Ventilation Unit for Filter Integrity Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurizable filter units face contamination risks during integrity testing due to the introduction of external air, requiring additional sterile air filters and rigid plastic inlet lines, which increase volume and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an air filter and filter valve forms a ventilation unit that can be connected to the filter unit's inlet, allowing sterile air filtration and preventing contamination, with a hydrophobic air filter ensuring liquid containment and automatic venting, and using a tri-clamp connection for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional sterile air filter is added to prevent contamination during integrity testing, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air filter function with the existing inlet valve and filter valve assembly. The air filter is integrated into the connection piece that forms part of the inlet line, merging multiple functions (filtration, valve operation, connection) into a single integrated component rather than adding a separate standalone air filter unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection piece serves multiple functions: it acts as the inlet valve connection point, houses the air filter element, provides the T-piece branching structure, and serves as the mounting point for the filter valve. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated air filter housing and piping.
2Measurement precision
If rigid non-expandable pressure lines are used for precise IT testing, then testing precision is improved, but volume and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible hose with an integrated rigid T-piece connection. The flexible hose allows for compact routing and minimal volume, while the rigid T-piece provides the necessary structural integrity and precise connection points for accurate pressure testing, combining the benefits of both flexible and rigid components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the air filter is permanently connected to the filter unit, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different filter unit designs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation unit is designed as a self-contained modular assembly with the air filter, connection piece, and filter valve integrated together as a separate unit. This modular design allows the ventilation unit to be universally connected to different filter unit designs through standardized connections, providing both structural stability within the module and adaptability across different applications.
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
This solution prevents contamination, reduces material usage, and simplifies the filter unit design by eliminating the need for separate air filters and rigid lines, enabling precise and efficient integrity testing with minimal additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic air filter ensuring liquid containment and automatic venting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for ventilation and integrity testing of a filter unit (2) which can be pressurised, having a filter element (9) arranged in a housing (6) between an inlet (7) and an outlet (8), wherein the housing (6) can be ventilated via an air filter (3) connected to the housing interior (12). The invention is characterised in that a filter valve (4) is mounted upstream of the air filter (3) for the housing interior (12), via which the air filter (3) is connected to the housing interior (12), in that the air filter (3) on the side thereof facing away from the housing interior (12) can be connected to a test line (14) for applying pressure, and in that an inlet valve (5) is mounted upstream of the inlet (7), via which inlet valve the housing interior (12) is connected to the inlet line (10).