may extend into or entirely through receiving portions (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’) provided to the plate core (4) and/or each of the modular stay bosses (6) for securing the modular stay bosses (6) to the plate core (4).

The at least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be distinct from the at least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ). The at least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be configured to align the modular stay bosses (6) with the plate core (4) prior to the receiving portions (22, 22’, 22”, 22’”) receiving the least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ).

A filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise a lower plate assembly (3) having a plate core (4). The plate core (4) may comprise two modular stay bosses (6), each disposed on opposing sides of the plate core (4). At least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be provided between the plate core (4) and at least one of the modular stay bosses (6). At least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ) may extend into or entirely through receiving portions (22, 22’, 22”, 22’”) provided to the plate core (4) and/or each of the modular stay bosses (6) for securing the modular stay bosses (6) to the plate core (4).

The at least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be distinct from the at least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ). The at least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) may be configured to align the modular stay bosses (6) with the plate core (4) prior to the receiving portions (22, 22’, 22”, 22’”) receiving the least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ).

Preferred embodiments of the filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise two plate frames (5) disposed on opposing sides of the plate core (4). The filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise a plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) between the plate core (4) and each of the two plate frames (5).

The filter plate assembly (1 ) may further comprise a plurality of receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27”’) for receiving plate frame securement fasteners (16). Plate frame securement fasteners (16) may extend into or entirely through the plurality of receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27’”) for securing the at least plate frames (5) to the plate core (4). The plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) may be distinct from the plate frame securement fasteners (16) and may be configured to align the plate frames (5) with the plate core (4) prior to the receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27’”) receiving the plate frame securement fasteners (16).

A horizontal filter press may comprise one or more (e.g., a plurality) of the filter plate assembly (1 ) described above.

A method of assembling the filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprised the step of arranging the plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) between the plate core (4) and each of the two plate frames (5). The method may comprise the step of positioning the two plate frames (5) on opposing sides of the plate core (4). The method may comprise the step of aligning the plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) with respective receiving portions (25, 25’, 25”, 25’”) provided to the plate core (4) and/or plate frames (5). The method may comprise the step of inserting the plate frame securement fasteners (16) into the plurality of receiving portions (27, 27’, 27”, 27’”). The method may comprise the step of securing the plate frames (5) to the plate core (4) using the frame securement fasteners (16), for example, such that the plurality of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features (18) are captured between the plate frames (5) and plate core (4).

A method of assembling the filter plate assembly (1 ) may comprise the step of arranging the modular the modular stay bosses (6) on opposing sides of the plate core (4), for example, such that a lower mounting surface (34) of each modular stay boss (6) faces the plate core (4). The method may comprise the step of arranging at least one modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature (23) between the plate core (4) and at least one of the modular stay bosses (6). The method may comprise the step of inserting the at least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ) into or entirely through the receiving portions (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’) provided to the plate core (4) and each of the modular stay bosses (6). The method may comprise the step of securing the modular stay bosses (6) to the plate core (4) using the at least one modular stay boss securement fastener (21 ), for example, such that the at least one modular stay boss locating, antirotation, and/or alignment feature (23) is captured between the modular stay bosses (6) and plate core (4).

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated from the drawings that some of the figures may intentionally omit features or hide components for clarity and/or better visualization and understanding of the invention. Moreover, for clarity, where there are a plurality of similar features in a particular figure, only one of the features may be labelled with reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a filter plate assembly 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the filter plate assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 , but omitting one plate frame 5 and a plurality of modular stay bosses 6.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 depicts the plate assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 , omitting the following technical features for clarity: the upper plate assembly 2 of the filter plate assembly 1 ; both plate frames 5 from each side of a plate core 4 of the lower plate assembly 3; both lower counterweight plates 14 from each side of the plate core 4; and a plurality of modular stay bosses 6 attachable to each side of the plate core 4.

FIG. 5 depicts the plate frames 5, lower counterweight plates 14, and modular stay bosses 6 intentionally-omitted from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a modular stay boss 6 according to some nonlimiting embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows the modular stay boss 6 of FIG. 6, provided with a securement fastener 21 according to some non-limiting embodiments.

