Filter container system having a vent structure

Abstract

A filter container is required that can efficiently perform air removal from the secondary side of the filter's flow path with a simple structure. This is solved by a filter container system comprising: a filter cartridge having a cylindrical filter having a first opening disposed at one end and a second opening disposed at the other end, which is a filter that performs fluid filtration; a filter container having a vent mechanism at the top that can detachably store the filter cartridge inside; a partition wall that contacts the filter cartridge and the inside of the filter container and forms a vent chamber that communicates with the vent opening of the vent mechanism; and a pipe extending vertically to communicate with the vent chamber.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vent structure of a filter container. Background Technology

[0002] In fluid machinery that utilizes fluid flow, it is necessary to perform so-called air bleeding to remove residual air from the flow path in its initial state in order to prevent pressure loss and optimize fluid flow efficiency. In fluid filtration using filters as well, air bleeding from the flow path of the fluid to be filtered (hereinafter referred to as "filter fluid") in its initial state is an important process.

[0003] Meanwhile, a method of filtering fluids using a filter container that houses a removable filter cartridge equipped with a filter has become common practice. In particular, such filter containers have a structure in which the entire interior of the filter container is always exposed for the purpose of replacing the filter cartridge. Therefore, it is necessary to bleed air from the primary (upstream) and secondary (downstream) flow paths of the filter cartridge. At this time, in filter containers where the primary side of the filter is set as the outer surface of the filter, it becomes difficult to bleed air from the secondary (downstream) flow path of the filter. Prior art literature

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-086625 The problem to be solved

[0005] Regarding air bleeding in the flow path of the secondary (downstream) side of a filter, Patent Document 1 describes an example in which fuel oil to be filtered is separated from air by a wing member that creates a spiral flow after being directed downward. However, in addition to the complex structure of the air bleeding, the airflow for bleeding relies solely on the natural upward flow of air, so in reality, the effectiveness of the air bleeding is not high. Therefore, a filter container is required that can efficiently perform air bleeding in the flow path of the secondary side of the filter with a simple structure. means of solving the problem

[0006] A filter container system comprising: a filter cartridge having a cylindrical filter having a conduit between a first opening disposed at one end and a second opening disposed at the other end, wherein the filter cartridge is detachably housed therein and the filter container has a vent mechanism at the top; a partition wall forming a vent chamber that contacts the filter cartridge and the interior of the filter container and communicates with a vent port of the vent mechanism; and a pipe extending vertically to communicate with the vent chamber, wherein the filter container has a housed state in which the filter cartridge is housed inside the filter container, and in the housed state, the pipe penetrates so that one end of the pipe reaches the vent chamber, such that a gap conduit is formed between the conduit and the pipe inside the conduit, and the partition wall contacts the end of the filter, and the vent chamber is isolated from everything except the gap conduit, the pipe, and the vent port, and wherein, in the housed state, the This is solved by a filter container system in which a fluid flows in from an inlet at the bottom of the filter container, the fluid flows from the outer surface of the filter through the filter into the gap pipe to reach the vent chamber, and then flows from the vent chamber through the pipe to the outlet at the bottom of the filter container. Effects of the invention

[0007] With the present invention, air removal from the flow path on the secondary side of the filter can be efficiently performed with a simple structure. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a filter container system which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a filter container system that is an embodiment of the present invention, showing cross-section XX of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the filter container system of Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filter container system of Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter container system of Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the filter container system of Example 3 of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0009] (Example 1)

[0010] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a filter container system (1) of Example 1 is described as an embodiment of the present invention. The filter container system (1) comprises a filter cartridge (2), a filter container (3), a vent chamber (4), a partition wall (5), and a pipe (6). FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the filter container system (1) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter container system of the present invention, showing cross-section XX of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of the partition wall (5) of Example 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge (2) of Example 1, and is a drawing describing the pipe (6) in particular.

[0011] First, the structure of the filter container system (1) of Example 1 will be described. The filter cartridge (2) is a structure in which a cylindrical filter (21) that performs filtration of a filter fluid is held and supported by a cartridge support (not shown). Typically, the filter (21) is made of a porous material including non-woven fabric, etc. For example, the cartridge support can be formed as a cylindrical core in which the filter (21) is wound, or as a structure in which the filter (21) is fitted onto the outer edge of the cylindrical shape. The hollow portion at the center of the cylindrical shape of the filter cartridge (2) is defined as a conduit (24) that extends in the longitudinal direction. One end of the conduit (24) forms a first opening (6a), and the other end on the opposite side forms a second opening (6b). Typically, the tube (24) is configured as a cylindrical hollow section extending along the central axis of the cylindrical shape of the filter cartridge (2).

