Filter device, in particular for high-pressure applications in a molten polymer filtration

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter device, in particular for high-pressure applications in a molten polymer filtration, with a screw-in piece (10), provided with a first threaded section (12), for fixing the filter device, a second threaded section (14), for fixing a filter medium (16), in particular in the form of a metal wool and with a perforated support tube (18) for the metal wool. The other free end thereof is provided with a volume displacer (24), whereby the metal wool is surrounded by a support grid (20) and fixed by two fixing pieces (28, 30), held at a separation from each other by means of the support grid (20), one of which (28) serves for the fixing to the second threaded section (14) of the screw-in piece (10) and the other as a handle (30) for the fixing thus carried out. As a result of the volume displacer 924) being a one-piece component of the support tube (18) and the fixing piece (30) in the form of a handle covering the volume displacer (24), the filter device is significantly improved in that the above permits a simple and rapid assembly procedure for the exchangeable filter medium and also the filter element construction is held such as to be free of damaging torsional loads.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter device, in particular for high-pressure applications in a molten polymer filtration, having a screw-in component which is provided with a first threaded section for fixing the filter device, which has a second threaded section, in particular in the form of metal wool for fixing a filter medium, and which has for the metal wool a perforated supporting tube the other, free, end of which is provided with a volume displacement component, the metal wool being enclosed in a support grid and retained by two fixing components, which, spaced a certain distance from each other by the support grid, serve the purpose of fixing on the second threaded section of the screw-in component and also represent a handle for the fixing involved.

[0002] WO 90/00434 discloses provision, between the first and second threaded section of the screw-in component, of an annular flange on which an annular seal may be supported, a seal which may be brought into contact by its other annular surface with the screw-on fixing component of the filter medium. The fixing component in question is provided on its outer circumference with setscrews positioned diametrically opposite each other the purpose of which it is to facilitate the screw-on process. On the opposite side of the filter medium the latter is also fixed to another fixing component, the latter also having on its outer circumference screw-in openings positioned diametrically opposite each other, which serve the purpose of application of a fixing tool, so that it is possible to use the fixing tool and the auxiliary fixing means in the form of the setscrews to carry out a screw-on application process potentially free of torsion, in order in this way to keep the filter medium, in particular one in the form of metal wool, free of torsional stresses for later polymer melt filtration and in order not to damage the support grid which encloses the metal wool filter medium to shield it from the exterior. The volume displacement component is then screwed onto this fixing component in the direction of the supporting tube. While this disclosed solution does make it possible to replace a fouled filter medium with a new filter element having fixing components and to leave the valuable stainless steel components in the form of the screw-in component and the supporting tube at the place of assembly, the assembly process itself is difficult to carry out because of insufficient rigidity of the filter element structure which complicates the replacement process. The possibility is also not to be excluded of buildup of torsional stresses in the support grid and in the filter medium in the fixing processes, so that failure is possible especially in a high-pressure application.

[0003] DE 43 43 270 A1 discloses a spinning head for spinning polymer melts, with an upper element and a nozzle block housing with a nozzle plate having a maximum area of 90 cm2 and a melt channel with filter cartridge. In that in the solution as disclosed a single filter cartridge is mounted upstream in the direction of flow from each nozzle plate, in that the filter cartridge consists of a seamless wire cloth cylinder through which flow proceeds radially from the exterior toward the interior, the cylinder having a cap at the upper end and a connecting piece tapering downward through which melt is conducted at the lower end, in that the zone of the melt channel receiving the filter cartridge is configured as a cone, at least in the lower third, and in that the tapering connecting piece of the filter cartridge is pressed into the cone by the polymer melt so as to be self-sealing, uniform flow of the polymer melt with dead spaces eliminated is achieved to the greatest extent possible. A volume displacement component which is a one-piece component of a supporting tube for the filter medium is provided at the upper end of the filter cartridge, opposite the lower end of the cone referred to. Despite the resulting reinforcement of the system as a whole, susceptibility to torsional stresses is still present and on the whole the process of filter element replacement is accomplished only with difficulty, virtually complete disassembly of the disclosed spinning head being required for the purpose.