FIGS. 8 & 9 show two modular stay bosses 6, and one non-limiting embodiment depicting how they may be operably connected together on opposing sides of a plate core 4 (not shown for clarity).

FIG. 10 shows a side cutaway portion of the plate assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 , more clearly depicting how the plate frames 5 may be connected to each other and/or secured to the plate core 4, according to some non-limiting embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a side cutaway portion of the plate assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 , more clearly depicting how the plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 18 may be configured in relation to the plate core 4 and plate frames 5, according to some non-limiting embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows a side cutaway portion of the plate assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 , more clearly depicting how the modular stay bosses 6 may be connected to each other and/or the plate core 4, according to some non-limiting embodiments. FIG. 13 shows an alternative non-limiting embodiment, depicting how securement fasteners 16 may be used to attach plate frames 5 to the plate core 4.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative non-limiting embodiment, depicting how plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 18 may be configured in relation to the plate core 4 and plate frames 5.

FIG. 15 shows an alternative non-limiting embodiment, depicting how modular stay bosses 6 may be connected and aligned with the plate core 4 using modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 23 and modular stay boss securement fasteners 21 .

FIG. 16 shows yet another alternative non-limiting embodiment to those shown in FIGS. 12 and 15.

FIG. 17 shows yet another alternative non-limiting embodiment to those shown in FIGS. 12, 15, and 16.

FIG. 18 depicts an alternative non-limiting embodiment, showing how the plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 18 may be made integral with the plate core 4.

FIG. 19 depicts an alternative non-limiting embodiment, showing how the plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 18 may be made integral with the plate frames 5.

FIGS. 20 and 21 depict optional castellated surfaces, undulating surfaces, or integral projections with corresponding recesses that may be provided between plate frames 5 and plate core 4, without limitation.

FIG. 22 depicts optional castellated surfaces, undulating surfaces, or integral projections with corresponding recesses that may be provided between modular stay bosses 6 and plate core 4, without limitation. FIG. 23 shows an example of conventional, state-of-the-art, “plate and frame” arrangement for a horizontal filter press.

FIG. 24 shows an example of conventional, state-of-the-art, “recessed chamber” filter plate stack arrangement in a horizontal filter press.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A filter plate assembly 1 for a horizontal filter press filtering machine is disclosed. The filter plate assembly 1 may be provided in a plurality to the horizontal filter press. The filter plate assembly 1 may comprise an upper plate assembly 2 and a lower plate assembly 3.

The upper plate assembly 2 may comprise arms 11 extending upwardly from the lower plate assembly 3. The arms 11 may support a sprayer bar 12 and/or lift hooks 13 as shown. The lift hooks 13 may be configured to assist with raising, lowering, removing, or installing the filter plate assembly 1 into the horizontal filter press 1 , without limitation.

The lower plate assembly 3 may be substantially comprised of a plate core 4 sandwiched by two plate frames 5 located on opposing face sides of the plate core 4 and a number of modular stay bosses 6. The modular stay bosses 6 are arranged in pairs which are juxtaposed and oriented in mirror-like fashion so as to form a gap 42 therebetween for receiving the plate core 4 (this will be appreciated hereinafter and from FIGS. 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, and 17.

The plate core 4 may comprise a centrally-disposed feed eye 7 which may be provided in a lower half of the plate core 4 as shown. Roller mounts 9 each supporting one or more rollers 10 may be bolted to the plate core 4 as shown, or may otherwise be made integral and/or formed unitarily with the plate core 4. For example, the plate core 4 may be molded with roller mounts 9 integrally-provided therein. The plate core 4 may further comprise a number of filtrate ports 8. As depicted, the filtrate ports 8 may be upper filtrate ports, without limitation. The filtrate ports 8 may comprise holes extending through the transverse wall thickness of the plate core 4.

