Multipurpose Coolant Filter Unit Integrating Deionization and Air Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling circuits require separate components for air venting, particle filtration, and deionization, leading to increased weight, complexity, and maintenance efforts.

Innovation Solution

A filter unit with a deionizing filter material and a filter cage that separates the coolant flow into top and bottom portions, allowing air bubbles to rise and be removed while deionizing and filtering the coolant in a single, integrated unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components are used for air venting, particle filtration, and deionization, then each function can be performed effectively, but the weight and complexity of the cooling circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling circuit functionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines air venting, particle filtration, and deionization functions into a single integrated filter unit. The filter unit includes a filter element for particle filtration and deionization, and a separation space for air bubble removal, all within one component that replaces multiple separate devices in the cooling circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs air venting, particle filtration, and deionization. This universal device handles multiple cooling circuit requirements in one unit, reducing the overall number of components while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate components are used for air venting, particle filtration, and deionization, then each function can be performed effectively, but the weight of the cooling circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling circuit functionVSAvoidcooling circuit weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines air venting, particle filtration, and deionization functions into a single integrated filter unit. The filter unit includes a filter element for particle filtration and deionization, and a separation space for air bubble removal, all within one component that replaces multiple separate devices in the cooling circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate components are used for air venting, particle filtration, and deionization, then each function can be performed effectively, but maintenance efforts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling circuit functionVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines air venting, particle filtration, and deionization functions into a single integrated filter unit. The filter unit includes a filter element for particle filtration and deionization, and a separation space for air bubble removal, all within one component that replaces multiple separate devices in the cooling circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Speed

If the cross-sectional area of the inlet is smaller than the top portion, then the flow speed is reduced allowing air bubbles to rise, but the device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant flow speedVSAvoidfilter unit volume
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a uniform cross-section design to a variable cross-section design where the top portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet. This dimensional change creates a expansion space that reduces flow velocity and allows air bubbles to rise, achieving air venting without requiring a completely separate large-volume air separator.

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

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 filter unit effectively removes air bubbles, particles, and ions from the coolant, reducing the weight and complexity of the cooling circuit, and minimizing maintenance requirements by integrating multiple functions into a single component.

Implementation Method 1

a deionising filter material provided on or in the filter cage and in at least a part of the top portion of the main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

a cross-sectional area of the inlet at the top of the main body is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the top portion of the main body. This allows reducing a flow speed of the liquid coolant from the inlet and entering the interior space of the main body due to the widened cross-sectional area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow expansion:

Implementation Method 3

A reduced flow speed allows air bubbles to rise, for example, rise against a flow of coolant through the inlet and through the main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4541445A1Multipurpose filter unit for coolant
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4541445A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541445A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541445A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a filter unit (100) for a liquid coolant. The filter unit (100) comprises a main body (110) forming an interior space, and at least a filter cage (120) arranged in the interior space of the main body and dividing the interior space into a top portion (112) and a bottom portion (114) of the main body (110). The filter unit (100) further comprises a deionising filter material (125) provided on the filter cage (120) and in at least a part of the top portion (112) of the main body. A cross-sectional area of an inlet (102) at a top of the main body is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the top portion (112) of the main body.