Fluted Filter Assembly with Grate Support to Prevent Media Telescoping

Solution Overview

Problem

Current air filtration systems using fluted filter media often experience telescoping issues due to pressure differentials, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced filtration effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a grate at the outlet end of the filter media within the filter assembly to prevent telescoping, combined with a secondary filter element and seal structures for enhanced support and sealing, including a radially outward extending flange and seal support structures to maintain the filter media in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluted filter media is used to increase filtration surface area, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the media pack becomes prone to telescoping under pressure differential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidmedia pack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the fluted filter media pack for filtration, support grates at both inlet and outlet ends for structural stability, a housing for containment, and sealing elements for leak prevention. This segmentation allows each component to address specific issues - the grates prevent telescoping while the fluted media provides filtration surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support grates are introduced as intermediary structures between the fluted filter media and the housing. These grates act as mediators that distribute mechanical loads and prevent the fluted media from collapsing or telescoping under pressure differential, while allowing the media to maintain its filtration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the filter media pack is made larger to increase capacity, then filtration capacity is improved, but telescoping becomes more severe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidmedia pack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the fluted filter media pack for filtration, support grates at both inlet and outlet ends for structural stability, a housing for containment, and sealing elements for leak prevention. This segmentation allows each component to address specific issues - the grates prevent telescoping while the fluted media provides filtration surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support grates are introduced as intermediary structures between the fluted filter media and the housing. These grates act as mediators that distribute mechanical loads and prevent the fluted media from collapsing or telescoping under pressure differential, while allowing the media to maintain its filtration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a grate is added to prevent telescoping, then media pack stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia pack stabilityVSAvoidfilter assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support grates are integrated with the housing structure, and the sealing elements are incorporated into the grate design. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly, while still providing the necessary structural support and telescoping prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2877267B1Filter housing, fluted filter and safety filter

Publication Date: 2022.04.13 BALDWIN FILTERS INC

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AI summary

The present invention generally relates to filtration, and more particularly to filter assemblies including filter housings, filter elements and safety filter elements for filtering flowing fluid such as air.