Counterweight plates 14 may be secured to opposing lower outer surface portions of the lower plate assembly 3. As shown, a single counterweight plate 14 is provided at a lower portion of each plate frame 5 to counter the weight of the sprayer bar 12 (or shaker bar) on the top of the filter plate assembly 1 , prevent the filter plate assembly 1 from being too top heavy, and/or prevent the filter plate assembly 1 from tipping over when installed in a horizontal filter press filter. These lower counterweight plates 14 may be removed and replaced as consumables as they wear from solids becoming trapped between the plate core 4 and filter media (not shown) which is to be dressed across and over lower plate assembly 3 filtration surfaces. The filter media to be used to dress a filter plate assembly 1 described herein may be any known in the art

To improve securement of the modular stay bosses 6, modular stay boss mounting areas 19 of the plate core 4 may be improved. For example, these areas 19 may be supplementally-machined for smoothness. These areas 19 may also be optionally-provided with a shallow plateau 15 to improve transition between a frustroconical or tapering portion 38 of a modular stay boss 6 and the surrounding planar surfaces of the plate core 4. The modular stay boss mounting areas 19 may each comprise at least one receiving portion 22 for accepting one or more modular stay boss securement fasteners 21 . An elevated rim 46 may be provided along an upper periphery of the optional shallow plateau 15 (as shown), or, it may alternatively provided on a surface portion of the plate core 4 adjacent a modular stay boss mounting area 19, without limitation. The elevated rim 46 may provide extra surface-machinable material for ensuring flush contact with an undersurface 34 of a modular stay boss 6. In this regard, tight molding tolerances for plate core 4 can be avoided, and secondary machining can ensure that modular stay boss mounting areas 19 provide a true flush mounting surface across the plate core 4. As shown, a single receiving portion 22 may extend into and/or through the thickness of the plate core 4 to receive a single securement fastener 21 which is centrally-aligned with each juxtaposed pair of modular stay bosses 6 (see FIGS. 3, 8, 9, and 12). The securement fastener 21 extending through a receiving portion 22 of a first modular stay boss 6 may comprise a head 37 and a threaded shaft 36 which mates with a threaded insert 33 provided within a second modular stay boss 6. The head 37 of the securement fastener 21 may occupy a counterbore 40 and rest on or be supported by an optional washer 35 as shown. The washer 35 (or undersurface of the head 37) may be configured to be seated on a shelf 39 within the counterbore 40 which surrounds the receiving portion 22.

Modular stay boss mounting areas 19 may also comprise on or more receiving portions 20 for accepting a respective number of modular stay boss locating, antirotation, and/or alignment features 23. As shown, a single receiving portion 20 may be provided to a modular stay boss mounting area 19 to accept a single modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature 23.

Modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 23 may be configured to align respective paired modular stay bosses 6, and prevent relative rotation therebetween and/or with respect to plate core 4, without limitation. These features 23 may, of course, be fully integrated or molded with one or both modular stay bosses, so as to be unitary extensions thereof, without limitation.

Alternatively, these features 23 may be fully integrated or molded with the plate core 4, so as to be unitary or monolithic extensions thereof. The features 23 may be press-fit into, co-moulded with, screwed into, over-moulded within, or integrally formed with (e.g., via molding together) the plate core 4 - and/or with one or more of the modular stay bosses 23, without limitation. In the particular embodiment shown, the modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 23 are shown to be separate and distinct components (e.g., “dowels”) that extend entirely through the plate core 4 (via respective receiving portions 20), and partially into blind holes provided to respective lower mounting surfaces 34 of opposing modular stay bosses 6.

While some of the illustrated embodiments depict the lower mounting surfaces 34 of the modular stay bosses 6 as planar (i.e., to match flush with complimentary planar surfaces of the modular stay boss mounting areas 19), it should be understood that some portions or the entire area of these lower mounting surfaces 34 may be castellated, undulating, or comprise a number of integral projections and/or recesses which mirror, correspond to, and/or mate with respective complimentary integral projections and/or recesses provided to the modular stay boss mounting area 19. Such embodiments (e.g., FIG. 22) may provide both antirotation and alignment functionality, and may be provided in a plethora of unique patterns and/or configurations, without limitation. In this regard, anti-rotation and/or alignment between modular stay bosses 6 and regions of the plate core 4 may alternatively be achieved with or without the use of the depicted and described modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 23.

