阅读说明：本技术 3d打印的分级过滤介质包 (3D printed graded filter media pack ) 是由 J·A·罗德里格兹 D·L·莫尔豪斯三世 P·C·斯彭格勒 于 2019-06-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种过滤介质(400)包括多个固化材料层(402、402’),所述多个固化材料层包括：第一层(402),所述第一层具有在第一预定方向(406)上延伸的固化材料的第一起伏条(404)；和第二层(402’),所述第二层具有在第二预定方向(408)上延伸的固化材料的第二起伏条(404’)。所述第一层(402)与所述第二层(402’)接触,并且所述第一预定方向(406)与所述第二预定方向(408)不平行,在其之间形成多个孔(410、410’)。(A filter media (400) comprising a plurality of layers of solidified material (402, 402'), the plurality of layers of solidified material comprising: a first layer (402) having first photovoltaic strips (404) of solidified material extending in a first predetermined direction (406); and a second layer (402 ') having a second relief strip (404') of cured material extending in a second predetermined direction (408). The first layer (402) is in contact with the second layer (402 ') and the first predetermined direction (406) is non-parallel to the second predetermined direction (408), forming a plurality of apertures (410, 410') therebetween.)

1. A filter media (400), comprising:

a plurality of layers of solidified material (402, 402') comprising

A first layer (402) having first photovoltaic strips (404) of solidified material extending in a first predetermined direction (406); and

a second layer (402 ') having second relief strips (404') of cured material extending in a second predetermined direction (408);

wherein the first layer (402) is in contact with the second layer (402 ') and the first predetermined direction (406) is non-parallel to the second predetermined direction (408), forming a plurality of apertures (410, 410') therebetween.

2. The filter media (400) of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined direction (406) is perpendicular to the second predetermined direction (408).

3. The filter media (400) of claim 2, wherein the first undulating bars (404) of cured material have a trapezoidal pattern and the second undulating bars (404') of cured material have a square pattern.

4. The filter media (400) of claim 3, wherein the trapezoidal pattern at least partially defines a plurality of apertures (410, 410'), each aperture comprising an aperture dimension (412) that decreases in size along the second predetermined direction (408).

5. The filter media (400) of claim 2, wherein the filter media (404) comprises a rectangular cuboid configuration.

6. The filter media (400) of claim 4, wherein the filter media (400) defines a third predetermined direction (414) and the pore size (412) decreases in size along the third predetermined direction (414).

7. A filter media (500), comprising:

a plurality of layers (502, 502 '), each layer comprising a raised strip (504, 504') of cured material.

8. The filter media (500) of claim 7, wherein the filter media (500) comprises an annular shape defining an outer annular region (506) and an inner annular region (508), and the plurality of layers (502, 502') are in contact with each other defining a plurality of apertures (510) therebetween.

9. The filter media (500) of claim 8, further comprising:

a cover portion (512) comprising

A first plurality of cured material layers (516, 516'), the first plurality of cured material layers comprising: a first layer (516) having first photovoltaic strips (518) of solidified material extending in a first predetermined direction (520); and a second layer (516 ') having a second relief strip (518 ') of cured material extending in a second predetermined direction (522), and the first layer (516) being in contact with the second layer (516 ') and the first predetermined direction (520) being non-parallel to the second predetermined direction (522);

a bottom portion (514) comprising

A second plurality of cured material layers (524, 524') comprising: a third layer (524) having third relief stripes (526) of solidified material extending in a third predetermined direction (528); and a fourth layer (524 ') having a fourth relief strip (526 ') of cured material extending in a fourth predetermined direction (530), and the third layer (524) being in contact with the fourth layer (524 ') and the third predetermined direction (528) being non-parallel to the fourth predetermined direction (530); and is

Wherein the undulations of the cover portion (512) and the base portion (514) are out of phase with each other.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to filters and aerators for removing contaminants from various fluids (e.g., hydraulic fluids, air filtration, oil and fuel, etc.) used to power mechanisms and engines of earth moving, construction and mining equipment, etc. (e.g., automobiles, agriculture, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), locomotives, marine vessels, exhaust gas treatment, or any other industry that uses filters and aerators). In particular, the present disclosure relates to filters manufactured using 3D printing techniques, allowing more complex geometries to be used in the filters.

