Dual-Flow Filter with Sintered Element for High Flow and Moisture Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filters face a trade-off between filtering effectiveness and fluid flow rate, often resulting in uncontaminated fluid being discarded along with contaminated fluid, and are unable to efficiently remove moisture from oils, leading to machine failures due to residual contaminants.

Innovation Solution

A dual-flow filter system comprising a sintered material filter element with a lower resistance and a secondary filter element with a higher filtration level, allowing for a high flow rate while effectively removing contaminants and moisture, including a self-cleaning mechanism to prevent blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a filter is designed to remove smaller contaminants, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but fluid flow rate decreases due to higher resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidfluid flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into multiple filter elements with different filtration levels. A first filter element removes larger contaminants with lower resistance, while a second filter element removes smaller contaminants with higher resistance. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high filtration effectiveness and maintain adequate fluid flow rate by distributing the filtration workload across multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If a filter with high filtration level is used, then contaminant removal is improved, but the filter becomes prone to blockages and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration levelVSAvoidfilter blockage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system segments contaminant removal into two stages: the first filter element handles larger contaminants that would otherwise quickly block a high-filtration element, while the second filter element focuses on removing smaller contaminants. This segmentation protects the high-filtration element from rapid blockage, improving reliability and reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first filter element performs preliminary filtration by removing larger contaminants before the fluid reaches the second filter element. This preliminary action prevents the high-filtration element from being overwhelmed by large particulates, extending its service life and maintaining consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single filter element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to remove both particles and moisture is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structureVSAvoidcontaminant removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system uses two filter elements with different specialized functions: the first filter element is optimized for particle removal, while the second filter element is optimized for moisture removal. This multi-functionality allows a single filter device to handle multiple types of contaminants effectively, improving overall contaminant removal capability without requiring separate filtration systems.

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

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 dual-flow filter design maintains a high flow rate while achieving advanced filtration, reducing machine failures by ensuring cleaner lubricants and extending system operational periods, with a compact and efficient design suitable for various industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

The first filter element may comprise any porous material. The first filter element may comprise a sintered material filter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The first filter element may comprise any porous material. The first filter element may comprise a sintered material filter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

The filter is configured such that a part of the fluid entering the filter is filtered by the first filter element and a part of the fluid entering the filter is filtered by the second filter element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow separation:

Data Source

PatentEP3852898B1A filter
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 MASTERFILTER LTD
  • EP3852898B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3852898B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP3852898B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A filter comprising a housing defining an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, a first filter element arranged between the inlet and the first outlet such that a portion of the fluid that flows into the inlet flows through the first filter element and out of the first outlet, a second filter element arranged between the inlet and the second outlet such that a portion of the fluid that flows into the inlet flows through the second filter element and out of the second outlet, wherein the first filter element comprises a sintered material filter.