CN209828546U

CN209828546U - Capsule filtering device

Info

Publication number: CN209828546U
Application number: CN201920519300.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·A·巴勒莫
Original assignee: Pall Corp
Current assignee: Pall Corp
Priority date: 2019-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-17
Publication date: 2019-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-17

Abstract

The utility model relates to a capsule filter equipment, it includes: a hollow housing, the housing comprising: a filter head comprising at least one vent port; a housing shell having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter head; and a capsule interface comprising a central outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the housing shell; the housing defines a fluid flow path between the plurality of inlet ports and the outlet port; and a porous filter disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path, the porous filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface.

Description

Capsule filtering device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a capsule filter equipment.

Background

There is a need for improved capsule filtration devices, particularly disposable capsule filtration devices, for use with slowly degassing high viscosity fluids.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model discloses at least some defects of prior art have been improved. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

An embodiment of the utility model provides a capsule filter equipment, capsule filter equipment includes: a hollow housing, said housing comprising: a filter device head comprising at least one vent port; a housing shell having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter device head; and a capsule interface comprising a central outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the housing shell; the housing defining a fluid flow path between the plurality of inlet ports and the outlet port; and a porous filter disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path, the porous filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface.

In one embodiment, the plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port are symmetrically spaced apart around the central outlet port in a circular pattern.

In one embodiment, the plurality of inlet ports includes at least 4 inlet ports.

In one embodiment, the capsule filtration device comprises a first vent port comprising an upstream vent port in fluid communication with an upstream surface of the porous filter and a second vent port comprising a downstream vent port in fluid communication with a downstream surface of the porous filter.

In one embodiment, the porous filter comprises a microporous membrane.

In one embodiment, the porous filter comprises a pleated filter.

In another embodiment, a method of filtering a fluid using a capsule filtration device is provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a capsule filtration device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a hollow housing comprising: a filter head comprising two ports; a housing shell having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter head; and a capsule interface comprising a central outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the housing shell.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the capsule filtering device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule filtering device taken along line C-C of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the capsule filtering device shown in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

According to the utility model discloses an embodiment, a capsule filter equipment includes: a hollow housing, the housing comprising: a filter head comprising at least one vent port; a housing shell having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter head; and a capsule interface comprising a central outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the housing shell; the housing defines a fluid flow path between the plurality of inlet ports and the outlet port; and a porous filter disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the inlet port around the outlet port allows the process fluid to fill quickly and more evenly around the filter, thereby reducing the likelihood of unwanted air being entrained within the housing. This is especially important when filtering high viscosity fluids that are slowly degassed.

Preferably, the plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port are symmetrically spaced around the central outlet port in a circular pattern. In a typical embodiment of the capsule filtering device, the device comprises at least 4 inlet ports.

In a preferred embodiment, the capsule filtration device comprises a first vent port comprising an upstream vent port in fluid communication with an upstream surface of the porous filter and a second vent port comprising a downstream vent port in fluid communication with a downstream surface of the porous filter.

In some embodiments, the porous filter comprises a microporous membrane, such as, but not limited to, a microporous Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane.

Alternatively or additionally, the porous filter may comprise a pleated filter.

In another embodiment, a method of filtering a fluid using a capsule filtration device is provided. Illustratively, a method of filtering a fluid includes passing the fluid through an embodiment of a capsule filtering device. Various fluids may be filtered according to embodiments of the present invention, one preferred fluid includes a high viscosity fluid (e.g., a polyimide fluid, illustratively used in the manufacture of OLED display screens). Typically, the fluid passing through the capsule filtration device comprises a fluid used in the electronics industry or the semiconductor industry.

A preferred embodiment of the method comprises venting air from the capsule filtration device through at least one vent port; in a more preferred embodiment, the method comprises: venting air from the capsule filtering device through a first vent port comprising an upstream vent port in fluid communication with an upstream surface of the porous filter; and exhausting air from the capsule filtering device through a second vent port comprising a downstream vent port in fluid communication with the downstream surface of the porous filter.

Advantageously, venting through the upstream and downstream ports provides for more efficient and complete venting of air from the capsule device during start-up, thus saving time and money.

In some embodiments, venting air through the at least one vent port comprises applying a vacuum to the at least one vent port. For example, one embodiment of the method includes applying a vacuum to the downstream vent port. Advantageously, this may help to draw process fluid passing through the filter evenly from the bottom near the inlet to the top near the vent fitting, while removing entrained air as the fluid fills the downstream side of the filter.

Each component of the present invention will now be described in more detail below, wherein like components have like reference numerals.

The embodiment of the capsule filtering device 500 shown in fig. 1-4 shows: a hollow housing 100, the housing comprising: a filter head 101 comprising two vent ports 10, 11; a housing shell 102 having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter head; and a capsule interface 103 comprising a central outlet port 2 and a plurality of inlet ports (shown as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, and 1-8 in fig. 4) arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the hollow housing; the housing defines a fluid flow path between a plurality of inlet and outlet ports; and a porous filter 10 disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path.

In a typical embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 and 3, the capsule filtration device comprises a filtration module 50 arranged in a hollow housing, the module containing a porous filter, the module shown comprising open end caps 51, 52 sealed to each end of a cylindrical holder 53 and to the porous filter 10, and an inner core 54 also sealed to the respective end caps at each end of the core.

Porous filter 10 may include at least one porous filter element, and the element or filter may include porous fibrous media and/or porous membranes, and may have a variety of configurations, including pleated (10A, as shown in fig. 3) and hollow cylindrical configurations.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 4, the plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port are symmetrically spaced around the central outlet port in a circular pattern. Ideally, the inlet port is as large (open) as possible while still maintaining structural strength to function as a pressure-containing housing component.

Embodiments of the present invention may have any number of inlet ports. In a typical embodiment of the capsule filtering device, the device comprises at least 4 inlet ports; fig. 4 shows 8 inlet ports. Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 and 3, separate O-ring seals are associated with a common inlet port (concentric O-ring seal 1A) and outlet port (2A). This concentric O-ring design on the interface allows the capsule filter device to be mounted in any radial (360 °) orientation. Thus, the user need not attempt to align the various inlet and outlet ports, thereby facilitating installation and replacement. This also allows the vent ports (discussed below) to be positioned as desired by the user. In another advantage, the ease of replacement of the disposable filtration capsule device minimizes the possibility of operator exposure to harmful chemicals during device replacement.

Embodiments of the present invention include at least one vent port, the embodiments shown in fig. 1-3 showing a first vent port 10 and a second vent port 11, fig. 3 showing a first vent port 10 including an upstream vent port in fluid communication with an upstream surface of the porous filter (e.g., in fluid communication with a cavity around an upstream surface (inlet surface) of the filter) and a second vent port 11 including a chamber in fluid communication with a downstream surface of the porous filter (e.g., in fluid communication with a cavity around a downstream surface (outlet surface) of the filter).

Other configurations are included in embodiments of the present invention. For example, the capsule may be configured as a shell, wherein the head and shell are integral, and a collet nut is used to connect the integral head and shell to the interface. The porous filter will seal to the integrated head and housing and to the interface using O-ring seals. In this configuration, the integrated head and housing may be disconnected from the interface to allow replacement of the filter.

The porous filter and porous filter element can have any suitable pore structure, such as pore size (e.g., as evidenced by bubble point, or by K as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,479)_LAs demonstrated, or as demonstrated by capillary condensation flow porosimetry), Mean Flow Pore (MFP) diameter (e.g., when characterized using a pore meter such as Porvair porometer (Porvair group corporation of noflokk, england, or obtained under the trademark POROLUX (porometer. com)), porosity, pore diameter (e.g., when characterized using a modified OSUF2 test such as described in U.S. patent No. 4,925,572), or removal grade media. The pore structure used depends onDepending on the size of the particles to be used, the composition of the fluid to be treated and the desired outflow level of the treated fluid. The porous filter and filter element can have any desired critical wetting surface tension (CWST, as defined in, for example, U.S. patent 4,925,572).

The porous filter may comprise additional elements, layers or components that may have different structures and/or functions, for example, at least one of any one or more of the following functions: pre-filtering, supporting, draining, spacing and buffering. Illustratively, the filter may further comprise at least one additional element, such as a mesh and/or screen.

In some embodiments, a filter comprising a plurality of filter elements is disposed in a housing comprising a plurality of inlets and outlets and defining at least one fluid flow path therebetween, wherein the filter spans the fluid flow path to provide a filtration device. Preferably, the filter device is sterilizable. Any housing having a suitable shape and providing an inlet and an outlet (and one or more vent ports, if desired) may be employed.

The housing, head, shell, holder, core, end caps and interface may be fabricated from any suitable rigid impermeable material, including any water impermeable thermoplastic material that is compatible with the fluid being processed, by a variety of techniques known in the art, including but not limited to injection molding. In one embodiment, the housing, head, holder, core, end caps and interface are made of a polymer, in some embodiments, acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene or polycarbonate resin.

Although fig. 2 relates to thermal welding, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the housing may be sealed as known in the art, using, for example, adhesives, solvents, laser welding, radio frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and/or heat sealing.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and "at least one" and similar references in describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of a and B") should be interpreted to mean one item selected from the listed items (a or B)) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (a and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The skilled artisan will appreciate that these variations are suitable and that the utility model is intended to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A capsule filter device, comprising:

(a) a hollow housing, said housing comprising:

(i) a filter device head comprising at least one vent port;

(ii) a housing shell having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the housing shell is sealed to the filter device head; and

(iii) a capsule interface comprising a central outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port, wherein the capsule interface is sealed to the second end of the housing shell;

the housing defining a fluid flow path between the plurality of inlet ports and the central outlet port; and

(b) a porous filter disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path, the porous filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface.

2. The capsule filtering device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central outlet port are symmetrically spaced around the central outlet port in a circular pattern.

3. The capsule filtering device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inlet ports comprises at least four inlet ports.

4. The capsule filtering device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the capsule filtering device comprises a first vent port comprising an upstream vent port in fluid communication with an upstream surface of the porous filter and a second vent port comprising a downstream vent port in fluid communication with a downstream surface of the porous filter.

5. The capsule filtering device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the porous filter comprises a microporous membrane.

6. The capsule filtering device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the porous filter comprises a pleated filter.