Spiral Separator Radial Flow Arms Gas Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separating devices for gases are either complex and expensive to implement or lack effective separation performance, particularly in separating liquids from gases and solids from gas media flows.

Innovation Solution

A spiral separator with multiple individual spiral arms seated on a pot-shaped receptacle, allowing for radial flow guidance and a pre-determinable distance from the housing, which enhances separation capacity and efficiency while being cost-effective and space-saving, accompanied by a filter system for further purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-cell cyclone design is used to improve separation efficiency, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral separator is divided into multiple individual spiral arms (at least two) that are seated on a common front surface of a pot-shaped receptacle. Each spiral arm acts as an independent guide element, dividing the gas flow into multiple radial flow paths. This segmentation allows the device to achieve high separation capacity through multiple parallel separation channels rather than a single complex multi-cell cyclone structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a traditional multi-cell cyclone approach to a spiral separator design where spiral arms guide gas flow in a radial direction from the center toward the periphery. This dimensional change in flow guidance enables effective separation through radial motion rather than requiring multiple stacked or adjacent cyclone cells, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a spiral separator with multiple spiral arms is used to increase separation capacity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capacityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple spiral arms are merged into a single integrated component structure that shares a common pot-shaped receptacle base. The spiral arms are arranged radially around a central axis and are seated on the front surface of the receptacle, combining multiple guide functions into one unified assembly. This merging approach enables high separation capacity through multiple flow paths while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate cyclone units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the spiral separator is positioned closer to the housing to reduce installation space, then volume is reduced, but separation performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidseparation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral arms are designed with curved spiral geometries that guide gas flow smoothly from the central inlet toward the peripheral outlet. The curved shape of the spiral arms creates efficient radial flow paths that maximize separation effectiveness within a compact radial distance. This curved geometry allows the separator to achieve high separation performance even when positioned close to the housing, as the spiral flow paths efficiently utilize the available radial space.

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 spiral separator achieves high separation efficiency of contaminants from gas flows in a functionally reliable and cost-effective manner, with a symmetrical design allowing for flexible installation and prolonged filter element usage, ensuring clean air supply to internal combustion engines.

Implementation Method 1

the spiral-shaped guide device for the media flow has several individual spiral arms, which in pairs delimit radially running flow spaces adjacent to one another in such a way that the media flow is guided to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

the solid contamination is slowed down by friction on the inner wall of the housing and separated from the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the remaining residual air is then further cleaned by the filter element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3341109B1Separating device
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 FILTERTECHN
  • EP3341109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3341109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3341109B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a separating device, in particular in the manner of a spiral separator (10), for the separation of impurities, particularly in the form of solids, from a gaseous medium flow, such as air, which can be fed to a spiral-shaped guiding device (42)and thus brings about an at least partial separation of the respective impurities from the medium flow. The invention is characterized in that the guiding device (42) has a plurality of spiral arms (44) which delimit radially extending flow spaces (46) and which are arranged in an adjacent manner opposite to one another such that the medium flow is guided radially outwards.