Annular Filter Element with Integrated Water Separation Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid filtration systems, such as those for diesel fuels and hydraulic oils, face challenges in effectively separating dispersively contained water droplets without complex constructions.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with a radially through-flowing annular design incorporating a water separation screen within a filter housing, where the water separation screen is connected to the filter element or center pipe, allowing for axial discharge of cleaned fluid and separated water in opposite directions, facilitating efficient water droplet separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coalescing element is mounted upstream of the filter element to aggregate water droplets, then water separation is facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coalescing element and water separation screen into a single integrated assembly that is mounted as one unit within the filter housing. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components while maintaining effective water separation capability, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the coalescing element aggregates water droplets while the water separation screen filters and separates the aggregated water from the fuel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, resolving the contradiction between water separation efficiency and device complexity.
2Reliability
If a water separation screen is inserted into the filter element to separate water droplets, then water separation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water separation screen is integrated with the coalescing element into a single assembly unit that is mounted together. This merging reduces the number of separate mounting operations and components, improving water droplet separation while reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water separation screen is positioned within the clean space of the filter element, nested within the existing filter structure. This nesting approach allows the water separation function to be added without significantly increasing the overall device complexity, as it utilizes the existing spatial arrangement.
3Productivity
If the clean space is axially flow-connected to water collecting space and liquid outflow line, then discharge efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the clean space for filtered fuel, the water collecting space for separated water, and the liquid outflow line for fuel discharge. This segmentation allows for efficient axial flow paths while maintaining clear functional separation, improving discharge efficiency without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes axial flow connections to discharge water and fuel in opposite directions from the clean space. This dimensional arrangement allows water to be discharged downward into the water collecting space while fuel is discharged upward through the liquid outflow line, improving discharge efficiency by utilizing the axial dimension for simultaneous bidirectional discharge.
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
This configuration enables simple and effective separation of water droplets from liquids, allowing for efficient discharge of cleaned fluid and collected water, enhancing the filtration process in fuel and hydraulic oil filters.
Implementation Method 1
The droplets of water carried along in the liquid are separated at the outer shell of the water separation screen, which, following the weight force, are guided downwards at the outer wall of the water separation screen in the direction of the water collecting space
Implementation Method 2
an annular coalescing element is connected upstream of the filter element, which has the object to aggregate droplets of water dispersively present in the fuel into larger droplets to facilitate the water separation
Data Source
AI summary
An annular filter element, including: a filter medium having circumferentially closed about an axis and extended along the axis, the axis defining an axial direction; wherein the filter medium has a radially outer flow face and a radially inner flow face, the radially inner flow face surrounding an inner clean space in the filter element; wherein the filter element is through-flowable radially from a radial outside to a radial inside of the filter element; a water separation screen inserted into the clean space, the water separation screen formed separately from the filter element, the water separation screen connected to the filter element or to a component situated at the filter element.