Foreign matter removal device and method for removing foreign matter in fluid

Abstract

This foreign matter removal device (1) comprises: an outer cylinder part (10) that causes a fluid to flow from an inflow port (20) to an outflow port (30) while causing the fluid to form a swirl flow; an inner cylinder part (40) that is provided to an other cylinder end part, is coaxial with the outer cylinder part (10), and is provided inside the outer cylinder part (10), the outflow port (30) opening inside the inner cylinder part (40), whereby the swirl flow of the fluid is separated into an outer flow that flows between the outer cylinder part (10) and the inner cylinder part (40) and contains high-specific-gravity foreign matter among the foreign matter contained in the fluid, and an inner flow that flows inside the inner cylinder part (40) and contains low-specific-gravity foreign matter among the foreign matter; a first foreign matter discharge part that is provided to the other cylinder end part of the outer cylinder part (10) and discharges the high-specific-gravity foreign matter which has accumulated between the outer cylinder part (10) and the inner cylinder part (40); and at least one magnet (90) that is disposed in a portion of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder part (10) that overlaps the inner cylinder part (40) in the radial direction.

Description

Foreign Substance Removal Device and Method for Removing Foreign Substances in a Fluid

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foreign substance removal device and a method for removing foreign substances in a fluid.

[0002] Some foreign substance removal devices form a swirling flow that applies centrifugal force to foreign substances in a fluid, and collect and remove heavy foreign substances having a large specific gravity contained in the fluid by the centrifugal force.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a foreign substance removal device including an outer cylinder part in which a fluid forms a swirling flow inside, an inner cylinder part provided coaxially with the outer cylinder part and inside the outer cylinder part, and a foreign substance discharge part connected to a space between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part and discharging foreign substances contained in the fluid from the space.

[0004] In the foreign substance removal device described in Patent Document 1, by providing a coaxial inner cylinder part inside the outer cylinder part, the swirling flow of the fluid is separated into an outer flow containing heavy foreign substances having a large specific gravity and an inner flow containing light foreign substances having a small specific gravity. Then, this foreign substance removal device allows the outer flow to flow into the space between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part, accumulates heavy foreign substances in the space, and discharges the heavy foreign substances from the foreign substance discharge part. Thereby, this foreign substance removal device removes foreign substances contained in the fluid.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 7351023

[0006] In the foreign substance removal device described in Patent Document 1, when magnetic powder, for example, fine powder of metals such as iron, cobalt, nickel, etc. is contained in the fluid, the swirling flow of the fluid containing the powder may not be sufficiently separated into an outer flow containing a large amount of the powder and an inner flow containing a small amount of the powder. As a result, a large amount of the powder may be contained in the inner flow, and the powder may not be sufficiently removed.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a foreign substance removal device capable of effectively removing foreign substances formed by a magnetic substance and a method for removing foreign substances in a fluid.

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, a first foreign matter discharge section, and at least one magnet. The outer cylinder has an inlet provided on a portion of the cylinder wall on one end side for allowing fluid to flow in the inner circumferential direction of the cylinder wall, and an outlet provided on the other end for allowing fluid to flow out, and flows the fluid from the inlet to the outlet while forming a swirling flow in the fluid. The inner cylinder is provided on the other end and is coaxial with the outer cylinder and located inside the outer cylinder, and the outlet opens inside the inner cylinder, thereby separating the swirling flow of the fluid into an outer flow that flows between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and contains high-density foreign matter with a high specific gravity among the foreign matter contained in the fluid, and an inner flow that flows inside the inner cylinder and contains low-density foreign matter with a low specific gravity among the foreign matter. At least one magnet is positioned on the outside of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder and in a portion of the cylindrical wall that radially overlaps with the inner cylinder.

[0009] According to the configuration of this disclosure, at least one magnet is positioned in the portion of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder that radially overlaps with the inner cylinder. Therefore, foreign matter formed by magnetic material, which is included in the outer flow between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, is collected in the portion of the cylindrical wall that radially overlaps with the inner cylinder. As a result, in the foreign matter removal device, magnetic foreign matter tends to accumulate between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The foreign matter removal device can effectively remove magnetic foreign matter by discharging the magnetic foreign matter accumulated between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

[0010] Perspective view of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Side view of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Cross-sectional view of the III-III cutting line shown in Figure 1 Bottom view of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the lower cylindrical end of the outer cylinder portion of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Side view illustrating the shape of the lower cylindrical end of the outer cylinder portion of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Cross-sectional view of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Cross-sectional view of the VII-VII cutting line shown in Figure 2 Enlarged view of the VIII region shown in Figure 7 Enlarged view of the IX region shown in Figure 2 Enlarged view of the X region shown in Figure 3 Perspective view of the foreign matter discharge section of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure Cross-sectional view of the foreign matter discharge section of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure when it is in a closed state Cross-sectional view of the foreign matter discharge section of the foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure when it is in an open state

[0011] The foreign matter removal device and method for removing foreign matter from a fluid according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the Cartesian coordinate system XYZ shown in the drawings, when the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder of the foreign matter removal device is oriented vertically and the inlet of the outer cylinder is oriented to the right, the vertical direction is the Z axis, the horizontal direction is the X axis, and the direction perpendicular to the Z axis and X axis is the Y axis. The following explanation will refer to this coordinate system as appropriate.

