Filter structure and liquid circulation system
The double filter configuration with fine and coarse filters and dedicated reservoirs addresses foreign matter accumulation in liquid circulation systems, ensuring efficient operation and compact design by capturing contaminants and minimizing pressure loss.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EBARA CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid circulation systems face the risk of foreign matter accumulation in the liquid tank, leading to potential pump and target device malfunctions due to pressure loss and system inefficiencies.
A filter structure with a double filter configuration, comprising a fine filter and a coarse filter, along with dedicated foreign matter reservoirs, is integrated into the liquid circulation system to capture and accumulate foreign matter while maintaining a compact size and minimizing pressure loss.
The filter structure effectively captures foreign matter, preventing pump and target device malfunctions while maintaining efficient liquid circulation and reducing overall system size.
Smart Images
Figure 0007882661000001 
Figure 0007882661000002 
Figure 0007882661000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a filter structure and a liquid circulation system.
Background Art
[0002] There is a liquid circulation system that circulates the liquid stored in a liquid tank by a pump. The liquid circulation system is configured to send the liquid in the liquid tank to a target device (for example, a chiller) and recover the liquid supplied to the target device back to the liquid tank.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, there is a risk that foreign matter (for example, dust) generated from the target device may mix into the liquid. In this case, the liquid mixed with the foreign matter is sent to the liquid tank, and as a result, the foreign matter accumulates in the liquid tank. When the pump is driven in this state, foreign matter may mix into the liquid circulation path, and there is a risk that the pump (and / or the target device) may malfunction due to the foreign matter. [[ID=Z36]]
[0005]
[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a filter structure and a liquid circulation system that suppress pressure loss and have a compact size. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In one embodiment, a filter structure is provided comprising a filtration unit and a block lid to which the filtration unit is connected. The filtration unit comprises a fine filter having a first mesh size, a coarse filter having a second mesh size larger than the first mesh size and surrounding the fine filter, and a block frame connecting the fine filter and the coarse filter, wherein the block frame comprises a first foreign matter reservoir for accumulating foreign matter captured by the fine filter and a second foreign matter reservoir for accumulating foreign matter captured by the coarse filter.
[0008] In one embodiment, the block frame comprises an inner wall positioned between the fine filter and the coarse filter, and an outer wall positioned outside the coarse filter, the outer wall having a liquid outlet formed at its upper part. In one embodiment, the first foreign matter reservoir is connected to the fine filter and the outer wall, and the second foreign matter reservoir is connected to the inner wall and the outer wall. In one embodiment, the inner wall has a tapered shape that gradually narrows from its base to its tip.
[0009] In one embodiment, the inner wall has a corrugated shape. In one embodiment, the filtration unit includes a first reinforcing member that reinforces the fine filter. In one embodiment, the filtration unit includes a second reinforcing member that reinforces the coarse filter.
[0010] In one embodiment, the block frame includes a partition wall positioned between the fine filter and the coarse filter, the partition wall having a liquid outlet formed at its upper part. In one embodiment, the first foreign matter reservoir is located between the fine filter and the coarse filter, and the second foreign matter reservoir is located between the partition wall and the coarse filter. In one embodiment, the filtration unit has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the block lid.
[0011] In one embodiment, a liquid circulation system is provided, comprising a liquid tank for storing liquid, a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid tank, a pump device connected to the liquid supply pipe, a liquid return pipe connected to the pump device, and the filter structure connected to the liquid return pipe.
[0012] In one embodiment, the pump device has a canned structure that integrally comprises a permanent magnet motor and a pump. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] The filter structure has a double filter configuration with a fine filter and a coarse filter, thus suppressing pressure loss while maintaining a compact size. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a liquid circulation system. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the filter structure. [Figure 3] This figure shows a filter structure that has been removed from a liquid tank. [Figure 4] This figure shows another embodiment of the filter structure. [Figure 5] This figure shows another embodiment of the filter structure. [Figure 6] This figure shows another embodiment of the filter structure. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show a fine-mesh filter reinforced with reinforcing members. [Figure 8] This figure shows another embodiment of the filter structure.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0015] In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a liquid circulation system. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid circulation system 1 includes a liquid tank 2 for storing a liquid, a liquid supply pipe 3A connected to the liquid tank 2, a pump device 4 connected to the liquid supply pipe 3A, a liquid return pipe 3B connected to the pump device 4, and a filter structure 10 connected to the liquid return pipe 3B.
