Modular Filter System With Diverter Routing for Sediment Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filtration systems for fluids often fail prematurely when faced with sediment levels beyond their expected range, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for custom-designed systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular filtration system comprising filter modules and diverters that allow for customizable configurations, enabling parallel and serial connections of filter canisters to manage varying sediment, contaminant, and microbiological threats, optimizing throughput and contaminant reduction through modular design and AI-assisted optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a generic filter system design is used to handle ranges of sediment and contaminants, then the system can be manufactured at lower cost with simpler design, but the filter system may lose its filtration ability prematurely when sediment exceeds expected range
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into multiple independent filter elements (first filter element, second filter element, third filter element) that can be selectively assembled. Each element targets specific contaminant types (sediment, contaminants, microbiological threats), allowing the system to be segmented into appropriate configurations based on actual water profile requirements rather than using a single generic design for all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs diverter components with movable or selectable pathways that dynamically route fluid flow through different filter elements based on operational needs. The diverter can switch between serial and parallel configurations, enabling the filtration system to adapt its capacity and flow distribution dynamically rather than being fixed in a single static arrangement.
2Reliability
If a custom-designed filter system is created based on a particular water profile, then the filtration capacity is optimized to handle specific sediment levels, but the manufacturing cost and design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are designed with universal compatibility features - identical port configurations (outer ports and center ports), standardized connection interfaces, and interchangeable diverter components. This universality allows the same basic filter element design to serve multiple functions in different configurations (serial or parallel arrangements), reducing overall system design complexity while maintaining optimized filtration capacity for various water profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of operational parameters by changing the configuration arrangement (serial vs. parallel) of identical filter elements rather than redesigning the elements themselves. By modifying flow distribution parameters and filtration capacity through configuration changes, the system adapts to different water profiles without increasing fundamental design complexity.
3Productivity
If filter elements are connected in parallel configuration, then the throughput and filtration capacity are increased, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel configuration is achieved by segmenting the flow path into independent channels using diverter components. Each filter element operates in its own segment with dedicated inlet and outlet connections, simplifying the overall parallel arrangement. The segmentation allows throughput increase through multiple simultaneous filtration paths without creating complex interdependent flow relationships between elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter system includes a first filter module having first filter module output ports near an outer perimeter of the first filter module and a first filter module center port on near a midpoint of the first filter module, a second filter module having second filter module outer ports near an outer perimeter of the second filter module and a second filter module center port near a midpoint of the second filter module, and a diverter between the first filter module and the second filter module. The diverter has an input port proximate to a midpoint of a top of the diverter and diverter exit ports proximate to an outer perimeter of a bottom of the diverter.