Filter Disc Edge Passages Varying Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filter discs with multiple filter elements experience backflow and increased resistance during rotation, leading to reduced efficiency and the risk of particles being washed back into unfiltered water due to edge structures that obstruct free water flow.

Innovation Solution

The filter elements are designed with varying passage areas along their edge structures to optimize liquid flow, reducing disturbance and backflow by increasing passage area from the rotor shaft towards the outer circumference, thereby minimizing resistance during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple filter elements are arranged on a rotor shaft, then productivity is improved through modular filtration, but backflow occurs due to edge structures obstructing water flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidbackflow

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The passage cross-sectional area is made non-uniform along the edge structure, with different areas at different positions to optimize flow distribution and reduce backflow while maintaining modular filter element design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The passage cross-sectional area parameter is varied along the length of the edge structure to control flow characteristics, reducing backflow and liquid disturbance while maintaining the benefits of multiple filter elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If edge structures are added to filter elements, then structural stability is improved, but resistance increases during rotation due to obstructed water flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidresistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The edge structure incorporates passages with locally varied cross-sectional areas to maintain structural integrity while minimizing flow obstruction and reducing rotational resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The passage design accounts for dynamic flow conditions during rotation, with varying cross-sectional areas that optimize flow characteristics at different rotational positions, reducing overall resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If passage area is increased in edge structures, then liquid flow is improved, but disturbance in liquid increases during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flow rateVSAvoidliquid disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The passage cross-sectional area is strategically varied along the edge structure to enhance liquid flow where needed while minimizing disturbance in other regions, achieving optimized flow distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The passage area is increased in specific sections rather than uniformly throughout, providing sufficient flow capacity while limiting the overall disturbance caused by the edge structure during rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10913016B2Filter disc

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 SULZER MANAGEMENT AG

AI summary

A filter element for use in a filter disc, wherein a plurality of filter elements are arranged on a rotor shaft in a manner allowing liquid communication between the inside of the filter elements and the inside of the rotor shaft. The filter element has at least one passage in an edge structure for liquid communication between the inside of adjacent filter elements when the filter elements are assembled forming a filter disc. The passage has different passage area along the edge structure.