Circulating Cleaning Assembly for Filter Membrane Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems, including hydroclones, face challenges with filter clogging due to particulates that are slightly larger than the filter openings, which are not effectively removed by the vortex flow, leading to reduced efficiency and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A circulating cleaning assembly with particulate-tolerant bearings and cleaning structures, such as brushes or squeegees, that rotate around the filter membrane to effectively clean the filter surface, maintaining stable alignment and preventing clogging by removing particulates and preventing binding issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter membrane is used to remove suspended particles from water, then water purification efficiency is improved, but filter clogging occurs due to particulates slightly larger than filter openings
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly performs preliminary cleaning action on the filter membrane surface before complete clogging occurs. By continuously removing accumulated particulates during filter operation, the system prevents the buildup that would otherwise block filter openings and reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning assembly is driven by the vortex flow itself, using the system's own operational energy to clean the filter. The rotating cleaning elements are propelled by the fluid dynamics already present in the filtration system, enabling self-service cleaning without external power sources.
2Productivity
If a circulating cleaning assembly is introduced to clean the filter membrane, then filter clogging is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing filtration structure. The cleaning assembly integrates with the filter housing and utilizes the same vortex flow that drives the filtration process, combining two functions (filtration and cleaning) into a unified system rather than adding a separate complex cleaning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning assembly is driven purely by hydraulic forces from the vortex flow. The rotating elements are propelled by fluid pressure and flow dynamics, eliminating the need for mechanical motors, gears, or complex drive mechanisms that would increase device complexity.
3Productivity
If cleaning structures rotate around the filter membrane, then particulate removal is enhanced, but bearing reliability deteriorates due to particulate contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is extracted from direct exposure to the harsh particulate environment. By positioning the bearing in a protected location and using a bearing plate configuration, the design separates the rotational support function from the cleaning action that occurs in the contaminated vortex flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing plate uses a flat, rigid surface configuration that prevents particulate accumulation and binding. The smooth, continuous surface of the bearing plate resists particulate adhesion and allows reliable rotation even in the contaminated environment where traditional journal bearings would fail.
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 enhances the efficiency of water filtration by reducing filter clogging, maintaining high particulate removal rates, and extending the operational lifespan of filtration systems while minimizing the need for consumable filters and physical space.
Implementation Method 1
Hydroclones operate by introducing water into a generally conically shaped chamber to create a vortex within the chamber. Generally, the influent water is introduced near the top of a conical chamber and an effluent stream is discharged near the bottom of the chamber. Centrifugal force tends to cause heavier particles to move towards the periphery of the vortex.
Implementation Method 2
a circulating cleaning assembly to help clean the filter assembly during operation of the hydroclone
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.