Background

Earth moving, construction and mining equipment and the like often employ filters and/or aerators for removing contaminants from various fluids (e.g., hydraulic fluid, oil, fuel, etc.) used to power the equipment's mechanisms and engines. Over time, contaminants accumulate in the fluid, which may be harmful to various mechanisms (e.g., hydraulic cylinders) and components of the engine, making maintenance necessary. The goal of the filter and/or breather is to remove contaminants from various fluids to extend the useful life of these components. Any industry that uses filters and/or aerators may also need to remove contaminants from hydraulic fluid, air, oil, fuel, etc. Examples of these other industries include, but are not limited to, automotive, agricultural, HVAC, locomotive, marine, exhaust treatment, and the like.

The features and geometries employed by such filters are limited by the manufacturing techniques that can be used to manufacture the filters and their associated filter media. Commonly used techniques include folding a porous fabric or other material to remove contaminants. Typical additive manufacturing builds around creating solid, rather than porous, parts. Thus, generating available grades of filter media that can be integrated into printed parts or used in media packs is not within the standard capabilities of current additive technologies such as FDM (fused deposition modeling), FFF (fused filament fabrication), SLA (stereolithography), and the like.

For example, U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0287048a1 to Thiyagarajan et al discloses a filter for a dishwasher appliance that includes a filter media, a body extending along an axial direction of the filter, and a cover positioned at a first end of the body along the axial direction of the filter. The filter medium is configured to filter debris and other particles from washing fluid in a washing chamber of a dishwasher appliance, and is attached to or integrally formed with a body of the filter. In addition, the lid is configured to allow wash liquid to flow from the washing chamber of the dishwasher appliance to the filter medium, and may be integrally formed with the body of the filter using an additive manufacturing process. Figures 15 and 16 and paragraph 59 of Thiyagarajan et al indicate that the filter openings are visible to the naked eye (0.08 inch). This is not suitable for removing some of the contaminants encountered by filters and/or aerators used in the earth moving, construction and mining industries, etc. (see above for a broader list of industries using filters and/or aerators).

Similarly, U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0287605A1 to Miller et al discloses a dishwasher appliance including a sump assembly having an integral filter for filtering washing fluid supplied to a washing chamber of the dishwasher appliance. The unitary filter defines a central axis. The unitary filter also has a filter media having an inner surface defining an interior chamber of the filter media. The cross-sectional area of the interior chamber in a plane perpendicular to the central axis varies along the length of the central axis. Related methods for forming an integral filter for a dishwasher appliance are also provided. In Miller et al, paragraph 33, the pore size of the filter media is said to be in the range of 0.003 inches to 0.025 inches. However, the exact method of creating such small pore sizes is not described in implementation detail.

Disclosure of Invention

A filter media according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of layers of solidified material including: a first layer having first photovoltaic strips of cured material extending in a first predetermined direction; and a second layer having a second relief strip of cured material extending in a second predetermined direction. The first layer is in contact with the second layer and the first predetermined direction is non-parallel to the second predetermined direction, forming a plurality of apertures therebetween.

A filter media according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of layers, each layer including a raised strip of cured material.

A filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a body including an outer wall defining a hollow interior; an inlet in fluid communication with the hollow interior; an outlet in fluid communication with the hollow interior; and a first filter media comprising a plurality of layers disposed within the hollow interior. Each layer includes a relief strip of cured material forming a plurality of apertures between each of the plurality of layers.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filter having a filter media manufactured using 3D printing or other additive manufacturing techniques according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. To show the internal workings of the filter, the top portion of the filter was removed. More specifically, the filter is shown as it is being constructed by an additive manufacturing process.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a filter having a filter media manufactured using 3D printing or other additive manufacturing techniques, similar to the filter of fig. 1, except that a plurality of filter media having different sized pores are provided, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the filter media of FIG. 1, illustrating the formation of the filter media by forming layers of undulating strips of material that undulate in alternating directions from one layer (the X direction) to an adjacent layer (the Y direction) along the Z direction.

Fig. 4 is a rear oriented perspective view of the filter of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a filter media according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a filter assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIG. 6, showing a filter media depicting fluid flow through the filter according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 shows the filter assembly of fig. 7 in a dry state, being constructed using an additive manufacturing process, more clearly showing the porosity of the filter media.

Fig. 9 shows a front cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the filter assembly of fig. 8, showing that both the housing and the filter media can be made using additive manufacturing.

FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter media of FIG. 8, more clearly showing the filter media having a generally cylindrical annular configuration.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the filter media of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a top cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a top cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of fig. 8.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram depicting a method and representing a system for generating a three-dimensional model of a filter and/or filter media according to any embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a method of creating a filter and/or filter media according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some instances, reference numerals will be referred to in this specification and the drawings will show the reference numerals followed by a letter (e.g., 100a, 100b) or a prime (e.g., 100', 100 "), etc. It should be understood that the use of letters or prime marks immediately following the reference numerals is intended to indicate that the features have similar shapes and similar functions, as is the case when the geometry is mirrored about the plane of symmetry. Letters and apostrophes are generally not included herein for ease of explanation in this specification, but may be shown in the drawings to indicate repetition of features having similar or identical functions or geometries discussed in this written specification.

Various embodiments of filters and/or filter media will be discussed herein that utilize existing additive manufacturing techniques to implement methods that produce repeatable processes that produce porous filter media that can be used with efficiency ratings. Examples of such processes include FFF, FDM, SLA, etc., 3D printing hardware, and specific control of the movement pattern of the print head such that when material is added to the part, small gaps are created to build up the porous structure. This method utilizes open source software that generates filter structures based on input given by a user. The method may vary the speed and path of the print head, the flow rate of the deposited plastic, the cooling method, etc. The underlying structure may sag or otherwise deform so as to create small sized holes.

For example, material may be dropped from one layer to the next, thereby creating a seal with the next layer. Thus creating two (or more) pores and finer porosity in the media. The deformation (e.g., dripping, sagging, etc.) may be caused by heat and gravity retained in the newly created layer from the thermal nozzle. Thus, a previously laid layer may be attached to a new layer. A drip layer that is perpendicular/not parallel to two parallel layers separated by a suitable distance may deform until it contacts an adjacent layer, creating two (or more) smaller holes on each side. In practice, this may result in finer pore sizes for finer filtration. The desired deformation may include adjusting temperature control, layer height control, extrusion width, fill pattern, and the like.

The debris retention capacity of a single layer of filter media is generally limited by the number of flow paths through the media. As fluid passes through the media, debris larger than the channel will not be able to flow through the media and eventually block the flow channel or become lodged in the media. To increase the capacity of the filter, the media may also be layered and/or staggered so that larger debris may be blocked at different depths than smaller debris. This results in increased media debris retention. The prototype media had a uniform pore structure. This limits the capacity of the media, as most of the debris blocked by the filter will occur near the surface through which the contaminated fluid initially flows.

In various embodiments of the filter media disclosed herein, a gradient within a stage and/or several graded media packs of media manufactured by additive manufacturing techniques may be provided. The media pack may be comprised of discrete media packs formed and synthesized from a unique combination of input settings in an additive manufacturing process. These settings selectively control the geometry of each stage in the media pack. The staged manufacture of discrete and unique media packs allows the entire media pack to act as one continuous filter element, although allowing for multi-stage filtration as with filters in a filter configuration or multiple filters in series in a system. Unlike filters in conventional filter designs, adding additional stages does not necessarily result in a significant increase in part complexity and cost.

