Oleophobic Membrane Filter Element for Fuel Air Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air accumulation on the inlet side of filter elements used in fluid filtration systems for liquid fuel leads to inefficiencies and potential system restart issues, as the surface tension of liquid in filter pores prevents air passage until the bubble point pressure is reached, causing uneven wear and decreased filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with an oleophobic membrane that allows air to bypass the filter media and flow to the outlet side, preventing air accumulation by allowing air intermixed with the fluid to pass through a permeable membrane impermeable to liquid fuel and impurities, thus maintaining a steady air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If filter media is used to filter liquid fuel and water, then filtration efficiency is improved, but air accumulation occurs on the inlet side
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is segmented into two distinct functional layers: a filter media layer for liquid filtration and a membrane layer for air bypass. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and air accumulation prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary component between the filter media and the outlet. It mediates the flow by allowing air to pass through while blocking liquid fuel and water, thus preventing air accumulation without compromising the filtration function of the filter media
2Reliability
If air is prevented from passing through filter media, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but air accumulation causes restart problems
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane serves as an intermediary that selectively allows air to bypass the filter media while maintaining the integrity of the filtration process. This resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated air passage that does not interfere with liquid filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The air bypass function is extracted from the filter media and assigned to a separate membrane layer. This extraction allows the filter media to focus solely on liquid filtration while the membrane handles air removal, improving both filtration effectiveness and system restart capability
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fluid passes only through lower portions of filter media, then air accumulation is prevented in upper portions, but uneven wear occurs and filtration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is segmented into two distinct functional layers: a filter media layer for liquid filtration and a membrane layer for air bypass. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and air accumulation prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary component between the filter media and the outlet. It mediates the flow by allowing air to pass through while blocking liquid fuel and water, thus preventing air accumulation without compromising the filtration function of the filter media
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
Prevents air accumulation on the inlet side, ensuring consistent filtration efficiency and reducing wear on lower portions of the filter media, while maintaining system functionality by allowing air to be conveyed with the filtered liquid.
Implementation Method 1
An oleophobic membrane, permeable to air and impermeable to the liquid fuel and the impurities, allows air intermixed with the fluid on the inlet side to bypass the filter media and pass therethrough to the outlet side
Implementation Method 2
a filter media permeable to the liquid fuel and impermeable to water
Implementation Method 3
once a filter media becomes saturated with liquid, the surface tension of the liquid in the filter pores prevents air passage until the pressure drop across the filter media reaches a certain 'bubble point' pressure
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A filter element (102) comprising a filter media (106) and a membrane (114). The filter media (106) filters impurities (e.g., water and/or contaminants) from a liquid (e.g., a liquid fuel initially containing impurities) as the liquid passes from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element (102). The membrane (114) is permeable to air and impermeable to the liquid and the impurities. The membrane (114) is positioned to provide a bypass from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element whereby air intermixed with the fluid will not accumulate on the inlet side (110) of the filter element (102).