WO2013045090A1

WO2013045090A1 - Filter element for a fluid filter

Info

Publication number: WO2013045090A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/004049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Stark; Robert LARRASS; Thomas Baur; Christian Elsner; Sven Ullrich; Gerald Heckeler
Original assignee: Daimler Ag
Priority date: 2011-10-01
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: DE102011114806A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element (3, 3') for a fluid filter (1) having at least one such filter element (3), which consists of an essentially sheet-like component which has a first side (15) and a second side (16) and has a channel structure having filter channels (8) on at least one of its sides (15, 16). The invention is characterized in that the filter channels (8) are produced by pulsed laser machining.

Description

Filter element for a fluid filter

The invention relates to a filter element for a fluid filter having at least one such filter element. Moreover, the invention relates to a filter with such a filter element and the use of the filter.

Filters with filter elements are known from the general state of the art. Such filters may, for example, be fuel filters which are arranged either in the area of refueling installations, but in particular in the area of vehicles which are driven by the fuel. Conventional filters are often made with a filter material which consists of a type of fabric or non-woven. In particular, at high pressures of the gaseous or liquid to be filtered mechanical damage to the filter can occur. In the worst case, parts of the filter material are carried away with the fluid to be filtered and can lead to significant damage and damage elsewhere, for example in an injection system, in a turbine for relaxing a gaseous fuel or the like.

This applies in particular to filters which are used for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Regardless of whether the hydrogen is burned in the internal combustion engine or implemented in a fuel cell, it is usual for hydrogen to store it under comparatively high pressure, for example in a compressed gas reservoir with a nominal pressure of 700 bar, in order to maintain a reasonable volume of the compressed gas reservoir to store comparatively high amount of energy. When refueling with hydrogen, pressures of the order of magnitude of up to 875 bar and temperatures of the order of magnitude of -40 ° C. occur. Especially at such extreme ambient temperatures, the filters are thermal and mechanical highly stressed. Conventional filters with meshes, fabrics or the like can then easily fail and parts of the filter can penetrate the system. This can lead to significant problems. At worst, irreparable damage to the system occurs.

Another problem is that in the conventional filter systems burrs occur due to production on the construction. These burrs have to be removed very expensive. This is process reliable only partially representable. This can lead to repeated entry of particles into the system during operation, resulting from burrs overlooked during final cleaning and crumbling during operation. This too can permanently damage the system.

To address this problem, it is known from the prior art to form filters with flat filter elements, which have etched channels or other structures on the surface. When stacking the sheet-like elements then creates a filter in which a gas flows for example from the outside of the sheet-like elements between the sheet-like elements and thereby passes the channel structures and is discharged via a arranged in the interior of the sheet-like elements collecting opening again. The channel structures with their characteristic order of magnitude then constitute the actual filter. Such a construction is described by US Pat. No. 4,726,900. The incorporated US 3,648,843 describes such a filter. In the second-mentioned document, apart from the etching, there are others as well

Called production facilities.

The disadvantage is the comparatively limited possibility of influencing the geometry of the channel structures. As a result, the maximum filter effect that can be achieved is always limited by the selected production method for producing the channel structures. The different production methods also show this

different disadvantages. They are either very slow, such as etching, or leave unwanted burrs, such as milling or cutting, which can lead to the problem already described above.

Embossed structures are typically not very accurate in their dimensional accuracy and can not be made sufficiently fine to realize, for example, filter openings on the order of 10 meters or less. The object of the present invention is now to provide a filter element or a filter with such a filter element, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above and is fast, simple and very flexible in terms of size and structure of the filter channels in the production.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a filter element having the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous developments thereof are specified in the dependent claims. In addition, a filter having the features in the characterizing part of claim 8 or claim 9 solves the

Task. A particularly preferred use for such a filter is in

Claim 10 specified. An advantageous development thereof describes the dependent subclaim.

