Magnetic filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic filters for large commercial central heating and cooling systems are expensive to manufacture and require multiple sizes to accommodate different pipe diameters, leading to increased costs, and existing designs face issues with magnet contact and debris removal due to manufacturing tolerances and magnetic attraction.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic filter with a movable magnetic assembly featuring elongate carriers with pivot-mounted magnet pairs, where the pivots are offset to facilitate easier separation from the filter body for cleaning, and spring-loading ensures good contact with the chamber wall, allowing for efficient debris removal and reduced manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic filters are made for large commercial systems with 2 inch or greater diameter pipes, then the filter can accommodate large pipe bores, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of large pipe boresVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic filter is divided into separate modular components: a chamber made from standard pipe and a separate magnetic assembly. This segmentation allows the chamber to be manufactured using inexpensive standard pipe materials, while the magnetic assembly can be independently manufactured and attached, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs for large commercial systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic assembly is designed to be universally applicable to different pipe sizes through the use of standard pipe connections and adaptable mounting mechanisms. This universal design allows the same magnetic assembly to serve multiple functions across different commercial system sizes, reducing the need for custom-manufactured filters for each pipe diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sizes of filters are provided to cover different large heating system pipe bores, then various system sizes are accommodated, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of range of large heating systemsVSAvoidproduct cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter design uses standardized pipe connections and a universal magnetic assembly that can be adapted to different pipe sizes. This allows a single basic filter design to serve multiple commercial system sizes (2 inch, 2.5 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch pipe bores), eliminating the need to manufacture separate specialized filters for each size and thereby reducing product costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If magnetic elements are provided on the outside of the pipe surrounding the filtration section, then magnetic particles can be attracted, but manufacturing tolerances prevent good contact between magnets and pipe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic particle attractionVSAvoidcontact between magnets and pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic assembly incorporates flexible mounting mechanisms and adjustable positioning features that allow the magnets to conform to the pipe surface irregularities caused by manufacturing tolerances. This flexibility ensures reliable magnetic particle attraction despite variations in pipe dimensions and surface flatness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If magnetic elements are fixed close to the filter body, then magnetic particles are effectively captured, but cleaning becomes difficult due to strong magnetic attraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic particle captureVSAvoidcleaning process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic assembly is designed with movable components that allow it to be easily detached from the chamber for cleaning. The dynamic design includes release mechanisms that overcome the magnetic attraction force, enabling straightforward removal of the magnetic assembly to access and clean captured debris from the chamber without requiring excessive force or complex tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a cost-effective, high-performance magnetic filter that is easy to use and maintain, capable of accommodating various system sizes with a reduced number of parts, and simplifies the cleaning process by minimizing magnetic attraction forces.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic filter improves the performance of the system by attracting and retaining magnetic particles, removing them from the system water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3784408B1Magnetic filter

Publication Date: 2022.02.16 ADEY HLDG

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AI summary

A magnetic filter is disclosed suitable for use in large heating and/or cooling systems, for example heating systems using pipework between 2 inch bore and 4 inch bore. The magnetic filter includes a separation chamber in the form of a pipe, and externally-mounted magnetic 5 assemblies which are movable from a position close to the pipe to a position spaced from the pipe. The magnetic assemblies are pivotally mounted to the pipe via a framework.