[0012] The foreign matter removal device according to this embodiment has magnets attached to the outer cylinder through which the fluid swirls in order to remove foreign matter formed by magnetic material contained in the fluid. Hereinafter, using a foreign matter removal device that removes foreign matter contained in a liquid as an example, and specifically a foreign matter removal device attached to a heat pump that removes foreign matter contained in water, the configuration of the foreign matter removal device will be described with reference to Figures 1-3.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foreign matter removal device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view of the foreign matter removal device 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in Figure 1. Note that hatching has been omitted in Figure 3 for ease of understanding.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the foreign matter removal device 1 includes an outer cylinder 10 that takes in water and forms a swirling flow in the water in order to remove foreign matter contained in the water.

[0015] The outer cylinder portion 10 is a component called a trap portion because it removes foreign matter from the water from which foreign matter is to be removed. The outer cylinder portion 10 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, specifically a cylindrical shape, in order to take in and allow water to flow through it. Furthermore, the outer cylinder portion 10 is used with its cylindrical axis oriented in the vertical direction. On the side of the upper cylindrical end 10U of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder portion 10, that is, on the upper part of the cylindrical wall, an inlet 20 is formed to take in the water from which foreign matter is to be removed into the outer cylinder portion 10.

[0016] The inlet 20 has a shape in which a small cylinder protrudes horizontally, specifically in the X direction, from the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder 10. A flange is provided at the protruding end. This allows the inlet 20 to be connected to external equipment, specifically piping that circulates water from a heat pump. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the inner wall of the inlet 20 is connected to the inner wall of the outer cylinder 10 and extends inward from the inner wall of the outer cylinder 10, i.e., in the tangential direction. With this configuration, when the piping is connected and water is supplied, the inlet 20 causes the water to flow inward in the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the inlet 20 causes the water to swirl inside the outer cylinder 10. In other words, the inlet 20 causes a swirling flow F1.

[0017] On the other hand, in the outer cylinder portion 10, in order to direct the swirling flow F1 downwards, an outlet 30 is formed on the side of the lower cylindrical end 10L of the cylindrical wall, that is, in the lower part of the cylindrical wall.

[0018] The outlet 30, like the inlet 20, has a shape in which a small cylinder protrudes from the outer cylinder 10. The outlet 30 is provided at the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder 10. Furthermore, the projection from the outer cylinder 10 is downward, i.e., in the -Z direction. In addition, a flange is provided at the protruding end of the outlet 30 for connection to the external equipment described above. With this configuration, the outlet 30 causes the swirling flow F1 described above to flow downward. That is, the outlet 30 causes the water to flow downward while swirling. The outlet 30 then discharges the water from the outer cylinder 10.

[0019] In the outer cylinder portion 10, the water forms a swirling flow F1, causing centrifugal force to act on the foreign matter contained in the water. As a result, among the foreign matter contained in the water, high-density foreign matter gathers in the inner circumferential direction of the outer cylinder portion 10, while low-density foreign matter is relatively more abundant in the cylindrical axis direction of the outer cylinder portion 10. To separate the water flow containing high-density and low-density foreign matter in this distribution into a flow with a high concentration of high-density foreign matter and a flow with a high concentration of low-density foreign matter, the foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with an inner cylinder portion 40 located inside the outer cylinder portion 10.

[0020] The inner cylinder portion 40 is also called a separation portion because it separates the swirling flow F1 into a flow with a high specific gravity and a flow with a low specific gravity. The inner cylinder portion 40 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, specifically a cylindrical shape, with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder portion 10, in order to divide the internal space of the outer cylinder portion 10 radially. The inner cylinder portion 40 is arranged coaxially with the outer cylinder portion 10. Furthermore, it is provided at the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder portion 10 and protrudes inward from the inner wall of the lower cylindrical end 10L into the outer cylinder portion 10. The axial length of the inner cylinder portion 40 is about half the axial length of the outer cylinder portion 10. As a result of this size, the inner cylinder portion 40 occupies the lower region of the internal space of the outer cylinder portion 10. As a result, the inner cylinder 40, subjected to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow F1, separates the flow after a certain amount of high-density foreign matter has been generated and a flow with low-density foreign matter has been generated. In other words, the inner cylinder 40 divides the swirling flow F1 into an outer flow F2 containing a large amount of high-density foreign matter that flows between the outer cylinder 10 and itself, and an inner flow F3 containing a large amount of low-density foreign matter that flows inside itself. Furthermore, an outlet 30 opens at the lower cylindrical end 10L inside the inner cylinder 40. As a result, the inner flow F3 flows towards the outlet 30.

[0021] Meanwhile, a rectifier plate 50 is arranged inside the inner cylinder portion 40. The configuration of the rectifier plate 50 is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the foreign matter removal device 1.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the rectifier plate 50 is formed in the shape of a disc. The disc surface of the rectifier plate 50 is oriented vertically. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the rectifier plate 50 strikes the inner flow F3 and rectifies the inner flow F3. As mentioned above, the inner flow F3 contains many small-density foreign matter, and this small-density foreign matter, such as air bubbles, has a lower specific gravity than water. The rectifier plate 50 suppresses the downward movement of the inner flow F3, that is, weakens the inner flow F3, and prevents the small-density foreign matter from moving toward the outlet 30. As a result, the rectifier plate 50 makes it easier for the small-density foreign matter to remain in or on the internal space of the inner cylinder 40, promoting the floating of the small-density foreign matter. In other words, the rectifier plate 50 promotes the separation of small-density foreign matter from the inner flow F3.