[0012] The filter container (3) is a container with a cylindrical shell structure having a hollow portion inside, and is a container that separates the inside and outside of the filter container (3). It is possible to detachably fix and store a filter cartridge (2) in the hollow portion inside. The filter container (3) has a vent mechanism (31) on the primary side (upstream side) and a vent mechanism (32) on the secondary side (downstream side). Hereinafter, in the filter container system (1) of the present invention, the upstream side of the flow of the filter fluid is referred to as the primary side, and the downstream side is referred to as the secondary side. The side of the filter container (3) having the vent mechanism (31) on the primary side and the vent mechanism (32) on the secondary side is defined as the upper side. The side without the vent mechanism (31) and the vent mechanism (32) is defined as the lower side. In the operating state, the filter container (3) is used with the side having the vent mechanism (31) and the vent mechanism (32) as the upper side. In this specification, the filter container system (1) is described using the definition of the upper side and lower side directions in the operating state. The filter container (3) has an opening on the lower side that communicates with the hollow portion of the filter container (3). The filter cartridge (2) is mounted in the hollow portion of the filter container (3) through this opening. In addition, in this specification, the state in which the filter cartridge (2) is stored inside the filter container (3) is defined as the stored state.

[0013] The upper inner surface of the filter container (3) has a partition wall (5) that is mounted to completely surround the vent opening (32a) of the vent mechanism (32) and extend outward from the inner surface. The partition wall (5) is typically cylindrical in shape, but can be made in various shapes as long as it completely surrounds the vent opening (32a). When the filter cartridge (2) is stored inside the filter container (3), the entire end (5a) of the partition wall (5) contacts the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2). The partition wall (5) is configured such that, while the entire end (5a) of the partition wall (5) is in contact with the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2), the opening of the conduit (24) at the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2) is surrounded by the partition wall (5). The space enclosed by the inner surface of the filter container (3), the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2), and the partition wall (5) is defined as a vent chamber (4). That is, the vent chamber (4) is formed by the end (5a) of the partition wall (5) coming into contact with the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2).

[0014] In the state where the filter cartridge (2) is stored inside the filter container (3), the filter cartridge (2) is fixed to the filter container (3) to form a gap with a flow path width sufficient for the filter fluid to flow between the inner surface of the filter container (3) and the filter cartridge (2). The filter fluid can flow from this gap, through the outer surface of the filter cartridge, into the filter (21) inside the filter cartridge (2).

[0015] A pipe (6) is disposed inside the conduit (24) of the filter cartridge (2). The pipe (6) is a hollow cylindrical member having a first opening (6a) and a second opening (6b) at both ends, and is a pipe shape with both ends penetrating the cylindrical main surface without holes. The pipe (6) forms a gap conduit (24a) along the outer circumference of the pipe (6) so as to extend in a direction toward the first opening (6a) and the second opening (6b) at both ends of the pipe (6), between the outer surface of the pipe (6) and the inner surface of the conduit (24) of the filter cartridge (2). The pipe (6) is fixed, for example, to the end (2b) opposite the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2) while forming the gap conduit (24a). The side surface of the gap channel (24a) of the filter cartridge (2) has a porous structure, and the filter fluid is structured to flow through the filter (21) from the outer surface of the filter cartridge (2) to the side surface of the gap channel (24a) of the filter cartridge (2).

[0016] The pipe (6) is fixed to the filter cartridge (2) so as to be positioned vertically in a continuous manner when the filter cartridge (2) is stored in the filter container (3) and also in use. Since the inner surface of the gap pipe (24a) is the inner surface of the pipe (24), the opening at the end of the gap pipe (24a) is located within the area enclosed by the end (5a) of the partition wall (5), and the gap pipe (24a) is fluidly connected to the vent chamber (4). The upper end of the gap pipe (24a) that is connected to the vent chamber (4) and the lower end of the gap pipe (24a) opposite to it are sealed.

