Tensioned Filter Element Structure for Backwash Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements swell during backwashing, causing filter cakes to adhere and impede cleaning, necessitating large, space-consuming pressure vessels.
Innovation Solution
A filter element design with longitudinally displaceable perforated plates and wedge-shaped spacers that maintain a tensioned state during backwashing, preventing significant swelling and allowing closer arrangement without cake adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If filter elements are arranged close together in a pressure vessel, then the vessel size is reduced and space is saved, but the filter cakes will adhere to each other during backwashing and cleaning becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates two perforated plates that can be longitudinally displaced relative to each other. During normal operation, the plates are in a first position allowing close arrangement of filter elements. During backwashing, the plates are displaced to a second position that increases the distance between filter cakes, preventing adhesion and enabling effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is divided into two separate perforated plates instead of using a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows independent movement of each plate, enabling the dynamic adjustment of the distance between filter cakes during different operational phases while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If filter housings are made flexible to accommodate swelling during backwashing, then cleaning is enabled, but the filter elements occupy excessive volume and require large pressure vessels
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using flexible filter housings that swell to enable cleaning, the invention uses dynamically adjustable rigid plates. The plates are displaced during backwashing to create sufficient spacing between filter elements, achieving the same cleaning effect without requiring excessive volume or flexible structures.
3Reliability
If spacers are added to maintain distance between filter elements during backwashing, then cleaning is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static spacers with dynamically adjustable perforated plates that can be displaced during backwashing. This eliminates the need for additional spacer components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to prevent filter cake adhesion through controlled plate movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated plates serve multiple functions: they act as support structures for the filter medium during normal operation, and simultaneously function as spacing mechanisms during backwashing when displaced. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spacer components, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter element (5) for separating solids from liquids or gases, the filter element (5) having a first perforated plate (1) and a second perforated plate (2), wherein the two perforated plates (1, 2) are mutually parallel and are covered by a filter covering (3). The two perforated plates (1, 2) can be shifted relative to each other in the longitudinal direction from a non-shifted state into a shifted state, and the plates (1, 2) have spacers (4) on the inner faces facing each other, which spacers are designed such that the distance (D') between the plates (1, 2) is greater in the shifted state than in the non-shifted state (D), the filter covering (3) thus being tensioned when the plates (1, 2) are in the shifted state. Furthermore, at least one locking element (6) is provided, which fixes the plates (1, 2) relative to each other in the shifted state.