Segmented Casting for Filter Membrane Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter systems for cleaning wastewater face issues with mechanical damage due to soaking, uneven tension, and reduced efficiency from non-uniform cross-flow and complex assembly processes, leading to potential rupture and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A filter element comprising a stack of flat, flexible filter membrane pockets with polygonal shapes and castings that allow for expansion and defined spacing, featuring multiple openings for improved cross-flow and ventilation, and a self-adjusting mechanism for maintaining uniform tension and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a casting covers an edge and the two adjacent corners of a filter membrane pocket, then the filter membrane pocket is fixed and supported, but soaking results in tensions, wrinkles and eventually rupture or other damage to the filter elements
Solution Approach 1:
The casting is segmented to cover only part of each edge adjacent to the corner rather than covering the entire edge and corners. This partial coverage allows the filter membrane pocket to expand uniformly when soaked without creating excessive tension concentrations at the corners, thereby preventing rupture while maintaining structural support.
2Manufacturing precision
If filter membrane pockets are stacked with defined distance and aligned corners embedded in casting, then uniform spacing is maintained, but the casting structure becomes complex and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The casting is designed with non-uniform geometry where it covers only specific portions (part of each edge) rather than uniform coverage. This local differentiation allows the filter membrane pockets to maintain uniform spacing through the partial embedding of corners while avoiding the need for complex casting structures that would cover entire edges and corners, thus simplifying assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If castings cover corners and edges of filter membrane pockets, then alignment and positioning are improved, but the effective surface area for cross-flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The casting covers only part of each edge adjacent to the corner rather than the entire edge. This partial action provides sufficient alignment and positioning precision for the filter membrane pockets while minimizing the reduction of effective filter surface area, allowing more of the edge to remain exposed for cross-flow.
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 solution enhances the durability and efficiency of the filter element by allowing for expansion without mechanical damage, maintaining uniform spacing for consistent cross-flow, and reducing assembly and manufacturing costs through simplified alignment and tensioning.
Implementation Method 1
when subjected to the liquid to be cleaned, the filter membrane pockets soak and hence tend to expand
Implementation Method 2
comprise a flexible, liquid-permeable filter material suitable for retaining waste particles and/or microbes
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element for cleaning liquids, having a stack of at least two filter membrane pockets, which are substantially flat and include a flexible, liquid-permeable filter material for retaining waste particles and/or microbes, wherein each filter membrane pocket has a substantially polygonal shape with at least three corners and a corresponding number of edges, wherein the filter membrane pockets are stacked with a defined distance and aligned with each other, wherein aligned corners of the filter membrane pockets are embedded in a casting covering only part of the adjacent edges such that the casting for each corner is spaced from the castings of the neighboring corners.