Vent Tube Filter Element for Faster Spill-Free Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter assemblies experience slow fluid drainage, leading to potential spillage when removing used filter elements, due to complex valve mechanisms that can become inoperable with wear, increasing costs and unsatisfactory drainage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with a tubular member featuring a partition that prevents flow communication between two chambers, along with a vent tube for pressure equalization, facilitating faster drainage by allowing air to enter and fluid to flow freely when the drain plug is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex valve mechanism is used to enable drainage, then drainage function is provided, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex valve mechanism entirely and extracts only the essential drainage function. The drain plug is simplified to a basic closure element without any moving parts, springs, or actuating mechanisms. Drainage is achieved by simply removing the plug, allowing fluid to flow out through the drain port under gravity, eliminating reliability issues associated with wear-prone mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is segmented from the main filter assembly into a separate drain plug and drain port system. This allows the drainage operation to be independently controlled and simplified, separating the filtration function from the drainage function, and enabling the drain plug to be a simple, wear-free component.
2Productivity
If a drain plug is removed to enable drainage, then fluid can drain from the filter assembly, but drainage speed is undesirably slow and fluid spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vent port and vent passage that provide an additional dimension for fluid flow. When the drain plug is removed, fluid can simultaneously flow out through the drain port and air can enter through the vent port, creating a pressure equalization effect that accelerates drainage. The vent passage connects to the filter element interior, allowing atmospheric pressure to act on the fluid surface and push fluid out faster through the drain port, thereby increasing drainage speed and preventing spillage.
3Quantity of substance
If fluid remains in the filter assembly after drainage attempt, then drainage is incomplete, but removing more fluid increases spillage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The vent passage acts as an intermediary channel that mediates between the atmospheric pressure and the fluid inside the filter assembly. By allowing air to enter through the vent port and travel through the vent passage to the filter element interior, it creates a pressure balance that facilitates complete fluid drainage without requiring the assembly to be tilted or manipulated, thus preventing spillage while ensuring complete fluid removal.
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 enhances fluid drainage efficiency, reducing spillage and maintenance costs by allowing for easier and more effective removal of fluid from the filter assembly, ensuring a spill-free disconnection of the filter element.
Implementation Method 1
A vent tube extends longitudinally between the first end portion and the second end portion. The vent tube may be configured to provide flow communication between the first end portion and the second end portion of the tubular member
Implementation Method 2
The filter element may include a filter medium associated with the at least one outlet aperture and the at least one inlet aperture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A filter element (16) may include a tubular member (46), including a first end portion (60), with the first end portion being substantially open, at least partially defining an inlet port (62) configured to provide flow communication into a first chamber (56) of the tubular member, and at least partially defining an outlet port (64) configured to provide flow communication from a second chamber (58). The tubular member may further include a second end portion (61), with the second end portion being located at an end of the tubular member opposite the first end portion. The tubular member may also include at least one outlet aperture (68), at least one inlet aperture (74), and a vent tube (88) extending longitudinally between the first end portion and the second end portion. The vent tube may be configured to provide flow communication between the first end portion and the second end portion of the tubular member.