Movable Washer Carriage for Filter Press Plate Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal filter press washing apparatuses are costly, heavy, and inefficient, with limited effectiveness in washing lower portions of filter media due to fixed sprayer bars, and they often lead to mechanical issues such as manifold cracking and clogged nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal filter press with a movable washer carriage and spindles that rotate to lower and raise flexible hoses and spray bars, allowing for effective washing of filter plate assemblies without the need for fixed sprayer bars, thus reducing costs and mechanical issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed sprayer bars with nozzles are used for washing filter media, then washing function is provided, but manufacturing cost increases, weight increases, and mechanical damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed sprayer bars with a movable carriage system that travels along the filter press. The carriage dynamically positions washing nozzles at different locations along the filter media, eliminating the need for complex fixed manifolds and multiple sprayer bars. This dynamic approach reduces structural complexity while maintaining washing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriage serves multiple functions: it transports washing nozzles along the entire length of the filter press, positions nozzles at various heights to wash different portions of filter media, and can service multiple filter plates sequentially. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate fixed sprayer systems for each filter plate.
2Reliability
If fixed sprayer bars are positioned above each filter plate, then washing is provided, but lower portions of filter media are not effectively washed
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage can be positioned at different vertical levels along the filter press, allowing washing nozzles to reach lower portions of filter media that fixed overhead sprayers cannot access. The carriage travels along tracks or rails, enabling it to dynamically adjust its position to wash any portion of the filter media effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of only vertical washing from above, the movable carriage introduces horizontal movement along the length of the filter press and vertical adjustment capability. This multi-dimensional positioning allows nozzles to approach filter media from different angles and locations, ensuring complete coverage including lower portions.
3Ease of operation
If sprayer bars are shaken with filter plate assembly, then cleaning function is provided, but manifold cracking and nozzle damage probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing system is segmented into a separate movable carriage that is independent of the filter plate assembly. The carriage can move along the filter press without being attached to or shaken with the filter plates. This separation isolates the fragile washing nozzles and manifolds from the mechanical stresses of filter plate handling and shaking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriage acts as an intermediary between the washing fluid delivery system and the filter media. It provides a stable platform for mounting nozzles and manifolds, decoupling them from the filter plate assembly. The carriage travels along fixed tracks rather than being attached to moving filter plates, eliminating transmission of vibrations and shocks that cause mechanical damage.
4Reliability
If washer structures extend upward to clear filter plate assemblies, then washing access is improved, but ceiling height requirements and above-filter clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage travels along the length of the filter press at a consistent height, eliminating the need for excessively high ceiling clearance. By using horizontal movement along tracks rather than vertical extension upward, the system maintains washing effectiveness while reducing the vertical space requirement to a manageable level.
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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and mechanically robust method for washing filter plate assemblies, ensuring thorough cleaning of all filter media surfaces while minimizing the risk of mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the spindles (19) may be rotatable with respect to the washer carriage (2)... rotating the first and second spindles (19)... raising or lowering the spray bar (25) by virtue of rotating the first and second spindles (19)
Implementation Method 2
The spray bar (25) may be configured to receive wash water from the wash water manifold (11)... delivering wash water to at least one of the plurality of filter plate assemblies (101)
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal filter press (100) is provided with a track (105) and a plurality of filter plate assemblies (101) supported by side bars (104). A washer carriage (2), which is movably supported on the track (105), includes a washer unit (1) for washing the filter plate assemblies (101). The washer unit (1) may include a wash water manifold (11) having a first outlet (13) for feeding wash water to a first spindle (19) and a second outlet (14) for feeding wash water to a second spindle (19). Each of the spindles (19) may include a reel (20) for spooling a flexible hose (23) thereon, and they are each configured to be rotated with respect to the washer carriage (2). A first end of a spray bar (25) fluidly communicates with a first flexible hose (23) supported by a reel (20) on the first spindle (19).