[0017] The pipe (6) has a fluidically impermeable pipe wall structure in which the outer surface of the pipe (6) and the hollow portion of the pipe (6) are not fluidly connected. The pipe (6) is located inside the gap conduit (24a), and in the enclosed state where the filter cartridge (2) is enclosed in the filter container (3), the first opening (6a) at one end of the pipe (6) reaches the vent chamber (4), and the hollow portion of the pipe (6) and the vent chamber (4) are fluidly connected through the first opening (6a). Accordingly, in the enclosed state, the vent chamber (4) is fluidly connected only to the vent opening (32a) of the vent mechanism (32), the gap conduit (24a), and the first opening (6a) at one end of the pipe, and is fluidly isolated from other locations inside the filter container (3).

[0018] In the stored state where the filter cartridge (2) is stored in the filter container (3) and also in the operating state, the pipe (6) and the gap pipe (24a) are positioned to be connected in a vertical direction, and the vent chamber (4) is ensured to be located above the pipe (6) and the gap pipe (24a). The vent opening (32a) is located on the side above the vent chamber (4).

[0019] Next, the entire flow path of the filter fluid defined in the filter container system (1) of Example 1 will be described. The filter fluid is typically a liquid. The filter container (3) is fitted with the filter base (40) and fixed to the filter base (40) by means of a fastener or the like. The filter fluid is supplied from a fluid source into the interior of the filter container (3) through the inlet (41a) of the conduit (41). The inlet (41a) of the conduit (41) is positioned on the lower side of the filter container (3). A predetermined pressure is applied to the inlet (41a) of the conduit (41), and this predetermined pressure is defined as the primary pressure of the filter fluid in the filter container system (1). The filter fluid to which the predetermined pressure is applied flows up along the outer surface of the filter cartridge (2) from the lower side of the filter container (3) to the upper side through the gap formed between the inner surface of the filter container (3) and the filter cartridge (2). When the filter fluid flows up along the outer surface of the filter cartridge (2) through the gap formed between the inner surface of the filter container (3) and the filter cartridge (2), it flows from the outer surface of the filter cartridge (2) through the inner filter (21) into the gap channel (24a) inside the filter cartridge (2). Since the lower end of the gap channel (24a) is sealed, the filter fluid flowing into the gap channel (24a) by the primary pressure causes the flow of the filter fluid toward the upper part of the filter container (3) to be induced by the gap channel (24a).

[0020] The filter fluid flowing toward the upper side of the filter container (3) reaches the vent chamber (4). Then, in addition to the pressure on the primary side, due to gravity, the pipe (6) vents the flow of filter fluid that has reached the vent chamber (4) from the vent chamber (4) toward the lower side of the filter container (3). That is, the vent chamber (4) is located at the reversal point of the flow of filter fluid toward the upper side of the filter container (3) and the flow of filter fluid toward the lower side of the filter container (3). As a result, in the vent chamber (4), the air contained in the flow of filter fluid is naturally separated, the air remains in the vent chamber (4), and the filter fluid flows toward the lower side of the filter container (3) through the pipe (6). The air remaining in the vent chamber (4) is discharged to the outside by the vent mechanism (32) through the vent port (32a) on the secondary side. The vent mechanism (31) on the primary side communicates with the gap formed between the inner surface of the filter container (3) and the filter cartridge (2), and functions to allow air to be removed from the primary side of the filter fluid. The filter fluid flowing to the lower part of the filter container (3) through the pipe (6) is discharged from the filter container system (1) through the discharge pipe (42) from the discharge port (42a) at the lower part of the filter container (3).

[0021] As described above, in the filter container system (1) of the present invention, air mixed in the filter fluid can be naturally separated from the filter fluid in a simple structure to perform air removal.

[0022] (Example 2)

[0023] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, an embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Embodiments 1 and 2 have the same configuration in the storage state and in the usage state. Hereinafter, the description will be devoted to the parts identical to those in Embodiment 1, and only the parts of Embodiment 2 that differ from those in Embodiment 1 will be described. In Embodiment 1, the partition wall (5) was mounted on the inner surface of the filter container (3). However, the partition wall (5) may be mounted on the filter cartridge (2). FIG. 5 illustrates Embodiment 2 in which the partition wall (5) is mounted on the filter cartridge.

