Cyclone Pre-Separator With Mixed Diameters For Fluid Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filters with cyclone pre-separators face challenges in optimizing cleaning efficiency and throughput, as reducing the diameter of flow channels improves cleaning but reduces nominal throughput, and uniform cyclone cells either underutilize space or increase clogging tendencies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating cyclone cells of different diameters into the filter, with larger cells providing increased air throughput and smaller cells enhancing separation efficiency, allowing for better space utilization and reduced clogging, while maintaining even fluid flow to the filter element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the diameter of flow channels in the cyclone pre-separator is reduced to improve cleaning effect, then the degree of separation is improved, but the nominal throughput is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of separationVSAvoidnominal throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone pre-separator is divided into multiple flow channels instead of a single channel. By segmenting the separation process into parallel channels, the system can maintain higher throughput while each individual channel provides effective separation. The segmentation allows the total throughput to be distributed across multiple paths, preventing the throughput reduction that would occur with a single smaller channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cyclone pre-separator are designed with different channel diameters optimized for their specific functions. Some channels have smaller diameters for better separation of fine particles, while others have larger diameters for handling higher flow rates. This local optimization allows each region to perform its specific task effectively without compromising overall system throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If cyclone cells of uniform diameter are used, then the design is simplified, but the installation space is underutilized and clogging tendencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecyclone cell design uniformityVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone pre-separator employs cyclone cells with different diameters positioned at different locations. Larger cyclone cells are placed in regions where higher flow rates occur, while smaller cyclone cells are positioned where finer separation is needed. This local differentiation optimizes both space utilization and clogging resistance by matching cell characteristics to local flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement of cyclone cells deliberately breaks the symmetry of uniform distribution. By using asymmetric sizing of cyclone cells, the design better adapts to the non-uniform flow distribution within the housing, improving space utilization and reducing dead zones where clogging could occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If larger cyclone cells are used, then the nominal throughput is increased, but the degree of separation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenominal throughputVSAvoiddegree of separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the throughput handling into multiple parallel cyclone channels. Rather than relying on a single large cyclone that would compromise separation quality, the total throughput is divided and handled by multiple smaller channels working in parallel. This maintains high overall throughput while each individual channel preserves separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cyclone channels with different separation performances are merged into a single integrated pre-separator system. The combined output of all channels provides both the high throughput capability of larger channels and the fine separation performance of smaller channels, achieving a synergistic effect that neither configuration could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration increases the average degree of separation, adapts to varying throughput requirements, and extends the service life of the filter element by optimizing space usage and reducing clogging, thereby improving overall filtration efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone pre-separator, via which the fluid is conducted before the pre-cleaned fluid subsequently flows through the filter element. The cyclone pre-separator comprises at least two cyclone cells of different diameters.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2129445B1Filter for cleaning a fluid
Publication Date: 2012.05.16 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2129445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2129445B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter for cleaning a fluid, comprising a filter element in a filter housing, a cyclone pre-filter being connected upstream of the element. The cyclone pre-filter comprises at least two cyclone cells of different diameters.