Integrated Scroll Compressor Filter for Vacuum Particulate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors used as vacuum pumps face challenges with tip seal dust and particulate migration into vacuum chambers, requiring frequent filter maintenance and increasing the system's footprint and cost of ownership due to the need for external filters.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical filter is integrated within the pump housing along the fluid flow path between the inlet and the scroll pumping mechanism, extending 270° to 360° around the axis, providing a large filtering surface area without increasing the pump's footprint, and is designed to resist particulate upstream migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter is provided between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber to collect particulates, then particulate migration is prevented, but the system footprint increases and maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate migrationVSAvoidsystem footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is merged with the pump housing to form an integrated assembly. The filter housing forms part of the pump housing structure, and the filter element is positioned within the pump housing along the fluid flow path. This integration eliminates the need for a separate external filter, reducing system footprint while maintaining filtration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump housing serves multiple functions: it contains the scroll pumping mechanism and simultaneously houses the filter assembly. The filter housing is formed as part of the pump housing structure, allowing the same structural component to fulfill both containment and filtration support functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter is provided between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber to collect particulates, then particulate migration is prevented, but maintenance complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate migrationVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is designed as a separable unit that can be independently removed from the pump housing. The filter housing forms part of the pump housing but allows for easy access and replacement of the filter element, simplifying maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If a small filter is used to reduce footprint, then system size is minimized, but maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem footprintVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is configured with an extended surface area that utilizes the three-dimensional space within the pump housing. The filter is positioned to maximize its filtering surface along the fluid flow path, capturing particulates effectively while maintaining a compact overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If the filter is located externally to reduce integration complexity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system footprint and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration complexityVSAvoidsystem footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution minimizes performance loss and maintenance frequency by effectively capturing fine particulates, reducing the risk of contamination, and integrating the filter internally to prevent back-migration of tip seal dust, thus reducing downtime and overall system costs.

Implementation Method 1

a filter located within the pump housing along a fluid flow path between the pump inlet and the scroll pumping mechanism for resisting the passage of particulates upstream of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2553272B1Scroll compressor with an integrated inlet filter

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 EDWARDS LTD

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AI summary

A scroll compressor (10) comprising a scroll pumping mechanism having two co-operating scrolls (14,16) mounted within a pump housing (18) so that on relative orbital movement of the scrolls fluid is pumped from a pump inlet (20) in the pump housing to a pump outlet (22) in the pump housing. The scroll compressor (10) further comprises a filter (24) located within the pump housing (18) along a fluid flow path (26) between the pump inlet (20) and the scroll pumping mechanism (12) for resisting the passage of particulates (28) upstream of the compressor.