Ceramic Fluid Filter With Deformable Sealing Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid filters face challenges in withstanding high-temperature applications and thermal sterilization due to thermally induced stresses, particularly in filters with ceramic hollow fiber modules, leading to short service life and potential damage from differential thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A fluid filter design featuring a ceramic or ceramic composite filter medium with a deformable silicone or EPDM sealing ring, allowing axial play to absorb thermal expansion differences, and a retaining ring to manage storage forces, ensuring the filter cartridge is held stress-free and securely aligned, thus preventing mechanical stresses during sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid filters with rigid seals are used for thermal sterilization, then sterilization can be performed, but thermally induced stresses cause fiber breakage and short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of the filter cartridge. The elastomeric material enables the seal to maintain contact pressure and sealing effectiveness while accommodating dimensional changes during thermal sterilization cycles, preventing stress concentration and fiber breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing ring from rigid to elastomeric, which fundamentally alters its mechanical properties. This material parameter change allows the seal to exhibit elastic deformation under thermal stress, absorbing expansion differences between the filter cartridge and housing without transmitting damaging forces to the hollow fibers.
2Reliability
If rigid seals are used to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness is maintained, but differential thermal expansion causes mechanical stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is constructed as a flexible elastomeric component that can deform under thermal stress. This flexibility allows the seal to maintain continuous contact with the filter cartridge and housing surfaces throughout thermal sterilization, ensuring sealing effectiveness while accommodating differential thermal expansion without generating damaging mechanical stresses.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the filter cartridge is firmly fixed in the housing, then positioning stability is achieved, but thermal expansion differences cause stress concentration and fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable sealing ring provides a dynamic sealing mechanism that maintains positioning stability while accommodating thermal dimensional changes. The elastomeric material allows the filter cartridge to remain securely positioned in the housing during operation, yet permits controlled movement and expansion during thermal sterilization, preventing stress concentration at fixed points.
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 design enhances the fluid filter's thermal load capacity, enabling long service life even with frequent steam sterilization by reducing thermal stresses and maintaining effective sealing, preventing damage to the filter cartridge and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing ring (40, 42) made of a rubber-elastic deformable material, in particular an elastomer
Implementation Method 2
Temperature changes during thermal sterilization, involving defined heating and cooling cycles, can cause thermally induced stresses within the fluid filter
Implementation Method 3
fluid filter for concentrating substances or mixtures of substances contained in a fluid, in particular by means of micro-, nano- or ultrafiltration of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a thermally sterilisable fluid filter (10) for concentrating substances contained in a fluid (F), in particular in the course of micro- and nano- or ultra-filtration of the fluid. According to the invention, the fluid filter (10) is formed having a filter housing (12) which has a fluid inlet (18), a retentate outlet (20), and a permeate outlet (22), having a filter cartridge (24) which is arranged in the filter housing (12), extends in a direction that is axial relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the filter housing (12), and which comprises a filter medium (26) of a ceramic material and/or of a ceramic composite material, and having two, preferably rubber-elastically deformable, sealing rings (40, 42, 52), which rest in a sealing manner on the filter cartridge (24), running around in the radial direction, and via which the filter cartridge (24) is held with axial play on the filter housing (12). The fluid filter (10) according to the invention has a long service life, even in the event of frequent thermal sterilisation. The invention further relates to a use of the fluid filter (10) for concentrating a pharmaceutical pre-product and/or intermediate product, in particular a vaccine, in a fluid (F).