Filter Cover Fluid Passage for Contamination Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the maintenance of aircraft gas turbine engines, fluid filters are exposed to external contamination when replaced, leading to ingestion of dust particles and debris into the fluid and engine components.

Innovation Solution

A fluid filter arrangement with a housing and a removable cover that includes a fluid passage, allowing for continuous fluid communication between the internal chamber and the circulating system, even when the cover is open, to prevent contamination by maintaining fluid flow and accessibility for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing is opened to replace the filter cartridge, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but external contamination enters the fluid chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidexternal contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid passage through the cover maintains continuous fluid circulation between the internal chamber and the fluid circulating system, even when the cover is open for maintenance. This continuous flow prevents contamination by maintaining positive fluid pressure and flow through the chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary component that provides both protection and access. It includes a fluid passage that allows fluid to flow through it, serving as a mediator between the internal fluid chamber and the external fluid circulating system while the cover is in the open position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover is sealed to protect against contamination, then fluid protection is improved, but maintenance access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid protectionVSAvoidmaintenance access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into a removable portion and a fixed portion. The removable portion can be detached to provide maintenance access to the filter cartridge, while the fixed portion remains attached to the housing and contains the fluid passage, maintaining fluid protection even when the cover is open.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover transitions between closed and open positions dynamically. When closed, it provides full protection; when opened for maintenance, the fluid passage maintains fluid circulation and protection. The system adapts its state based on maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11638889B2Filter cover protection against external contamination

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A fluid filter arrangement, with protection against external contamination, the filter arrangement comprising: a fluid circulating system; a filter cartridge having an exterior surface; a housing having an internal fluid chamber surrounding the exterior surface of the filter cartridge, an open end through which the filter cartridge can pass along a housing axis; and a cover sealed over the open end of the housing in a closed position, the cover in an open position exposing the open end of the housing, the cover including a fluid passage in communication with the internal fluid chamber in the closed position, the cover fluid passage being in communication with the fluid circulating system in the closed position and in the open position.