In principle, filter elements which are formed substantially flat, decisive advantages. For example, they can be stacked on top of one another to complete the filter. A reassembly, for example, when tightening the stack via screws at any time possible, for example, to make a cleaning and / or repair of the filter easily and efficiently. In addition, slices can be made comparatively thin, so that a very good filtering effect can be achieved with a small size. By the solution according to the invention, the

To produce filter channels by a pulsed laser processing, filter elements arise, which are also highly flexible, inexpensive and fast to produce. The processing time for a single filter element is only a few seconds. By means of a suitable scanner technique, a very simple programming of the laser processing can take place in order to achieve a high degree of flexibility with regard to the filter channels.

By a simple variation of the process parameters in the laser processing can be done very easily continuously or in stages, a change in the channel cross-section, for example, an initially V-shaped channel end later as a lenticular channel or as a semicircular channel. This makes it possible to achieve a very good filtering effect, since a variety of the channel cross section allows different dirt particles with different dimensions and shapes to be filtered out very easily. In addition, the filter channels can be configured almost arbitrarily in their course during processing via a pulsed laser. For example, curved or S-shaped filter channels are possible, which achieve an excellent filtering effect, for example, in fiber / rod-shaped particles. The very flexible design of the filter channels is so possible in principle, although comparable to the etching. However, this requires very long production times, while the laser elements can be used to realize the filter elements within a few seconds.

By a suitable choice of the process parameters, furthermore, the reason and the walls of the generated channel structures can be influenced with regard to their surface properties. For example, a suitable waviness, roughness or other structural pattern by the variation of the process parameters in the

Laser processing can be adjusted. This allows particles with certain

Geometries are preferred, for example, by snagging, retained.

In addition to the simple, fast and very flexible processing by laser, a further processing, for example by etching, but in particular by forming, embossing or fine blanking, in addition to be made. As a result, coarser structures can be formed accordingly and, for example, inflow or outflow openings can be achieved simply and efficiently by punching out an opening in the flat filter element. The channel training itself, which for the

Filter effect is crucial, then takes place in the

Filter element according to the invention by the pulsed laser processing.

In a particularly favorable and advantageous embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the laser processing is carried out with a laser which emits light pulses having a duration in the range of picoseconds or femtoseconds. Such a processing with so-called ultra-short pulse lasers makes it possible to produce the channel structures without edge throw-off and without contamination of the unprocessed surfaces, since the removal is produced without appreciable formation of melt. This procedure is particularly simple and efficient, since it has a

Post-processing of the flat filter element makes unnecessary. The formation of burrs, splashes of melt or the like, which in conventional

Processing methods are inevitable, can be safely and reliably avoided here, so that process-safe, a clean filter element is created. The minimum width of the possible filter channels, which ultimately represents a decisive measure of the filter quality, results from the wavelength and the beam quality of the laser. In addition, the focal length and the imaging quality of the focusing optics play a role. If, for example, wavelengths of around 1 μπι are used, structures of the order of magnitude of less than 10 μm, preferably of the order of magnitude of 3 to 5 μm, can easily be produced with good quality. By a

Frequency doubling or frequency tripling can also be used to generate wavelengths in the green or UV range in the case of such lasers. As a result, even finer filter channels than the above-mentioned are possible. Such an embodiment of the filter element makes it possible to realize an extremely fine filter simply, efficiently and very quickly.

In a filter according to the invention with at least one of the filter elements, it is provided that the filter element is formed as a wound plate. The sheet-like component can be kept as a plate or preferably as a strip material. This is then structured on both sides or preferably on one side via the laser processing and introduced from one end to the other end extending filter channels. The filter element is then wound up to the filter. The filter thus consists of one or more such coils, which are flushed in the axial direction of the winding axis of the fluid. In this case, only the filter channels remain free as a flow-through cross-section, while they are bounded on one side by the limiting material of the plate and on the other side by the material of the adjacent layer of the plate. Depending on the configuration of the filter channels and the cross-section through which the filter effect can be adjusted and adjusted accordingly.

