Filter Apparatus with Swirl Chamber for Impurity Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices lack efficient filtration properties, particularly in preventing unwanted oil inflow and achieving effective separation of impurities from fluid flows under extreme conditions, and they often require additional components like cyclones and UV irradiation for enhanced performance.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a conical widening swirl chamber that induces a cyclone-like flow around the filter element, utilizing a conical filter element and a collection chamber to enhance fluid flow deflection and energy input, ensuring improved filtration performance and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cylindrical filter chamber is used with axial flow through the filter element, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but coarse contamination cannot reach the collecting chamber undisturbed and filtration performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swirl chamber with curved, helical flow paths that replace the simple axial flow path. The curved geometry induces rotational motion and multiple deflections of the fluid flow, creating a cyclone-like effect that enhances separation performance while maintaining a relatively simple cylindrical housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirl chamber acts as an intermediary structure between the inlet and the filter element. It modifies the flow characteristics by inducing rotation and multiple deflections before the fluid reaches the filter element, thereby enhancing filtration performance without directly complicating the filter element itself.
2Reliability
If additional components like cyclones and UV irradiation devices are added to prevent unwanted oil inflow and enhance separation, then filtration performance improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the swirl chamber and filter element into a single integrated housing structure. The swirl chamber is formed within the same housing that contains the filter element, eliminating the need for separate cyclone components. This integration maintains the enhanced separation performance while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter housing serves multiple functions: it contains the filter element, forms the swirl chamber for flow modification, provides the collecting chamber for contaminated fluid, and facilitates both filtration and separation operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Reliability
If UV irradiation is applied to destroy bacteria and pathogens in the cleaned fluid, then sanitation improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl chamber generates rotational flow and multiple deflections that enhance the filtration process itself, allowing the system to achieve improved separation performance through hydrodynamic effects rather than requiring additional energy-intensive components. The system uses the kinetic energy of the incoming fluid to create the necessary flow patterns.
4Manufacturing precision
If the filter element is positioned concentrically with the housing axis, then manufacturing is simple, but supercritical turbulence may occur and reduce filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an off-center inlet position relative to the filter element axis, creating an asymmetric flow configuration. This asymmetry generates the desired swirl and rotational flow patterns that prevent supercritical turbulence while improving filtration efficiency. The asymmetric geometry is straightforward to manufacture using standard machining or molding processes.
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
The filter device achieves increased throughput and retention of impurities with reduced energy consumption and operational costs, preventing supercritical turbulence and ensuring effective separation of impurities from fluid flows.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flow to be filtered is at least partially guided around the filter element (10) in a swirl flow (cyclone-like flow)
Implementation Method 2
particles of solid substances are separated from gases or liquids by the action of centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
filter element which is accommodated in a filter housing (12), with which a swirl chamber (14) is formed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter apparatus for depositing impurities from a fluid stream by means of use of a filter element (10) which is accommodated in a filter casing (12). By virtue of the filter casing (12), according to the characterizing part of claim 1, having a swirl space (14) such that the fluid stream to be filtered is conducted at least partly in a swirling flow around the filter element (10), the properties of a cyclone are utilized for the actual filtration operation to the extent that the swirl space of the filter casing brings about multiple deflection of the direction of motion of the fluid to be filtered.