Hexagonal Aperture Support Tube for Taut Screen Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter/separator cartridges for hydrocarbon fluids face challenges in achieving high open area support for plastic screens while maintaining rigidity to resist operational pressures, limiting the effectiveness of filtration and water separation.
Innovation Solution
A separator cartridge design featuring a perforated metal support tube with a high open area, formed by regular hexagonal apertures, which is constricted to fit around a plastic screen, then released to maintain the screen in a taut configuration, maximizing both open area and stiffness for effective filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a metal support tube with circular perforations is used to support the plastic screen, then the tube maintains sufficient rigidity under operational pressures, but the open area is limited to 55-60% (practically limited to 62% maximum)
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube is segmented into a perforated metal tube structure where the circular perforations are divided into multiple smaller hexagonal aperture segments. This segmentation allows for increased total open area (65% or more) while the distributed hexagonal pattern maintains structural rigidity through geometric stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from symmetric circular perforations to asymmetric hexagonal aperture patterns. The hexagonal geometry provides superior open area efficiency compared to circular holes of equivalent size, achieving over 65% open area while the regular hexagonal pattern maintains structural integrity through its inherent geometric strength.
2Reliability
If the support tube diameter is constricted to fit around the screen member, then the screen is maintained in a taut configuration for effective filtration, but the tube requires precise dimensional control during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube utilizes elastic deformation through constriction and release. During assembly, the tube is dynamically constricted to the smaller diameter to fit around the screen member, then released to spring back to its original larger diameter, creating a taut configuration that reliably maintains the screen in place without requiring permanent precision machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tube is pre-formed with a larger diameter that provides sufficient rigidity and open area. During assembly, the tube is temporarily constricted to fit the screen member, and then released to maintain the screen in a taut configuration. This preliminary sizing allows the tube to provide both structural support and secure screen retention.
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 design enhances the open area of the support tube to over 65% while maintaining the necessary rigidity to support the plastic screen, improving filtration efficiency and resistance to operational pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a diameter of the support tube is decreased from the first diameter to a diameter less than the diameter of the screen member to be received in the screen member, and wherein the support tube causes the screen member to be maintained in a substantially taut manner
Implementation Method 2
the plastic screens must be adequately supported within the separator to perform the filtration and water separation to resist collapsing due to operational pressures of the fluid passing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
The fluorocarbon coating imparts water repellency to the filter, thereby causing the water to separate from the filtered stream
Data Source
AI summary
A separator cartridge includes a support tube formed of a perforated strip of metal configured to normally have a first diameter and a spaced array of hexagonal apertures formed therein and a substantially cylindrical screen member having a diameter less than the first diameter of the support tube, wherein a diameter of the support tube is decreased from the first diameter to a diameter less than the diameter of the screen member to be received in the screen member, and wherein the support tube causes the screen member to be maintained in a substantially taut manner.