Segmented Filter Element for Continuous Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices require significant mounting space and interrupt raw gas supply during cleaning, leading to inefficiencies due to the need for large distances between compressed air outlets and filter elements, especially when dealing with large diameter filters.

Innovation Solution

The filter device is designed with a divided interior into multiple chambers, each with its own compressed air line and valve, allowing for sequential cleaning of filter surface areas without interrupting gas filtration, enabling a compact configuration and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the outlet opening is positioned at a large distance from the filter element to clean the entire filter surface area, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the mounting space requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter surface area coverageVSAvoidmounting space

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element's interior is divided into multiple chambers separated by partition walls. Each chamber has its own compressed air line with an outlet opening positioned close to the filter element. This segmentation allows each outlet to clean only its associated chamber's filter surface area, eliminating the need for a single distant outlet to cover the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If compressed air is used to clean the filter element, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the raw gas supply must be interrupted which reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfiltration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into multiple chambers, each with independent compressed air lines and valves. During cleaning, only one chamber is cleaned at a time while the other chambers continue to filter raw gas. This allows cleaning operations to proceed without interrupting the overall filtration process, maintaining continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous filtration by maintaining multiple chambers simultaneously. While one chamber undergoes cleaning, the other chambers remain operational for gas filtration. This continuity of useful action prevents interruptions in the filtration process and maintains high productivity throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple compressed air lines with valves are installed for each interior chamber, then the ability to perform sequential cleaning without interrupting filtration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous filtration capabilityVSAvoidnumber of compressed air lines and valves

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into multiple chambers, each with its own compressed air line and valve. This segmentation creates independent cleaning zones that can be operated separately, enabling continuous filtration while one chamber is being cleaned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each chamber is designed with identical components (partition walls, compressed air lines, valves, outlet openings) that serve dual purposes: filtering gas during normal operation and enabling independent cleaning when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for reliable and efficient cleaning of filter elements by maintaining continuous filtration during the cleaning process, reducing the need for large mounting spaces and optimizing the filter device's efficiency by using smaller distances between compressed air outlets and filter elements.

Implementation Method 1

compressed air flowing out of the outlet opening loads the filter element from the interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air flow: Jet

Implementation Method 2

The filter elements retain the contaminants while the raw gas passes through the filter element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10272378B2Filter device and method for cleaning at least one filter element, in particular by using such a filter device

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 CAMFIL APC GMBH

AI summary

A filter device has a housing and at least one filter element arranged in the housing. The filter element is provided with a filter material and the interior of the filter element is surrounded by the filter material. The filter element allows a raw gas to pass through the filter element from an exterior of the filter element to the interior. The interior of the filter element is divided into at least two interior chambers that are separated from each other. A cleaning device with compressed air lines that each are provided with an outlet opening and a valve is provided. The interior chambers each have associated therewith one of the compressed air lines. Through the outlet openings compressed air flows into the interior of the filter element for loading the interior of the filter element with compressed air.