[0024] That is, in Example 2, the partition wall (5) is mounted to be formed from the end (2a) of the filter cartridge (2). In Example 2, the end (5b) of the partition wall (5) contacts the inner surface of the upper part of the filter container (3) to form a vent chamber (4). Except for the configuration of the formed vent chamber (4), the rest is the same. Thus, as long as the partition wall (5) can form a vent chamber (4), it is possible to place it in the filter container (3) or in the filter cartridge (2). In addition, it is also possible to place the partition wall (5) as an independent part (not shown).

[0025] (Example 3)

[0026] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. Example 1 and Example 3 have the same configuration in the storage state and in the usage state. Hereinafter, the description will be devoted to the parts identical to Example 1, and only the parts of Example 3 that differ from Example 1 will be described. In Example 1, the pipe (6) was mounted in the filter cartridge (2), but it may also be mounted in the filter container (3). FIG. 6 illustrates Example 3 in which the pipe (6) is mounted in the filter container (3).

[0027] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the partition wall (51) forming the vent chamber (4) can be configured to hold and support the pipe (6). In this case, in the enclosed state, the partition wall (51) holds and supports the pipe (6) inside the gap channel (24a) of the filter cartridge (2) as in Example 1. When the partition wall (51) is configured to hold and support the pipe (6), it is necessary to provide an opening in the partition wall (51) such that the vent chamber (4) and the gap channel (24a) are fluidly connected.

[0028] In addition, it is also possible to fix the pipe (6) to the filter container (3) in a form where the partition wall (51) does not hold and support the pipe (6). As long as the pipe (6) can be configured as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of Example 1, the pipe (6) is not limited to being fixed to the filter cartridge (2) but may be fixed to the filter container (3) in various forms.

[0029] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-003920 filed on January 14, 2021, and incorporates the contents of the application as part of this application. Explanation of the symbols

[0030] 1: Filter container system 2: Filter Cartridge 21: Filter 3: Filter container 4: Vent chamber 5, 51: Separation 6: Pipe 24: Pipeline 24a: Clearance pipe

Claims

Claim 1 A filter container system comprising: a filter cartridge having a cylindrical filter having a conduit between a first opening disposed at one end and a second opening disposed at the other end, wherein the filter cartridge is detachably housed therein; a partition wall forming a vent chamber that contacts the filter cartridge and the interior of the filter container and communicates with a vent port; and a pipe extending vertically to communicate with the vent chamber, wherein the filter container has a housed state in which the filter cartridge is housed inside the filter container, wherein in the housed state, the pipe penetrates such that one end of the pipe reaches the vent chamber, so as to have a gap conduit between the conduit and the pipe within the conduit, wherein the partition wall contacts the end of the filter, and the vent chamber does not fluidically communicate with anything other than the gap conduit, the pipe, and the vent port, and wherein, in the housed state, the A filter container system in which a fluid flows in from an inlet at the bottom of the filter container, the fluid flowing in flows from the outer surface of the filter through the filter into the gap conduit and reaches the vent chamber toward the top of the filter container, and a flow path is defined from the vent chamber through the pipe to the discharge port at the bottom of the filter container, wherein the vent chamber is located at the inversion point of the fluid flow toward the top of the filter container and the fluid flow toward the bottom of the filter container. Claim 2 A filter container system according to claim 1, wherein the gap conduit vents the fluid flow toward the upper part of the filter container, and the pipe vents the fluid flow toward the lower part of the filter container from the vent chamber. Claim 3 A filter container system according to paragraph 2, wherein the above-mentioned partition is mounted to extend from the upper inner surface of the above-mentioned filter container, and the above-mentioned vent chamber is formed by the end of the above-mentioned partition contacting the end of the above-mentioned filter cartridge. Claim 4 A filter container system according to paragraph 2, wherein the above-mentioned barrier is mounted to be formed from the end of the filter cartridge, and the formation of the above-mentioned vent chamber is achieved by the end of the above-mentioned barrier contacting the inner surface of the upper portion of the filter container. Claim 5 A filter container system according to paragraph 3 or 4, wherein the pipe is fixed to the filter cartridge. Claim 6 A filter container system in which, in paragraph 3 or 4, the pipe is fixed to the filter container.

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