JP2001025623A - Method and apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly avoid operation failure such as sticking or the like caused by the foreign matter of an automatic drain trap by arranging a prefilter catching foreign matter from the compressed air generated by an air compressor immediately before the passage of the compressed air through a filter element. SOLUTION: Various foreign matters in the compressed air generated by an air compressor are removed by the prefilter 21 arranged at the position close to the air compressor. The prefilter 21 has a filter element 21a consisting of an element main body 21aa, an upper flange 21ab, a lower flange 21ac and an O-ring 21ad and is arranged between a body 21m and a case 21n. The foreign matter (x) caught by the filter element 21a is stagnated between the filter element 21a and the case 21n to be prevented from arriving at an automatic drain trap 21b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for separating foreign matter from compressed air and a foreign matter separating apparatus. The present invention relates to a technique for preventing a filter from malfunctioning due to foreign matter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique relating to a method for separating foreign matter from compressed air and a foreign matter separating apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, a filter element 22 provided near an air compressor and provided with an auto drain trap 21b is provided.
The internal thread 21md of the body 21m and the external thread 22nb of the case 22n are screwed together in a state where the pre-filter 23 incorporating a is sandwiching the filter element 22a between the body 21m and the case 22n.

Accordingly, due to this coupling, the filter element 22a forming the pre-filter 23 becomes the stepped portion 21 of the body 21m forming the pre-filter 23.
mf and the seat 22nc of the case 22n forming the pre-filter 23, and the filter element 22
a formed inside the upper flange 21ab constituting
When the ring 21ad comes into contact with the upper contact surface 21me of the body 21m, the space between the inside and the outside of the upper part of the filter element 22a is shut off.

The lower flange 22ac constituting the filter element 22a has a disk shape so that fluid such as compressed air and drain inside the filter element 22a does not leak from the lower center to the outside. .
Therefore, by the O-ring 21ad and the lower flange 22ac,
Various fluids are prevented from leaking between the inside and the outside of the filter element 22a.

The drain outlet 2 at the lower part of the case 22n
2na, drain discharge pipes 21ca, 21cb are connected by screwing, and an automatic drain trap 21b is disposed in the middle of the drain discharge pipes 21ca, 21cb.
Drain is discharged at regular time intervals or when a certain amount of drain has accumulated.

In this way, while the compressed air passes through the compressed air passage z from the inlet 21ma to the outlet 21mb of the body 21m constituting the pre-filter 23, the foreign matter x captured by the filter element 22a
Is the outside of the filter element 22a and the case 22n
Of the pre-filter 23 together with the drain y passing through the inside of the pre-filter 23, and was discharged to the outside from the pre-filter 23 by the auto drain trap 21b.

[0007]

However, such a conventional method for separating foreign matter from compressed air and a foreign matter separating apparatus have the following problems.

First, when foreign matters are discharged from the auto drain trap together with water droplets, the foreign matters may stay inside the auto drain trap and cause sticking, which may adversely affect the operation of the auto drain trap. In particular, it was remarkable in the prefilter located near the air compressor.

Second, a dryer or the like has been used as a device for separating gas and liquid. However, a separately provided dryer is expensive in terms of cost, and a simple device has been demanded. . In addition, the use of a dryer has a number of problems in treating the unnecessary refrigerant. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0010]

According to the present invention, compressed air discharge pipes 101, 102, 1 from an air compressor 11 are provided.
03, 104, 111, 112, the filter 21,
In the method for separating foreign matter from compressed air provided with 21A, 22, 22A, 24, and 25, the pre-filter 21 having an auto drain trap 21b, which is located close to the air compressor 11, and has built-in filter elements 21a, 22a. , 21A, 22, 22A, removes foreign matter x in the compressed air from the filter elements 21a, 22a.
The foreign matter x is prevented from reaching the auto drain trap 21b by being trapped by the pre-filters 21A and 22A, and the gas-liquid of the compressed air is separated in the pre-filters 21A and 22A. Has solved the above-mentioned problem.

