Filter Apparatus Rotary Backwash Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices face challenges in efficiently regenerating filter elements during backwashing, as they often rely solely on system pressure, which is insufficient for removing stubborn dirt, and may disrupt the filtration process of other elements.

Innovation Solution

The filter device features a rotary receptacle system where all filter elements can be quickly switched between filtration and backwashing positions using a rotary drive, with a pressure control device having a storage part filled with working gas and a fluid chamber, allowing for a higher backwash pressure to be applied exclusively to the element being regenerated, while maintaining normal filtration for other elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If backwashing is supported by a pressure control device, then dirt removal effectiveness is improved, but the filtration process of other filter elements may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal effectivenessVSAvoiddisruption to filtration process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing is divided into multiple filtration chambers, each with its own filter element and backwash outlet. This segmentation allows independent backwashing of individual filter elements without affecting others, resolving the contradiction by isolating the backwash pressure effect to only the targeted element while maintaining continuous filtration in other chambers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches filter elements between filtration mode and backwashing mode using a rotary drive mechanism. This dynamic operation allows the pressure control device to apply high pressure selectively to one element at a time while others continue filtering, thus improving dirt removal without disrupting overall filtration performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stress or pressure

If a hydropneumatic piston accumulator is used, then backwash pressure is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackwash pressureVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure control function is segmented into multiple independent backwash outlets, each serving a specific filter element. This eliminates the need for a single complex hydropneumatic accumulator system by distributing the pressure control function across multiple simpler outlets, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective backwash pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic pressure from the filtrate flow itself to drive the backwashing process through the backwash outlets, eliminating the need for complex pneumatic-hydraulic piston accumulators. The filtrate under system pressure naturally provides the required backwash pressure, simplifying the device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If filter elements are rotatably arranged, then backwashing efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackwashing efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary drive mechanism is designed to be automatically actuated by the system's own filtrate flow, which drives the rotation to position filter elements for backwashing without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service operation maintains backwashing efficiency while preserving operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic principles where the filtrate flow itself provides the driving force for rotating filter elements into backwash positions. This eliminates the need for complex external motors or manual operation, maintaining ease of operation while achieving efficient backwashing through proper positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 configuration enables effective dirt removal during backwashing with minimal structural effort, ensuring uninterrupted filtration performance and enhanced backwash efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the volume of the fluid side with the accumulator pressure of the piston accumulator is available as a pressure gradient for the backwashing process to detach the dirt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The pressure control device has a hydropneumatic piston accumulator, the accumulator piston of which forms the movable separating element between a gas side and a fluid side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydropneumatic separation: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3380212B1Filter apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 HYDAC PROCESS TECH
  • EP3380212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3380212B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter apparatus having a plurality of filter elements (21) which can be accommodated in a filter housing (1) with a filter inlet (11) for fluid to be filtered and a filter outlet (13) for the filtered fluid, wherein during the operation of the device at least one of the filter elements (21) can be backflushed by means of a backflushing device for cleaning its effective surface, which backflushing device includes a pressure control device (7) to support the backflushing, characterized in that the filter elements (21) are each accommodated in an element housing (30), the element housings (30) with the filter elements (21) performing the filtration process are connected to the fluid outlet (13) by their one open end (33) in a fluid conducting manner, and the element housing (30) of the respective backflushable filter element (21) is exclusively connected with its one open end (33) to the pressure control device (7).