Flush Pump Feature for Portable Liquid Purifying Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable water filtration systems face challenges in priming and maintaining filters, particularly in remote locations, due to the need for air purging and sediment removal, which can be cumbersome and require disconnection from hydration packs, and often involve complex and costly air permeable membranes or vent ports that complicate filter integrity testing.
Innovation Solution
A flush pump feature incorporating flexible tubing with a bulb pump, check valves, and a manual valve allows for easy air purging and maintenance without removing the filter from the hydration pack, enabling visual integrity testing and efficient sediment removal, while also assisting in water flow and minimizing storage and freeze damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vent port is included on the water filter to purge air, then air removal is enabled, but the filter requires positive pressure on inlet water and complex manipulative operations to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The air purging function is segmented from the main filtration system by providing a separate vent port on the filter housing that is independent from the hydration pack. This allows air to be purged through a dedicated pathway without requiring manipulation of the hydration pack or complex coordination between multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent port acts as an intermediary element that provides a direct pathway for air removal. By introducing this intermediate structure, the system eliminates the need for the operator to manually manipulate the hydration pack or perform complex operations to achieve air purging.
2Ease of operation
If air permeable membrane is used to aid air removal, then air purging is facilitated, but manufacturing and integrity testing become difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The air permeable membrane is extracted from the filtration system and replaced by a mechanical vent port structure. This extraction eliminates the need for specialized membranes while providing the same air removal function through a simpler, more manufacturable design that is easier to test for integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent port design uses simple, inexpensive materials that are easy to manufacture and test, replacing costly air permeable membranes. The simplicity of the vent port structure allows for straightforward manufacturing and integrity testing without requiring complex equipment or procedures.
3Ease of repair
If filter is cleaned by blowing air into purified outlet port, then sediment removal is achieved, but filter must be disconnected from hydration pack and oriented in specific way
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented from the main filtration pathway by providing a separate flush port that allows cleaning operations to be performed independently. This enables the filter to be cleaned while remaining connected to the hydration pack, eliminating the need for disconnection and specific orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flush port serves as an intermediary that provides a dedicated pathway for cleaning operations. By introducing this intermediate structure, the system enables sediment removal without requiring the filter to be disconnected from the hydration pack or oriented in specific ways, making maintenance operations simple and intuitive.
4Ease of operation
If suction pressure is used to prime filter in stand-alone filters, then air purging is enabled, but flow rate is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The priming function is segmented from the normal filtration operation by providing a separate vent port and flush port system. This allows air to be purged through dedicated pathways without creating negative pressure that would reduce flow rate during normal operation. The segmentation enables priming operations to be performed independently from the main water flow path.
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 flush pump feature simplifies filter priming and maintenance, enhances filter integrity testing, and improves water flow rates by allowing for simultaneous pumping and suction, reducing the need for complex components and manipulative operations, thus making the system more user-friendly and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
it is common to use suction pressure created by the operator who attempts to suck water from the purified outlet side of the filter
Implementation Method 2
two check valves are positioned upstream and downstream of the bulb pump
Implementation Method 3
sediment and/or other particulate can accumulate on the upstream compartment of the filter which can lead to a plugging of the filter membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A flush pump feature on a liquid purifying filter includes a segment of flexible tubing containing a small bulb pump is described. Two check valves are positioned upstream and downstream of the bulb pump which then terminates with a simple manually operated open/closed valve. The addition of this flush pump feature enables the filter unit to be easily purged of air at first use and also will make the filter easier to clean and maintain without the need to remove it from a hydration carrier. In addition, the flush bulb feature can also be used to perform a simple visual integrity test of filter while out in a remote location and also can be used to effectively remove bulk water from the filter for lighter storage when not in use which also minimizes freeze related damage when used in a cold environment.