Filter Head Plate Inflatable Seal Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter head plates for dedusting gas filters have complex, structured surfaces that complicate cleaning, leading to high effort and long downtimes, especially in residue-sensitive industries like food and pharmaceuticals.
Innovation Solution
A filter head plate design featuring an upper and lower plate with an intermediate cavity, using inflatable seals for holding filter elements and a separate line system for cleaning liquid, eliminating complex surface structures and enabling easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections or mechanical clamping devices are used to hold and seal filter elements, then the filter elements can be securely held, but the holding devices become highly structured and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding and sealing function from complex mechanical structures and relocates it to a simple inflatable seal. The seal is inflated via a gas conduit to clamp the filter element between the seal and the filter holder's counter surface, eliminating the need for screw connections or mechanical clamping devices. This extraction of the sealing function to a minimalistic inflatable component directly resolves the contradiction by making the holding device simple and easy to clean while maintaining secure filter element retention.
2Ease of operation
If pipe or hose systems are arranged below the filter head plate in the filter chamber, then the cleaning liquid can be conducted to clean filter elements, but the surface becomes heavily structured with many hidden surface elements, recesses, edges and undercuts requiring considerable cleaning effort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid line system from the filter chamber and relocates it to the cavity of the filter head plate. The cleaning liquid is conducted through this cavity to nozzles arranged on the filter head plate that protrude into the filter chamber. This extraction eliminates the heavily structured pipe or hose systems from the filter chamber, creating a smooth, easily cleanable surface while preserving the cleaning function through the relocated nozzle system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the liquid line system from a three-dimensional arrangement within the filter chamber to a two-dimensional plane within the filter head plate cavity. This dimensional relocation allows the cleaning liquid distribution system to be separated from the filter chamber volume, eliminating the need for complex piping within the chamber and enabling easier cleaning of the filter chamber surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If complex pipe or hose systems are used for cleaning, then cleaning liquid can be delivered, but assembly of individual pipe or hose elements with connecting elements becomes complex and cleaning requires considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cleaning liquid delivery function into the filter head plate structure itself. The cavity of the filter head plate serves as the conduit for cleaning liquid, eliminating the need for separate pipe or hose elements and their connecting components. This integration of the liquid delivery system into the existing head plate structure simplifies both assembly and manufacturing while maintaining the cleaning function.
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
Facilitates residue-free operation with minimal cleaning effort and allows for thorough, tool-free cleaning of the filter chamber, reducing downtime and maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A seal surrounding the through-opening and inflatable with pressurized gas is arranged in the outer holding element... Each inflatable seal is operatively connected to the cavity of the filter head plate so that the pressurized gas can flow into the inflatable seal, resulting in its enlargement.
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized gas can flow into the inflatable seal, resulting in its enlargement. As a result, the inflatable seal is pressed against the counter surface of the inner holding element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter head plate for a filter for dedusting a gas, said filter head plate consisting of a top plate (1) and a lower plate (2) with an intermediate hollow space (3). At least one retaining device (4) for a filter element (5) is arranged in the filter head plate and consists of an outer retaining element (6) and an inner retaining element (7), the outer retaining element (6) being located in an opening of the filter head plate and having a through-opening for receiving the inner retaining element (7). A seal (8) is arranged in the outer retaining element (6) so as to surround the through-opening and can be inflated by pressurized gas. The inner retaining element (7) arranged on the upper end of a filter element (5) has a mating face (9) on the side facing the through-opening of the outer retaining element (6), on which mating face the inflatable seal (8) can be placed to rest. The pressurized gas for inflating the seal (8) is guided in the hollow space (3) of the filter head plate. A liquid conduit system (15) is arranged in the hollow space (3) of the filter head plate. Said conduit system can be used to guide a cleaning liquid to the nozzles (16) arranged on the filter head plate and projecting into the filter chamber.