[0017] The liquid tank 2 is a tank that stores the liquid used in the target device 5 connected to the liquid return pipe 3B. The target device 5 is, for example, a coolant circulation device such as a chiller. In one embodiment, the target device 5 may be a liquid circulation device used in the medical or food industries. The target device 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that uses the liquid in the liquid tank 2 incorporated in the liquid circulation system 1.
[0018] One end of the liquid supply pipe 3A is connected to the lower part of the liquid tank 2, and the other end is connected to the pump device 4. The pump device 4 is, for example, a pump device having a canned structure in which a permanent magnet type motor and a pump are integrally formed. In other words, the pump device 4 is an axial gap type canned motor pump. The pump device 4 having a canned structure has a hydrodynamic bearing that rotatably supports an impeller by the hydrodynamic pressure of the liquid.
[0019] The liquid return pipe 3B is connected to the pump device 4 and the liquid tank 2. One end of the liquid return pipe 3B is connected to the pump device 4, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the liquid tank 2. The target device 5 is connected in the middle of the liquid return pipe 3B. The target device 5 is arranged on the downstream side of the pump device 4 in the flow direction of the liquid.
[0020] When the pump device 4 is driven, the liquid in the liquid tank 2 is introduced into the pump device 4 through the liquid supply pipe 3A. The liquid introduced into the pump device 4 is pressurized by the pump device 4 and supplied to the target device 5 through the liquid return pipe 3B. The liquid supplied to the target device 5 is used in the target device 5 and then returned to the liquid tank 2 through the liquid return pipe 3B. In this way, the liquid circulation system 1 has a circulation structure in which the liquid flows through the pump device 4 and the target device 5 in this order.
[0021] However, due to the circulation of the liquid, there is a risk that foreign matter generated from the target device 5 may be mixed into the liquid. When the liquid contaminated with foreign matter is returned to the liquid tank 2, the foreign matter will accumulate in the liquid tank 2. As mentioned above, the pump device 4 is equipped with a hydrodynamic bearing. Therefore, when the pump device 4 drives the liquid contaminated with foreign matter into the hydrodynamic bearing, there is a risk that the hydrodynamic bearing may fail due to the foreign matter contained in the liquid. Even if the pump device 4 is a pump device that does not have a canned structure, there is a risk that the target device 5 may fail due to foreign matter contained in the liquid.
[0022] To solve this problem, if a filter with a mesh size sufficient to reliably capture foreign matter is installed in the liquid circulation path, the pressure loss will increase. On the other hand, the pressure loss can be suppressed by increasing the size of the filter, but installing a large filter will increase the overall size of the liquid circulation system 1. Therefore, the filter structure 10 suppresses pressure loss while having a compact size. The structure of the filter structure 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023] Figure 2 shows a filter structure. As shown in Figure 2, the filter structure 10 comprises a filtration unit 11 and a block lid 12 to which the filtration unit 11 is connected. The block lid 12 covers an opening 2a formed on the upper surface of the liquid tank 2, and the block lid 12 and the liquid tank 2 are fastened together with fasteners 13.
[0024] Figure 3 shows the filter structure after it has been removed from the liquid tank. The filtration unit 11 has a diameter D1 smaller than the diameter D2 of the block lid 12 (see Figure 2). Therefore, the filter structure 10 can be easily removed from the liquid tank 2 by a simple method of pulling it out of the liquid tank 2. As a result, the filter structure 10 can be easily maintained by the worker.
[0025] More specifically, since the liquid return pipe 3B is inserted into the inlet 12a of the block lid 12, the worker first removes the liquid return pipe 3B from the block lid 12. Then, the worker removes the fastener 13 and pulls the filter structure 10 out of the liquid tank 2 while the filtration unit 11 is still fixed to the block lid 12. Since the diameter D1 of the filtration unit 11 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the block lid 12 (and the opening 2a of the liquid tank 2), the filtration unit 11 does not come into contact with the liquid tank 2 when the filter structure 10 is pulled out of the liquid tank 2.
[0026] Returning to Figure 2, the filtration unit 11 comprises a fine filter 15 having a first mesh size, a coarse filter 16 having a second mesh size larger than the first mesh size and surrounding the fine filter 15, and a block frame 17 connecting the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16.
[0027] The fine filter 15, the coarse filter 16, and the block frame 17 are arranged concentrically. In this embodiment, the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16 have a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16 may have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal shape.
