Rotary Switching Element for Filter Bypass

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices for gas purification, such as compressed air, require shutdown and restart of machines to replace saturated filter elements, leading to undesirable interruptions and wear, and existing bypass solutions increase complexity, cost, and energy inefficiency due to additional pipes and valves.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a rotatable switching element integrated into the lid, allowing for bypassing the filter element without additional valves or pipes, enabling filter element replacement without machine shutdown, using a bypass channel with optional filter material for continued purification during bypass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a bypass line with additional pipes and shut-off valves is provided to enable filter element replacement without machine shutdown, then the machine can continue operating, but the device complexity increases and energy efficiency decreases due to additional pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous gas supplyVSAvoidadditional pipes and shut-off valves

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching element merges the bypass function and shut-off valve function into a single integrated component installed in the lid. This eliminates the need for separate additional pipes and multiple valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to bypass the filter element and enable replacement without machine shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a bypass valve, a shut-off valve, and a flow director. By rotating to different positions, it can divert gas flow through the bypass channel or through the filter element, providing versatile control in a single component that reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a bypass line with additional shut-off valves is provided to enable filter element replacement without machine shutdown, then the machine can continue operating, but the energy efficiency decreases due to additional pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous gas supplyVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The switching element merges the bypass function and shut-off valve function into a single integrated component installed in the lid. This eliminates the need for separate additional pipes and multiple valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to bypass the filter element and enable replacement without machine shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element is divided into functional segments (inlet port, outlet port, bypass channel connection) that can independently control flow paths. This segmentation allows precise flow direction control with minimal resistance, reducing pressure drop compared to multiple separate valves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If additional shut-off valves are provided in the bypass line to enable filter element replacement, then the filter device can be taken out of operation safely, but the risk of gas leaks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter element replacementVSAvoidgas leak risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switching element merges the bypass function and shut-off valve function into a single integrated component installed in the lid. This eliminates the need for separate additional pipes and multiple valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to bypass the filter element and enable replacement without machine shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element extracts the shut-off function from separate valves and integrates it directly into the lid structure. This consolidation reduces the number of potential leak points from multiple valve connections to a single integrated component with fewer sealing interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables filter element replacement without interrupting the gas supply, reducing wear and cost, and maintaining purification efficiency without additional complexity or energy loss.

Implementation Method 1

the switching element can be rotatably installed in the lid and can be rotated between on the one hand an off-position and on the other hand a twisted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS11890570B2Filter device and method for switching on and/or switching off such filter device

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER NV

AI summary

A filter device separating impurities from a gas, including a filter housing having a lid and a pot; the lid having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element in the pot with a top cap and a bottom cap with a filter cartridge therebetween; the top cap has an inlet duct connected to the lid inlet so that the gas to be purified is passed through the inlet duct to the filter cartridge; a space is between the lid and the top cap which is connected to the outlet of the lid; a switching element to be installed rotatably in the lid and rotatable between an off-position in which the inlet port or the outlet port connects to respectively the inlet or outlet of the lid, and a twisted position, in which the entrance of the inlet duct of the top cap can connect to the lid inlet.