Conical Filter Funnel for Fuel Cell Cooling Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particulate filters in fuel cell cooling circuits experience increased pressure loss due to dirt accumulation, which reduces the flow cross-section and is not effectively addressed by existing conical surface filter elements.
Innovation Solution
A conical grid support structure with a filter medium and a funnel for axial discharge of particulate impurities, combined with a collecting chamber and backflush openings, maintains low pressure loss by separating and bundling particles away from the main flow, using a screen mesh with a specific mesh width for efficient filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional depth filtration medium is used to filter particulate impurities, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but pressure loss increases due to dirt accumulation blocking the filter medium
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into two functional segments: a filter medium for initial particle capture and a collecting chamber for particle accumulation. This segmentation allows particles to be transferred from the filter medium to the collecting chamber, preventing pressure loss while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful accumulated dirt is extracted from the filter medium and transferred to the collecting chamber. The funnel structure guides particles from the filter medium surface into the collecting chamber, effectively removing the blocking substance from the flow path and restoring low pressure loss conditions.
2Volume of moving object
If the filter medium cross-section is reduced to lower installation space, then installation space is improved, but flow cross-section and pressure loss characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting chamber utilizes the axial dimension (length of the filter element) to accommodate accumulated particles, rather than requiring increased radial cross-section. This allows the filter element to maintain a compact installation footprint while providing sufficient capacity for particle collection without compromising flow cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element volume is segmented into a filtration section with maintained flow cross-section and a collecting chamber section for particle storage. This segmentation allows the flow-critical section to remain compact while the particle storage section utilizes available axial space, optimizing both installation space and flow characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If a conical surface filter element is used to enable axial flow, then flow direction control is improved, but particle collection and pressure loss reduction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element employs an asymmetric design with a conical funnel structure that creates a preferential flow path for particles toward the collecting chamber. This asymmetric geometry enhances particle collection efficiency while maintaining axial flow capability, addressing the insufficiency of symmetric conical designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel acts as an intermediary structure between the filter medium and the collecting chamber. It mediates the transfer of particles from the filter medium surface to the collecting chamber, enhancing the particle collection mechanism and preventing pressure loss while preserving axial flow through the filter element.
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 ensures low pressure loss and high flow velocity even after dirt accumulation, allowing for effective particulate filtration with reduced installation space and minimal pressure increase, enabling efficient coolant filtration in fuel cell cooling circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The filter element features a funnel in a portion opposite the supply opening. The funnel is intended for axial discharge from the surface of the filter medium and for collecting particulate impurities.
Implementation Method 2
the dirt in the fluid is typically filtered out of the fluid in a filter medium by a so-called depth filtration. The dirt adheres firmly both inside and on the surface of the medium to the fibers and structures located there
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter element (1, 31) for use as a particulate filter in a cooling circuit (100), in particular of an electrochemical energy converter, having a conical grid support structure (3, 33). The filter element features at a first axial end a supply opening (23, 49) for supplying a cooling medium to be filtered into the filter element (1, 31) and the grid support structure (3, 33) carries a filter medium (4, 34). The filter element (1, 31) has axially opposite the supply opening (23, 49) a funnel (16, 40) for axially discharging and collecting particulate impurities, and is closed at second axial end. The conical grid support (3, 33) structure tapers from the first axial end to the second axial end. An arrangement of a fuel cell (102) having a a cooling circuit (100) with the filter element is disclosed.