Filter Manifold With Integrated Pump And Accumulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beverage and water filtration systems are cumbersome, costly, and prone to leaks due to separate mounting of booster systems and filters, requiring extensive connections and hoses, which complicate maintenance and increase the risk of system failure.

Innovation Solution

A filter manifold system that integrates a cartridge-style pump and accumulator tank directly into the filter manifold, reducing the need for external connections and hoses, with a bypass mechanism for easy cartridge replacement and intelligent pumping to maintain constant flow and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If booster systems and filters are mounted separately with multiple connections and hoses, then flexibility in installation location is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to increased leak paths and potential failure points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the booster system and filter system into a single integrated assembly where the pump, accumulator tank, and filters are mounted together on a common structure. This merging eliminates the need for multiple external connections and hoses, thereby reducing leak paths while maintaining installation flexibility through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of repair

If booster systems and filters are mounted separately, then ease of individual component replacement is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive plumbing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent replacement easeVSAvoidplumbing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the booster and filter systems into a single assembly with shared mounting structure and consolidated plumbing, the patent reduces overall device complexity. The simplified internal connections eliminate extensive external plumbing while maintaining ease of repair through modular cartridge-style filters that can be replaced without disturbing the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system is divided into modular cartridge-style filters that can be individually replaced within the integrated assembly. This segmentation allows easy maintenance of individual filter components while the overall integrated structure maintains simplicity and reduces plumbing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of stationary object

If accumulator tank is used with separate mounting, then pump cycling is reduced and pump life is extended, but system size and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump lifeVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulator tank is integrated into the booster system assembly rather than being separately mounted. This consolidation reduces the overall system volume and installation space requirements while maintaining the accumulator's function of reducing pump cycling and extending pump life through pressure stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The accumulator tank is nested within or alongside the pump housing in the integrated assembly, utilizing available space efficiently. This nesting arrangement allows the accumulator to perform its pressure-stabilizing function without significantly increasing the overall system footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This integration reduces system size, potential leak paths, and installation complexity, enhancing reliability and ease of maintenance while minimizing space requirements and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an accumulator tank is a water chamber which has a pre-pressurized internal air bladder. The accumulator tank is used to store water and dispense the water to reduce the cycling of the pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic Accumulator: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

The accumulator tank is used to store water and dispense the water to reduce the cycling of the pump... to dampen water pressure spikes, reduce pump cycling, reduce pulsation in the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a filter system that then distributes the water... a cartridge style pump may be plumbed directly into the filter manifold... a cartridge style accumulator tank may by plumped directly into a filter manifold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3349873B1Filter manifold
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 FLOW CONTROL LLC
  • EP3349873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3349873B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3349873B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

A filter manifold is provided for processing fluid being provided to a fluid dispenser, featuring a new and unique combination of a mounting bracket, a filter cartridge and an accumulator cartridge. The mounting bracket is configured with porting connections. The filter cartridge may include a filter cartridge porting connection configured to plumb into one of the porting connections on the mounting bracket and also configured to filter the fluid being provided to the fluid dispenser. The accumulator cartridge includes an accumulator cartridge porting connection configured to plumb into another one of the porting connections on the mounting bracket and also configured to receive, accumulate and provide the fluid to the filter cartridge to be filtered before being provided to the fluid dispenser.