[0023] The shape of the rectifier plate 50 may be circular, or for example, polygonal, and it may be plate-shaped, or for example, block-shaped such as a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0024] Furthermore, the rectifier plate 50 is positioned in the upper region of the internal space of the inner cylinder portion 40, as shown in Figure 3, by a plurality of support columns 51 extending from the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder portion 10. More specifically, the rectifier plate 50 is positioned near the upper end opening of the inner cylinder portion 40. As a result, the rectifier plate 50 suppresses the movement of small specific gravity foreign matter in the inner flow F3 toward the outlet 30 at an early stage, thereby enhancing the separation effect of small specific gravity foreign matter from the inner flow F3.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the diameter D50 of the rectifier plate 50 is smaller than the inner diameter D30 of the opening of the outlet 30. The rectifier plate 50 is positioned concentrically with the opening of the outlet 30 when viewed from below. The rectifier plate 50 is manufactured by injection molding, and with this shape and arrangement, the rectifier plate 50 has the maximum size that can be manufactured by injection molding. As a result, the rectifier plate 50 maximizes the separation effect from the inner flow F3 of the low-density foreign matter mentioned above.

[0026] Returning to Figure 3, the foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with an air vent valve 60 connected to the outer cylinder 10 at the top of the device in order to discharge the aforementioned low-density foreign matter, and in particular to discharge air bubbles.

[0027] The air vent valve 60 is located at the upper cylindrical end 10U of the outer cylinder portion 10 to discharge small specific gravity foreign matter when it floats to the surface. Specifically, an opening 15 is formed in the upper cylindrical end 10U. Inside the opening 15, a flow straightening plate 16 is arranged to weaken the swirling flow F1 and make it easier for small specific gravity foreign matter to float to the surface. The air vent valve 60 is connected to the opening 15. The air vent valve 60 has a valve (not shown), and by opening this valve, it discharges the floating small specific gravity foreign matter, such as air bubbles, to the outside of the device.

[0028] On the other hand, the foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with a foreign matter discharge section 70 connected to the outer cylinder section 10 at the lower part of the device in order to discharge high-density foreign matter contained in the outer flow F2 which has been separated by the inner cylinder section 40 described above.

[0029] The foreign matter discharge section 70 is provided at the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder section 10 in order to discharge high-density foreign matter in the outer flow F2 that flows downward. More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower cylindrical end 10L is inclined with respect to the cylindrical axis in order to collect high-density foreign matter that flows downward. More specifically, the lower cylindrical end 10L has an inclined surface that becomes lower as you move to the right when the cylindrical axis is oriented in the vertical direction. That is, the lower cylindrical end 10L has an inclined surface that moves in the -Z direction as you move in the +X direction when the cylindrical axis is oriented in the Z direction. The shape of the lower cylindrical end 10L is shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0030] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder portion 10. Figure 5B is a side view illustrating the shape of the lower cylindrical end 10L. Note that Figure 5A shows a cross-section along the same cutting line as Figure 7, which will be described later.

[0031] The lower cylindrical end 10L has its apex T located directly below the connection port 17 with the foreign matter discharge section 70 shown in Figures 5A and 5B, and is formed in a shape that follows the conical surface of a cone 100 with its apex T facing downwards. More specifically, the lower cylindrical end 10L has its apex T located directly below the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder section 10 at the connection port 17, and is formed in a shape that follows the conical surface of a cone 100 with its apex T facing downwards. Here, the base circle of the cone 100 inscribes the lower cylindrical end 10L. In short, the lower cylindrical end 10L has a shape in which the conical surface of a cone 100, with its apex T facing downwards and its base circle facing upwards, is cut out to the planar shape of the lower cylindrical end 10L. As a result, the lower cylindrical end 10L forms an inclined surface that moves in the -Z direction as it moves in the +X direction.

[0032] At the lower cylindrical end 10L, due to the inclined surface, high-density foreign matter tends to accumulate in the +X side portion, which is located further towards the -Z side. The connection port 17 of the foreign matter discharge section 70 is located in the +X side portion of the lower cylindrical end 10L, specifically in the +X side portion between the outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40. This allows the foreign matter discharge section 70 to effectively discharge high-density foreign matter accumulated by the outer flow F2.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the foreign matter discharge section 70 includes a pipe member 71 having an internal space connected to a connection port 17 formed on the +X side of the lower cylindrical end 10L described above, and a plug member 72 that is inserted into the pipe member 71 and is slidable inside the pipe member 71. The plug member 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape to discharge high-density foreign matter and is connectable to external piping. The plug member 72 has a closed cylindrical tip and an opening 721 in the cylindrical wall portion near the cylindrical tip that connects to the internal space of the cylinder. By sliding inside the pipe member 71, the plug member 72 connects or disconnects the opening 721 from the internal space of the pipe member 71. As a result, the plug member 72 opens and closes the foreign matter discharge section 70. Consequently, when the foreign matter discharge section 70 is opened, the plug member 72 discharges the high-density foreign matter described above along with water.

[0034] The foreign matter removal device 1, with the configuration described above, forms a swirling flow F1, and further divides this swirling flow F1 into an outer flow F2 containing a large amount of high-density foreign matter and an inner flow F3 containing a large amount of low-density foreign matter. The foreign matter removal device 1 then discharges the high-density foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge section 70 and further discharges the low-density foreign matter from the air vent valve 60. However, with the configuration described above alone, the foreign matter removal device 1 may not be able to sufficiently divide the flow so that a large amount of magnetic powder, such as fine metal powder of iron, cobalt, nickel, etc., is contained in the water, into the outer flow F2. Therefore, the foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with a holder 80 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 10 and a plurality of magnets 90 held in the holder 80 in order to contain a larger amount of magnetic powder in the outer flow F2 when magnetic powder is contained in the water.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the holder 80 has a shape in which a strip-shaped body is curved in an arc. The holder 80 is made of a resin material and is therefore flexible. The inner diameter of the arc of the holder 80 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 10 to the extent that the holder 80 elastically deforms due to its flexibility and fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the holder 80 is detachably attached to the outer cylinder 10. The holder 80 holds the outer cylinder 10 by clamping it when it fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the holder 80 is attached to the outer cylinder 10.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the holder 80 has multiple magnet mounting sections 81 into which corresponding magnets 90 are fitted. Specifically, the holder 80 has two magnet mounting sections 81. As a result, the holder 80 holds two magnets 90. With the holder 80 attached to the outer cylinder 10, as shown in Figure 3, the magnets 90 are brought close to the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder 10. The outer cylinder 10 is made of a non-magnetic material and, as a result, does not absorb magnetic flux. Therefore, the magnetic flux of the two magnets 90 extends into the internal space of the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the magnets 90 attract the magnetic powder contained in the outer flow F2 towards the magnet 90 side, that is, towards the inner cylindrical wall surface of the outer cylinder 10.