In an alternative embodiment of a filter according to the invention it is

provided that each of the filter elements is formed as a plate or disc, wherein a plurality of the filter elements are stacked in a stack. This structure of a filter as a stack of filter elements thus substantially corresponds to the structure known from the prior art. Only the channel structures in the area of

Filter elements are by the inventive production by means of a pulsed laser processing, preferably by means of pico or Femtolaser of special quality and allow a very small selectively variable flow-through cross-section, so as to realize a maximum filtering effect. The particularly preferred use of a filter element or a filter according to the invention lies in the filtering of fuels in a vehicle.

Especially here, where sometimes with very high pressures and possibly a load of the filter in thermal and mechanical nature as well as by vibrations which are unavoidable in the vehicle must be expected, plays the inventive structure of the filter element plays a crucial role. The

Filter elements can be realized very variable in terms of filtering effect. The production is very reliable and with short production times and therefore

associated low production costs possible. This can be realized very easily and efficiently a very reliable structure, which is the above

Loads easily withstand.

The filters according to the invention or the filter elements according to the invention thus allow ideal filtering of the fuel despite these difficult conditions. This applies in particular when the fuel is a gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, which is stored at pressures of more than 300 bar. In particular, when storing fuel in pressurized gas tanks, under high pressure and typically at extremely low temperatures during refueling, the quality and stability of the filter element or filter plays a crucial role. In particular, for this application, the filter or filter elements according to the invention are particularly well suited because they combine an extremely fine channel structure of the filter channels with a high mechanical and thermal capacity. In addition, they are very fast,

cost-effective and very small in terms of space, since due to the very small channel structures very thin flat components, such as films with a thickness of only 50 μητι, sufficient. In order to provide a sufficient filter surface available, then some such films or discs are sufficient as flat components, so that a maximum filter effect can be achieved with minimal space.

Further advantageous embodiments of the filter element according to the invention

or filter result from the remaining dependent claims and will be apparent from the embodiment, which will be described below with reference to the figures. a sectional view through a first embodiment of a filter; a possible embodiment of the filter element;

a detailed representation of the section III of Fig. 2;

a sectional view through a second embodiment of a filter; a sectional view through a third embodiment of a filter; a sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a filter; a schematic diagram of a filter element;

three possible embodiments of the filter element according to VIII in Figure 7 in detail.

a three-dimensional representation of a filter element in a possible embodiment;

a principle sectional view through a filter channel of

Filter element of FIG. 9;

a possible flow cross section of filter channels for optimized dirt pickup;

a possible flow cross section of filter channels for optimized backwashing;

Filter channels in a further alternative embodiment;

a schematic representation of filter channels with a collecting channel;

a sectional view along the line XV - XV in Fig. 14;

a channel arranged on both sides of the filter element in one

Basic illustration;

a channel disposed on both sides of the filter element in an alternative embodiment;

an alternative geometry of a filter element;

an alternative construction of a filter;

a schematic diagram of a possible cross section of a filter channel as a laser scan;

a representation of a possible filter channel in three different sizes images from a scanning electron microscope; and

a representation of alternative filter channels in four different sizes in images from a scanning electron microscope. 1 shows a filter 1 which can be used in particular for filtering fuels in a vehicle. The filter 1 should preferably be used for filtering hydrogen for a fuel cell system in a vehicle. The hydrogen for such a fuel cell system is typically stored in a compressed gas storage. When refueling the hydrogen, therefore, it comes to very high pressures, for example, pressures in the order of 875 bar in a compressed gas storage with 700 bar nominal pressure. In addition, very low temperatures of the order of -40 ° C occur. The filter 1 is therefore very heavily loaded. In addition, a fuel cell system is relatively sensitive, so that a very good filtering effect is needed. The filter 1 is now constructed so that it withstands the high mechanical and thermal load and also, as will be explained in more detail later, ensures a very good filtering effect. The filter 1 consists essentially of a stack 2 of individual filter discs. 3

