Fluid Separation Assembly with Coalescing Media for Coolant Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial coolants used in machinery become contaminated with impurities like oil, grease, and debris, leading to reduced efficiency and potential machine damage when reused, necessitating effective separation and filtering methods.
Innovation Solution
A fluid separation assembly with a housing, coalescing media, and mounting bracket that allows for the separation and filtration of contaminants from coolants, featuring a lattice-like coalescing media and flexible mounting options for easy installation and portability, enabling efficient removal of contaminants and reuse of clean coolant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If coolants are placed in direct contact with machinery for cooling, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but coolant contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid separation assembly as an intermediary device between the coolant and the contaminated environment. This assembly includes coalescing media that acts as a mediator to capture and separate contaminants from the coolant, allowing the coolant to maintain direct contact with machinery for efficient heat transfer while being cleaned of contaminants through the intermediary separation process
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid separation assembly enables the discarding of contaminants from the coolant stream while recovering and recycling the clean coolant. The assembly separates contaminants (oil, grease, debris) from the coolant, allowing the cleaned coolant to be reused in the cooling system, thus recovering valuable cooling fluid and eliminating contaminated material
2Loss of substance
If coolants are reused after contamination, then conservational efficiency is improved, but machine damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid separation assembly serves as a protective intermediary that removes harmful contaminants from the coolant before it contacts the machinery. This intermediary filtering process enables coolant reuse while preventing machine damage by eliminating oil, grease, and debris that would otherwise cause wear and deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of coolant circulation (which naturally picks up contaminants) into a beneficial process by using the circulated coolant to carry contaminants to the separation assembly. The contaminants are then captured and removed, transforming the potential harm of contamination into a benefit of continuous coolant circulation with automatic contaminant removal
3Reliability
If fluid separation assembly is installed in industrial environments, then coolant filtration is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid separation assembly is designed to be mounted within or adjacent to existing machinery structures, nesting the filtration function within the existing industrial equipment footprint. The assembly can be positioned to utilize space already allocated for cooling system components, minimizing additional space requirements while maintaining effective coolant filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly employs a compact housing design with thin-walled construction that reduces the overall volume and footprint of the filtration device. The streamlined shell design allows the assembly to occupy minimal space while maintaining structural integrity and filtration effectiveness in industrial environments
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 assembly effectively separates and filters contaminants from coolants, extending their lifecycle, maintaining machine efficiency, and preventing damage by allowing for regular cleaning and reuse of clean coolant, while also minimizing space and clutter in industrial environments.
Implementation Method 1
coalescing media positioned in the first chamber to generally fill the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment disclosed herein, a fluid separation assembly includes a housing, a fluid inlet attached to the housing. a fluid outlet attached to the housing; a mounting bracket; coalescing media; and a cover. The housing includes a first chamber; a second chamber; a wall separating the first chamber and second chamber; and a fluid passage positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the first chamber, and the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The coalescing media is positioned in the first chamber; and the cover is reversible secured to the housing. The fluid separation assembly can further include a first spigot attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a second spigot attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the second chamber.