Modular Water Filtration Layout Without Valve Trees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water filter systems are bulky, require complex valve trees that increase pressure loss and assembly time, necessitate on-site media replacement, and often need large buildings with permits, making them costly and prone to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A modular water filter system using hoses and flanged elbows or valves to connect treatment vessels, eliminating valve trees, allowing off-site media replacement, and featuring a compact enclosure that can be assembled quickly without permits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional valve trees are used to control water flow direction, then the system can operate filters in series, parallel, or reversed series, but the system footprint increases, operating pressure loss increases, and assembly/disassembly becomes challenging and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex valve tree structure entirely from the system. Instead of using multiple valves to control water flow direction, the system uses simple hose connections with quick-connect couplings that allow filters to be easily connected in series, parallel, or reversed series configurations without requiring a centralized valve control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic hose connections with quick-connect couplings that allow the filter configuration to be easily changed on-site. The hoses can be quickly reconfigured to operate filters in different modes (series, parallel, reversed series) without permanent fixed connections, providing operational flexibility without complex valve mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If valve trees are used to control water flow, then filter operation modes are flexible, but the risk of improper system lead lag operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-regulating hose connections where the physical configuration of hoses and quick-connect couplings naturally guides water flow through the correct path. The lead-lag relationship between filters is determined by the physical connection topology rather than complex valve control, reducing the risk of improper operation. The system essentially configures itself through the mechanical arrangement of components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If filters are connected with complex valve trees, then operation flexibility is achieved, but assembly and disassembly of filter canisters becomes challenging and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water filtration system into independent filter canisters connected by flexible hoses with quick-connect couplings. Each filter can be independently assembled, disassembled, and replaced without affecting the entire system. The quick-connect couplings enable rapid connection and disconnection of filters, dramatically reducing assembly and disassembly time compared to fixed valve tree configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible hoses instead of rigid piping to connect filter canisters. These flexible connections accommodate easy movement and positioning of filters during assembly and disassembly, allowing rapid configuration changes without the constraints of rigid, fixed installations that would require complex valve trees and extensive plumbing work.
4Ease of operation
If on-site media replacement is required, then system maintenance can be performed in place, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows filter media to be replaced by removing the entire filter canister as a complete unit and replacing it with a pre-assembled replacement canister. This approach copies the factory-assembled configuration, ensuring proper assembly and minimizing on-site manipulation that could cause contamination. The quick-connect couplings enable this complete unit replacement without requiring disassembly of internal components in the field.
5Ease of operation
If large buildings with wood supports and asphalt shingles are used to house the filter system, then space for testing and maintenance is provided, but the building is subject to rot from humidity and requires building permits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a portable, temporary enclosure made from durable, weather-resistant materials that does not require permanent building construction. The enclosure is designed to be assembled and disassembled without requiring building permits, using materials that resist humidity and rot without the need for traditional wood supports and asphalt shingles. This temporary structure provides adequate space for testing and maintenance while avoiding the durability and permitting issues of permanent buildings.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular water filter system has an enclosure defining an enclosed space. The enclosure includes a base, a plurality of walls, and a roof surrounding the enclosed space. A water filter system is positioned within the enclosed space. The water filter system includes an inlet configured to receive raw water. A bag filter is coupled to the inlet. A first hose has a first end coupled to the filter and a second end coupled to a first Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) or other treatment vessel. A second hose has a first end coupled to the first treatment vessel and a second end coupled to a second treatment vessel. A third hose has a first end coupled to the second treatment vessel and a second end coupled to a resin trap. An outlet is coupled to the resin trap and is configured to discharge filtered water.