Extraction Device for Hydrophobic Filter Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air samplers face challenges in efficiently extracting hydrophobic particles from hydrophobic filter media due to strong electrostatic attraction, leading to low extraction rates, especially with bulk filter media having complex geometries.

Innovation Solution

The extraction device employs a pump cap assembly and extractor body assembly that uses a combination of mechanical compression, vibration, and extraction fluid to dislodge particles from the filter media, with an extraction fluid that weakens electrostatic bonds, allowing for higher extraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional extraction methods are used on hydrophobic filter media, then the filter media maintains its electrostatic attraction properties, but particle extraction efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle extraction efficiencyVSAvoidelectrostatic attraction strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration through a piston device that vibrates the filter media during extraction. This vibration disrupts the electrostatic bonds between hydrophobic particles and the filter media, enabling extraction rates of 60% to 80% or more while maintaining the filter media's inherent electrostatic attraction properties for future use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters during extraction by applying mechanical vibration and using compression forces. These parameter changes temporarily overcome the electrostatic attraction without permanently altering the filter media's properties, allowing high extraction efficiency while preserving the media's reliability for subsequent sampling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If bulk filter media with complex geometries is used, then filtering capacity is increased, but particle extraction becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering capacityVSAvoidparticle extraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston device delivers mechanical vibration directly to the bulk filter media, penetrating its complex geometry and dislodging particles from difficult-to-reach areas. This approach maintains the high filtering capacity of bulk media while achieving extraction rates of 60% to 80% or more, overcoming the extraction difficulties posed by complex geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fluid injection through the piston device to penetrate and flush particles from the complex internal geometry of bulk filter media. This hydraulic approach enables effective particle removal from deep within the media structure while preserving the media's filtering capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If extraction fluid is used to weaken electrostatic bonds, then particle dislodgement improves, but fluid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle dislodgement efficiencyVSAvoidextraction fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The piston device uses mechanical vibration as the primary extraction mechanism, reducing or eliminating the need for large volumes of extraction fluid. This approach achieves effective particle dislodgement through physical vibration that weakens electrostatic bonds mechanically, thereby reducing extraction fluid consumption while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 device achieves extraction rates of 60% to 80% or more of hydrophobic particles, significantly improving upon traditional methods, and can be adapted for various filter media and particle sizes.

Implementation Method 1

strong electrostatic attraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

vibration, and extraction fluid to dislodge particles from the filter media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

mechanical compression, vibration, and extraction fluid to dislodge particles from the filter media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS8142570B1Extraction device and methods

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 RES INT INC

AI summary

An extraction device for a filter element containing collected particles of target material and an extraction fluid, wherein the device may have a piston and a vibration apparatus for vibrating the filter element to cause particles to move from the filter element and into the extraction fluid. The piston may first create compressed air to urge a first amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element, and may then compress the filter element to urge a second amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element.