Spherical Debris Filter with Rotating Extractor and Shielding Splitter Bar

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional debris filters in steam condensers face challenges with sticky debris removal, leading to increased power consumption and costs due to the need for additional water spray pumps, and they occupy more space for the same throughput.

Innovation Solution

A debris filter with a rotatable debris extractor and a splitter bar that shields the intake opening, allowing for efficient debris removal without additional water spray, featuring a spherical filter screen and a chevron-shaped splitter bar to reduce turbulence and enhance flow, while the debris extractor is positioned outside the filter zone during normal operation to maximize open area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a water spray pump is added to reverse sticky debris from the screen, then debris removal efficiency is improved, but power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The debris extractor is designed to remove sticky debris from the screen using its own suction capability without requiring external water spray. The extractor's design allows it to effectively lift and remove adhered debris through its suction force alone, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming water spray pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the debris extractor completely closes a segment of the screen, then debris collection is improved, but flow area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection efficiencyVSAvoidflow area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The debris extractor is designed with a segmented structure that can dynamically adjust its position and coverage area. Instead of completely closing a fixed segment, the extractor can move along the screen surface and adjust its closure extent based on debris accumulation needs, allowing it to collect debris effectively while maintaining adequate flow area for water passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a conventional tubular housing and screen basket are used, then debris filtration is achieved, but space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris filtration capabilityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and screen basket are designed with spherical or curved geometries instead of conventional tubular shapes. This spherical design allows for more efficient space utilization, providing the same filtration capability within a compact volume. The curved surfaces also improve flow patterns and reduce dead zones, enhancing filtration efficiency while minimizing the overall space required for the debris filter unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 reduces power consumption, costs, and space requirements while maintaining efficient debris removal and flow, allowing for a smaller shell diameter with increased flow rates, and provides enhanced shell rigidity and turbulence reduction.

Implementation Method 1

the splitter bar extends across the flow path through the housing, upstream of the filter screen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

a filter screen mounted to the housing and disposed so as to extend across a flow path through the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The debris extractor and the filter screen are so mounted to the housing as to enable rotation of the filter screen and the debris extractor relative to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentUS10688419B2Debris filter with filter screen in the form of a spherical section

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 OVIVO WATER INC

AI summary

A debris filter has a housing, a filter screen mounted to the housing and disposed so as to extend across a flow path through the housing, a debris extractor mounted to the housing, and a splitter bar also mounted to the housing. The debris extractor and the filter screen are so mounted to the housing as to enable rotation of the filter screen and the debris extractor relative to one another. The debris extractor has a debris intake opening and the debris extractor and the splitter bar are so mounted to the housing that the intake opening is positionable adjacent to or in juxtaposition with the splitter bar with the splitter bar overlapping and shielding the intake opening.