Magnetic filter with drain and removable external magnetic element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic filters for central heating systems with magnets outside the sealed canister are less effective due to magnet strength attenuation by the canister wall thickness, and existing designs often result in spillage and seal damage during servicing.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic filter design featuring a thin-walled stainless steel canister with a connection assembly that forms a sealed unit, allowing the magnet to be positioned externally without attenuating its strength, using a releasable connection and spring members to ensure magnet contact with the canister, and incorporating a circumferential flow chamber for improved collection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the magnet is positioned outside the sealed canister, then the magnet strength is maintained, but the canister wall thickness must be reduced which compromises structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet strengthVSAvoidcanister structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin-walled stainless steel canister that is specifically engineered to provide sufficient structural integrity while maintaining minimal wall thickness. This allows the magnetic element to be positioned externally without significant attenuation of magnetic field strength, resolving the contradiction between maintaining magnet strength and ensuring canister structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of repair

If the canister is opened for servicing, then magnetic particles can be removed, but system water leaks and seal damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle removal accessVSAvoidseal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic element is extracted from the canister and positioned externally, allowing it to be removed and serviced independently without opening the canister. The canister remains sealed throughout the servicing process, eliminating water leakage and seal damage risks while still enabling effective particle removal through external magnet extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the canister wall is made thin to maintain magnet strength, then magnetic particle separation is improved, but the canister becomes more vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic particle separation efficiencyVSAvoidcanister durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The canister is designed with optimally thin walls made from high-strength stainless steel material that provides sufficient structural durability despite the reduced thickness. This enables effective magnetic particle separation by maintaining strong magnetic field penetration while the material properties compensate for the reduced wall thickness to ensure adequate durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes stainless steel material that combines thinness with high strength properties, creating an effectively composite structure that achieves both thin wall requirements for magnet strength and sufficient durability through material selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides effective magnetic particle separation with reduced risk of spillage and seal damage during servicing, maintaining magnet strength and allowing for controlled cleaning without disassembling the canister, thus enhancing the filter's performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic element which is detachably mounted to the external surface of the canister

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3280536B1Magnetic filter with drain and removable external magnetic element
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 ADEY HLDG
  • EP3280536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3280536B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3280536B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A magnetic filter (10) for a central heating system is disclosed, the filter (10) including a connection assembly (12), a canister (14), and a magnetic element (16), the connection assembly (12) including an inlet (24) and an outlet (26) for connection to a central heating circuit; the canister (14) having an interior separation chamber which is fluidly connected with the inlet (24) and outlet (26) for allowing fluid to flow into the inlet (24), through the separation chamber, and out of the outlet (26); and the magnetic element (16) being removably positionable on the outside of the canister (14), the canister (14) and the connection assembly (12) forming a sealed flow path comprising the inlet (24), the interior separation chamber and the outlet (26), and the connection assembly (12) further including a closable drain outlet (28b) for draining fluid and magnetic particles from within the canister (14), internally of the magnetic element (16).