[0037] Each of the magnets 90 is made of a permanent magnet, such as magnetite or magnetite. Its shape is not particularly limited and can be block-shaped, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. As described above, the two magnets 90 are held in the holder 80, which attracts the magnetic powder contained in the outer flow F2 towards the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder 10. As shown in Figure 4, the two magnets 90 are positioned near the connection port 17 with the foreign matter discharge section 70 at the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder 10. Their detailed positions are shown in Figure 6.

[0038] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the foreign matter removal device 1. Note that, similar to Figure 5A, Figure 6 shows the same cross-section as Figure 7, which will be described later. Also, for ease of understanding, components such as the rectifier plate 50 and the foreign matter discharge section 70 are omitted in Figure 6.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the two magnets 90 are positioned on the circumference of the outer cylinder 10 in a cross-sectional view, that is, viewed from the direction of the cylindrical axis A1 of the outer cylinder 10, and are located on either side of the connection port 17 with the foreign matter discharge port 70 at the lower cylindrical end 10L. More specifically, the connection port 17 is located on the inside of the outer cylinder 10, in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 10. In contrast, each of the magnets 90 is located at a certain distance away from the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 10 adjacent to the connection port 17, in the direction of the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the two magnets 90 are located on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 10 in a cross-sectional view, on either side of the connection port 17. In other words, the two magnets 90 are positioned within a range of ±90° in the circumferential direction from the direction D1, which is the direction from the cylindrical axis A1 of the outer cylinder 10 toward the connection port 17. Furthermore, the two magnets 90 have the same angle in the circumferential direction with respect to direction D1. In short, the two magnets 90 are arranged symmetrically. With this configuration, the two magnets 90 collect the magnetic powder contained in the outer flow F2 near the connection port 17. As a result, the two magnets 90 facilitate the discharge of the magnetic powder from the connection port 17 to the foreign matter discharge section 70. This makes it possible for the foreign matter removal device 1 to effectively remove the magnetic powder.

[0040] Furthermore, it is desirable that the two magnets 90 be positioned within a range of ±90° in the circumferential direction relative to the direction D1 described above, and more preferably within a range of ±30° to ±60° in the circumferential direction relative to the direction D1 described above. For example, it is preferable that the two magnets 90 be positioned at a position of ±45° in the circumferential direction relative to the direction D1 described above. In addition, the angles of the two magnets 90 in the circumferential direction relative to direction D1 do not have to be the same, but it is desirable that their angles in the circumferential direction be the same. This is because such positions allow the foreign matter removal device 1 to remove magnetic powder more effectively.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the magnet 90 is disposed below the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 40. In other words, the magnet 90 is disposed at a position radially overlapping the inner cylinder portion 40. Thereby, after the swirling flow F1 is divided into the outer flow F2 and the inner flow F3 by the inner cylinder portion 40, the magnet 90 applies a magnetic flux to the outer flow F2. As a result, the magnet 90 attracts the magnetic powder contained in the outer flow F2. Then, the magnetic powder settles downward due to gravity. Thereby, the magnetic powder collects at the connection port 17 below. As a result, the foreign matter removing device 1 can effectively remove the magnetic powder.

[0042] Incidentally, the foreign matter discharge portion 70 described above is an example of a first foreign matter discharge portion in the present disclosure. Further, the air vent valve 60 is an example of a second foreign matter discharge portion that discharges foreign matter having a small specific gravity in the present disclosure. The rectifying plate 50 is an example of a rectifying portion that causes foreign matter having a small specific gravity to flow to one cylindrical end portion of the outer cylinder portion. Further, the upper cylindrical end portion 10U of the outer cylinder portion 10 is an example of one cylindrical end portion of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder portion in the present disclosure. The lower cylindrical end portion 10L of the outer cylinder portion 10 is an example of the other cylindrical end portion of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylinder portion in the present disclosure.

[0043] As described above, in the foreign matter removing device 1 according to the embodiment, the magnet 90 is provided at a position radially overlapping the inner cylinder portion 40 that divides the swirling flow F1 into the outer flow F2 and the inner flow F3. Further, the magnet 90 is disposed in the vicinity of the connection port 17 between the outer cylinder portion 10 and the foreign matter discharge portion 70. Therefore, the magnetic powder contained in the outer flow F2 is likely to collect at the connection port 17. As a result, the foreign matter removing device 1 can effectively remove the magnetic powder.

[0044] Further, in the foreign matter removing device 1, the two magnets 90 are disposed at positions sandwiching the connection port 17 on the circumference of the outer cylinder portion 10 when viewed from the direction of the cylindrical axis A1 of the outer cylinder portion 10. Therefore, the magnetic powder is likely to collect at the connection port 17 between the two magnets 90. As a result, the foreign matter removing device 1 can more effectively remove the magnetic powder.

