Disposable Filter Assembly Sealing Toxic Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filter assemblies for fluids in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries pose challenges due to toxic emissions, requiring specialized handling and containment measures during filter replacement, which can be hazardous to operators and the environment.
Innovation Solution
A disposable filter assembly with a sealed housing system, utilizing plungers and springs to seal the inlet and outlet, and handle-activated risers to control fluid flow, ensuring containment of toxic fluids and vapors during filter changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter assemblies are used to filter toxic fluids, then filtration function is improved, but safety hazards and environmental risks worsen due to toxic emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and isolates the toxic fluid containment function into a separate, self-contained disposable filter assembly unit. The sealed housing and plunger system extract the hazardous containment function from the operator's environment, allowing toxic fluids to be filtered and contained within a isolated system that can be replaced without exposing operators to emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable filter assembly design where the entire filter unit including housing, seals, and filtering elements is designed as a single-use component. After filtering toxic fluids, the entire assembly is discarded rather than serviced, eliminating the need for operator exposure during maintenance and preventing environmental risks from improper handling of reusable components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filter replacement is performed in sealed rooms with sensor alarms, then operator safety is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the containment function from the facility level and embeds it directly into the filter assembly itself. The sealed housing with integrated plungers and springs provides containment at the component level, eliminating the need for complex facility-level sealed rooms, sensor alarms, and specialized handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is designed to maintain its own sealed containment during replacement operations. The spring-loaded plungers automatically engage with the housing seals when the assembly is installed, and the sealed design maintains containment without requiring operator intervention to activate safety features. The system serves itself by maintaining containment passively throughout the filtering operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filter replacement requires special breathing apparatus and protection suits, then operator protection is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable filter assembly eliminates the need for expensive special breathing apparatus and protection suits by designing a system that contains toxic fluids throughout its entire service life and during replacement. The sealed housing and integrated containment features allow standard operational procedures to be used, making filter replacement as easy as replacing any other routine maintenance component.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed housing system with plungers and springs is used, then containment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple containment functions into a single integrated sealed housing system. The housing combines the sealing chamber, plunger mechanisms, spring elements, and filter elements into one unified disposable unit. This consolidation provides effective containment while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to assembling multiple separate containment components.
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 solution effectively seals toxic fluids and vapors within the filter assembly, reducing the need for specialized handling and containment measures, enhancing safety and operational efficiency during filter replacements.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet plunger in the inlet which is adapted to seal the inlet, an outlet plunger in the outlet which is adapted to seal the outlet... the inlet plunger is pressed away from the at least one filter and into the inlet by an inlet spring, and the outlet plunger is pressed away from the at least one filter and into the outlet by an outlet spring
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly for filtering a fluid. The filter assembly at least one filter in a housing, an inlet lid mounted over the filter housing and including an inlet for the inlet of fluid into the housing, and an outlet lid mounted over the filter housing and including an outlet for the outlet of fluid from the housing. The assembly also includes an inlet plunger adapted for sealing flow from the inlet when the inlet plunger is biased to a first sealing position, and an outlet plunger adapted for sealing flow to the outlet when the outlet plunger is biased to a first sealing position.