Coaxial Filter Drums With Side Channels For Aquaculture Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filters for free-flowing liquids, such as those used in aquaculture, face limitations in flow rate and require significant height to accommodate washing systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A filter design featuring coaxial drums with side inlet and outlet channels, allowing for increased flow rate without height constraints, utilizing separation means to connect internal wheel spaces to channels, and a central shaft for simplified construction and maintenance, with integrated washing mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the diameter of the central tube is increased to increase flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the assembly becomes very cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple independent filtering wheels (3) that can be added in series along the flow direction. Each wheel processes a portion of the flow, allowing the system to achieve high flow rates without increasing the diameter of individual components. This segmentation enables modular scaling of capacity while maintaining compact individual unit dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single central tube configuration to a multi-wheel arrangement where filtering occurs in parallel across multiple wheels positioned along the flow path. This dimensional expansion from one central channel to multiple distributed wheels increases flow capacity without requiring larger diameters, effectively utilizing the longitudinal dimension to scale performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the height of the central tube is increased to accommodate washing water recovery chute, then the washing function is improved, but the loss of level in the water flow increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing functionVSAvoidloss of level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of projecting washing water from the inside of the central tube outward, the invention inverts the approach by positioning washing nozzles outside the filtering wheels and directing water inward onto the filtering walls. This external washing approach eliminates the need for internal chutes and complex water recovery systems within the central tube, significantly reducing the height required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary washing water supply system positioned above the filtering wheels that delivers washing water externally. This intermediary approach separates the washing function from the main flow path, allowing washing operations to occur independently without requiring the main water column to rise to accommodate washing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the number of filter wheels is increased to increase overall flow rate, then the productivity is improved, but the length of the filter assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall flow rateVSAvoidfilter assembly length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple compact filtering wheels positioned in series, where each wheel is a self-contained unit. This segmentation allows the filter assembly to achieve high flow rates by parallel processing across multiple wheels rather than requiring a single large-diameter tube, optimizing the balance between flow capacity and assembly dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each filtering wheel utilizes thin filtering walls that provide effective filtration surface area with minimal material thickness. This allows the wheels to be compact in size while maintaining high flow capacity, enabling multiple wheels to be arranged in a space-efficient manner that minimizes overall assembly length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 achieves high flow rates with reduced height loss and simplified construction, maintaining low pressure on filtering walls and efficient sludge removal, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

deux parois filtrantes (31) l'une en face de l'autre

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Le tambour tourne à faible vitesse de façon à ce que les immondices retenus par le filtre passent sur la partie supérieure du tambour et montent ainsi au-dessus du niveau du liquide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2889069B1Filter for free-flowing liquid
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 ETAB FAIVRE SA
  • EP2889069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2889069B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2889069B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A filter for free-flowing liquids comprises: - an inlet channel (5) for supplying the liquid; - an outlet channel (6) for discharging the liquid; and - a plurality of coaxial impellers (3) about a horizontal impeller axis (A), each impeller (3) having two parallel filter walls (31), the impeller (3) being rotatably mounted on a central shaft (2) extending along the impeller axis (A). The inlet channel (5) and the outlet channel (6) are located respectively on either side of the plurality of impellers (3) and substantially at the same level, referred to as the reference level (B). The filter further includes separation means (4) for separating the channels (5, 6) from each other and for connecting the interior (34) of the wheels (3) by their periphery to one of the channels among the input channel (5) and the output channel (6), and the spaces (60) between the wheels (3) to the other of the channels (5, 6).