[0045] Further, the two magnets 90 are arranged within a range of ±90° in the circumferential direction with respect to the direction D1 from the cylindrical axis A1 of the outer cylindrical portion 10 toward the connection port 17. For this reason, magnetic powder is more likely to gather at the connection port 17, and the foreign matter removing device 1 can more effectively remove the magnetic powder from the connection port 17.

[0046] Further, in the foreign matter removing device 1, the lower cylindrical end portion 10L of the outer cylindrical portion 10 has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the foreign matter discharge portion 70. Specifically, the lower cylindrical end portion 10L has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the connection port 17 with the foreign matter discharge portion 70. For this reason, in the foreign matter removing device 1, it is easy to discharge foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge portion 70. In particular, the inclined surface of the lower cylindrical end portion 10L has a shape in which a conical surface of a cone with the vertex T being directly below the foreign matter discharge portion 70, specifically, the connection port 17, and the vertex T facing downward is cut out. For this reason, the foreign matter removing device 1 can more effectively discharge foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge portion 70.

[0047] (Positioning mechanism of the holder 80) As described above, the foreign matter removing device 1 effectively removes magnetic powder by the holder 80 arranging the two magnets 90 within a certain range from the connection port 17. For this reason, it is desirable that the holder 80 can accurately position the magnets 90. The foreign matter removing device 1 is provided with a mechanism for determining the position of the holder 80 in order to enable the holder 80 to arrange the magnets 90 with high accuracy. Next, the positioning mechanism of the holder 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 - 9.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VII - VII shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the VIII region shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the IX region shown in FIG. 2.

[0049] As described above, the holder 80 is curved in an arc shape. And in a state where such a holder 80 is elastically deformed in the direction of opening the arc, it is fitted to the cylindrical wall of the outer cylindrical portion 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the holder 80 is attached to the outer cylindrical portion 10.

[0050] The outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 10 to which the holder 80 is attached has a vertically extending rib 25 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and an L-shaped rib 26 as shown in Figure 9, which extends further vertically from below the rib 25 and then horizontally. The ribs 25 and 26 protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 10 in a triangular shape in cross-section. In addition to the VIII region shown in Figure 7, another set of these ribs 25 and 26 is provided in region A shown in Figure 7.

[0051] In contrast, the holder 80 has a shape in which a long, narrow rectangular strip is curved in an arc, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. As shown in Figure 9, one short side of the holder 80 in the direction of strip extension abuts against the rib 25. Also, the long side adjacent to that short side below abuts against the rib 26. Furthermore, although not shown, another short side of the holder 80 in the direction of strip extension abuts against another rib 25 (not shown). Also, the long side adjacent to that short side below abuts against another rib 26 (not shown). As a result, the position of the holder 80 with respect to the circumferential and vertical directions of the outer cylinder portion 10 is determined. Consequently, the holder 80 positions the magnet 90 with high precision relative to the outer cylinder portion 10.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7-9, the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 10 is further provided with ribs 27 that extend vertically and parallel to the ribs 25. Like the ribs 25, the ribs 27 also protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 10 in a triangular shape in cross-section. In addition, like the ribs 25, the ribs 27 are provided not only in region VIII shown in Figure 7, but also in region A shown in Figure 7.

[0053] In contrast, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the holder 80 has a plurality of recesses 82 on the inner circumference of the arc-shaped curved band that extend in the width direction of the band, i.e., in the Z direction. The ribs 27 described above are engaged with two of these recesses 82. This determines the position of the holder 80 relative to the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 10. As a result, the holder 80 positions the magnet 90 with high precision relative to the outer cylinder 10.

[0054] In the foreign matter removal device 1, the outer circumferential surface portion of the outer cylinder 10 has ribs 25-27, in other words, multiple protrusions, and the holder 80 has multiple recesses 82, in other words, multiple grooves. The multiple protrusions fit into the multiple grooves. However, in the foreign matter removal device 1, the outer circumferential surface portion of the outer cylinder 10 may have multiple grooves, and the holder 80 may have multiple protrusions.

[0055] Furthermore, the ribs 25-27 described above are an example of a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer surface portion of the cylindrical wall as referred to in this disclosure.

[0056] As described above, the outer circumferential surface portion of the outer cylinder portion 10 of the foreign matter removal device 1 according to the embodiment is equipped with ribs 25-27, which are positioning mechanisms that determine the position of the holder 80 when it is fitted onto it. Therefore, the holder 80 can determine the position of the magnet 90 relative to the outer cylinder portion 10 with high precision.

[0057] (Position adjustment mechanism for foreign matter discharge section 70) The foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the circumferential position of the foreign matter discharge section 70 relative to the outer cylinder section 10, and further, the position of the foreign matter discharge section 70 can be adjusted while maintaining the position of the foreign matter discharge section 70 relative to the two magnets 90. Next, the positioning mechanism of the holder 80 will be described with reference to Figure 10.

[0058] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of region X shown in Figure 3. Note that hatching has been omitted in Figure 10 for ease of understanding.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1-3, the outer cylinder portion 10 described above is formed by combining an upper cylinder portion 11 that forms the upper part and a lower cylinder portion 12 that forms the lower part. In detail, the upper cylinder portion 11 and the lower cylinder portion 12 have a cylindrical shape and are arranged with their cylindrical axes oriented vertically. A male thread 111 extending spirally in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall is formed at the lower end of the upper cylinder portion 11, as shown in Figure 10. A female thread 121 extending spirally in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall is formed at the upper end of the lower cylinder portion 12 and capable of engaging with the male thread 111. The male thread 111 on the upper cylinder portion 11 is attached to the female thread 121 on the lower cylinder portion 12. As a result, the upper cylinder portion 11 and the lower cylinder portion 12 are combined to form the outer cylinder portion 10. Furthermore, since the male thread 111 and female thread 121 extend in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall, the position of the lower cylindrical portion 12 can be adjusted by rotating it circumferentially relative to the upper cylindrical portion 11 by adjusting the amount the male thread 111 is screwed into the female thread 121.

