Fluid Flow Sampling Device with Self-Cleaning Coalescent Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sampling devices often face issues with coalescent material clogging, which reduces their effectiveness and requires frequent replacement, as passive methods like gravity-driven removal are not always sufficient.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow sampling device with an elongate housing and a movable sleeve that includes a coalescent filter, allowing active removal of coalescent material by utilizing the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet to sweep the material away from the filter, regardless of gravity direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive gravity-driven removal is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coalescent material removal effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an active blowdown mechanism that dynamically removes coalescent material from the coalescent element using compressed gas. This dynamic approach replaces the passive static gravity-driven removal, allowing the system to actively clear accumulated material before it clogs the filter, thereby maintaining reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a portion of the incoming compressed gas flow to automatically blow down the coalescent element, enabling self-maintenance. The blowdown valve diverts some gas to clear the coalescent element of accumulated material, allowing the system to service itself without external intervention, balancing complexity and effectiveness.
2Reliability
If coalescent element is frequently replaced, then sampling effectiveness is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of the coalescent element through automatic blowdown cycles before clogging occurs. By continuously or periodically removing coalescent material during operation, the system prevents the accumulation that would lead to clogging, eliminating the need for frequent manual replacements and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowdown mechanism operates continuously or periodically to maintain the coalescent element in a clean state throughout operation. This continuous maintenance action ensures sampling effectiveness is sustained over extended periods without interruption for replacement, minimizing time loss.
3Device complexity
If coalescent material accumulates, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically blows down the coalescent element using diverted compressed gas flow, enabling self-cleaning without additional complex external systems. This self-service mechanism continuously removes coalescent material, maintaining high sampling productivity while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through integrated design.
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 effectively maintains the coalescent filter free of material, enhancing sampling efficiency and allowing for easy inspection or replacement, while ensuring reliable fluid sampling without reliance on gravity.
Implementation Method 1
Sampling devices can include coalescent elements to remove entrained liquids from a gas
Implementation Method 2
allowing active removal of coalescent material by utilizing the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet to sweep the material away from the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow sampling device comprises an elongate housing and a sleeve disposed in the housing having openings corresponding to an inlet and an outlet of the housing. The sleeve is movable relative to the housing to an open position and a closed position. The open position aligns the openings of the sleeve with the inlet and the outlet to allow fluid to flow into the inlet, through the sleeve, and out of the outlet. The closed position blocks the inlet and/or the outlet with a portion of the sleeve such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the sleeve. Additionally, a coalescent filter is disposed in the sleeve between the inlet and the outlet to allow some fluid to pass through the filter for sampling and to allow another portion of fluid to flow past the filter and out of the outlet to carry away coalescent material on the filter.