[0028] The fine-mesh filter 15 has a cylindrical portion 15a and a lid portion 15b that covers the opening of the cylindrical portion 15a. The discharge port 3Ba of the liquid return pipe 3B faces the lid portion 15b of the fine-mesh filter 15. The coarse-mesh filter 16 is located radially outward from the cylindrical portion 15a and is connected to the block lid 12 and the block frame 17.
[0029] The block frame 17 includes a first foreign matter reservoir 20 for accumulating foreign matter captured by the fine filter 15, a second foreign matter reservoir 21 for accumulating foreign matter captured by the coarse filter 16, an inner wall 22 positioned between the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16, and an outer wall 23 positioned outside the coarse filter 16. The outer wall 23 has a liquid outlet 24 formed at its upper part. In this embodiment, two liquid outlets 24 are formed, but the number of liquid outlets 24 is not limited to this embodiment. The outer wall 23 may have at least one liquid outlet 24.
[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the first foreign matter reservoir 20 is connected to the fine filter 15 and the outer wall 23, and the second foreign matter reservoir 21 is connected to the inner wall 22 and the outer wall 23. The inner wall 22 and the outer wall 23 have a cylindrical shape and are arranged concentrically with the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16.
[0031] The first foreign matter reservoir 20 and the second foreign matter reservoir 21 have annular tray shapes. The first foreign matter reservoir 20 is located below the fine filter 15, and the second foreign matter reservoir 21 is located below the coarse filter 16. Therefore, foreign matter captured by the fine filter 15 accumulates in the first foreign matter reservoir 20, and foreign matter captured by the coarse filter 16 accumulates in the second foreign matter reservoir 21.
[0032] The fine filter 15 captures foreign matter of a size that could adversely affect the pump device 4 (more specifically, the hydrodynamic bearing) and the target device 5. In other words, the fine filter 15 allows foreign matter of a size that does not adversely affect the pump device 4 and the target device 5 to pass through.
[0033] The coarse filter 16 has a larger mesh size than the fine filter 15. In one embodiment, if the pump device 4 does not have a hydrodynamic bearing, the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16 capture foreign matter of a size that may adversely affect the target device 5.
[0034] The fine filter 15 can capture more foreign matter than the coarse filter 16, but it only allows a small amount of liquid to pass through. Therefore, the pressure loss of the fine filter 15 is greater than that of the coarse filter 16. On the other hand, the coarse filter 16 allows a large amount of liquid to pass through, so the pressure loss of the coarse filter 16 is smaller than that of the fine filter 15.
[0035] When the liquid return tube 3B is inserted into the inlet 12a of the block lid 12, the fine filter 15 is positioned below the liquid return tube 3B. The liquid discharged from the liquid return tube 3B is introduced into the filtration unit 11 and forcefully comes into contact with the fine filter 15.
[0036] Since the block frame 17 has an inner wall 22 positioned between the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16, most of the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B comes into active contact with the fine filter 15. Therefore, foreign matter contained in the liquid is first captured by the fine filter 15 and accumulates in the first foreign matter reservoir 20.
[0037] As described above, the fine filter 15 has a higher pressure loss than the coarse filter 16. Therefore, some of the liquid flowing into the filtration unit 11 does not pass through the fine filter 15 but comes into contact with the coarse filter 16, which is located outside the fine filter 15. Any foreign matter mixed in the liquid that comes into contact with the coarse filter 16 is captured by the coarse filter 16 and accumulates in the second foreign matter reservoir 21.
[0038] The coarse filter 16 has a lower pressure loss than the fine filter 15. Therefore, the liquid can pass through the coarse filter 16 without losing its energy. In this embodiment, not all of the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B passes through the fine filter 15 with its high pressure loss; a portion of the liquid passes through the coarse filter 16 with its low pressure loss.
[0039] According to this embodiment, the filter structure 10 has a double filter structure comprising a fine filter 15 and a coarse filter 16. More specifically, the filter structure 10 efficiently circulates the liquid while suppressing the overall pressure loss of the liquid by bringing the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B into contact with the fine filter 15, which has a high pressure loss, and the coarse filter 16, which has a low pressure loss. Furthermore, since the filter structure 10 having a double filter structure has a compact size, the overall size of the liquid circulation system 1 can be made compact.