[0060] In contrast, if the screw mechanism of the male screw 111 and female screw 121 loosens when the lower cylindrical portion 12 is rotated circumferentially relative to the upper cylindrical portion 11, there is a risk that water will leak from inside the upper cylindrical portion 11 and the lower cylindrical portion 12. Therefore, the upper end portion of the lower cylindrical portion 12 is provided with a large-diameter portion 122 that has a larger inner diameter than the cylindrical wall body of the lower cylindrical portion 12 and protrudes radially. The lower end portion of the upper cylindrical portion 11 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 122. Furthermore, a sealing member 123 is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the inserted upper end portion and the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 122.

[0061] The sealing member 123 is formed in a ring shape, although it is not shown in the figure. As shown in Figure 10, the sealing member 123 is fitted into a groove 112 formed at the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11. The thickness of the sealing member 123, i.e., its diameter D2, is greater than the depth of the groove 112, and also greater than the gap G from the inner circumferential surface of the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11 to the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 12. The sealing member 123 is made of an elastic material, such as synthetic rubber, and closes the gap G by elastically deforming. Because the sealing member 123 closes the gap G by elastically deforming while being sandwiched between the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11 and the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 12, the gap G remains closed even if the screw mechanism of the male screw 111 and female screw 121 loosens by rotating the lower cylindrical portion 12 circumferentially relative to the upper cylindrical portion 11. Therefore, even when the lower cylinder portion 12 of the outer cylinder portion 10 is rotated circumferentially relative to the upper cylinder portion 11 to adjust the position of the lower cylinder portion 12, water does not leak out from the gap G, and high watertightness is maintained.

[0062] In the foreign matter removal device 1, a male thread 111 is formed at the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11 and a female thread 121 is formed at the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 12. However, by creating a structure in which the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 12 is inserted into the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11, a female thread may be formed at the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 11 and a male thread at the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 12.

[0063] Furthermore, the upper cylindrical portion 11 and the lower cylindrical portion 12 described above are examples of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion as referred to in this disclosure. The orientation in the up / down, left / right, and front / back directions is arbitrary, as long as the positional relationship of the lower cylindrical portion 12 with respect to the upper cylindrical portion 11 is maintained.

[0064] As described above, in the foreign matter removal device 1 according to the embodiment, the upper cylindrical portion 11 and the lower cylindrical portion 12 are connected in the cylindrical axis direction by a male screw 111 and a female screw 121 that extend spirally in the circumferential direction. The foreign matter removal device 1 can adjust the circumferential position of the lower cylindrical portion 12 with respect to the upper cylindrical portion 11, i.e., the circumferential phase, by adjusting the phase of the male screw 111 with respect to the female screw 121. Therefore, the foreign matter removal device 1 can adjust the position of the foreign matter discharge section 70 by adjusting the circumferential phase of the lower cylindrical portion 12. As a result, the foreign matter removal device 1 makes it possible to easily remove foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge section 70.

[0065] (Mechanism to prevent the stopper from falling off the foreign matter discharge section) As described above, the foreign matter discharge section 70 has a pipe member 71 and a stopper member 72 that is inserted into the pipe member 71 and is slidable inside the pipe member 71. The stopper opens when the stopper member 72 slides from the back to the front of the pipe member 71. The foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with a stopper 73 to prevent the stopper member 72 from falling off. Next, the configuration of the stopper 73, which is the stopper fall prevention mechanism, will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

[0066] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the foreign matter discharge section 70. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view when the foreign matter discharge section 70 is in the closed state. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view when the foreign matter discharge section 70 is in the open state.

[0067] As shown in Figure 11, the foreign matter discharge section 70 is equipped with a stopper 73 provided on the pipe member 71.

[0068] As shown in Figure 11, the stopper 73 has a shape in which a wire is bent into a U-shape. That is, the stopper 73 is shaped in which the base ends of two parallel rod-shaped bodies 731 are connected by one rod-shaped body 732. The tip portions of these two rod-shaped bodies 731 are inserted into through holes formed in the pipe member 71. As a result, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the tip portions of the two rod-shaped bodies 731 reach into the internal space of the pipe member 71.

[0069] In contrast, the tip of the stopper member 72 is inserted into the internal space of the pipe member 71. The tip of the stopper member 72 has a groove 711 formed therein, which has a width that defines the length to which the stopper member 72 can slide inside the pipe member 71. In detail, the tips of the two rod-shaped bodies 731 of the stopper 73 extend into the internal space of the pipe member 71 and the internal space of the groove 711. As a result, if the stopper member 72 tries to slide beyond a certain length, for example, beyond the width of the groove 711, the tips of the rod-shaped bodies 731 of the stopper 73 will hit the inner wall of the groove 711, as shown in Figure 13, and it will not be able to slide any further. In other words, the groove 711 and the stopper 73 define the sliding distance of the stopper member 72. In this way, because the sliding distance of the stopper member 72 is defined, it will not fall out of the pipe member 71.

