Filter Device for Sewage Systems with Bypass Maceration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Clogging in sewage and drainage systems, particularly in marine toilets, due to the presence of non-biodegradable items, leads to frequent breakdowns of vacuum systems and pumps, requiring extensive maintenance and temporary closure of toilet facilities.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a housing compartment, inlet and outlet valves, and a by-pass drainage passage equipped with a filter that macerates or grinds solid objects into small particles, allowing easy identification and removal of clogs, thereby preventing blockages in waste lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If small diameter pipes are used in waste lines, then space is saved and system compactness is improved, but clogging frequency increases due to inability to handle solid objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe diameterVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The waste line system is segmented into two parts: small diameter pipes for space efficiency and a filter housing compartment that captures solid objects before they enter the vacuum system. This segmentation allows the small pipes to function without being blocked by solids, as the filter housing intercepts these objects first.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter housing compartment acts as an intermediary between the toilet and the vacuum system. It captures solid objects that would otherwise clog the small diameter pipes and vacuum system, allowing the compact pipe system to maintain both its space efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If vacuum systems and pumps are used for waste removal, then waste evacuation efficiency is improved, but system vulnerability to clogging and breakdowns increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste evacuation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem breakdown frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing compartment performs preliminary action by capturing solid objects before they can enter and damage the vacuum system or pumps. This preliminary filtration protects the expensive vacuum equipment from clogging and breakdowns while maintaining efficient waste evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter housing serves as a protective intermediary between the waste source and the vacuum system. It intercepts harmful solid objects that would otherwise cause breakdowns in the vacuum pumps, allowing the system to maintain high productivity with improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If extensive maintenance and area shutdowns are implemented to address clogs, then complete waste line clearance is achieved, but operational time loss and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste line clearanceVSAvoidmaintenance downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing compartment is designed to be easily removable from the system. When clogging occurs, the entire filter housing can be quickly extracted and cleaned without dismantling the entire waste line system or shutting down large areas, significantly reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining waste line clearance effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter housing is a separate, modular component that can be independently removed and maintained. This segmentation allows quick cleanup of clogs without affecting the rest of the waste line system, minimizing operational disruption and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of repair

If roof panels are dismantled to access and clean waste pipes, then clogged pipes can be cleared, but risk of sewage flooding increases and cleaning time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe accessibilityVSAvoidsewage flooding risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing is designed to be easily extracted from the ceiling without dismantling roof panels. The drainage valve allows sewage to be drained before removal, and the modular design enables quick extraction and reinstallation, providing easy pipe access while minimizing flooding risk and reducing cleanup time if accidents occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage valve provides beforehand cushioning by allowing complete drainage of the filter housing before maintenance activities. This prevents sewage from flooding the area during filter housing removal or if accidental damage occurs, enabling easy repair access without the harmful flooding risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3387195B1Filter device for sewage and drainage systems
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 NORWEST AS
  • EP3387195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3387195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3387195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A filter device (1) for sewage treatment, the device comprising a housing compartment (6) with a removable cover (5), an inlet (7) before said housing compartment (6), a first valve (2) before said housing compartment (6), an outlet (8) after said housing compartment (6). The housing compartment (6) is provided with a filter (10), a by-pass passage (9) having an inlet (11) at said housing compartment (6) and an outlet (12) after the said housing compartment (6) and after said second valve (3), said by-pass drainage passage (9) being provided with a valve (4) between the inlet (11) and outlet (12).