In the illustration of Figure 2, such a filter element 3 is shown in a plan view. It consists essentially of a disc-shaped base body, which has a central passage opening 4. In addition, the filter element 3 has a plurality of flow openings 5. The flow openings 5 correspond to passage openings 6 in a main body 7 of the filter 1, which can be seen in the representation of FIG. The flow openings 5 are, as can be seen better in the representation of FIG. 2, and in particular in the enlarged representation of FIG. 3, are connected by means of filter channels 8 to an outer circumference 9 of the filter element 3. For improved flow to all filter channels 8, of which only a few are provided with a reference numeral, 3 connecting channels 10 are further provided between the individual flow openings 5 on each of the filter elements, so as to be able to accomplish a balance of the flow between the individual flow openings 5. In the region of the outer circumference 9 of the filter element 3 are also found projections 100, which serve as stacking aid, so that the

Filter elements 3 when stacking always be such that the

Through openings 5 are arranged in alignment with each other.

In the representation of FIG. 1, the basic function of the filter 1 can now be better recognized. The stack 2 of the filter elements 3 is connected via a cover plate 11, and in the embodiment shown here via a screw 12 with the main body 7 of the filter 1. The individual filter elements 3 are so against each other curious and are stuck together. About the designated M arrows now a media flow to the filter 1 takes place. This can be done, for example, transversely to the stacking direction of the stack 2, or in the stacking direction, wherein the media flow M then flows around the area of the cover plate 11 accordingly also to flow transversely to the stacking direction through the filter channels 8 between the individual filter elements 3. The streamed through the filter channels 8 and dirt particles, which in the region of

Filter channels 8 are stuck, freed media flow then flows through the recognizable in Figure 2 and 3 flow openings 5 and the corresponding passage openings 6 in the main body 7 of the filter 1 again. The outflowing medium flow is denoted by N in the illustration of FIG.

The filter 1 can now be introduced as a whole, for example, in the end of a line element, which then typically closes sealingly in the region of the base body 7 with the filter 1. Medium flowing through the conduit element M flows through the filter 1 and can then flow away again through the main body 7 or through openings 7 situated in the main body 7.

In particular, for such a structure in which the media flow flows perpendicular to the stacking direction from above, so first meets the cover plate 1 1, it may be useful and advantageous to optimize the cover plate 11 and / or the screw 12 fluidly accordingly. Such a structure can be seen, for example, in the representation of the filter 1 in FIG. The filter differs from the filter shown in Figure 1 only in that the cover plate 11 and the screw 12th

flow optimized in comparison to the cover plate 11 and the screw 12 in the illustration of Figure 1 are executed. Another way to optimize the entire filter 1 with respect to the flow, can be seen in the illustration of Figure 5. This again is comparable to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, the individual filter elements 3 of the stack 2 reduce their diameter, so that there is a smaller diameter of the stack 2 on the side remote from the main body 7 than on the side facing the main body 7. This also allows a flow optimization can be achieved.

Another example of such a flow optimization can be seen in the three-dimensional sectional view of FIG. On the base body 7, which here has a larger diameter than the stack 2 of the filter elements 3, in turn, a stack 2 of identical filter elements 3 is mounted. The conclusion forms a Cover plate 11, which is formed with aerodynamically optimized shape. The screw 12, which is not shown here, is not bolted through the cover plate in the base body 7, but screwed through the base body 7 in a designated 13 thread of the cover plate 11. The unfiltered medium M flows, as indicated by the arrow M, centrally to the aerodynamically optimized cover plate 11. It flows around them and, as in the case of the filters 1 described above, also enters the stack 2 of the filter elements through the outer circumference 9 of the filter elements. There it flows through the flow openings 5 and

