Fabric Filter Damper Segmentation and Tapering Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric filter systems face difficulties in easily controlling gas flow, particularly when the cross-section of the opening is large, requiring significant force to operate the damper, which becomes costly and inefficient for larger systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a louver-type damper with multiple wings and a tapering collar that connects the filter plenary space to the outlet duct, allowing for efficient gas flow control by reducing the necessary damper size and improving the gas flow profile, enabling easier operation and reduced pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large damper is used to control gas flow in a fabric filter system with large cross-section opening, then the gas flow control capability is improved, but the force required to operate the damper increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of damper operationVSAvoidforce required to open damper
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is divided into multiple wings or blades that can operate independently or in coordination. Each wing covers a portion of the opening, allowing the total flow control function to be distributed across multiple smaller, easier-to-operate components rather than requiring one large difficult-to-move door

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damper wings are arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration within the duct cross-section, allowing flow control through spatial distribution of multiple smaller surfaces rather than a single large planar surface, reducing the mechanical force needed at any one pivot point

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

2Ease of operation

If a large damper is used to cover a large opening, then the gas flow can be controlled, but the damper size and associated costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow control capabilityVSAvoiddamper size and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper assembly is segmented into multiple smaller wings that collectively cover the large opening, reducing the size of individual components while maintaining overall flow control capability, and allowing for simpler, less expensive construction of each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-wing damper design serves multiple functions: it can fully close the opening, partially regulate flow through intermediate positions, and potentially be configured with different numbers or sizes of wings to adapt to various duct dimensions, reducing the need for custom-large-damper designs

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

3Loss of energy

If a standard duct connection is used between filter plenary space and outlet duct, then the system is simple, but gas flow efficiency and pressure loss are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure loss at duct openingVSAvoidduct connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A tapering collar with curved, gradually transitioning surfaces replaces abrupt rectangular connections between the plenary space and outlet duct. This streamlined geometry reduces flow separation and turbulence, minimizing pressure loss while the tapered form factor adds only moderate structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar geometry parameters (taper angle, length, curvature radius) are optimized to balance flow efficiency improvements against structural complexity and cost, providing a practical compromise that significantly reduces pressure loss without requiring overly complex custom fabrications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2323747B1Fabric filter system
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP2323747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2323747B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2323747B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a fabric filter system, which may be used for removing particulate matter from a gas, such as a combustion process gas. The filter system includes a fabric filter (3) which is placed in a filter compartment. From the filter, gas flows via a filter plenary space (5) to an outlet duct (7), where the gas exits. A flow control device controls the amount of air exiting through the outlet duct. The flow control device comprises a louver-type damper (17). This provides reliable and efficient control of the gas flow. A collar (21 ), connecting the plenary space (5) with the outlet duct (7), improves the gas flow into the duct.