Filter device for removing particles from a fluid

1 . A filter device for removing particles from a liquid, the filter device comprising:

a fluid chamber;

an inlet for liquid;

an outlet for filtered liquid;

an outlet for particles;

a sieve;

a flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis in said fluid chamber; and

an inlet chamber coupled to the inlet;

wherein the outlet for particles is coupled to the fluid chamber at a location substantially perpendicular to the vortex axis;

wherein the inlet for liquid, the outlet for filtered liquid, and the outlet for particles are each coupled to the fluid chamber;

wherein the sieve is arranged in the fluid chamber and upstream from the outlet for filtered liquid;

wherein the inlet chamber is delimited from the fluid chamber by a wall member;

wherein the wall member comprises at least one opening being shaped to induce the vortex flow in the fluid chamber; and

wherein the inlet chamber comprises an inlet chamber sieve for sifting the liquid upstream from the wall member.

2 . The filter device according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet chamber sieve is supported by the wall member.

3 . The filter device according to claim 1 , wherein the sieve is arranged downstream from the outlet for particles.

4 . The filter device according to claim 1 , wherein the sieve has a cylindrical shape.

5 . The filter device according to claim 4 , wherein the sieve is coaxially arranged around the outlet for filtered liquid between the wall member and a wall of the fluid chamber.

6 . The filter device according to claim 1 , comprising a housing comprised of two housing parts.

7 . The filter device according to claim 6 , wherein the wall member is secured between the two housing parts.

8 . The filter device according to claim 7 , wherein:

the sieve is coaxially arranged around the outlet for filtered liquid, between the wall member and the wall of the fluid chamber; and

the sieve is secured between one of the two housing parts and the wall member.

9 . A filter device for removing particles from a liquid, the filter device comprising:

a fluid chamber;

an inlet for liquid;

an outlet for filtered liquid;

an outlet for particles;

a flow directing mechanism for inducing a vortex flow around a vortex axis in said fluid chamber; and

an inlet chamber coupled to the inlet;

wherein the inlet chamber is delimited from the fluid chamber by a wall member;

wherein the inlet chamber comprises an inlet chamber sieve for sifting the liquid upstream from the wall member;

wherein the inlet chamber sieve is provided with a plurality of truncated cones or pyramids;

wherein an opening from an upstream top to a downstream base of a truncated cone or pyramid of the plurality of truncated cones or pyramids is oriented to a direction of liquid flow;

wherein cross sections of the truncated cones or pyramids diverge in the direction of the liquid flow;

wherein the inlet for liquid, the outlet for filtered liquid, and the outlet for particles are each coupled to the fluid chamber; and

wherein the outlet for particles is coupled to the fluid chamber at a location substantially perpendicular to the vortex axis.

10 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein:

the fluid chamber is substantially cylindrical; and

the outlet for particles is arranged at the cylindrical wall.

11 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein:

the fluid chamber has a varying diameter; and

the outlet for particles is arranged at a location of the fluid chamber with largest diameter.

12 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein:

at least a part of an inner wall of the fluid chamber is provided with a groove; and

the outlet for particles is arranged in the groove.

13 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein the outlet for particles is provided with a valve movable between an open position and a closed position.

14 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein the inlet chamber sieve is supported by the wall member.

15 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein the normal of the plane of the upstream top of the truncated cone or pyramid is oriented at an angle relative to the direction of liquid flow.

16 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein:

the inlet chamber comprises an outlet for particles blocked by the inlet chamber sieve; and

the filter device further comprises blocked particle outlet valve arranged to block any axial flow through the outlet for blocked particles in a closed position.

17 . The filter device according to claim 16 , wherein:

the inlet chamber further comprises a second inlet for flushing the blocked particles from the inlet chamber to an outlet for blocked particles; and

the filter device further comprises a second inlet valve arranged to block any axial flow through the second inlet when in a closed position.

18 . The filter device according to claim 9 , wherein the wall member comprises a plurality of tangentially oriented nozzles for inducing the vortex flow in the fluid chamber.