Through holes 6 in the main body 7 as a filtered N again. Otherwise, the functionality is essentially the same as that which has already been described in the filters in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. In addition, it can be seen here that the protrusions 100 of the individual filter elements 3 shown in FIG. 2 are each stacked on top of each other. They serve the exact positioning of the filter elements 3. The cover plate 11 has in the area where it meets these projections, also a flow-optimized shape by in turn forms a projection 101 which is formed in the direction of the flow as a ramp 102. Next to the

Screwing the cover plate 11 with the base body and thus taking place clamping the filter elements 3 can also be made in the region of the projections 100, a welding of the individual filter elements 3 with each other, so that the mechanical strength of the filter 1 is further increased.

In the illustration of Figure 2 and 3 was already on the filter channels 8 of the

Filter element 3 received. These play the decisive role for the filter effect of the filter element 3. They should in the described application example

be comparatively small and have flow-through cross-sections, which are typically less than 10 μιη in size, in particular in the order of about 3 - 5 μιτι. These very small filter channels allow an ideal filter effect. In the illustration of Figure 7 is again a simplified

Top view of a filter element 3 to recognize. Again, there are several

Flow openings 5 shown and a through hole 4 for a centrally disposed screw 12 for bracing the filter elements 3 between the

Base 7 and the cover plate 11th

FIG. 8 shows three different details, each with one of the flow openings 5, the filter channels 8 and the outer circumference 9 of the filter element 3. In the first with a) designated detail display the filter channels 8 are straight. In the detailed representation designated b), the filter channels 8 are bent. This can be of particular advantage for retaining fibers or rod-shaped contaminants, since these then become entangled in the area of the filter channels 8 and are not carried away with the filtered medium N. A further improvement is the variant shown in FIG. 8 c), in which the

Filter channels each S-shaped. The S-shaped course of the filter channels 8 can, as shown in Figure 8 c), be characterized by a very strong counter-swing, or by two only slightly curved portions, which merge into one another along a straight line.

In the illustration of Figure 9 is a filter element 3 in a three-dimensional

To recognize principle representation to explain the possibilities in the design of the filter channels 8 in more detail. The filter element 3 in the illustration of FIG. 9 has only one central flow opening 5. The presentation waives

Through holes 4 for the screw 12. The illustration is therefore as

Understand schematic representation. The working principle can of course in

Filter elements 3 are integrated according to the embodiment described above.

The filter channels 8, of which only one is provided with a reference numeral, here extend radially outward, without being bent, S-shaped or formed with a different direction change. Two collecting channels 14 extend annularly in the filter element 3 and break through the individual filter channels 8 in each case transversely to the flow direction. In addition, they create a connection of the individual filter channels 8 with each other through this cross-connection, in the illustrated here

Embodiment twice during the run length of each of the filter channels 8. Thus, 14 compensating flows between the individual filter channels 8 can take place via the collecting channels, whereby, even with clogged filter channels 8 and clogged sections of filter channels 8, the pressure loss in the filter element 3 can be minimized overall. In addition, the filter channels 8 of the filter element 3 in FIG. 9 change their channel cross-section. This is clarified again in a principle sectional view of FIG. The change of the channel cross section is in each case such that the individual cross sections are separated from each other by the collecting channels 14. This is not necessary in principle, the change in the channel cross-section could also continuously or in stages, without the collecting channels 14 are present take place. In the illustrated embodiment, from the outer circumference of 9 from first through-flow portion of the filter channels 8 are each formed semicircular. It is provided on an exemplary filter channel 8 with the reference numeral 8.1. The next section is triangular in cross-section and provided with the reference numeral 8.2. The innermost portion is provided with the reference numeral 8.3, it is substantially rectangular. The shape as an exact semicircle,

in particular, however, as an exact rectangle or exact triangle, is to be understood as an example only. Depending on the production technology for the filter channels 8, the corners can also be rounded accordingly, so that, for example, instead of the rectangular cross section 8.3 of the filter channel 8, there is a cross section in the manner of a half lens.

