Rotatable Debris Tray for Tubular Filter Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current filter assemblies face issues such as clogging and damage from large debris, high maintenance costs due to heavy adsorption media, and the need for specialized technicians to replace blowers, as well as premature saturation of filtration media due to preferential loading.
Innovation Solution
A filter module design featuring a tubular filter wall with a rotatable debris tray and a modular assembly structure that allows for easy maintenance and adjustment, including separate filter modules and a fan module with separate filtration and cooling flow paths, and a plenum to reduce preferential loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fine particle filter directly receives contaminated flow, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes clogged and damaged by large debris
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into multiple functional sections: a coarse filtration section that captures large debris particles, and a fine filtration section that captures smaller particles. This segmentation allows each section to handle specific particle sizes, preventing the fine filter from being clogged by large debris while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A debris tray is introduced as an intermediary component between the coarse and fine filtration sections. The tray collects and removes large debris particles before they can reach the fine filtration media, acting as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between harmful debris and the sensitive fine filter material.
2Reliability
If adsorption media volume is increased to filter gaseous contaminants, then filtration capability is improved, but the media becomes too heavy to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a particulate filtration section and a gaseous filtration section with adsorption media. This segmentation allows the heavy adsorption media to be contained in a separate, manageable module that can be independently handled and replaced, reducing the difficulty of manipulation while maintaining effective gaseous contaminant filtration.
3Productivity
If blowers are mounted with hoses and clamps, then airflow connection is achieved, but qualified technicians are required for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The blower assembly is designed as a separate, modular module that can be independently removed from the filter assembly. This segmentation allows the blower to be replaced by simple manual manipulation of the modular unit, eliminating the need for qualified technicians with specialized tools while maintaining proper airflow connection through the module's integrated housing and airflow paths.
4Productivity
If blower is positioned directly against filter, then airflow is generated, but preferential loading causes premature saturation
Solution Approach 1:
A debris tray is positioned between the blower and the filter assembly. This intermediary component serves multiple functions: it distributes airflow more evenly across the filter surface, prevents direct concentration of airflow at the blower-filter interface, and collects debris before it reaches the filter media. These actions prevent preferential loading and extend the filter's useful life while maintaining effective airflow generation.
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
The design prevents clogging and damage from debris, reduces maintenance costs and downtime, allows for easier replacement of components, and extends the life of filtration media by evenly distributing airflow.
Implementation Method 1
the tray having a center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation so has to have a rest position where the tray is located in a bottom portion of the filter cavity
Implementation Method 2
the filter wall including filtration material permeable to air so that the filter cavity is in fluid communication with the enclosure through the filter wall
Data Source
AI summary
A filter including a filter wall extending between first and second opposed ends, the filter wall being tubular and surrounding a filter cavity, the filter wall including filtration material permeable to air so that the filter cavity is in fluid communication with an environment of the filter through the filter wall, a filter inlet defined in the first end and in fluid communication with the filter cavity, and a tray extending within the filter cavity and freely rotatable within the filter cavity about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally within the filter cavity, the tray having a center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation, the tray being radially inwardly spaced from the filter wall, the tray being radially outwardly spaced from the filter inlet. A filter module including such a filter and a method of protecting a horizontally extending tubular filter wall from debris are also discussed.