Filtration System With Spherical Flow Control for Backwash Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filtration systems face issues with debris buildup around filters during backwashing, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential damage due to turbulence, and inadequate debris removal, which shortens the system's lifespan.

Innovation Solution

The filtration system incorporates horizontal filters with circular holes and one-way check-valves, along with a spherical structure and nozzles, to increase fluid velocity during backwashing, creating turbulence that dislodges debris and mixes media, enhancing cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional filtration systems perform backwashing, then debris is removed from filters, but turbulence causes debris buildup around filters and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter effectivenessVSAvoiddebris buildup and turbulence damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful turbulence and debris buildup from the backwashing process by introducing a separate wash water injection system. Clean wash water is injected through nozzles positioned at the bottom of the filter container to flush debris out through the horizontal filters, separating the cleaning function from the harmful turbulent backwashing effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses wash water as an intermediary substance to transfer debris from the filter media to the drain. The wash water flows upward through the horizontal filters, carrying debris away without creating damaging turbulence, thus mediating between the filter media and the drainage system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If backwashing is performed to remove debris, then filter cleanliness improves, but debris removal is inadequate and system lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cleanlinessVSAvoidsystem lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service cleaning by using the pump and existing filtration components to generate wash water that automatically circulates through the filter media and horizontal filters, cleaning itself without external intervention and preventing debris accumulation that would reduce system lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous circulation and cleaning action through the pump system that operates continuously or periodically to maintain filter cleanliness, preventing debris buildup and extending system lifespan through ongoing maintenance rather than periodic backwashing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If horizontal filters with circular holes are used, then fluid velocity increases during backwashing, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid velocityVSAvoidfilter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses circular holes in the horizontal filters which, when water flows through them, create vortexes and increased velocity through their curved geometry. The spherical check valves also utilize spherical geometry to control flow direction while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The circular hole configuration changes the flow parameters by increasing velocity and creating turbulence beneficial for cleaning, while the spherical check valves change the flow direction parameter to enable automatic backflow prevention and wash water injection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system effectively reduces debris buildup, increases filter life, and improves filtration efficiency by using increased fluid velocity to clear horizontal filters and mix media, thereby maintaining optimal water quality.

Implementation Method 1

increased fluid velocity to clear horizontal filters and mix media, thereby maintaining optimal water quality

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS20250319426A1Filtration System

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 HANSEN ANDREW

AI summary

A water filter includes an elongated housing including a first distal portion forming a mouth, a second distal portion forming holes, and a sidewall forming a nozzle that is fluidly coupled to an inner chamber of the elongated housing via a passage. The inner chamber fluidly couples the mouth with: the nozzle in a first configuration; and an external environment via the holes in a second configuration. The water filter includes a substantially spherical structure disposed in the inner chamber. The substantially spherical structure is configured to be forced: toward the mouth in the first configuration; and toward a portion of the inner chamber that is opposite the mouth in the second configuration to create a temporary seal. The elongated housing forms a protrusion that extends into the inner chamber and is configured to prevent the substantially spherical structure from exiting through the mouth.