Stormwater Filter Cartridge with Solid Wall Float Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stormwater filtration systems face challenges in maintaining the longevity of filter cartridges and efficiently managing backflow, leading to frequent replacements and maintenance, which can disrupt the filtration process and allow pollutants to enter receiving water bodies.
Innovation Solution
A modular stormwater filter assembly with a housing, filter medium, and a solid wall float tube that allows for backflow by creating a negative pressure condition when the water level rises, and re-establishes it when air enters, enhancing the filtration efficiency and extending the life of the filter medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional stormwater filter cartridge is used without backflow capability, then the structure is simple and ease of manufacture is improved, but the filter medium becomes clogged with trapped particles over time, reducing filtration efficiency and requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backflow capability that reverses the normal filtration flow direction. When the float tube rises with water level, it opens a backflow path that allows water to flow upward through the filter medium, loosening and removing trapped particles. This inversion of flow direction cleans the filter medium in-place, maintaining filtration efficiency without requiring frequent replacements or complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge performs self-cleaning through the backflow mechanism. The float tube automatically activates backflow when water level rises, and the system uses its own operating water to flush and clean the filter medium. This self-service capability maintains filtration efficiency without external intervention, reducing maintenance requirements while keeping the structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If filter cartridges are replaced frequently to maintain filtration efficiency, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but the frequency of replacements increases, causing disruption to the filtration process and increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The backflow cleaning mechanism enables continuous operation of the filtration system. Instead of stopping filtration to replace cartridges, the system continuously performs self-cleaning during normal operation cycles. The float tube activates backflow when water level rises, maintaining filter medium permeability without interrupting the overall filtration process, thus eliminating downtime associated with frequent cartridge replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The backflow mechanism performs preliminary cleaning action on the filter medium before it becomes completely clogged. By periodically flushing the filter medium with upward flow, the system prevents accumulation of trapped particles that would otherwise require full cartridge replacement. This preliminary maintenance action extends cartridge life and reduces maintenance frequency.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a backflow mechanism with float tube is added to enable cartridge cleaning, then the useful life of the filter cartridge is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float tube mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a water level indicator, an automatic valve controller, and a trigger for the backflow cleaning sequence. The same float tube that controls normal filtration operation also activates the cleaning mode when water level rises. This multi-functionality extends cartridge life without requiring separate control mechanisms, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the backflow path, float tube control mechanism, and filter medium into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The backflow channel is integrated within the housing, and the float tube directly controls the backflow valve. This merging of components achieves extended cartridge life through self-cleaning while avoiding the complexity of separate, standalone cleaning systems.
4Productivity
If the solid wall float tube allows air to pass upward during backflow, then the rate of backflow is enhanced, but the risk of pollutants escaping during backflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of air flow during backflow into a benefit. Air entering through the float tube creates upward turbulence that enhances the backflow effect, improving the cleaning action on the filter medium. The air flow, which could potentially carry pollutants outward, is instead used to increase the velocity and effectiveness of the backflush, loosening trapped particles more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The float tube acts as an intermediary that controls and directs air flow during backflow. It allows air to enter and enhance backflow velocity while simultaneously controlling the timing and location of air introduction. The float tube mediates between the need for high backflow rate and the need to prevent pollutant escape by ensuring air enters only when the backflow path is properly established and directed downward through the filter medium.
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 effectively extends the life of stormwater filter cartridges by promoting backflushing, which loosens trapped particles and maintains filtration efficiency, reducing the frequency of replacements and enhancing the overall treatment of pollutants before discharge into water bodies.
Implementation Method 1
A solid wall float tube disposed in the drainage space has an open lower end and open upper end, the solid wall float tube movable between a lowered position that inhibits or substantially restricts filtered water at the bottom of the drainage space from passing to the filtered water outlet and a raised position that permits free flow of filtered water to the filtered water outlet
Implementation Method 2
As the housing fills, water level in the housing rises to cause the solid wall float tube to move to the raised position and a negative pressure can be established in the housing that draws fluid through the filter medium
Implementation Method 3
As water level outside the filter cartridge drops, air enters the housing via the water inlet and causes the solid wall float tube to drop to the lowered position, and filtered water in the fluid reservoir backflows through the filter medium and out of the housing through the water inlet while air enters the housing by passing upward through the solid wall float tube
Data Source
AI summary
A stormwater filter cartridge includes a housing with internal filter medium disposed along a flow path between a water inlet and a filtered water outlet. A solid wall float tube in a drainage space has an open lower end and open upper end and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. As the housing fills, water level in the housing rises to cause the solid wall float tube to move to the raised position and a negative pressure draws fluid through the filter medium. As water level outside the filter cartridge drops, air enters the housing and causes the solid wall float tube to drop to the lowered position, and filtered water in a fluid reservoir backflows through the filter medium while air enters the housing by passing upward through the solid wall float tube so as to enhance rate of backflow.