Flexible Seal for Drum Filter Liquid-Tight Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drum filters face challenges in maintaining a liquid-tight seal during rotation to prevent leakage while minimizing frictional resistance, which affects the cleaning efficiency and longevity of the filter material.

Innovation Solution

A flexible seal with a protruding edge is used, secured in a slot-shaped recess, allowing for rotatable and liquid-tight connection between the filter drum and housing, reducing frictional resistance and enabling effective cleaning by positioning the nozzle above the liquid level for efficient contamination removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is provided between the filter drum and housing to prevent liquid leakage, then liquid-tight sealing is improved, but frictional resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid-tight sealingVSAvoidfrictional resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible seal element (thin film) that can deform to accommodate the rotation between the filter drum and housing. This flexible membrane maintains liquid-tight sealing while allowing rotational movement, thereby reducing frictional resistance compared to rigid sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The seal system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the seal to adapt its position and shape during rotation. The flexible seal moves with the rotation, maintaining contact for sealing while minimizing resistance through its ability to deform and accommodate motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the nozzle is positioned above the liquid level to spray cleaning medium with force, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but liquid leakage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper region for nozzle placement and cleaning medium application, and a lower region for filtered liquid collection. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be positioned above the liquid level for effective cleaning while containing the liquid flow paths to prevent leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible seal acts as an intermediary element that allows the nozzle system to operate above the liquid level while maintaining liquid-tight sealing below. The seal mediates between the cleaning function (nozzle above liquid) and the sealing function (preventing leakage), enabling both requirements to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible seal provides a reliable, low-resistance liquid-tight connection, ensuring effective cleaning of the filter material without leakage, maintaining filter efficiency and extending the filter's operational life.

Implementation Method 1

minimizing frictional resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a medium is sprayed with a certain amount of force onto the outside of the drum casing by one or more nozzles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

the contamination that comes loose will thus end up in the drainage channel and therefore can be discharged from the drum filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3895778B1Drum filter for removing solid matter from a liquid, filter drum and flexible seal for use in such a drum filter
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 BIMEX BV
  • EP3895778B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3895778B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3895778B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drum filter for removing solid matter from a liquid, provided with a filter drum which is coated with a filter material; a liquid supply which is connected to the inside of the filter drum; a filter housing which surrounds the filter drum; a drive mechanism for rotating the filter drum; at least one nozzle which is directed at the filter drum; and a drainage channel which is located in the filter drum. The invention also relates to a filter drum and to a flexible seal for use in such a drum filter.