Also, compressed air discharge pipes 101, 102, 103, 104, 11 from the air compressor 11 are provided.
Filters 22, 22A, 24, 25 in the middle of 1, 112
In the apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air provided with a filter element, an automatic drain trap 21b is provided.
The pre-filters 22 and 22A having the built-in 2a are disposed near the air compressor 11, and a compressed air flow path z is formed so that compressed air flows from the inside to the outside of the filter element 22a. The filter element 22a is configured so as not to reach the auto drain trap 21b by capturing the foreign matter x by the filter element 22a, and furthermore, the gas-liquid separation means 30 is provided inside the filter element 22a. , 32 are provided, and the gas-liquid separation means 32 is composed of a main body 32a and baffle plates 32x, 32y, 32z.
Orifices 32xa, 32y for 2x, 32y, 32z
a, 32za were formed, thereby solving the above problem.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method and an apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a first example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separation device, and FIG.
Is a second example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separating device, FIG. 3 is a third example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separating device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a foreign matter separating device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a pre-filter, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a pre-filter constituting a foreign matter separating device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a third embodiment of a prefilter constituting a foreign matter separation device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of a prefilter constituting a foreign matter separation device of the present invention. FIG.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the compressed air produced by the air compressor 11 is supplied to various filters 21, 21A, 22, 22A,
Various foreign substances are removed by 24 and 25.

In this case, the pre-filters 21, 21A, 2A,
The 2,22A has a performance capable of capturing foreign substances having a size of 3 μm or more, and the oil removal filter 24 has a performance capable of capturing foreign substances or oil having a size of 0.3 μm or more. The high-performance oil removal filter 25 has a performance capable of capturing foreign matter and oil having a size of 0.01 μm or more.

However, the pre-filters 21, 21A, 22,
As for the performance of the 22A, it is not necessary to be particular about being able to capture a foreign substance having a size of 3 μm or more, and a value of 3 μm or more is set from the viewpoint that the operation of the auto drain trap 21b is not adversely affected. It doesn't matter.
As an example, FIG. 3 shows various filters 21 and 21.
Although a diagram in which the dryer 41 is disposed between A, 22, 22A, 24, and 25 is shown, other devices may be disposed.

In the present invention, various embodiments will be described below with respect to the pre-filters 21, 21A, 22, 22A which are located closest to the air compressor 11 and which have the auto drain trap 21b and have the filter elements 21a, 22a built therein. It is a thing.

(First Embodiment) In FIG. 4, reference numeral 21a denotes a filter element, and an element main body 21aa
, Upper collar 21ab, lower collar 21ac, and O-ring 21ad
It is constituted by. In this case, the upper collar 21ab
The lower flange 21ac has a donut shape so that a fluid such as gas or liquid can pass therethrough at the center, and the O-ring 21ad is formed inside the upper flange 21ab.

The filter element 21a is composed of a body 21m and a case 21 constituting the pre-filter 21.
n, the internal thread 21m of the body 21m
d and the male screw 21nb of the case 21n are screwed together, so that the step 21mf of the body 21m and the case 21nb are connected.
n seats 21nd. In this case, the packing 2 is provided between the body 21m and the case 21n.
Although 1k is disposed, the position may be disposed on the upper end side of the case 21n. Also, the body 21
The packing 21k between m and the case 21n may be an O-ring or another thing.

An O-ring 21a formed inside the upper flange 21ab constituting the filter element 21a
d comes into contact with the upper contact surface 21me of the body 21m constituting the pre-filter 21, so that the filter element 2
1a prevents leakage of fluid such as compressed air between the inside and the outside.

The lower flange 21ac constituting the filter element 21a is provided with a seat 21nd formed on the entire inner periphery of the body 21m constituting the pre-filter 21.
At the same time as being placed on the lower contact surface 21nc.

In this case, if the lower flange 21ac is made of a relatively soft material, the adhesion between the lower flange 21ac and the seat 21nd is ensured, but if not, it is not specifically shown. However, an O-ring may be arranged on the outer diameter of the lower flange 21ac or the inner diameter of the lower contact surface 21nc,
Various methods such as disposing a packing between the lower part of the lower flange 21ac and the seat 21nd are conceivable. With this configuration, the foreign matter x caught by the filter element 21a is retained outside the filter element 21a and inside the case 21n, thereby preventing the foreign matter x from reaching the auto drain trap 21b.

Further, the body 21m has an inlet 21ma and an outlet 21mb which form a part of the compressed air flow path z. Further, a lower flange 21ac constituting the filter element 21a is provided with a seat 21nd formed on the entire inner periphery of the case 21n constituting the pre-filter 21.
, The case 21n forming the pre-filter 21 is divided into three chambers on the outside, inside, and bottom of the filter element 21a.

And an inlet 21ma of the body 21m;
A compressed air flow path z is formed by the outside of the filter element 21a, the filter element 21a, the inside of the filter element 21a, the flow path 21mc of the body 21m, and the outlet 21mb of the body 21m.

A drain discharge pipe 21ca, 21cb is screwed to a drain discharge port 21na at a lower portion of the case 21n, and an auto drain trap 21b is provided in the middle of the drain discharge pipes 21ca, 21cb. Then, the drain y is discharged at regular intervals or when a constant amount of drain has accumulated.

The method and apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to the present invention are configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

First, the compressed air produced by the air compressor 11 reaches the outer periphery of the outside of the filter element 21a via the inlet 21ma of the body 21m constituting the pre-filter 21. Here, the foreign matter x having a size of 3 μm or more is captured by the filter element 21a and left between the outside of the filter element 21a and the inside of the case 21n. As a result, only the compressed air other than the foreign matter x of 3 μm or more and the drain y which has become water droplets are sent to the inside of the filter element 21a.

On the other hand, the compressed air sent into the inside of the filter element 21a is supplied to the flow path 21m of the body 21m.
c through the outlet 21 mb, the compressed air discharge pipe 111,
The compressed air is sent through 102 and 103 to various devices that require compressed air. Further, the drain y sent into the inside of the filter element 21a accumulates in the lower part of the case 21n from the center of the lower flange 21ac constituting the filter element 21a, and at regular time intervals or at a constant amount of the drain y. Automatic drain trap 21 when accumulated
It is discharged from b. In this case, since the foreign matter x has been removed from the lower part of the case 21n, there is no concern that the auto drain trap 21b will malfunction.

Here, the foreign matter x remaining between the outside of the filter element 21a and the inside of the case 21n is removed at regular intervals in accordance with the replacement or cleaning of the filter element 21a.

(Second Embodiment) In FIG. 5, reference numeral 22a denotes a filter element, which is an element body 21aa.
, Upper collar 21ab, lower collar 22ac, and O-ring 21ad
It is constituted by. In this case, the upper collar 21ab
Has a donut shape so that gas such as compressed air can pass through the center thereof. The O-ring 21ad is formed inside the upper flange 21ab, and the lower flange 21ac has a disk shape. ing. Therefore, the lower part of the filter element 22a is in a sealed state. By configuring the filter element 22a in this way, the foreign matter x captured by the filter element 22a
Are retained inside the filter element 22a.

The filter element 22a includes a body 22m and a case 22 that constitute the pre-filter 22.
n, a female screw 22m of the body 22m
d and the male screw 22nb of the case 22n are screwed together to form a step 22mf of the body 22m and the case 22n.
n between three to several places 22nc. In this case, the body 22m and the case 22n
Although the packing 21k is disposed between them, the packing may be disposed on the upper end side of the case 22n.
A packing 2 between the body 22m and the case 22n.
1k may be an O-ring or another thing.

The O-ring 21a formed inside the upper flange 21ab constituting the filter element 22a
d is the body 22m constituting the pre-filter 22
By contacting the upper contact surface 22me, the fluid such as compressed air is prevented from leaking between the inside and the outside of the filter element 22a above the filter element 22a.

The lower flange 22ac forming the filter element 22a is placed on three or several seats 22nc formed inside the body 22m forming the pre-filter 22. I have.

In this case, although not specifically shown,
The filter element 21a used in the first embodiment, the lower center of which is open, is used, and the lower center of the filter element 21a is sealed by another method so that the foreign matter x stays inside the filter element 21a. A method is also conceivable.

Further, the body 22m forms an inlet 22ma and an outlet 22mb which are part of the compressed air flow path z. Further, the lower flange 22ac forming the filter element 22a is placed on a seat 22nc formed inside the case 22n forming the pre-filter 22, thereby forming the pre-filter 22. 22n is divided into three rooms outside, inside, and below the filter element 22a.

And an inlet 22ma of the body 22m,
A compressed air flow path z is formed by the flow path 22mc of the body 22m, the inside of the filter element 22a, the filter element 22a, the outside of the filter element 22a, and the outlet 22mb of the body 22m.

