Polygonal End Separator for Filter Device Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices with cylindrical ring filter elements, coalescers, and end separators suffer from pressure-related deformation, which closes the annular gap required for water separation, making it difficult to achieve reliable water separation due to the formation of water pockets.
Innovation Solution
Designing an end separator with an angular cross-section, such as a polygon, with material stretched between ribs, and arranging coalescer ribs on the outer diameter to support the coalescer material and maintain the annular gap, preventing deformation and contact with internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical final separator is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the separator material deforms under pressure and contacts internal components, closing the annular gap and impeding water separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the final separator from a cylindrical shape to a polygonal cross-section (square, hexagonal, or octagonal). This asymmetric geometry prevents the separator material from deforming and contacting internal components under pressure, as the angular shape provides structural rigidity while maintaining the annular gap necessary for water separation. The polygonal design resolves the contradiction by sacrificing simple cylindrical symmetry for improved structural stability and separation reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If the coalescer and final separator are arranged radially, then the filtration area is maximized, but the separator material deforms under pressure and comes into contact with radially inner components, closing the annular gap
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric polygonal cross-section of the final separator maintains the radial arrangement for maximum filtration area while preventing material deformation. The angular geometry provides inherent structural support that preserves the annular gap width, resolving the contradiction between maximizing filtration area and maintaining manufacturing precision for gap width.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator material is pre-tensioned between separator ribs during assembly, creating preliminary stress that counteracts pressure-induced deformation during operation. This preliminary action ensures the material maintains its position and the annular gap remains open, preventing contact with radially inner components while preserving the radial arrangement for optimal filtration area.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the separator material is stretched between separator ribs, then the material remains stable and prevents deformation, but the device complexity increases due to the polygonal structure
Solution Approach 1:
The final separator is segmented into multiple sections defined by separator ribs forming a polygonal structure. This segmentation provides stable support points for the separator material while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall device design. The segmented approach balances material stability with manageable device complexity by using a moderate number of ribs to form the polygonal cross-section.
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 configuration ensures reliable water separation by preventing the formation of water pockets and maintaining the annular gap, enhancing the filter performance and preventing deformation of the coalescer and end separator materials under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a coalescing medium designed as a hollow body for the coalescence of water droplets from the liquid hydrocarbon
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic separation medium designed as a hollow body and permeable to the liquid hydrocarbon for the separation of water droplets contained in the liquid hydrocarbon
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter device (1) comprising a ring filter element (3), a coalescer (4), and a final separator (5) arranged successively in the direction of flow (2), wherein the coalescer (4) is arranged radially within the ring filter element (3) and the final separator (5) is arranged radially within the coalescer (4). A key feature of the invention is that the final separator (5) has a rectangular cross-section with a flat final separator material (7) stretched between each pair of adjacent final separator ribs (6).