[0040] The liquid that has passed through the coarse filter 16 flows out of the filter structure 10 through a liquid outlet 24 formed at the top of the outer wall 23. The liquid that passes through the coarse filter 16 may contain foreign matter smaller than the second mesh size. The foreign matter mixed in the liquid moves downward (i.e., toward the second foreign matter reservoir 21) due to its own weight. By forming the liquid outlet 24 at the top of the outer wall 23, it is possible to suppress the active discharge of foreign matter from the liquid outlet 24.
[0041] As described above, the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16 capture foreign matter of a size that could adversely affect the pump device 4 and the target device 5. Therefore, even if liquid containing foreign matter flows out from the liquid outlet 24 and is reintroduced into the pump device 4 and the target device 5, the pump device 4 and the target device 5 will not malfunction due to the foreign matter.
[0042] The liquid circulation system 1 can gradually capture foreign matter mixed in the liquid with the filter structure 10 by continuing to operate the pump device 4. In particular, the first foreign matter reservoir 20 and the second foreign matter reservoir 21, located below the liquid return pipe 3B, receive the foreign matter captured by the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16, preventing the foreign matter from floating up. Therefore, by continuing the circulation of the liquid, the filter structure 10 can gradually capture foreign matter mixed in the liquid, and eventually capture all the foreign matter present in the liquid circulation system 1.
[0043] The first foreign matter reservoir 20 and the second foreign matter reservoir 21 have a tray shape that forms the bottom of the filter structure 10. Therefore, when the filter structure 10 is withdrawn from the liquid tank 2, a force acts on the liquid that presses the foreign matter against the first foreign matter reservoir 20 and the second foreign matter reservoir 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from falling out of the filter structure 10 and into the liquid tank 2.
[0044] Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the filter structure. As shown in Figure 4, the inner wall 22 may have a tapered shape that gradually narrows from its base end 22a to its tip end 22b. The base end 22a of the inner wall 22 is connected to the second foreign matter reservoir 21, and the tip end 22b of the inner wall 22 is positioned closer to the fine filter 15 than the base end 22a.
[0045] With this structure, even if foreign matter accumulated in the first foreign matter reservoir 20 floats to the surface, the inner wall 22 can prevent the foreign matter from passing through the small gap between the tip 22b of the inner wall 22 and the cylindrical portion 15a of the fine filter 15. In this way, the tapered shape of the inner wall 22 can more reliably suppress the outflow of foreign matter accumulated in the first foreign matter reservoir 20 from the first foreign matter reservoir 20.
[0046] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the filter structure. As shown in Figure 5, the inner wall 22 may have a corrugated shape (in other words, a bellows shape) with numerous irregularities. An inner wall 22 having such a structure can more reliably prevent foreign matter accumulated in the first foreign matter reservoir 20 from flowing out of the first foreign matter reservoir 20. The inner wall 22 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4 and the inner wall 22 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 may be combined.
[0047] Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the filter structure. As shown in Figure 6, the filtration unit 11 may include a first reinforcing member 25 that reinforces the fine filter 15 and a second reinforcing member 26 that reinforces the coarse filter 16. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the filtration unit 11 includes the first reinforcing member 25 and the second reinforcing member 26, but in one embodiment, the filtration unit 11 may include at least one of the first reinforcing member 25 and the second reinforcing member 26.
[0048] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show a fine-mesh filter reinforced by a reinforcing member. Since the first reinforcing member 25 and the second reinforcing member 26 have the same structure, in the embodiments shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the description of the fine-mesh filter 15 reinforced by the first reinforcing member 25 will be explained, and the description of the coarse-mesh filter 16 reinforced by the second reinforcing member 26 will be omitted.
[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7(a), the fine-mesh filter 15 has a cylindrical shape, and in the embodiment shown in Figure 7(b), the fine-mesh filter 15 has a hexagonal cylindrical shape. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the reinforcing member 25 includes a lower base portion 25a that constitutes the lower end of the fine-mesh filter 15, an upper base portion 25b that constitutes the upper end of the fine-mesh filter 15, and a plurality of support portions 25c arranged between the lower base portion 25a and the upper base portion 25b. The fine-mesh filter 15 includes a side mesh 30 arranged between adjacent support portions 25c and a top mesh 31 fixed to the upper base portion 25b.
[0050] The fine-mesh filter 15, having such a structure, has high durability, thus reliably preventing it from being crushed by the liquid discharged from the liquid return tube 3B. Similar to the fine-mesh filter 15, the coarse-mesh filter 16 also possesses high durability.
