Honeycomb Filter Element with Conductive Contacts for Spark Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filters used in explosive environments, such as the oil and gas industry, face the risk of electrical charge accumulation leading to unwanted spark discharges due to their electrical conductivity, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with a honeycomb structure and electrically conductive connections between filter bodies and a frame, allowing for charge dissipation and preventing accumulation, utilizing materials like activated carbon and conductive contact elements to ensure safe operation in explosive environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter bodies are made electrically conductive to dissipate charges, then safety in explosive environments is improved, but risk of spark discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically conductive connecting element as an intermediary between the filter bodies and the frame. This mediator provides a controlled path for charge dissipation, allowing charges to be safely transferred to ground through the frame rather than accumulating on isolated filter bodies, thereby preventing uncontrolled spark discharges while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical conductivity function from the filter bodies themselves and transfers it to the connecting elements and frame. By separating the filtration function (filter bodies) from the charge dissipation function (connecting elements and frame), the system achieves safety without requiring the filter media to be conductive, thus eliminating spark risk while maintaining charge dissipation capability
2Reliability
If filter bodies are isolated from each other, then charge accumulation is prevented, but filtration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple filter bodies into a single integrated filter element structure that is collectively connected to the frame through conductive connecting elements. This combination allows charges to be dissipated from the entire filter assembly as a unified system, preventing charge accumulation while maintaining the functional independence of individual filter bodies for efficient filtration
3Reliability
If multiple connecting elements are used to connect filter bodies to frame, then charge dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the filter element, acts as a common electrical connection point for charge dissipation, and serves as a mounting structure. By making the frame multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated grounding elements, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective charge dissipation
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 filter element effectively adsorbs harmful gases while preventing charge accumulation and spark generation, ensuring safe operation in explosive environments by dissipating electrical charges, thus enhancing safety and filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element (10) for adsorbing harmful gases from a fluid flow, in particular from an air flow
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the filter bodies (1) is connected to the frame (2) via an electrically conductive connecting element (4)
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter element (10) for adsorbing harmful gases from a fluid stream (L), comprising a frame (2) and a plurality of filter bodies (1) arranged spaced apart side by side in the frame (2), wherein each filter body (1) has a plurality of openings (1, 2). According to the invention, each filter body (1) is connected to at least one further filter body (1) via an electrically conductive contact element (3), and electrical charges are dissipated. The invention also relates to a filter for use in explosive environments, comprising at least one such filter element (10).