Flow Dispersal Plate for Water Purification Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purification systems for the food and beverage industry face issues such as unsanitary cartridge replacement, leakage during maintenance, inefficient use of purification media, high pressure drop, and low flow rates due to inconsistent piping and fittings, leading to health and safety concerns and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular purification system with flow paths of consistent diameters, a disposable sump assembly, and a flow dispersal plate that imparts multidirectional fluid flow to maximize media utilization, allowing for flexible configuration and high flow rates without the need for metallic fittings, reducing pressure drop and extending cartridge life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional threaded sump and purification head design is used, then assembly is secure, but cartridge replacement requires contact with contaminated media and special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sump assembly into separable components: a reusable sump body and a disposable cartridge-sump assembly. The disposable assembly can be removed as a complete unit without disassembling threads, eliminating the need for special tools and preventing contact with contaminated media during replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable sump and cartridge assembly that is discarded after use. This eliminates the need to clean and sanitize the sump itself, as the entire contaminated assembly is replaced as a single disposable unit, greatly simplifying maintenance and eliminating unsanitary handling.
2Productivity
If multiple purification media are used with multiple manifolds and sumps, then purification capacity increases, but system complexity and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple purification media (such as sediment filter, carbon block, and UV sterilization) into a single integrated disposable cartridge assembly. This eliminates the need for multiple separate manifolds, sumps, and connections, thereby reducing system complexity and leakage risk while maintaining high purification capacity.
3Device complexity
If conventional sump design is used, then structure is simple, but flow creates dead zones and concentrates flow in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a flow dispersal plate with radially extending flow diverting members that redirect flow in multiple directions. This creates a three-dimensional flow pattern that distributes water across the entire circumference of the purification media, eliminating dead zones and ensuring uniform utilization of all media surfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If inconsistent internal diameters for fittings and conduits are used, then design flexibility increases, but pressure drop increases and flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs consistent internal diameters throughout all flow paths, including the sump, purification media cartridge, and connecting passages. This homogeneous diameter design minimizes pressure drops at transitions and maximizes flow rate, while the modular disposable assembly maintains design flexibility for different installation configurations.
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 system achieves higher flow rates at lower pressure drops, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes health risks by ensuring thorough media utilization and eliminating unsanitary handling of contaminated cartridges, while being easily adaptable and leak-resistant.
Implementation Method 1
a flow dispersal plate adapted to distribute the incoming fluid flow radially outward, and to direct the fluid flow at least longitudinally along the gap between the fluid purification media and the sump wall
Implementation Method 2
purification media disposed within the sump... Water is forced through the purification media
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
This invention relates to a modular purification system having a disposable sump assembly comprising a filter, cartridge, a head assembly detachably connected to the sump and a flow distribution plate, said plate adapted to direct the flow longitudinally away from the plate. The plate's flow diverting members comprise radical angled vanes or perforations circumferentially spaced on the outer edge . A mounting bracket having a support ring adapted to receive the purification head assembly is also disclosed. The purification head assembly can be rotated within the support ring to different circumferential positions . A housing end cap may be adapted to form a water tight seal with the sump housing.