In the illustration of FIG. 11, a channel cross-section that tapers continuously is shown in a plan view of two filter channels 8 and the representation of the flow direction by the indicated inflow of the medium M. This can be particularly advantageous for filtering particulates. Since the filters are also backwashed for cleaning regularly to flush out any contaminants from the filter again, it may also be useful to the filter channels 8 exactly the other way, namely to form expanding, as can be seen in the illustration of FIG 12. Also, a combination of first tapered and then widening cross section, as shown for example in Figure 13, may be useful and useful.

In the illustration of Figure 14 is another alternative to the integration of a

Collection channel 14 shown. In the section shown here, 5 individual filter channels 8 run in the flow direction of the medium M as far as the collecting channel 14, which is arranged transversely to the flow direction and connects the filter channels 8 to one another. The collecting channel 14 typically has a much larger flow cross section, as can be seen in the sectional view along the line XV - XV in FIG. The individual filter channels 8 in the flow direction up to the

Collection channel 14 thereby run so that they are not continued on the other side of the collecting channel 14. The medium must thus flow in some cases through the collecting channel 14. This allows fibrous and rod-shaped

Contaminants are very well retained. In the further course of the filter channels 8 are then only two continuously expanding filter channels 8 are provided which receive the coming from the five to the collection channel 14 extending filter channels 8 volume flow and forward accordingly.

The previous design of the filter channels 8 was in each case one-sided on the

Filter element 3. This can be very cheap and easy and efficient to produce in terms of processing and the design of the filter elements. But it is of course also possible to mount the filter channels on both sides and to connect them in particular by the filter element 3 together. Such an example can be seen in the representation of FIG. 16. Above, the top view of an upper side 15 of the filter element 3 can be seen, in the middle, the view from below. In the lower representation can then be seen in a cross section that the filter channel 8 on the top 15 to an opening 16 of the

Filter element 3 runs. After the opening 16, the filter channel 8 then continues on an underside 17 of the filter element 3. An alternative is in the

Representation of Figure 17 can be seen. In principle, the representation corresponds to the representation described in FIG. Instead of a single opening 16, a collection channel 14 is arranged at least on one side, in particular the top 15, which is connected via the opening 16 with the bottom 17. This is on the one hand in terms of the above-described filter characteristics of the collecting channel 14 of advantage and on the other hand in terms of production, since the filter channels 8 on the top 15 and on the bottom 17 need not be exactly above each other to be connected securely and reliably through the opening 16 , But that a slight offset due to the arranged on the top 15 collecting channel 14 is not critical. As a result, the filter element 3 can be manufactured with lower manufacturing tolerances, resulting in a simpler overall design

guaranteed more cost-effective production.

The structure of the filter elements 3 is of course conceivable and possible not only in a round shape, but also in any other forms, by way of example reference is made to FIG. 18, in which a filter element 3 is shown, which has a triangular cross-sectional shape, and analogously to the illustration in Figure 9, in turn, only a flow opening 5 has. Likewise, square, octagonal, oval or other shapes would be possible. The individual variants described can be combined with each other as desired.

An alternative embodiment of the filter 1 can be seen in the illustration of FIG. Instead of forming the filter 1 as a stack 2 of filter elements 3, the filter element 3 'is formed integrally here. It consists of a plate-shaped filter element 3 ', which can be made for example of a strip material. In this filter element 3 ', the filter channels 8 are introduced, which extend from one side edge to the other side edge. It is then wound up and set up. This results in the illustrated in Figure 19 winding of the filter element 3 'of a band, which hereinafter to clarify the difference as

Filter element 3 'is called. The filter element 3 'has distributed over its surface numerous filter channels 8, for which the same applies as if the filter element 3' as a filter element 3 would be disc-shaped. The filter channels 8, which lie on an upper side of the wound-up filter element 3 ', are then respectively closed by the other surface of the next layer of the filter element 3 in the one direction. With a flow through the filter element 3 'in the direction of the winding axis as a safe and reliable filtration of the fluid can be achieved. A two-sided arrangement of the filter channels 8 on the filter element 3 'is of course also conceivable.

