Submersible Sieve with Exoskeletal Frame for Sediment Straining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing placer prospecting methods are costly and environmentally harmful, and lack efficient and reusable sediment extraction solutions for lotic channel systems, particularly in maintaining the natural channel contour and effectively straining sediment.
Innovation Solution
A submersible sieve apparatus with an exoskeletal frame and a filter element having irregularly sized passages, combined with a detached post-filter backing, designed to be submerged in water to strain sediment, utilizing a polypropylene encased pliable metal mesh frame and filter materials like extruded vinyl and nitrile butadiene rubber for enhanced filtering efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional placer prospecting methods are used to extract sediment, then sediment can be obtained, but the channel environment is disturbed and bedrock must be relocated, causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous filter element with varying passage sizes to strain sediment from lotic channels. The filter element allows water to pass through while trapping sediment particles, enabling sediment extraction without disturbing the channel environment or relocating bedrock. This resolves the contradiction by achieving productivity through filtration rather than physical disruption.
2Productivity
If a filter element is used to strain sediment, then filtering efficiency is improved, but the filter element may become clogged and require cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the filter element to be removable and cleanable from the exoskeletal frame. The filter element can be detached, cleaned of accumulated sediment, and reused multiple times. This resolves the contradiction by enabling recovery and reuse of the filter element, maintaining filtering efficiency while reducing waste and maintenance costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an exoskeletal frame is designed to maintain shape under stress, then structural stability is improved, but the frame complexity increases to accommodate both filter element and backing support
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the support structure into distinct segments: an exoskeletal frame that provides structural stability and maintains shape under stress, and a separate detachable post-filter backing that supports the filter element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the frame for stability and the backing for filter support - reducing overall device complexity while maintaining shape stability.
4Ease of repair
If a detachable post-filter backing is used, then filter cleaning and reuse is facilitated, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the post-filter backing as a separate, detachable component from the main filter assembly. This allows the backing to be easily removed for filter cleaning and inspection, facilitating maintenance and reuse. The extraction of this supporting component simplifies the cleaning process while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
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 apparatus provides an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for straining sediment in lotic channels, maintaining the natural channel contour and allowing for easy cleaning and reuse, while improving filtering efficiency by entangling and capturing sediment effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element of measurable non-zero partial impedance to liquid and having a plurality of passages therethrough, wherein the passages vary in size to provide an irregular surface
Implementation Method 2
The detached post-filter backing is supported by the exoskeletal frame in a side-by-side relationship with the filter to entrap sediment which passes through the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible sieve apparatus provided with an exoskeletal frame enveloping a filter element and a detached post-filter backing; positioned to strain a lotic stream of entrained sediment prior to or upon being deposited. The frame can positioned and manipulated for greater efficiency. The filter and backing will take the shape of the frame and the backing may or may not be attached.