[0004] WO 01/52966 A1 discloses a filter device with a filter housing having a filter admission and filter discharge, as well as a filter element which divides a filter chamber into two component chambers. In that in this solution one component chamber narrows in cross-section from the filter admission toward the filter discharge, conical configuration of at least one of the two component chambers separated by the filter element is provided. This permits achievement of optimal dwell time distribution inside the filter device, along with a uniform rate of flow, a characteristic which performs an essential function especially in the case of high-viscosity fluids such as polymer melts. In the disclosed solution in question a fixing component configured as a handle encircles the volume displacement component in the interior. But since the filter medium surrounding the supporting tube rests on the fixing component in question and at the opposite end in receptacle components rigidly connected to the housing, the harmful torsional stresses already described also arise in a process of disassembly and replacement of the filter element. Replacement of the filter elements also entails high cost.

[0005] On the basis of this state of the art the object of the invention is further improvement in the disclosed filter device so as to permit simple and rapid assembly of the filter medium to be replaced, as well as keeping the filter element design free of harmful stresses, especially ones in the form of torsional stresses. The object as thus formulated is attained with a filter device having the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] As a result of the characteristics specified in claim 1 in its entirety, the volume displacement component is an integral component of the supporting tube and the fixing component configured as a handle encircles the volume displacement component. Consequently, the volume displacement component as a component of the supporting tube no longer diminishes the operating cross-section for the fixing component configured as handle so that this fixing component is reinforced as a sealing or cover component to the extent that a rigid structure is achieved for the filter element as a whole as replacement modular unit so that torsional forces harmful to the filter medium in the fixing or screw-on process may be largely prevented. A screw-in cartridge of stable configuration is rather obtained and the costly volume displacement component may remain in the supporting tube in a replacement process and need not be removed in a detailed process. The solution claimed for the invention also makes it possible to carry out the fixing and exchange process exclusively by way of the handle, so that additional auxiliary assembly components such as setscrews or the like may be entirely dispensed with on the other fixing component with the threaded section.

[0007] In one preferred embodiment of the filter device claimed for the invention provision is also made such that, when the screw-in component has been introduced, an annular seal, in particular one in the form of a metal wool seal, is mounted between the first and the second threaded section of the fixing component. A separate annular seal on an annular flange of the screw-in component, such as that provided in the disclosed solution, may be completely dispensed with and yet reliable sealing is thereby achieved.

[0008] In another, especially preferred, embodiment of the filter device claimed for the invention the filter medium is retained by projections of material, especially also by indentations of the fixing components, at specified fixing points. The fixing points preferably represent an integral component of the fixing components. The respective configuration provides for a torsion-free fixing and replacement process for the filter medium, so that this medium is kept largely free of harmful material stresses.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the filter device claimed for the invention the fixing component serving as handle has the filter device spaced a certain distance axially from the volume displacement component, this volume displacement component being provided with sloping support surfaces which are at least to some extent in contact with supporting surfaces of the handle when a fixing component has been screwed in. The respective configuration, with the volume displacement component resting on the handle, provides security of contact making certain that the threading of the fixing component to be screwed on will not be screwed on too tightly, a condition which could damage the threading. Contact is also established such that the metal wool as filter medium, together with its support grid, is not subjected to harmful torsional forces.

[0010] Other advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The filter device claimed for the invention is described in greater detail on the basis of two embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which, in the form of diagrams not drawn to scale,

[0012] FIG. 1 presents a first embodiment of the filter device, partly as a side view and partly in cross-section;

[0013] FIG. 2 a section along line I-I in FIG. 1; and

[0014] FIG. 3 a longitudinal view of the second embodiment, also in cross-section and as a side view.

[0015] The filter device claimed for the invention in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained first. The second embodiment will then be presented, but only to the extent that it differs essentially from the first embodiment.