For the production of the filter channels 8 is a laser processing. Such

Laser processing, in particular a laser processing with a pulsed laser, which triggers light pulses in the range of picoseconds or preferably femtoseconds, can be very fine and very accurate. In addition, such is done

Laser processing without contamination of the unprocessed surface, so that reworking is no longer necessary. By a simple variation of the

Process parameters, depth, shape and size of the filter channels in stages or continuously can be changed as desired. The technique is relatively fast, so that a single filter element 3, 3 'can be produced in a few seconds.

In the illustration of Figure 20 is a cross section through a filter channel 8 can be seen, which is formed with dimensions of about 3 μιτι in depth and about 5 pm in the maximum width. It is produced by pulsed laser processing and can be seen here in a very enlarged, laser-scanned display. A further illustration of the same filter channel 8 can be seen in FIG. 21 in photographs taken with the scanning electron microscope. In the first picture above left, the channel can be seen on a larger scale, in the

adjacent recording in a first magnification. Here it can be seen that the channel is formed clean and without lateral jarring or contamination of the surrounding areas. The third picture is in an even bigger one

Representation of the structure of the filter channel itself shown. This can also be influenced appropriately by suitable choice of the parameters during laser processing. Depending on the shape and type of dirt particles to be filtered out, it can be ideally adjusted to these particles, so that they interlock to a maximum and thus a very high filter effect can be achieved.

In the illustration of FIG. 22, an alternative channel geometry can be seen using the example of several adjacent filter channels 8. In particular, the material structure of the channel bottom is another, as can be seen in the most enlarged representation of the last image compared to Figure 21.

Claims

claims

Filter element (3, 3 ') for a fluid filter (1) having at least one such filter element (3), comprising a substantially flat component having a first side (15) and a second side (16) attached to at least one of its components Pages (15, 16) a channel structure with

Having filter channels (8),

characterized in that

the filter channels (8) are generated by a pulsed laser processing.

Filter element (3, 3 ') according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the laser processing takes place with a laser, which emits light pulses with a duration in the range of picoseconds or femtoseconds.

Filter element (3, 3 ') according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the filter channels (8) in the area through which flows have in cross-section in each case dimensions of less than 10 μm, preferably 3 to 5 μm.

Filter element (3, 3 ') according to claim 1, 2 or 3,

characterized in that

the filter channels (8) in the area through which they flow are continuous in cross-section in the direction of the flow of the fluid (M, N) or in one or more stages (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) in terms of dimensions and / or shape.

5. Filter element (3, 3 ') according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

at least some of the filter channels (8) through at least one transverse to

Broken flow direction of the fluid (M, N) extending collecting channel (14) and are interconnected.

6. Filter element (3, 3 ') according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

the filter channels (8) are arranged on the flat component on one side (15).

7. Filter element (3, 3 ') according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

the filter channels (8) are arranged on both sides (15, 16) of the flat component and are connected to one another by openings (16) in the flat component.

8. Filter (1) with at least one of the filter elements (3, 3 ') according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

the filter element (3 ') is formed as a wound plate.

9. Filter (1) with at least one of the filter elements (3, 3 ') according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

in that each of the filter elements (3) is in the form of a plate or disc, a plurality of the filter elements (3) being stacked in a stack.

10. The use of a filter element (3, 3 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a filter (1) according to claim 8 or 9, for filtering a fuel in a vehicle.

11. Use according to claim 10,

characterized in that the fuel is a gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, which is stored at pressures of more than 300 bar.