Magnetic Filter with Pivoting Assembly for Large-Bore Heating Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic filters for large commercial central heating and cooling systems are expensive to manufacture and require multiple sizes to cover various pipe diameters, with existing designs experiencing unsatisfactory performance due to manufacturing tolerances and difficulty in cleaning magnetic debris.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic filter with a movable magnetic assembly featuring elongate carriers with pivot-mounted magnet pairs offset from the centerline, allowing for easy detachment from the filter body and reduced magnetic attraction, combined with a modular design using common components for different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 handle larger systems, but the filter becomes heavy and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic filter is divided into multiple identical modular units, each handling a portion of the magnetic debris collection. These modules can be arranged in parallel to handle different pipe sizes and flow rates, allowing a single design to serve multiple system sizes without requiring custom manufacturing for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic filter design uses universal components that can be configured for different pipe diameters. The same basic filter unit design can be adapted to handle 2 inch, 2.5 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch pipe bores through modular arrangement rather than requiring entirely different filter designs for each size.
2Device complexity
If magnetic elements are provided on the outside of the pipe surrounding the filtration section, then the filter structure is simplified, but manufacturing tolerances prevent good contact leading to unsatisfactory performance
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements are mounted on pivots that allow them to move dynamically. This pivoting mechanism compensates for manufacturing tolerances and surface irregularities, ensuring that the magnetic elements maintain good contact with the pipe outer surface despite variations in pipe diameter or magnet positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivots are intentionally offset from the centerline of the pipe rather than being centered. This asymmetric positioning allows the magnetic elements to pivot and self-align with the pipe surface, compensating for tolerances in a way that centered pivots cannot achieve.
3Reliability
If magnetic debris builds up within the filter, then the filter captures more particles, but the magnetic elements are urged towards the filter body making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements are mounted on pivots that allow them to rotate freely. During normal operation, the magnetic attraction pulls the elements toward the pipe wall for effective debris capture. During cleaning, the elements can be manually rotated away from the pipe wall on their pivots, allowing easy removal of accumulated magnetic debris without requiring significant force to overcome the magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic elements are divided into multiple separate pairs that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows individual elements or pairs to be rotated and removed for cleaning while others remain in position, making the cleaning process more manageable and less time-consuming.
4Force
If a screw thread is used to provide mechanical advantage for moving magnetic elements, then the elements can be moved against magnetic force, but the cleaning process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a screw thread mechanism that requires multiple rotations to generate mechanical advantage, the patent uses simple pivots that allow the magnetic elements to rotate freely with minimal friction. This dynamic pivot mechanism provides sufficient movement capability without the time-consuming operation of threading mechanisms, significantly reducing cleaning time while still enabling elements to be moved against magnetic attraction.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the cleaning process by allowing easy movement of the magnetic assembly away from the filter body, while enabling the use of a common component set for various system sizes, enhancing performance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic filter improves the performance of the system by attracting and retaining magnetic particles, removing them from the system water
Implementation Method 2
the bar being movable relative to the carrier on a pivot
Data Source
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 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.