Filter Adapter With Tapered Wall And Hollow Passageways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices face challenges in reducing dead space during assembly and operation, particularly when using filters with different polymer materials, which affects efficiency and requires improved adapter designs for better fluid flow and sealing.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a hollow cylindrical filter element and an adapter featuring a tapered inner diameter, downwardly slanted inner wall, and hollow passageways that reduce dead space by allowing efficient fluid flow and sealing, while also providing a heat shield during welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional adapter is used to connect filters with different polymer materials, then compatibility between filter and housing is achieved, but dead space increases and fluid flow efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidfluid flow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into multiple functional segments: a tapered section for reducing dead space, hollow passageways for directing fluid flow, and sealing surfaces for maintaining pressure differential. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific performance requirements independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter incorporates a tapered inner diameter that transitions from a larger opening to a smaller opening, utilizing dimensional change to reduce dead space and improve fluid flow dynamics. The hollow passageways create additional flow paths that optimize liquid displacement.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a conventional adapter design is used, then assembly is simplified, but dead space and stagnation areas increase during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddead space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter extracts and removes dead space from the system by incorporating a tapered section that eliminates stagnant areas. The hollow passageways are designed to minimize unused space, ensuring that fluid flows efficiently through the entire adapter structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter utilizes parameter changes in the form of a tapered inner diameter that transitions from larger to smaller dimensions. This geometric parameter change reduces dead space and improves fluid flow characteristics while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the adapter includes hollow passageways and tapered sections, then dead space is reduced and fluid flow is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid displacement efficiencyVSAvoidadapter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter integrates multiple functions into a single component: the tapered section reduces dead space and guides fluid flow, the hollow passageways direct liquid flow efficiently, and the sealing surfaces maintain pressure differential. This multi-functionality justifies the structural complexity by delivering significant performance benefits.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the filter element and the housing, mediating the interaction between these two parts. The tapered geometry and hollow passageways are designed to optimize the fluid dynamics at the interface between the filter and housing, improving overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the adapter is designed with sealing surfaces and tapered sections, then sealing is enhanced, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates pre-designed sealing surfaces and tapered sections that are optimized for both sealing performance and assembly speed. The geometric features are shaped to facilitate quick alignment and sealing during assembly, reducing the time required while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 adapter design reduces dead space, enhances sealing, and facilitates quicker assembly and filtration processes, improving liquid displacement and reducing start-up time by minimizing whirls and stagnation areas, thus achieving efficient fluid filtration.

Implementation Method 1

The downwardly slanted inner wall having an upper surface and two or more hollow passageways passing through the upper surface of the downwardly slanted inner wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the outer side wall of the annular channel seals against the external wall of the hollow projection comprising the filter outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

a filter comprising a hollow cylindrical filter element comprising a porous medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the adapter is welded to the filter device housing head and to the top portion of the adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3895776B1Adapter for filter device and method of use
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 PALL CORP
  • EP3895776B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3895776B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3895776B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

An adapter for use in a filter device is provided, the adapter having a downwardly slanted inner wall including two or more hollow passageways, and a central fluid flow port, wherein the adapter can be welded to a filter device housing head.