[0016] The filter device as specified for the exemplary embodiments is provided in particular for high-pressure use in polymer melt filtration. The filter device has a screw-in component 10 which is provided for fixing the filter device in an overall filter module (not shown) having a first threaded section 12. The screw-in component 10 also has a second, downstream, threaded section 14 for fixing a filter medium 16, in this instance a metal wool suitable for polymer melt filtration. In the interior the filter medium 16 rests on a perforated supporting tube 18 and on the outside the metal wool or filter medium 16 is enclosed in a support grid 20 with rectangular passage areas 22. The supporting tube 18 itself is rigidly connected on one of its ends to screw-in component 10, especially by way of a welded connection, and on its other free end to a volume displacement component 24 also connected to it in particular by way of a welded seam. The volume displacement component 24 is engaged by its tapering fluid conducting component in the supporting tube 18 and thus serves to even out the polymer melt flow inside the supporting tube in the direction of the discharge opening 26 inside the screw-in component 10.

[0017] Both the support grid 20 and the filter medium 16 are retained on two fixing components 28, 30 which are kept at the specified distance between them, in particular by way of the filter medium 16. The first fixing component 28 serves to secure the filter medium 16 on the second threaded section 14 of the screw-in component 10, while the second fixing component 30 is provided as a handle for the fixing process involved. The overall structure of fixing components 28, 30 with support grid 20 and filter medium 16 is accordingly configured so that a process of screwing in and unscrewing of the respective filter unit is made possible essentially by engagement of the handle in the form of the second fixing component 30. The direction provided for passage of the polymer melt, especially at high pressure values, extends from the exterior toward the interior, initially by way of the support grid 20, then by way of the filter medium 16 and perforations in the supporting tube 18 to the interior of the filter device, the polymer melt then leaving the filter device by way of the discharge opening 26 for subsequent use after impurities have been removed from it in this manner. If the metal wool is added as filter medium 16 removing impurities, the possibility accordingly exists of making a new filter medium available for repeated use by way of the handle 30, by detaching the screw-in component 10 by way of the first fixing component 28. Since the second fixing component 30 more or less encloses the volume displacement component 24, the handle in question may be designed to be highly rigid, a condition favoring the overall rigidity for the replacement components, so that harmful torsional stresses, especially those arising in the fixing process, may be kept away from the filter medium with its support grid 20.

[0018] There is mounted between the first threaded section 12 and the second threaded section 14 of the screw-in component 10 an annular seal 32 on the free frontal surface of the first fixing component 28 after this component has been introduced, in particular a seal in the form of a metal wool seal. This presents the advantage that the filter element, which has only one seal, is kept replaceable and yet reliable sealing of the interior of the filter device from the surroundings is provided in this way during later use. Unintended escape of the polymer melt is accordingly reliably prevented, even in decidedly high-pressure applications.

[0019] The filter medium 16 is retained in specific fixing positions 28, 30 in recesses in the fixing components by projections of material, in particular in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The inherently flexible metal wool as filter medium 16 may thus be fixed to the projections of material 34 by pressing processes; the fixing technique involved may be cost effectively applied and yet permits reliable fixing. The fixing positions referred to are themselves integral components of the fixing components 28, 30 and the respective fixing position continues as an extension in the fixing component 28, 30. The latter also promotes the overall reinforcement of the system. As is to be seen in FIG. 2 in particular, the filter medium 16 extends in pleated form around the supporting tube 18 and is enclosed toward the exterior by the support grid 20.

[0020] The second fixing component 30 serving as handle is spaced a certain distance 36 in the axial direction of the filter device from the volume displacement component 24, the volume displacement component 24 being provided with tapering support areas 38 which are at least to some extent in contact with support surfaces 40 of the second fixing component after the first fixing component has been introduced. A supporting force may thus be exerted on the volume displacement component 24 during the screw-in process; the volume displacement component 24 may then also serve as backing in order to prevent excessive tightening on the threaded sections in the area of the first fixing component 28. In addition, forces arising during filtration may then be reliably diverted by way of the support areas 38, 40 referred to into the base structure of the supporting tube 18 with screw-in component 10. The latter also contributes to reinforcement of the system as a whole, so as to provide the possibility of shielding the filter medium 16 itself from the effects of harmful forces.

[0021] The second embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. The same reference numbers are employed as those used for the first embodiment, and the present embodiment will accordingly be explained only to the extent that it differs from the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0022] First of all, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the fixing component 30 serving as handle is provided with a tapered element 42 extending outward toward the exterior. In addition to fixing of the filter device by way of the screw-in component 10, the tapered element 42 in question also provides the option of fixing inside an overall filter device (not shown), in addition to that of fixing the filter device by way of the screw-in component 10. In addition, each of the first and second fixing component 28, 30 consists of two sections 28a,b, 30a,b, each of the respective sections being rigidly connected to each other by a weld seam. The respective section 28b, 30b has a corbel projecting inward, and the filter medium 16 is thickened by a built-up weld seam so that the weld seam overlaps the section so that the filter medium 16 may be fixed on the sections 28b, 30b. This makes it possible to obtain a very slim overall filter device in which the support grid 20 more or less determines the outer diameter of the overall filter device.

[0023] Both embodiments have in common the feature that the screw-in component 10 forms with the supporting tube 18 and the volume displacement component 24 a module present on an overall filter unit and that the filter medium 16 with its two fixing components 28, 30, which is subject to wear, is separable as replacement module from the fixed module. If the filter device is used for filtration of polymer melts, all essential structural components are made of stainless steel materials.

Claims

1. A filter device, in particular for high-pressure applications in a molten polymer filtration, having a screw-in component (10) which is provided with a first threaded section (12) for fixing the filter device, which has a second threaded section (14) for fixing a filter medium (16), especially one in the form of metal wool, and which has for the metal wool a perforated supporting tube (18) provided on its other free end with a volume displacement component (24), the metal wool enclosed in a support grid (20) being retained by two fixing components (28, 30) which, being spaced a certain distance from each other by the support grid (20), one of which (28) serves the purpose of fixing on a second threaded section (14) of the screw-in component (10) and other represent a handle (30) for the respective fixing, the volume displacement component (24) being an integral component of the supporting tube (18), and the fixing component (30) being in the form of a handle encircling the volume displacement component (24).

2. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an annular seal (32), in particular one in the form of a metal wool seal, is mounted between the first (12) and the second (14) threaded sections of the screw-in component (10) when the first fixing component (28) has been screwed on, on the free frontal surface of such first fixing component (28).

3. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter medium (16) is retained by projections of material (34), in particular also by recesses in the fixing components (28, 30), in specific fixing positions on these fixing components (28, 30).

4. The filter device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fixing positions are an integral component of the fixing components (28, 30).

5. The filter device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the fixing component (30) serving as handle is spaced a certain distance (36) in the axial direction of the filter device from the volume displacement component (24) and wherein the volume displacement component (24) is provided with tapering support areas (38) which are at least to some extent in contact with the support area (40) of the handle (30) after one of the fixing components (28) has been screwed in.

6. The filter device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the fixing component (30) serving as handle is provided with a tapered element (42).

7. The filter device as claimed in claims 3, wherein one fixing component (28), which serves the purpose of fixing on the second threaded section (14), consists of two sections (28a,b) interconnected in particular by a weld seam one section of which (28a) has the threaded component for the second threaded section (14) of the screw-in component (10) and the other section (28b) of which has the projection of material for fixing the filter medium (16).

8. The filter device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the screw-in component (10) forms with the supporting tube (18) and the volume displacement component (24) a lasting structural unit, and wherein the filter medium (16) with its fixing components (28, 30) forms a replacement unit subject to wear.

9. The filter device as claimed in claim 9, wherein both modular units consist more or less of stainless steel materials.