Corrugated Fluid Intake Screen Surface Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen filters have limited filtration capacity and surface area, which restricts their ability to efficiently filter fluids and retain particulate matter in applications such as water wells.
Innovation Solution
The development of corrugated filter screens with alternate angular ridges and grooves increases the filter surface area and flow capacity, featuring a cylindrical contour for attachment to pipes and additional screens, and includes a fitting adapter for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional smooth screen filters are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the filtration capacity and surface area are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies corrugations to transform the flat two-dimensional screen surface into a three-dimensional corrugated structure with ridges and grooves. This dimensional change increases the filter surface area by creating alternating peaks and valleys that extend into the third dimension, allowing more filtration surface within the same cylindrical envelope while maintaining compatibility with standard pipe diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cylindrical contour with corrugated surface instead of a flat or simple cylindrical shape. The curved corrugated structure follows the cylindrical geometry while adding surface complexity through radial corrugations, enabling increased surface area that conforms to the circular pipe cross-section and allows attachment to standard piping systems.
2Productivity
If traditional smooth screen filters are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the flow capacity is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated structure creates additional flow pathways through the ridges and grooves, effectively adding dimensional complexity to the flow pattern. Fluid can move through multiple channels created by the alternating peaks and valleys, increasing overall flow capacity while the corrugations themselves provide structural support and filtration surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen surface is segmented into multiple ridges and grooves that create distinct flow channels. This segmentation divides the flow into multiple parallel pathways, increasing the effective flow capacity by allowing simultaneous movement of fluid through numerous small channels rather than a single large opening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the screen is made flexible for adjustable connections, then the adaptability to different pipe sizes is improved, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible corrugated structure that can be adjusted to fit different pipe diameters. The corrugations themselves provide flexibility while maintaining structural integrity, allowing the screen to be expanded or contracted radially to match various pipe sizes without requiring rigid fixed-diameter construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical corrugated structure with its curved geometry provides inherent flexibility and strength. The circular cross-section with corrugated surface allows the screen to be mounted on pipes of varying diameters while maintaining structural rigidity during operation, combining the benefits of flexibility for installation with strength for service.
Data Source
AI summary
Corrugated screen filters and related method of fabrication whereby an available filter surface is increased so as to allow an increase a flow capacity of the corrugated screen filter. The corrugated screen filter can comprise a plurality of rods forming a series of alternate and angular ridges and grooves on a surface of the filter screen. The filter screen can be configured to have longitudinal corrugations only on an exterior surface of the filter screen or alternatively, the filter screen can be configured to have longitudinal corrugations only on an interior surface of the filter screen. The alternate angular ridges and grooves can form corrugations in a variety of configurations including, but not limited to, a sinusoidal wave structure, a triangular wave structure, a rectangular wave structure, a trapezoidal wave structure, or the like.