Annular Diaphragm Filter Layout for Complete Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices for internal combustion engines fail to effectively separate water from fuels and lubricants, leading to corrosion risks and functional issues due to incomplete water removal.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a hydrophobic, annular diaphragm water separator arranged below the filter element, which reduces flow velocity and enhances sedimentation, allowing for complete water separation through gravity-driven accumulation in a sedimentation chamber, combined with a spiral flow channel for improved separation efficiency and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional water separator is used in a filter device, then some water separation is achieved, but the water separation efficiency is insufficient leading to corrosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow velocity parameter by designing a sedimentation chamber with a flow cross-section that is at least 10 times larger than the filter element's flow cross-section. This parameter change reduces flow velocity to below 0.1 m/s, enabling effective sedimentation and achieving complete water separation, thereby eliminating corrosion risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear flow path to a multi-dimensional flow configuration by introducing a sedimentation chamber that expands the flow cross-section in radial and axial dimensions. This dimensional expansion creates the low flow velocity conditions necessary for effective water separation.
2Productivity
If the flow velocity is maintained high for productivity, then filtering efficiency is good, but water sedimentation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter device into functionally distinct chambers: a filter element for initial filtration and a sedimentation chamber for water separation. This segmentation allows the filter element to maintain high flow velocity for productivity while the sedimentation chamber provides a separate zone with expanded cross-section for low velocity water sedimentation, achieving both productivity and complete water separation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves a high water separation rate, reducing corrosion risks and improving fuel/lubricant function, while allowing for separate or combined replacement of filter components for cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic, annular diaphragm (7) through which fuel/lubricant can flow
Implementation Method 2
which chamber effects in connection with the hydrophobic diaphragm that the water content of the fuel or lubricant can be filtered out preferably completely from the latter
Implementation Method 3
a flow channel is provided which connects the pure end of the filter element with the raw end of the water separator and through which the filtered fuel or lubricant flows spirally
Implementation Method 4
the water to be separated can particularly easily and effectively accumulate on the hydrophobic surface of the diaphragm and, due to the gravity, can flow downwards along said surface into a water collection/sedimentation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A filter device may include a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing. The filter element may be configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator may be disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged axially spaced from the same. The water separator may have a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the filter element configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow.