Modular Water Screen Belt with Projections for Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular traveling water screens have complex structures requiring separate manufacturing of support frames and filtering materials, leading to costly and inefficient production, and existing filtration systems face challenges in maintaining fluid flow and filtration capacity while preventing solid material buildup.
Innovation Solution
A modular water screen or conveyor belt module with molded plastic construction, featuring projections that increase the top surface area for enhanced fluid flow and filtration capacity, and integrally formed structural support and filtration components, allowing for improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional modular water screen modules use separate support frames and filtering materials that are rigidly secured together, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support frame and filtering material into a single integrated molded plastic component. The support ribs and filtering surfaces are formed as one piece through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate components and joining processes. This merging maintains structural strength while significantly reducing device complexity and manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded plastic module serves multiple functions simultaneously: the integrated structure provides both structural support and filtration capability in a single component. The support ribs and filtering surfaces work together as a unified system, making the module versatile and reducing the number of parts needed in the water screen assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional water screen modules use separate support frames and filtering materials requiring welding, riveting, or bolting, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame and filtering material are merged into a single molded plastic component manufactured through injection molding. This eliminates all joining operations (welding, riveting, bolting) while maintaining precise dimensional control through mold-based manufacturing. The single-step molding process significantly improves ease of manufacture while preserving manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical joining systems (welding, riveting, bolting) with a monolithic molded structure. The precision that previously required careful alignment and joining is now achieved through the inherent precision of injection molding, substituting complex mechanical assembly with a simpler forming process.
3Productivity
If water screen modules have limited surface area, then device complexity is reduced, but filtration capacity and fluid flow deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds vertical dimension to the module design by incorporating support ribs that create a three-dimensional structure. The filtering surface extends across the top and sides of the ribbed structure, effectively increasing the filtration area without proportionally increasing the module's footprint. This dimensional approach enhances filtration capacity while maintaining compact module geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The module is segmented into multiple filtering surfaces including the top surface and the vertical sides of the support ribs. This segmentation creates additional filtration areas that are distributed throughout the module structure, increasing overall filtration capacity while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
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 modular design with increased surface area projections enhances fluid flow and filtration capacity, enabling continuous operation without shutdowns and simplifying maintenance, while reducing material adherence and buildup, thus improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of water filtration systems.
Implementation Method 1
The top surface includes at least one projection having a plurality of fluid flow openings that provide a pathway for liquid to drain or fluids to flow through the top surface
Implementation Method 2
A traveling water screen includes one or more filtering members which move along a path which passes through water containing solid material to be removed from the water. When a filtering member of a traveling water screen is passing along a portion of the path which is immersed in water which is to be filtered, solid material in the water can adhere to or rest against the filtering member.
Data Source
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AI summary
A water screen or conveyor belt module includes one or more projections in its top surface for increasing the surface area of the top surface. Each projection includes fluid flow openings that provide a pathway for liquid to drain or fluid to flow between the top and bottom of the module. The fluid flow openings may comprise slots extending in the lengthwise direction of the module and extending into the module.