Rotating Magnet Arrangement for High Selectivity Fluid Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for separating magnetizable particles from pourable and free-flowing fluids lack the ability to achieve high selectivity and throughput simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies in particle separation and fluid processing.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pressure-tight fluid chamber and a magnet arrangement comprising multiple magnet coils, which can rotate relative to the housing, separated from the fluid chamber by a non-magnetic sleeve, allows for high selectivity in particle separation. The magnet arrangement is designed to maximize the magnetic field's depth effect and contact surface with the fluid, while a guide helix and removal magnet system facilitate efficient particle collection and fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnet arrangement is used to separate magnetizable particles from fluid, then separation selectivity is improved, but fluid throughput is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation selectivityVSAvoidfluid throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet arrangement is divided into multiple magnet coils arranged in segments around the fluid chamber. Each coil can be independently controlled and optimized for specific separation tasks, allowing simultaneous maintenance of high magnetic field strength for selectivity and distributed configuration for reduced flow resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet coils are designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, creating a dynamic magnetic field configuration. This allows the system to adjust between different operational modes: high-field configurations for maximum separation selectivity and lower-field configurations optimized for higher fluid throughput, resolving the contradiction between the two parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the magnet arrangement is separated from the fluid chamber by a sleeve, then particle contamination of magnets is prevented, but magnetic field strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle contamination preventionVSAvoidmagnetic field strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A thin-walled non-magnetic sleeve is positioned between the magnet arrangement and fluid chamber. The sleeve material and wall thickness are specifically selected to provide adequate contamination protection while minimizing magnetic field attenuation, thus balancing reliability improvement with acceptable magnetic force reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve is constructed from composite materials with optimized magnetic permeability properties. These materials allow the magnetic field to pass through with minimal reduction while maintaining the protective barrier function, effectively resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and magnetic field strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If multiple magnet coils are used to increase magnetic field coverage, then separation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple magnet coils are designed with universal functionality, where each coil can serve multiple purposes: particle separation, field calibration, and diagnostic functions. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by providing enhanced separation effectiveness alongside additional operational capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet coils operate in periodic sequences rather than continuously, with coordinated activation patterns that reduce overall system complexity. By cycling through different coil configurations periodically, the system achieves comprehensive particle separation while simplifying control logic and reducing simultaneous operational demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 device achieves high selectivity and throughput in separating magnetizable particles, ensuring continuous operation with minimal wear and corrosion, allowing for efficient processing of fluids with varying compositions and particle sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet arrangement (108), which generates a magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

magnetizable particles contained in a pourable and/or free-flowing fluid to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

When the magnet arrangement comprises a magnet coil and is rotated relative to the sleeve, a force acts on the magnetizable particles separated on the sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2981363B1Device and method for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 DUERR SYST AG
  • EP2981363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2981363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2981363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for separating magnetizable particles from a pourable and/or flowable fluid, which device allows the performance of a separation process with high selectivity and simultaneously high throughput of fluid to be cleaned. According to the invention, the device comprises a housing with an inlet for uncleaned fluid and an outlet for cleaned fluid and a magnet arrangement.