It should be understood that such non-planar mating surfaces may be provided between a modular stay boss mounting area 19 and a lower mounting surface 34 of a modular stay boss 6 in conjunction with the proposed features 23 in order to provide supplemental or redundant means for alignment/anti-rotation, without limitation.

Select areas of the plate core 4 may comprise a number of pips 24 for supporting a filter cloth, and/or for providing additional means for channeling of filtrate behind a filter cloth (not shown), without limitation. As shown, pips 24 may surround one or more modular stay bosses 6, and/or may be provided adjacent to or around one or more modular stay boss mounting areas 19, without limitation. Pips 24 may be provided to one or more side regions of the plate core 4 (e.g., proximate the vertical side edges of the plate core 4 and/or the upper/lower horizontal edges of the plate core 4), without limitation. Pips 24 may blanket the entire surface of the plate core 4 between modular stay bosses 6 and bevel 32 of plate frames 5, without limitation. The pips 24 may comprise grooves, ridges, and other shaped surface projections configured to provide troughs and plateau surfaces to the plate core 4, without limitation. Patterns, sizes, and shapes of pips 24 may be chosen to suitably support filter media dressed over surfaces of the plate core 4, without limitation.

Drain holes 44 may be provided in portions of the plate core 4 to allow egress of liquids through the plate core 4 and direct the liquids into larger filtrate ports 8 for removal from the horizontal filter press. Drain holes 44 may be provided, for instance, at upper portions of a plate core 4, without limitation. Drain holes 44 may be provided at lower portions of a plate core 4, without limitation. Drain holes 44 provided to lower portions of the plate core 4 may convey liquids to one or more filtrate conduit (not shown) which are located within a lower portion of the plate core 4. The filtrate conduit(s) may allow discharge of liquids from surfaces of the lower plate assembly 3. One or more drain valves, such as those disclosed in the Applicant’s own co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/226,162 filed 27 July, 2021 (which is incorporated by reference for any and all purposes as if fully set forth herein), may be optionally provided to the plate core 4 and positioned within and/or adjacent to these filtrate conduits, without limitation. One or more sensors, such as those disclosed in the Applicant’s own U.S. Patent No. 9,709,492 B2 issued July 18, 2017 (and which is also incorporated by reference for any and all purposes as if fully set forth herein), may be employed within and/or adjacent these filtrate conduits, without limitation.

Turning now to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11 , plate frames 5 may comprise straight sections 31 which extend along top, bottom, and side edges of the plate core 4. The plate frames 5 may serve to provide a replaceable/consumable border around central regions of the plate core 4, surrounding the modular stay bosses 6, feed eye 7, and pips 24. The straight sections 31 of each plate frame 5 may connect with comers 30 of the plate frame 5. The corners 30 may each employ a chamfer 29. Inner edge surfaces of the chamfer 29 and straight sections 31 (i.e., which face inwardly towards the center of the plate core 4) may comprise a bevel 32 so as to provide a smoother transition between filter media and outer surfaces of the plate frames 5. Upon wearing or breaking of a plate frame 5 or modular stay boss, 6, the affected component can be easily replaced with a new one. This can occur during periodic routine maintenance (e.g., cloth changes), in-situ as needed, or in a ready rack of filter plate assemblies needing refurbishment, without limitation.

Plate frames 5 may comprise one or more filtrate port openings 26 (e.g., at upper comers thereof) and these may be configured to substantially align with the filtrate port openings 8 of the plate core 4. A plurality of securement fastener(s) 16 for securing plate frames 5 to the plate core 4 may be passed through respective receiving portions 27, 27’, 27”, 27”’ (e.g., blind apertures or through-holes) extending within and/or through the thickness of frames 5 and plate core 4 as shown (refer to non-limiting embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 & 13). The receiving portions 27 are thus configured to accept plate frame securement fastener(s) 16.