The drain outlet 2 at the bottom of the case 22n
2na, drain discharge pipes 21ca, 21cb are connected by screwing, and an automatic drain trap 21b is disposed in the middle of the drain discharge pipes 21ca, 21cb.
The drain is discharged at regular intervals or when a constant amount of drain has accumulated.

The method and apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to the present invention are configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

First, the compressed air produced by the air compressor 11 reaches the inside of the filter element 22a via the inlet 22ma and the flow path 22mc of the body 22m constituting the pre-filter 22. here,
Foreign matter x having a size of 3 μm or more is captured by the filter element 22a,
Is left inside. As a result, only the compressed air other than the foreign matter x of 3 μm or more and the drain y which has become water droplets are sent to the outside of the filter element 21a.

On the other hand, the compressed air sent to the outside of the filter element 22a is supplied to the outlet 22m of the body 22m.
The compressed air is sent to various devices that require compressed air through the compressed air discharge pipes 111, 102, and 103.
Further, the drain y sent to the outside of the filter element 22a passes between the seats 22nc of the case 22n and is stored in a lower portion of the case 22n.
Alternatively, when a certain amount of the drain y accumulates, it is discharged from the auto drain trap 21b. In this case, case 22
Since the foreign matter x has been removed below n, there is no fear that the auto drain trap 21b will malfunction.

Here, the foreign matter x remaining inside the filter element 22a is removed at regular intervals when the filter element 21a is replaced or washed.

(Third Embodiment) In FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a gas-liquid separating means, which has a function of exposing and separating moisture from compressed air. In this case, concretely, by disposing a stainless steel web 31 made of a small piece of stainless steel having a small width with a certain width between the outside of the filter element 21a and the inside of the case 21n, dew of compressed air is reduced. It is accelerated and has the same function as the gas-liquid separation means 30, but it is not necessary to limit to this.

For example, the other gas-liquid separating means 30 may be made of a metal material other than stainless steel. Although not specifically shown, compressed air is supplied to the outside of the filter element 21a and the inside of the case 21n. It is also conceivable that the filter element 21a is passed after spirally turning between the two. Further, in FIG. 6, the gas-liquid separation means 30 is provided with a filter element 21a.
Although it is provided immediately before passing through, it may be provided immediately after the filter element 21a so as not to drop. Also, any gas-liquid separation means 30
May be provided on both front and rear sides of the filter element 21a.

The gas-liquid separation means 3 including the structure and operation
0, 31 and the gas-liquid separation means 30, 31
Except that the drain is separated by, it is the same as the first embodiment, so the details are omitted.

(Fourth Embodiment) In FIG. 7, reference numeral 30 denotes a gas-liquid separation means, which has a function of exposing and separating moisture from compressed air. In this case, specifically, the main body 3
2a and baffle plates 32x, 32y, 32z. Each baffle plate 32x, 32y, 32z has an orifice 32x.
a, 32ya, 32za are formed, and orifices 32xa, 32ya, 32za located at adjacent positions of each
By arranging the gas-liquid separation tube 32 arranged so that the centers do not coincide with each other inside the filter element 22a, dew of compressed air is promoted, and the same function as the gas-liquid separation means 30 is obtained. However, it is not necessary to limit only to this.
The material of the main body 32a and the baffle plates 32x, 32y, and 32z may be made of metal, but may be made of plastic.

For example, as the other gas-liquid separation means 30, a small piece of stainless steel or other metal material as shown in the third embodiment may be disposed inside the filter element 22a, or specifically as shown in FIG. Although not shown, after the compressed air is spirally swirled between the insides of the filter elements 22a, the compressed air passes through the filter elements 22a, or impinges on a windmill disposed inside the filter elements 22a. It is also conceivable to pass through 22a.

Although the gas-liquid separation means 30 is provided immediately before passing through the filter element 22a in FIG. 7, it may be provided immediately after passing through the filter element 22a. In that case, the gas-liquid separation means 30 shown in the first embodiment may be used. Some kind of gas-liquid separation means 30 may be provided on both front and rear sides of the filter element 22a.

The gas-liquid separation means 3 including the structure and operation
0, 32 and the gas-liquid separation means 30, 32
Except that the drain is separated by, the second embodiment is the same as the second embodiment, and thus details are omitted.

Finally, the pre-filters 21, 21A, 2A
Auto drain trap 21b as shown in FIGS.
The structure in which the foreign matter x does not reach the
The gas-liquid separation means 30 as shown in A and 22A can be applied to the oil removing filter 24 and the high-performance oil removing filter 25, respectively.

[0049]

As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the present invention.

First, the compressed air generated by the air compressor catches foreign matter just before passing through the filter element and prevents the foreign matter from reaching the auto drain trap, thereby reducing the amount of foreign matter in the auto drain trap. Malfunctions of sticks etc. can be avoided reliably.

Second, at the same time as foreign substances are captured by various filters, gas-liquid can be efficiently separated with a simple structure in the same filter element. Therefore, a gas-liquid separation means that is advantageous in terms of cost has become possible. Third, the use of gas-liquid separation means that does not use a refrigerant has enabled an environment-friendly device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separation device.

FIG. 2 is a second example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separation device.

FIG. 3 is a third example showing an air compressor and a foreign matter separation device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a prefilter constituting a foreign matter separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a pre-filter constituting the foreign matter separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a prefilter constituting the foreign matter separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a prefilter constituting a foreign matter separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional pre-filter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Air compressor 21 Prefilter 21A Prefilter 21a Filter element 21aa Element body 21ab Upper flange 21ac Lower flange 21ad O-ring 21b Auto drain trap 21ca Drain discharge pipe 21cb Drain discharge pipe 21k Packing 21m Body 21ma Inlet 21mb Outlet 21mc ..Flow path 21md Female screw 21me Upper contact surface 21mf Step 21n Case 21na Drain outlet 21nb Male screw 21nc Lower contact surface 21nd ... seat 22 ... pre-filter 22A ... pre-filter 22a ... filter element 22 c: Lower flange 22m: Body 22ma: Inlet 22mb: Outlet 22mc: Flow path 22md: Female screw 22me: Upper contact surface 22mf: Step 22n .. Case 22na Drain outlet 22nb Male screw 22nc Seat 23 Prefilter 24 Oil removal filter 25 High-performance oil removal filter 30 ····· Gas-liquid separation means 31 ····· Stainless steel (gas-liquid separation means) 32 ····· Gas-liquid separation cylinder (gas-liquid separation means) 32a ··· Main body 32x ··· Baffle plate 32xa ... orifice 32y ... baffle plate 32ya ... orifice 32z ... baffle plate 32za ... orifice 41 ... dryer 101 ... compressed air discharge pipe 102 ... compressed air discharge pipe 103 ... compressed air discharge pipe 104 ... compressed air discharge pipe 111 ... compressed air discharge pipe 112 ... compressed air discharge pipe x ... Foreign matter y ... Drain z ... Compressed air flow path

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A compressed air discharge pipe (101, 102, 103, 104, 11) from an air compressor (11).
1, 112), the filters (21, 21A, 22,
22A, 24, 25) in the method for separating foreign matter from compressed air, wherein the filter is provided with an auto drain trap (21b), located near the air compressor (11), and incorporating a filter element (21a, 22a). Pre-filters (21, 21A, 22, 22A) remove foreign matter (x) in compressed air from the filter element (21).
a method for separating foreign matter from compressed air, wherein the foreign matter (x) is prevented from reaching the auto drain trap (21b) by being captured by a, 22a). 2. A gas / liquid separation of compressed air in the pre-filter (21A, 22A).
3. The method for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to item 1. 3. A compressed air discharge pipe (101, 102, 103, 104, 11) from an air compressor (11).
1, 112), the filters (22, 22A, 24,
25) A device for separating foreign matter from compressed air provided with a pre-filter (2) having an auto drain trap (21b) and incorporating a filter element (22a).
2, 22A) is disposed near the air compressor (11), and compressed air is supplied to the filter element (2, 22A).
A compressed air flow path (z) is formed so as to flow from inside to outside of 2a), and foreign matter (x) in the compressed air is captured by the filter element (22a) to reach the auto drain trap (21b). An apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air, characterized in that the filter element (22a) is configured so as not to be disturbed. 4. The apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to claim 3, wherein gas-liquid separation means (30, 32) is provided inside the filter element (22a). 5. The gas-liquid separation means (32) includes a main body (3).
2a) and a baffle plate (32x, 32y, 32z), wherein the baffle plate (32x, 32y, 32z) is formed with an orifice (32xa, 32ya, 32za). The apparatus for separating foreign matter from compressed air according to claim 4.