Magnetic Particle Separator With External Magnets for Online Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic particle separators for heating systems require stopping fluid circulation to remove magnetic particles, as magnets are positioned within the fluid flow, making it impossible to clean while the system is operational.

Innovation Solution

Positioning magnets outside a quieting chamber below the particle separation chamber, where fluid velocity is reduced, allowing magnetic particles to fall and be attracted, enabling cleaning without stopping the system by using a transition zone to damp fluid motion and a removable magnet support element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnets are positioned within the fluid flow in the particle separation chamber, then magnetic particles can be separated from the circulating fluid, but the system must be stopped to remove accumulated magnetic particles from the magnets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation effectivenessVSAvoidsystem operational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two functional chambers: a particle separation chamber where magnets are positioned to capture magnetic particles, and a quieting chamber where fluid velocity is reduced. This segmentation allows different operations to occur in different zones, enabling continuous operation while facilitating particle removal in the quieting chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quieting chamber acts as an intermediary zone between the particle separation chamber and the discharge outlet. It provides a transition area where fluid velocity is reduced, allowing magnetic particles to be discharged without stopping the circulation pump, thus maintaining system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If magnets are positioned within the fluid flow, then magnetic particles are effectively captured, but fluid circulation must be stopped for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic particle capture efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Magnetic particles are preliminarily captured by magnets in the particle separation chamber during normal operation. The quieting chamber is prepared in advance as a discharge zone, so when particles need removal, the system can quickly transition to discharge mode without stopping the circulation pump, minimizing maintenance downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically switches between two operational modes: particle separation mode during normal circulation, and particle discharge mode when the quieting chamber is activated. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain high capture efficiency while minimizing downtime through rapid mode switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a quieting chamber is introduced below the particle separation chamber, then particles can be discharged without stopping circulation, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidchamber configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The quieting chamber is positioned vertically below the particle separation chamber, utilizing the vertical dimension to add functionality without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint. This dimensional arrangement allows continuous operation capability while keeping the overall device compact and the structural complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables quick and efficient removal of magnetic and non-magnetic particles while the heating system is operational, maintaining fluid flow and reducing maintenance downtime.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet, or a plurality of magnets in respective tubular casings to prevent a direct contact of the magnet or magnets, with the circulating fluid, and the removal of the same magnets without having to open the separator device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a cyclonic movement of the fluid is created to cause the separation of the particles due to the centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

the particles of dirt separated by the cyclonic action are collected to be later discharged by removing a closure cap; again the magnetic particles which have been attracted by the magnetic field of the internal magnet, are allowed to drop down to the bottom by simply removing the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9925543B2Magnetic particle separator for thermal systems

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 CALEFFI

AI summary

A magnetic particle separator (10) suitable for separating magnetic and non-magnetic particles from a thermal fluid flowing in a heating system. The magnetic particle separator (10) comprises a hollow body (10A, 10B) configured with an upper particle separation chamber (11) and for circulation of the thermal fluid between an inlet and an outlet port (12, 13), and a quieting chamber (15) beneath the particle separation chamber (11) for accumulation of the particles separated from the fluid: an annular support element (21) for permanent magnets (18) being removably fastened outside the quieting chamber (15) of the separator (10).