Finned Distributor for Automatic Filter Declogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter designs with rotary distributors are costly due to the complexity of manufacturing large-size filtering elements with radial and circumferential ribs, and the length of the distributor is a significant obstacle in reducing production costs.

Innovation Solution

A finned distributor with fins regularly distributed circumferentially, attached to an axial cylindrical core, is used, which is easier to manufacture and reduces leakage, allowing for adjustable length and lower production costs, and is driven by a hydraulic motor powered by the filtered fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotary distributor extending axially over the entire stack is used, then automatic unclogging is achieved, but the length of the distributor increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic uncloggingVSAvoiddistributor length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor is segmented into multiple independent nozzles arranged circumferentially around the stack axis. Each nozzle serves a specific sector of the filter stack, eliminating the need for a single long axial distributor. This segmentation reduces the maximum length of any distributor component while maintaining comprehensive unclogging coverage across the entire stack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor configuration transitions from a one-dimensional axial extension to a two-dimensional circumferential arrangement. The nozzles are distributed around the circumference of the stack rather than extending along the axis, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of the distributor and reducing its length requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If radial and circumferential ribs are molded onto filter screens to create distribution columns, then fluid distribution is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases for large-size filtering elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex rib structures and channel sections are extracted from the filter element manufacturing process. Instead of molding ribs and channels directly onto large filter screens, the invention uses a separate distributor component with nozzles that performs the fluid distribution function, simplifying the filter element manufacturing while maintaining effective fluid distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor acts as an intermediary component between the fluid source and the filter sectors. Rather than integrating distribution channels into the filter elements themselves, the distributor mediates fluid delivery to each sector through its nozzles, separating the distribution function from the filtration function and simplifying both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2611514B1Filter with automatic declogging
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 ALFA LAVAL MOATTI SNC
  • EP2611514B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2611514B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2611514B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention includes an arrangement of distribution columns that can be used to discharge the declogging fluid from a filter with automatic declogging. According to the invention, a fixed distributor (47) is positioned coaxially to a stack (115) of filtering elements and comprises different ducts, for example formed by fins (48) establishing a communication between a rotary distributor (65) and groups of passages in the stack, aligned along generatrices thereof.