[0070] In the stopper member 72, the stopper of the foreign matter discharge section 70 is closed when the tip of the rod-shaped body 731 of the stopper 73 is in contact with the inner wall on the base end side of the groove 711 shown in Figure 12, and the stopper of the foreign matter discharge section 70 is open when the tip of the rod-shaped body 731 is in contact with the inner wall on the tip side of the groove 711 shown in Figure 13. In the stopper member 72, the groove 711 is formed with a width and position that achieves these states. As a result, the stopper member 72 opens and closes the stopper of the foreign matter discharge section 70 and also prevents the stopper member 72 itself from falling off.

[0071] Furthermore, the discharge of foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge section 70 is performed by stopping the water supply from the inlet 20 as described above, and then, if necessary, reducing the pressure, (1) removing the holder 80 from the outer cylinder section 10, (2) connecting a pipe, such as a hose, connected to the destination of the foreign matter discharge to the opening of the stopper member 72, and (3) then opening and closing the stopper of the foreign matter discharge section 70.

[0072] Furthermore, regarding the configuration of the foreign matter discharge section 70 described above, the plug member 72 is an example of a plug for the first foreign matter discharge section as referred to in this disclosure. Also, the opening of the pipe member 71 is an example of an outlet for the first foreign matter discharge section as referred to in this disclosure.

[0073] As described above, in the foreign matter removal device 1 according to the embodiment, the foreign matter discharge section 70 has a stopper 73 that defines the sliding distance of the plug member 72. Therefore, the plug member 72 provided by the foreign matter discharge section 70 will not fall off the pipe member 71.

[0074] The foreign matter removal device 1 and method for removing foreign matter from a fluid according to embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the foreign matter removal device 1 and method for removing foreign matter from a fluid are not limited thereto.

[0075] For example, in this embodiment, the foreign matter removal device 1 is equipped with multiple magnets 90, specifically two magnets 90. However, the number of magnets 90 is not limited to this. The foreign matter removal device 1 only needs to be equipped with at least one magnet 90. For example, there may be one magnet 90 or three or more. This is because even with such a number, it is possible to collect magnetic foreign matter between the outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40. It is preferable that the foreign matter removal device 1 be equipped with two magnets 90.

[0076] Furthermore, although the magnet 90 in this embodiment is formed from a permanent magnet, the magnet 90 is not limited to this. The magnet 90 can be anything that has magnetic force, such as an electromagnet.

[0077] In this embodiment, the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion 10 is oriented vertically, but the orientation of the outer cylinder portion 10 is not limited to this. For example, the outer cylinder portion 10 may be oriented with its cylindrical axis inclined, or it may be oriented horizontally with its cylindrical axis oriented horizontally. This is because even in such orientations, it is possible to apply centrifugal force to the water, i.e., foreign matter in the fluid, through swirling flow. In order to collect small specific gravity foreign matter in the air vent valve 60, it is desirable that the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion 10 be oriented vertically and that the air vent valve 60 be located above the outer cylinder portion 10. Also, when sinking large specific gravity foreign matter to the foreign matter discharge portion 70 provided at the lower cylindrical end 10L, it is also desirable that the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion 10 be oriented vertically. However, in such cases, the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion 10 does not need to be oriented strictly vertically. The cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion 10 only needs to be oriented vertically enough so that small specific gravity foreign matter, such as air, can float inside. Alternatively, it is sufficient if the object is oriented vertically enough so that a large, high-density foreign object settles inside.

[0078] In this embodiment, the outer cylinder portion 10 is formed by combining an upper cylinder portion 11 and a lower cylinder portion 12. However, the outer cylinder portion 10 is not limited to this. The outer cylinder portion 10 may be formed from a single cylindrical member in which the upper cylinder portion 11 and the lower cylinder portion 12 are integrated.

[0079] In this embodiment, the pipe member 71 of the foreign matter discharge section 70 has one opening from which foreign matter is discharged. However, there may be multiple openings in the pipe member 71, i.e., discharge ports.

[0080] In this embodiment, the outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40 are cylindrical, but the shape of the outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40 is not limited to this. The outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40 only need to be cylindrical, and therefore, the outer cylinder portion 10 and the inner cylinder portion 40 may be elliptical cylinders, polygonal cylinders, for example, hexagonal cylinders or octagonal cylinders.

[0081] In this embodiment, the lower cylindrical end 10L of the outer cylinder portion 10 has a shape in which the conical surface of a cone with its apex T pointing downwards, with the apex T directly below the connection port 17, is cut out. However, the shape of the lower cylindrical end 10L is not limited to this. The outer cylinder portion 10 only needs to have a foreign matter discharge section 70 at the lower cylindrical end 10L, and to that extent, its shape is arbitrary. The lower cylindrical end 10L may be a horizontal shape without any particular inclination, but in order to facilitate the discharge of foreign matter from the foreign matter discharge section 70, it is preferable to have an inclined surface that slopes downwards toward the connection port 17 with the foreign matter discharge section 70. For example, the lower cylindrical end 10L may be a flat surface that slopes downwards toward the connection port 17. Alternatively, the lower cylindrical end 10L may be a curved surface that slopes downwards toward the connection port 17.

[0082] In this embodiment, the foreign matter removal device 1 is attached to a heat pump to remove foreign matter contained in water, but the device to which the foreign matter removal device 1 is attached is not limited to this. The foreign matter removal device 1 can be any device that removes foreign matter from a fluid. For example, the foreign matter removal device 1 may be attached to the radiator of an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the foreign matter removal device 1 may be attached to a boiler. The foreign matter removal device 1 of this disclosure is applicable to equipment and devices that require the removal of foreign matter in general, including foreign matter formed by magnetic material, from a fluid containing such magnetic material. For example, the foreign matter removal device 1 may be incorporated into a water heater or heating system.

