Bladder-Enclosed Filter Cartridge for Fluid Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid filtration systems, particularly those with reusable housings and disposable cartridges, generate environmental waste, are costly, and require inconvenient and potentially hazardous replacement processes due to exposure to pre-filtered fluids and biofilm growth.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained fluid treatment system with a modular bladder filter assembly that isolates the treatment medium from the housing, allowing for easy replacement without exposing the interior to fluids, reducing waste and costs, and eliminating the need for frequent o-ring replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a reusable housing with disposable cartridge is used, then environmental waste is reduced and cost is lowered, but the replacement process becomes inconvenient and hazardous due to fluid exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into three separate components: a reusable housing, a disposable cartridge, and a bladder. The bladder is integrated with the cartridge to form a pre-assembled unit that can be replaced as one component, eliminating the need to disassemble the housing or expose interior surfaces to fluid during replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the cartridge. It isolates the cartridge from the housing interior surfaces, preventing direct contact between the filter media and the housing when the cartridge is replaced, thereby eliminating contamination and biofilm growth issues.
2Reliability
If the housing interior is exposed to pre-filtered fluid, then filtration function is achieved, but biofilm growth occurs requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge and bladder assembly is extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the housing. This allows the housing interior surfaces to remain isolated from the pre-filtered fluid, eliminating biofilm growth on the housing while maintaining effective filtration through the removable cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The entire cartridge-bladder assembly is designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after use and replaced with a new unit. This eliminates the need to clean and maintain the housing interior surfaces, as they never contact the fluid directly.
3Reliability
If O-rings are used to seal the housing, then fluid tight seal is maintained, but frequent replacement of O-rings is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is designed as a disposable component that is replaced along with the cartridge. This eliminates the need for maintenance of sealing components like O-rings, as the entire bladder-cartridge assembly is discarded and replaced as one unit, saving time and effort.
4Ease of operation
If the entire filter assembly is discarded after use, then replacement is simple, but environmental waste and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into a reusable housing and a disposable cartridge-bladder assembly. This allows the housing to be retained and reused while only the small cartridge and bladder are discarded, significantly reducing waste compared to discarding the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is recovered and reused across multiple filtration cycles, while only the depleted cartridge and bladder are discarded. This extends the service life of the housing and reduces the frequency and volume of waste generation.
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 system provides a sanitary, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for fluid filtration by enabling quick and convenient replacement of treatment media while minimizing exposure to contaminants and biofilm growth, thus reducing waste and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A bladder may be disposed within the casing containing the treatment medium to allow for isolation of fluid from portions of the interior surface of the casing
Implementation Method 2
A treatment medium (or media) contained within the treatment housing system provides filtration or treatment as fluids pass either through or around the treatment medium
Implementation Method 3
These o-rings require on-going, periodic replacement during the lifetime of the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A filtering device includes a two-piece housing and a disposable, self-contained filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes a cylindrical filter with a specialized flow bypass endcap, and possibly a second differentiated endcap, wherein each endcap is coupled to opposing ends of the cylindrical filter. The flow bypass endcap includes two channels for the passage of fluids, one channel for the ingress of pre-filtered fluid another channel for egress of filtrate. The bottom endcap can block fluid flow into the end of the cylindrical filter. The filter cartridge includes an impermeable bladder which may be coupled to the outer surface of each endcap such that the bladder completely encloses the filter media. Fluid entering the system passes through ingress channel of the flow bypass endcap into bladder (which surrounds the filter and isolates the fluid from the filter housing).