Oil Separator Conductive Filter Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil separators face challenges with static electricity accumulation in the filter element, leading to potential explosions due to electrostatic discharges, and the delicate operation of attaching and removing the filter element poses risks of damage or misplacement.

Innovation Solution

An electrically conductive connecting element is used to connect the filter element to the housing, which is earthed, allowing for the removal of static electricity and preventing discharges, while also eliminating the need to attach the filter element to the lid for secure placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the filter element is attached to the lid of the housing, then the filter element is firmly fastened in the housing, but the removal and refitting operation is delicate and carries a risk of damaging or misplacement of the filter element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm attachment of filter elementVSAvoidfilter element replacement operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the filter element from the lid structure, making the filter element an independent removable component that can be easily accessed and replaced without manipulating the lid. The filter element is mounted in a holder that is detached from the lid, allowing independent handling of the filter element during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the filter element is insulated from the rest of the oil separator, then it forms a separation between oil-gas mixture and purified gas, but electrostatic charge accumulates in the filter element creating explosion hazard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation function of filter elementVSAvoidelectrostatic charge accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a conductive holder as an intermediary component between the filter element and the housing. This holder provides a conductive path that allows electrostatic charges to be dissipated to ground through the housing, while the filter element itself remains functionally isolated for separation purposes. The holder acts as a mediator that enables electrical grounding without compromising the filtration separation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution effectively neutralizes electrostatic charges, prevents explosions, and simplifies filter element maintenance by ensuring secure placement without risking damage or misplacement during handling.

Implementation Method 1

An electrically conductive connecting element is used to connect the filter element to the housing, which is earthed, allowing for the removal of static electricity and preventing discharges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the oil-gas mixture will flow through the filter element, whereby the oil-gas mixture will finally arrive in the interior of the filter element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the oil-gas mixture will undergo a second separation phase when the oil-gas mixture is forced to flow around the end of the screen to the space enclosed by the screen and thus to change direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity separation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3212305B1Oil separator
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER NV
  • EP3212305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3212305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3212305B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Oil separator that is provided with a housing (15) with an inlet (9) for an oil-gas mixture and which defines a space (16) that is closed off my means of a lid (17), whereby a screen (23) is provided in the aforementioned space (16) in which a filter element (25) is provided and a pipe or collector (26) that connects the interior (27) of the filter element (25) to an outlet (11) in the housing (15) for purified gas, whereby this filter element (25) has a lid (29) and a bottom (30) for collecting oil that has been filtered out, whereby a drainage line (35) is provided for the removal of the oil that has been filtered out, characterised in that the pipe or collector (26) runs to the lid (29) of the filter element (25) and is connected thereto by means of an electrically conductive connecting element (31), whereby the sidewall of the pipe or collector (26) is provided with at least one opening (34) for the removal of purified gas.