[0083] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0084] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206013, filed on 27 November 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206013 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] 1 Foreign object removal device, 10 Outer cylinder section, 10U Upper cylindrical end, 10L Lower cylindrical end, 11 Upper cylinder section, 12 Lower cylinder section, 15 Opening, 16 Rectifier plate, 17 Connection port, 20 Inlet, 25-27 Rib, 30 Outlet, 40 Inner cylinder section, 50 Rectifier plate, 51 Support column, 60 Air vent valve, 70 Foreign object discharge section, 71 Pipe member, 72 Plug member, 73 Stopper, 80 Holder, 81 Magnet mounting section, 82 Recess, 90 Magnet, 100 Cone, 111 Male thread, 112 Groove, 121 Female thread, 122 Large diameter section, 123 Seal member, 711 Groove, 721 Opening, 731, 732 Rod-shaped body, A Region, A1 Cylindrical axis, D1 Direction, D2 diameter, D30 inner diameter, D50 diameter, G gap, F1 swirling flow, F2 outer flow, F3 inner flow, T apex.

Claims

1. An outer cylinder having an inlet provided on a portion of the cylinder wall on one end side for allowing fluid to flow in the inner circumferential direction of the cylinder wall, and an outlet provided on the other end for allowing the fluid to flow out, the outer cylinder causing the fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet while forming a swirling flow in the fluid; an inner cylinder provided on the other end, coaxial with the outer cylinder and located inside the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder having an outlet opening inside the inner cylinder, thereby separating the swirling flow of the fluid into an outer flow that flows between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and contains high-density foreign matter among the foreign matter contained in the fluid, and an inner flow that flows inside the inner cylinder and contains low-density foreign matter among the foreign matter; and at least one magnet positioned on the outside of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and positioned on a portion of the cylinder wall that radially overlaps with the inner cylinder. Foreign matter removal device.

2. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1, further comprising a first foreign matter discharge section provided at the other end of the outer cylinder portion for discharging the high-density foreign matter accumulated between the outer cylinder portion and the inner cylinder portion.

3. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 2, wherein two of the at least one magnets are provided on the circumference of the outer cylinder portion, when viewed from the direction of the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder portion, at positions that sandwich the first foreign matter discharge portion.

4. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 3, wherein two of the at least one magnets are provided and are arranged within a range of ±90° in the circumferential direction with reference to the direction from the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder to the first foreign matter discharge section.

5. The foreign matter removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one magnet is held by a holder fitted to the outer circumferential surface portion of the cylindrical wall.

6. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 5, wherein the outer peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical wall has a positioning mechanism into which the holder is fitted and the position of the holder is determined.

7. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 6, wherein the positioning mechanism is a plurality of protrusions or grooves arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer surface portion of the cylindrical wall.

8. The foreign matter removal device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer cylinder portion comprises a first cylinder portion having one cylinder end and the inlet, and a second cylinder portion having the other cylinder end, the inner cylinder portion, the first foreign matter discharge portion and the outlet, and the first cylinder portion and the second cylinder portion are connected in the cylindrical axis direction by a female screw and a male screw extending spirally in the circumferential direction, and the relative position of the first cylinder portion and the second cylinder portion in the circumferential direction can be adjusted by adjusting the phase of the male screw with respect to the female screw.

9. The foreign matter removal device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder is oriented vertically, and one end of the outer cylinder is oriented upward and the other end is oriented downward, and the other end has an inclined surface such that the location of the first foreign matter discharge section is lower than other locations in the above state.

10. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 9, wherein the first foreign matter discharge section is provided adjacent to the outer circumference of the other cylindrical end, and the other cylindrical end has a shape in which the conical surface of a cone with its apex directly below the first foreign matter discharge section and its apex facing downward is cut out in a shape that closes the other cylindrical end.

11. A foreign matter removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a flow straightening section located inside the inner cylinder, at a position away from the outlet and facing the outlet, which straightens the inner flow to guide the low specific gravity foreign matter to one end of the outer cylinder; and a second foreign matter discharge section provided at one end of the outer cylinder, which discharges the low specific gravity foreign matter that has been guided to the one end of the outer cylinder by the flow straightening section, wherein the flow straightening section is smaller than the opening of the outlet when viewed from the direction of the cylinder axis of the outer cylinder.

12. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 11, wherein the rectifier has the shape of a disc with its plate surface oriented in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the outer cylinder, and the plate surface of the disc is smaller than the opening of the outlet.

13. The foreign matter removal device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first foreign matter discharge section comprises: an outlet provided at the other end of the outer cylinder; a plug for opening and closing the outlet; and a stopper for preventing the plug from coming out of the outlet.

14. A method for removing foreign matter from a fluid using a foreign matter removal device comprising: an outer cylinder having an inlet provided on a portion of one end of the cylinder wall for allowing fluid to flow in the circumferential direction of the cylinder wall, and an outlet provided on the other end of the cylinder for allowing the fluid to flow out, the outer cylinder causing the fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet while forming a swirling flow in the fluid; and an inner cylinder provided on the other end of the cylinder, coaxial with the outer cylinder and located inside the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder having an outlet opening inside the inner cylinder, thereby separating the swirling flow of the fluid into an outer flow that flows between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and contains high-density foreign matter among the foreign matter contained in the fluid, and an inner flow that flows inside the inner cylinder and contains low-density foreign matter among the foreign matter, the method for removing foreign matter from a fluid using a foreign matter removal device, A method for removing foreign matter from a fluid, comprising applying a magnetic field to the outer flow to collect the foreign matter on the other end of the outer cylinder and between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

Images