Multi-Cage Ballast Water Filter with Automatic Simultaneous Backwashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-cage ballast water filtering apparatuses face inefficiencies in simultaneous backwashing, complex external construction, and difficulty in maintenance due to protruding discharge pipes and the need for manual corrosion-proofing, leading to increased costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cage ballast water filtering apparatus with automatic simultaneous backwashing control, where a first pressure sensor measures body pressure and second pressure sensors on selected filtering units trigger all automatic washing units to backwash when pressure differences exceed a threshold, and discharge pipes are removably coupled and shortened to prevent clogging, with a post-backwashing chamber to collect foreign substances before discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional multi-cage ballast water filtering apparatuses use individual backwashing control for each filter, then the system can respond to localized pressure issues, but the backwashing efficiency is reduced due to sequential operation and the system cannot achieve simultaneous cleaning of all filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple automatic washing units into a unified system. The control unit receives pressure differential signals and simultaneously activates all washing units for backwashing, transforming individual sequential operations into coordinated simultaneous action, thereby improving backwashing efficiency without proportionally increasing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring function from the execution function. Pressure differential sensors monitor individual filter conditions and report to a central control unit, which then coordinates simultaneous backwashing of all filters. This segmentation allows localized monitoring with centralized coordinated action, resolving the contradiction between responsive control and operational efficiency
2Ease of operation
If discharge pipes are made long and protrude from the body, then the system can effectively discharge foreign substances and backwash water, but the external construction becomes complex and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the discharge function from the main body structure by providing separate discharge ports on the body rather than using long protruding pipes. The discharge pipes can be shorter and connected to the body at multiple points, separating the discharge functionality from the structural complexity and facilitating easier maintenance and corrosion-proofing
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making discharge pipes long and protruding to achieve discharge functionality, the patent inverts the approach by providing discharge ports directly on the body and using shorter pipes. The functionality is achieved through the port configuration and internal flow paths rather than external pipe length, simplifying the external construction
3Reliability
If discharge pipes are welded to the inner surface of the body, then the connection is secure and permanent, but corrosion-proof painting becomes difficult and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static welded connections to dynamic removable connections for discharge pipes. The pipes can be detached and reattached as needed, allowing the system to adapt between secure connection during operation and easy access during maintenance. This dynamic connection method resolves the contradiction by providing both reliability during use and ease of repair during maintenance cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary corrosion-proofing of the body inner surface before discharge pipe installation. By providing removable connections rather than permanent welded joints, the system allows the entire inner surface to be accessed and protected with corrosion-proof coating before pipes are attached, eliminating the maintenance difficulty caused by welded connections
4Measurement precision
If the number of pressure sensors is increased to monitor all filtering units, then the pressure differential measurement accuracy improves, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first pressure sensor universal by positioning it to measure the common pressure environment for all filtering units. Combined with individual second pressure sensors on selected units, this universal measurement point enables accurate pressure differential calculation for multiple filters without requiring a dedicated sensor for each unit, maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall sensor count and system complexity
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
Enhances filtering efficiency, reduces the number of pressure sensors needed, simplifies the external construction, facilitates maintenance, and optimizes space usage by preventing backpressure and allowing easier corrosion-proofing, while minimizing the risk of discharge pipe clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor that measures the pressure in space between the filters and the body
Implementation Method 2
second pressure sensors that are installed on some of the filtering units and measure the pressures in the respective filters of the filtering units
Implementation Method 3
an automatic washing unit provided for backwashing each filter to remove foreign substances from the filters
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an a multi-cage type ballast water filtering apparatus having a function of automatically controlling simultaneous backwashing, and a method of automatically controlling the simultaneous backwashing. The apparatus includes a body, and filtering units connected to each other to form a packaged structure in the body. Each filtering unit includes a filter filtering ballast water, and an automatic washing unit backwashing the filter. The apparatus further includes a first pressure sensor measuring the pressure in space between the body and the filters, and a second pressure sensor installed on each of some of the filtering units to measure the pressure in the filter of the corresponding filtering unit. When a difference between pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors exceeds a predetermined range, the automatic washing units of all of the filtering units are simultaneously operated.