[0051] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the filter structure. In the embodiments shown below, a description of the structure similar to that of the embodiments described above will be omitted. The block frame 17 includes a partition wall 40 positioned between the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16. The partition wall 40 has a liquid outlet 44 formed at its upper part. A first foreign matter reservoir 20 is positioned between the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16, and a second foreign matter reservoir 21 is positioned between the partition wall 40 and the coarse filter 16.
[0052] In this embodiment, the block frame 17 includes a single partition wall 40 that integrally forms the inner wall 22 and the outer wall 23. The partition wall 40 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged concentrically with the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16. By providing a single partition wall 40, the diameter of the filter structure 10 can be reduced compared to the filter structure 10 according to the above-described embodiment.
[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, most of the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B comes into contact with the fine filter 15, and any foreign matter mixed in the liquid is captured by the fine filter 15. A portion of the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B passes through the liquid outlet 44 of the partition wall 40 and comes into contact with the coarse filter 16 located on the outside of the partition wall 40. Any foreign matter mixed in the liquid is captured by the coarse filter 16.
[0054] In this embodiment as well, the filter structure 10 has a double filter structure comprising a fine filter 15 and a coarse filter 16. The filter structure 10 can efficiently circulate the liquid while suppressing pressure loss by bringing the liquid discharged from the liquid return pipe 3B into contact with the fine filter 15 and the coarse filter 16. Furthermore, because the filter structure 10, having a double filter structure, is compact in size, the overall size of the liquid circulation system 1 can be made compact.
[0055] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of its technical concept. [Explanation of symbols]
[0056] 1. Liquid circulation system 2 liquid tanks 2a aperture 3A liquid supply pipe 3B Liquid return pipe 4. Pumping device 5. Target devices 10 Filter Structures 11 Filtration Unit 12 Block lids 12a Insertion port 13 Fasteners 15 Fine-grain filters 15a Cylinder part 15b Lid 16 Coarse filter 17 Block Frames 20. First foreign object accumulation 21. Second foreign object accumulation 22 Inner wall 22a proximal end 22b Tip 23 Exterior Wall 24 liquid outlet 25 First reinforcing member 25a Lower base section 25b Upper base section 25c strut section 26. Second reinforcing member 30 Side mesh 31 Top mesh 40 Bulkhead 44 Liquid outlet
Claims
1. A filter structure, Filtration unit and The system comprises a block lid to which the aforementioned filtration unit is connected, The aforementioned filtration unit is A fine-mesh filter having a first mesh size, A coarse filter having a second mesh size larger than the first mesh size and surrounding the fine filter, The system comprises a block frame connecting the fine filter and the coarse filter, The aforementioned block frame is, A first foreign matter reservoir for accumulating foreign matter captured by the fine filter, The system includes a second foreign matter reservoir for accumulating foreign matter captured by the coarse filter, The filter structure has a space between the block lid and the fine filter where the fine filter is absent, such that a portion of the liquid introduced into the filtration unit does not pass through the fine filter but comes into contact with the coarse filter.
2. The aforementioned block frame is, An inner wall disposed between the fine filter and the coarse filter, The coarse filter comprises an outer wall positioned on the outside, The filter structure according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall has a liquid outlet formed at its upper part.
3. The first foreign matter reservoir is connected to the fine filter and the outer wall, The filter structure according to claim 2, wherein the second foreign matter reservoir is connected to the inner wall and the outer wall.
4. The filter structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner wall has a tapered shape that gradually narrows from its base to its tip.
5. The filter structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the inner wall has a corrugated shape.
6. The filter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filtration unit comprises a first reinforcing member that reinforces the fine filter.
7. The filter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filtration unit comprises a second reinforcing member that reinforces the coarse filter.
8. The block frame is provided with a partition wall positioned between the fine filter and the coarse filter, The filter structure according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a liquid outlet formed at its upper part.
9. The first foreign matter reservoir is positioned between the fine filter and the coarse filter. The filter structure according to claim 8, wherein the second foreign matter reservoir is disposed between the partition wall and the coarse filter.
10. The filter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the filtration unit has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the block lid.
11. The filter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first foreign matter reservoir is located below the second foreign matter reservoir.
12. A liquid tank for storing liquids, A liquid supply pipe connected to the aforementioned liquid tank, A pump device connected to the aforementioned liquid supply pipe, A liquid return pipe connected to the pump device, A liquid circulation system comprising a filter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, connected to the liquid return pipe.
13. The liquid circulation system according to claim 12, wherein the pump device has a canned structure that integrally comprises a permanent magnet motor and a pump.