Reverse Rinsing Filter With Impeller Backwashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reverse rinsing filters face inefficiencies in backwashing and particle deposition during filtration and reverse rinsing modes, with suboptimal valve sealing and cleaning mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a flap valve with higher differential pressure sealing, oscillating in filtered medium flow for upper sieve cleaning, and an impeller with deflector elements for enhanced backwashing, along with a flexible flap to prevent sticking and improve flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional valve is used in the reverse rinsing filter, then the device structure is simpler, but the valve sealing is insufficient and differential pressure is lower resulting in less effective backwashing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve sealingVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure differential parameter across the flap valve by positioning it in the discharge chamber where higher pressure differential occurs during reverse rinsing mode. This parameter change improves valve sealing without requiring structural complexity, as the natural pressure distribution in the system is utilized to achieve better sealing performance and more effective backwashing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the upper filter sieve section is blocked during filtration mode, then the lower filter sieve section can filter effectively, but particle deposition occurs in the upper filter sieve section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidparticle deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the filtered liquid itself to clean the upper filter sieve section by allowing it to flow through during reverse rinsing mode. The oscillating flow pattern created by the flap valve movement causes the filtered liquid to spray through the upper sieve, automatically removing deposited particles without requiring external cleaning mechanisms. This self-cleaning approach maintains filtration efficiency while preventing particle accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic switching between filtration mode and reverse rinsing mode. During reverse rinsing mode, the flow direction reverses and the flap valve oscillates, creating periodic cleaning action on the upper filter sieve section. This periodic action prevents continuous particle deposition by regularly disrupting and removing accumulated particles, thereby maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the flap valve is rigid, then the structure is simpler, but the valve gets stuck by opening or closing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operationVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid valve with a flexible flap made of elastomeric material. This flexible flap can deform under pressure differential to open and close the valve passage smoothly. The flexibility allows the flap to adapt to pressure changes and flow conditions, preventing sticking issues that occur with rigid valves while maintaining simple overall structure. The thin film nature of the flap enables responsive operation without complex actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design achieves better valve sealing, more effective backwashing of the lower filter sieve, and prevents particle deposition in the upper sieve, resulting in improved filtration and reverse rinsing efficiency with reduced weight and internal leakage.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller (23) positioned inside the filter sieve (22), wherein the impeller (23) is provided with nozzles (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpeller rotation: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

liquid medium flows from the inlet chamber (12) through the upper filter sieve section (22b) into the filter insert (21) and from the filter insert (21) through the lower filter sieve section (22a) back into inlet chamber (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic flow: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

the flap (42) oscillating in the flow of filtered liquid medium during the filtration mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

the flap valve seals better during the reverse rinsing mode than valves used in the prior art because of the higher differential pressure acting on the flap valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential sealing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2952239B1Reverse rinsing filter
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES SARL
  • EP2952239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2952239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2952239B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Reverse rinsing filter (10) comprising a housing (11) providing an inlet chamber (12) for liquid medium to be filtered, an outlet chamber (13) for filtered liquid medium, and a discharge opening (19), wherein in a filtration mode said discharge opening (19) is closed, and wherein in a reverse rinsing mode said discharge opening (19) is opened. The reverse rinsing filter has a filter insert (21), wherein the filter insert (21) comprises a filter sieve (22) having a lower filter sieve section (22a) and an upper filter sieve section (22b) and further having an impeller (23) positioned within an interior chamber (24) of the filter insert (21). The filter insert (21) comprises a dividing wall (29) separating the interior chamber (24) of the filter insert (21) into an upper sub-chamber (24b) and a lower sub-chamber (24a), wherein the upper sub-chamber (24b) is in the reverse rinsing mode in communication with the inlet chamber (12) through the upper filter sieve section (22b), wherein the lower sub-chamber (24a) is in the reverse rinsing mode and in the filtration mode in communication with the inlet chamber (12) through the lower filter sieve section (22a), and wherein the impeller (23) is positioned inside the lower sub-chamber (24a). The impeller (23) of the filter insert (21) comprises a central tube (30) and at least one outer tube (31), wherein the central tube (30) is in communication with the upper sub-chamber (24b) of the interior chamber (24) and with the or each outer tube (31), and wherein the or each outer tube (31) comprises nozzles (33). The filter insert (21) further comprises a valve (34) assigned to said dividing wall (29), wherein in the filtration mode said valve (34) is opened thereby allowing the liquid medium flowing though the lower filter sieve section (22a) into the lower sub-chamber (24a) of the interior chamber (24) and flowing around the tubes (30, 31, 32) of the impeller (23) to flow from the lower sub-chamber (24a) of the interior chamber (24) into the upper sub-chamber (24b), and wherein in the reverse rinsing mode said valve (34) is closed thereby allowing the liquid medium flowing though the upper filter sieve section (22b) into the upper sub-chamber (24b) of the interior chamber (34) to flow from the upper sub-chamber (24b) into the tubes (30, 31) of the impeller (23) and then through the nozzles (33) of the or each outer tube (31) of the impeller (23) to the lower filter sieve section (22a).