Threaded insert(s) 43 may be provided within a receiving portion 27, 27”, 27’” for securing to a threaded section of a shaft 36 of securement fasteners 16. The threaded inserts 43 may comprise internal (female) threads for threadedly engaging the shaft 36 for a predetermined length of engagement. For improved holding, external portions of threaded inserts may comprise splines or external threads, as shown. The external threads may be inserted into the body substrate material of a plate frame 5 (FIG. 10) and/or plate core 4 (FIG. 13), without limitation. In lieu of a threaded insert 43, it is contemplated that threads could be machined directly into the body substrate material of a plate frame 5 or plate core 4 (e.g., within a receiving portion 27”, 27’”) for threadedly engaging a shaft 36 portion of a securement fastener 16 used to connect one or both plate frames 5 to the plate core 4. It should be understood that the threaded insert(s) 43, where depicted, may be alternatively configured as nuts without external threads, splines, etc., and may be received in a counterbore 40 or moulded within or pressed into the body substrate material of a plate frame 5 or modular stay boss 6, without limitation. In such configurations, the counterbore 40 may be configured with flats (e.g., hexagonal profile) to prevent rotation thereof during engagement with securement fasteners 16. To improve alignment of and prevent shifting of the plate frames 5 with respect to the plate core 4, a number of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 18 may be provided between the plate core 4 and one or both of the plate frames 5. This may be accomplished in different ways. For example, a short dowel 18 may fully or partially extend into a plate frame 5 receiving portion 25, 25’, 25”’, and the same dowel 18 may fully or partially extend into a receiving portion 25, 25” of the plate core 4 as depicted in FIG. 11. As another example, a long dowel 18 may extend entirely through the plate core 4 and into respective receiving portions 27, 27’, 27” of each plate frame (refer to FIG. 14). As yet another example, a dowel 18 may be formed as a unitary monolithic projection from the plate core 4 and be received within a receiving portion 25, 25’, 25’” of a plate frame as depicted in FIG. 18.

As a further non-limiting example, a dowel 18 may be formed as a unitary monolithic projection from a plate frame 4 and be received within a receiving portion 25, 25’” of the plate core as depicted in FIG. 19. Dowels 18 may comprise chamfers and may be rounded, tapered, or curved at their ends to improve insertion into respective receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’”, without limitation.

Interlocking surfaces (as depicted in FIGS. 21 , 22, 23) may be provided as plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 18. In some embodiments, multiple types of plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment features 18 may be employed within a filter plate assembly 1 (e.g., a combination of at least one dowel 18 and one or more interlocking surfaces 34, 47 may be provided between the plate core 4, plate frame(s) 5 and/or modular stay boss(es) 6).

Some receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’” may be of reduced relative diameter to other receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’” for accommodating tight interference or press-fit engagements with a dowel 18, whereas other receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’” may be of larger relative diameter to other receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’” for accommodating looser clearance-fit sliding engagements with a dowel 18 as depicted. It is preferred that the receiving portions 25, 25’, 25”, 25’” are configured with tolerances that are comparable with the dowels 18 such that they adequately provide sufficient alignment, support, strengthening, coupling, and/or anti-rotation functionality between the plate core 4 and plate frames 5.

Similar securement fasteners 17 and respective receiving portions 28 for securing the lower counterweight plates 14 to the plate core 4 may be utilized as will be appreciated from FIGS. 2, 4, and 5.

Similar securement fasteners 21 and respective receiving portions 27, 27’, 27”, 27”’ for securing the modular stay bosses 6 to each other and/or to the plate core 4 may be utilized as will be appreciated from FIGS. 3-9, 12, 16, and 17. As shown, a threaded insert 33 may be provided to a modular stay boss 6 for securing to a threaded shaft 36 portion of a securement fastener 21 passing through an opposing adjacent modular stay boss 6.

It should be understood that the plate frames 5 and modular stay bosses 6 described herein are preferably configured with similar or identical thicknesses. In this regard, when filter media (i.e. , cloth, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, metallic weave) is dressed over the completed lower plate assembly 3, the filter media remains substantially planar across the lower plate assembly 3. Moreover, such practices may help to ensure proper sealing between adjacent lower plate assemblies 3 - as well as maintain uniform load distributions between plate assemblies within the horizontal filter press. It is preferred that surface contact between plate frames 5 and modular stay bosses of adjacent filter plate assemblies 1 remains even and uniform enough to control load distributions throughout the horizontal filter press and prevent cocking or tilting of the plate assembly 1 stack during operation.

