Rotatable Magnetite Water Filter for Leak-Free Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetite sludge separators require system shutdown and water loss during cleaning, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption due to magnetite deposits on system components.
Innovation Solution
A water filter with a rotatable sphere and a screw cap containing cleaning elements, such as sponges or brushes, that captures escaping water and magnetite deposits during cleaning, allowing for maintenance without system shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the permanent magnet is made rotatable with a partial surface recessed for cleaning access, then the magnetite deposits can be accessed for cleaning, but water escapes during cleaning causing contamination of the filter housing and surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
A screw cap is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the filter housing interior. This cap includes a cleaning element that contacts the magnet surface while the cap itself seals the housing opening, preventing water escape and contamination during the cleaning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is designed to be self-contained within the screw cap assembly, allowing the user to clean the magnet surface through the capped opening without requiring system shutdown or creating unsealed access points. The cap's sealing mechanism automatically prevents water leakage during the cleaning process.
2Ease of repair
If the permanent magnet is removed from the filter housing for cleaning, then the magnetite deposits can be cleaned effectively, but the water circuit must be shut off and water is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is extracted from the magnet itself and transferred to a separate cleaning element mounted on the screw cap. This allows the magnet to remain in its operational position within the filter housing while the cleaning action is applied externally through the capped opening, eliminating the need to remove the magnet or shut down the water circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw cap assembly serves multiple functions: it seals the filter housing opening during normal operation, provides access to the magnet surface for cleaning, and prevents water leakage during the cleaning process. This multi-functional design enables effective cleaning without system shutdown.
3Reliability
If magnetite deposits accumulate on system components, then the magnetic separation function is maintained, but pump lifespan is reduced and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design enables periodic cleaning of the magnet surface through simple rotation of the screw cap with the cleaning element, allowing accumulated magnetite deposits to be removed at regular intervals. This periodic maintenance prevents the deposits from transferring to pump components, thereby extending pump lifespan while maintaining the magnetic separation function.
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 easy and contamination-free cleaning of magnetite deposits, extending pump lifespan and reducing energy consumption by maintaining system operation during cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permanent magnet, which is inserted into a flow chamber of a filter housing... Magnetite, consisting largely of iron oxides, or magnetite sludge, is deposited on these permanent magnets
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning element inside the screw cap can, for example, have water-absorbing properties and thus capture the water that escapes from the filter housing when the sphere is rotated into the cleaning position
Data Source
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AI summary
A water filter (1) for removing magnetite from a water circuit comprises at least one permanent magnet (7) which is inserted into a flow chamber (11) of a filter housing (2) and is designed as a sphere (6) or is inserted into a sphere (6) which has a partial surface (9) recessed relative to the peripheral circumference of the sphere and is rotatably mounted in the filter housing (2) such that the partial surface (9) is located in the flow chamber (11) in one position of the sphere (6) and outside the filter housing (2) in another position of the sphere (6). A screw cap (21) covering the sphere (6) with at least one cleaning element (22, 25) is associated with the filter housing (2).