Nested Gas Filter Elements With Sealing for Vibration-Resistant Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas filter systems face challenges in achieving effective sealing between two filter elements, which are crucial for efficient filtration in applications like large combustion engines and fuel cells.
Innovation Solution
A gas filter system design where the first and third end caps of the outer filter element are sealed against each other, and the second and fourth end caps of the inner filter element are sealed against each other, with the use of polyurethane foam sealing sections and rigid plastic end caps to ensure secure sealing and support, along with a central tube and dome for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two filter elements are arranged in a common housing with open end caps, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing between filter elements becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements including O-rings and elastomeric sealing sections that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and vibration, creating reliable seals between filter elements without requiring complex rigid sealing structures. The flexible nature of these sealing components allows them to conform to the mating surfaces of the open end caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary sealing components such as sealing rings and elastomeric sections that mediate between the open end caps of adjacent filter elements. These intermediary elements fill the gap between filter elements and provide the sealing function, allowing both end caps to remain open while preventing gas leakage.
2Reliability
If end caps are sealed against each other to prevent gas leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but the open structure of end caps is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing sealing functionality only at specific locations where gas leakage would occur, rather than closing the entire end cap. The sealing elements are positioned at the interfaces between adjacent filter elements, allowing the end caps to remain open for gas flow while preventing leakage at critical points through localized sealing sections and O-rings.
3Strength
If rigid plastic end caps are used for structural support, then strength is improved, but adaptability to vibration and misalignment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining rigid plastic end caps for structural support with flexible elastomeric sealing sections for vibration adaptation. This composite approach allows the rigid portion to provide necessary strength while the flexible portion accommodates vibration and misalignment, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating elastomeric materials with varying durometer values to create sealing sections that can deform under vibration and misalignment while maintaining sealing pressure. The flexible sealing elements change their physical state from rigid to compliant, allowing adaptation to dynamic conditions while the rigid end caps maintain structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas filter system including an outer filter element having a first filter medium arranged between a first end cap and a second end cap, and an inner filter element having a second filter medium arranged between a third end cap and a fourth end cap, wherein the first, second and third end caps are open, the inner filter element is closed at the fourth end cap, the first filter medium is arrangeable to surround the second filter medium, such that the first end cap of the outer filter element surrounds the third end cap of the inner filter element, the first and third end caps are sealed against each other, and such that the second end cap of the outer filter element surrounds the fourth end cap of the inner filter element, and the second and fourth end caps are sealed against each other.