Swivel Bearing Process Water Sampling Probe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing process water sampling immersion probes experience clogging due to misalignment with wastewater flow, leading to inefficiencies and potential clogging at the lee side of the filter module.

Innovation Solution

A process water sampling immersion probe with a swivel bearing arrangement allowing the filter module to swivel within a defined sector, aligning it with the wastewater current, and incorporating a less rigid holding structure to maintain consistent water flow and reduce clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid and static holding structure is used to hold the filter module in position, then the filter module maintains a fixed orientation, but clogging occurs at the lee side when the filter module is not perfectly aligned with the wastewater current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidclogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter module is transformed from a static fixed orientation to a dynamic swiveling orientation. The swivel bearing arrangement allows the filter module to rotate and adapt its angle relative to the wastewater current, maintaining optimal alignment and preventing clogging at the lee side while preserving filtering efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the filter module is allowed to swivel to adapt to flow direction, then clogging is reduced, but the holding structure requires swivel bearing arrangement with sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecloggingVSAvoidswivel bearing arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel bearing arrangement is designed to be self-lubricating through the wastewater environment itself. The bearing units utilize the wastewater as a lubricant, eliminating the need for complex external lubrication systems or seals, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling the filter module to swivel and adapt to flow direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a friction bearing type swivel bearing arrangement is used, then the system is more reliable in difficult environments, but there is continuous friction between bearing surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability in difficult environmentsVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The friction bearing is designed to operate with wastewater as a hydraulic lubricant. The continuous flow of wastewater through and around the bearing surfaces reduces friction between the bearing surfaces, combining the reliability of friction bearings in difficult environments with reduced friction forces through hydraulic lubrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 swivel bearing arrangement ensures consistent water flow alignment, minimizing clogging and maintaining efficient sampling by adapting to varying wastewater flow directions, while reducing the need for complex sealing and mechanical cleaning mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

the swivel bearing arrangement is provided with at least one bearing unit being of the friction bearing type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4530601A1Process water sampling immersion probe
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 HACH LANGE HACH LANGE
  • EP4530601A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4530601A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4530601A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to a process water sampling immersion probe (10) comprising a filter module (20) comprising a plane filter screen (22, 23) and a sample suction opening (28) through which filtered sample water is pumped from the filter module (20) to an analyzer unit (80), and a rigid holding structure (90) for holding the filter module (20), wherein a swivel bearing arrangement (30) is provided, the swivel bearing arrangement (30) defining a static swivel axis (R) and connecting the filter module (20) with the rigid holding structure (90), so that the filter module (20) can swivel within a swivel sector (5) having a swivel angle of at least 10°.