While some of the illustrated embodiments depict the mounting surfaces of the plate frames 5 as planar (i.e., to match flush with complimentary planar surfaces along the perimeter of the plate core 4), it should be understood that some portions or the entire area of these mounting surfaces 47 may be castellated, undulating, or comprise a number of integral projections and/or recesses which mirror, correspond to, and/or mate with respective complimentary integral projections and/or recesses provided to the plate core 4 perimeter surfaces. Such embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 20 & 21 ) may provide both anti-rotation and alignment functionality, and may be provided in a plethora of unique patterns and/or configurations, without limitation. In this regard, anti-rotation and/or alignment between plate frames 5 and outer peripheral regions of the plate core 4 may alternatively be achieved with or without the use of the depicted and described plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment dowels 18.

The filter plate assembly 1 and features thereof described and illustrated herein are provided merely as examples to which the invention of the claims may be applied. The specification does not suggest that the claims are somehow limited to or apply only to the particular embodiments shown and described herein.

Where used herein, the term ’’locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s)” may comprise a dowel, a rod, a fixation member, a insert, a connector, an interlocking surface feature, a projection, a protrusion, or the like, without limitation. Some of these features may be provided integrally with the plate core 4, one or more of the plate frames 5, and/or one or more of the modular stay bosses 6, without limitation. Some of these features may be provided separately from the plate core 4, one or more of the plate frames 5, and/or one or more of the modular stay bosses 6, as separate (e.g., ‘removable’) components, without limitation. These features 18, 23 may comprise different cross-sectional shapes, surface textures, and side profiles. They may be tapered in areas (e.g., for press/interference-type fits, or to improve location).

The above description of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teaching(s).

Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, as well as other embodiments that might clearly fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘having’, ‘is provided with’ - or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus having an inclusion of a list of elements may not necessarily include only those elements (solely), but may also include other elements not listed. For example, a filter plate assembly 1 described herein may not comprise certain additional features or elements that may be traditionally found on a filter plate assembly 1 device.

LIST OF REFERENCE IDENTIFIERS

1 Filter plate assembly

2 Upper plate assembly

3 Lower plate assembly

4 Plate core

5 Plate frame(s)

6 Modular stay boss

7 Feed eye

8 Filtrate port(s) (e.g., upper filtrate ports)

9 Roller mount(s)

10 Roller(s)

11 Arm(s)

12 Sprayer bar

13 Lift hook(s)

14 Lower counterweight plate(s)

15 Shallow plateau

16 Securement fastener(s) for plate frame

17 Securement fastener(s) for lower counterweight plate(s) 14

18 Plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment featuress) (e.g., dowel, rod, fixation member, insert, connector, interlocking surface feature, projection, or the like)

19 Modular stay boss mounting area

20 (20’, 20”, 20”’) Receiving portion for modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s)

21 Securement fastener(s) for modular stay boss

22 (22’, 22”, 22’”) Receiving portion for modular stay boss securement fastener(s)

23 Modular stay boss locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) (e.g., dowel, rod, fixation member, insert, connector, interlocking surface feature, projection, or the like)

24 Pips

25 (25’, 25”, 25’”) Receiving portion for plate frame locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s)

26 Upper filtrate port opening(s)

27 (27’, 27”, 27’”) Receiving portion for plate frame securement fastener(s)

28 Receiving portion for lower counterweight plate securement fastener(s) 17 Chamfer Corner Straight section Bevel Threaded insert(s) (for securing to securement fastener(s) 21) Lower mounting surface or undersurface (of modular stay boss 6) (e.g., planar or including interlocking features) Washer Shaft Head Frustroconical or tapering portion Shelf Counterbore Top (planar) cloth engagement surface Gap between adjacent modular stay bosses 6

(for accommodating thickness of plate core 4) Threaded insert(s) (for securing to securement fastener(s) 16) Drain holes/filtrate ports Chamfered, rounded, tapered, curved, or radiused end of locating, anti-rotation, and/or alignment feature(s) 18, 23 Elevated rim Mounting surface or undersurface (of plate frame 5)