Self-Cleaning Filter Profiles Isolate Dirt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-cleaning filters fail to completely isolate the dirt-removing flow from the fluid to be filtered, allowing dirt to spread back into the fluid and fluid to be sucked, resulting in inefficient counter-current cleaning performances.
Innovation Solution
The self-cleaning filter design features profiles that contact the filter surface to enclose dirt and prevent re-deposition, using suction inlets with a constant width slot and elastic profiles to isolate dirt during the cleaning process, ensuring it is removed without spreading into the filtered fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the suction slot is placed at the inner surface to be cleaned, then the cleaning action is direct and effective, but the dirt-removing flow is not isolated from the fluid to be filtered, allowing dirt to spread back into the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into distinct functional zones: a cleaning area with the suction slot for removing dirt, and a sealed area with profiles that isolate the cleaning area from the fluid passage. This segmentation prevents dirt from the cleaning area from contaminating the filtered fluid while maintaining efficient cleaning action.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiles act as an intermediary barrier between the cleaning area and the fluid passage. These profiles create a physical separation that mediates the interaction between the suction flow and the filtered fluid, allowing dirt removal while preventing contamination of the clean fluid stream.
2Productivity
If the suction slot is placed at the inner surface to be cleaned, then the cleaning action is direct, but the fluid to be filtered is also sucked, reducing cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the flow paths into a cleaning flow path and a filtered fluid passage. The suction slot is positioned to draw fluid only from the cleaning area, while the profiles ensure that filtered fluid does not enter the suction area, maintaining distinct and separate flow streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiles serve as intermediary structures that guide and separate the fluid streams. They create a boundary that directs cleaning fluid into the suction slot while preventing filtered fluid from being drawn into the cleaning area, ensuring selective suction.
3Productivity
If profiles contact the filter surface to enclose dirt, then dirt isolation and removal efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The profiles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they seal the cleaning area to isolate dirt, they create the sealed area that prevents fluid mixing, and they guide the suction flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing complexity while achieving effective dirt enclosure and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and the flow guidance function are merged into the same profile structures. The profiles that enclose the cleaning area also define the sealed area and guide fluid flow, combining multiple necessary functions into integrated components rather than separate elements.
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 design enhances the efficiency of dirt removal by preventing re-deposition on the filter surface, improving the overall counter-current cleaning performance by isolating dirt within the cleaning area and ensuring it is effectively suctioned without contaminating the filtered fluid.
Implementation Method 1
a suction inlet (5) facing the inner surface (10a) and arranged near the inner surface (10a) configured for removing residues deposited on the inner surface (10a)
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-cleaning filter (1) comprises a filtrating tubular element (10) having an inner surface (10a) and a longitudinal direction of development (A); one or more cleaning elements (4) configured for rotating with respect to said longitudinal direction of development (A), each one moving along a respective direction of forward motion (B), said cleaning elements (4) being spaced away from each other along said longitudinal direction of development (A); each cleaning element (4) having a front edge (21a) and a back edge (21b), each cleaning element (4) comprising at least a first suction inlet (5) facing said inner surface (10a) and placed near said inner surface (10a); each cleaning element (4) comprising a front profile (22a) and a back profile (22b) connected to the front (21a) and back (21b) edge, put into contact with said inner surface (10a) and configured for isolating a cleaning area (23) between said suction inlet (5) and said inner surface (10a).