Thus, the contaminated liquid stream will pass through each stage undergoing different forms of filtration to achieve a certain level of efficiency. In some embodiments, the height of a layer is held constant relative to that layer and is defined at a fixed distance from the layer just added to the part (printing at different layer heights at different heights of the printed part is done to reduce printing time.)

In some embodiments, the method changes the layer height when printing the layer to produce a single layer that is thicker in one region and thinner in another region. The variation in layer height relative to depth in the media pack may create a taper that creates a smaller pore size as the flow progresses downstream. This may improve efficiency with respect to depth and prevent larger particles from passing further than the appropriate depth specified by the particle size. This may allow for better utilization of the volume occupied by the media pack and may increase debris retention. The tapers may also nest to further increase the utilization of the volume of the media pack. The nested cones may be the same size so that they may function as filters, or the cones may have progressively smaller gauges, which may improve efficiency with respect to staging within the media pack.

The filters and/or filter media discussed herein may be used to remove contaminants from any type of fluid, including hydraulic fluids, oil, fuel, etc., and may be used in any industry, including earth moving, construction, mining, etc. As used herein, the term "filter" is to be construed as including "breather" or any device for removing contaminants from a fluid as described anywhere herein. Additionally, any suitable industry as previously described herein that uses filters and/or ventilators may use any of the embodiments discussed herein.

Focusing on fig. 1 to 4, a filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. It should be noted that the top portion of the filter in fig. 1-4 has been removed in order to show the internal workings of the filter. Even if the top portion is removed, it will be understood that the filter will include this top portion and in practice will form the housing. Other components of the filter that are not specifically shown but are understood to be present include end caps, center tubes, top plates, and the like. In some embodiments, the center tube may be omitted because the filter may have more structural integrity because the filter may be made of filter media.

The filter 100 may include a body 102 including an outer wall 104 defining a hollow interior 106. As shown, the outer wall 104 has a rectangular shape (or other polygonal shape). This may not be the case in other embodiments. See, for example, fig. 6. Other configurations, such as cylindrical, are possible for the outer wall 104. Referring again to fig. 1-4, the inlet 108 is in fluid communication with the hollow interior 106. In addition, the outlet 110 is in fluid communication with the hollow interior 106. A first filter media 112 is disposed within hollow interior 106 and includes a plurality of layers 114, 114', etc. As best seen in fig. 3, each layer 114, 114 ', etc. includes a relief strip 116 of cured material, forming a plurality of apertures 117, 117 ', etc. between each of the plurality of layers 114, 114 '.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, and 4, the hollow interior 106 includes a rectangular cuboid chamber 118 in fluid communication with the inlet 108 and the outlet 110. A first filter medium 112 is disposed in the rectangular cuboid chamber 118 between the inlet 108 and the outlet 110. Thus, fluid to be filtered enters through the inlet 108, passes through the first filter media 112, and exits the outlet 110. It should be noted that the inlet 108 and outlet 110 may be reversed as shown by the comparative fluid flow arrows 120 in fig. 1 relative to the fluid flow arrows 120' in fig. 2. The hollow interior 106 may have other shapes than a rectangular cube, as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to fig. 2, the body 102 may include a bottom wall 122 and a side wall 124. The inlet 108 may extend through the bottom wall 122 and the outlet 110 may extend through the side wall 124. In fig. 1, 2, and 4, the body 102 defines a plurality of parallel support ribs 126 disposed in the outlet 110 or inlet 108 extending through the sidewall 124. The function of these bearing ribs 126 is to support the structure of the body 102 when built by the additive manufacturing process while being able to allow little resistance to fluid flow through the apertures (e.g., the inlet 108 or the outlet 110) in the side wall 124. That is, the ribs 126 are oriented in the desired flow direction 120, 120'.

Similarly, the body 102 also defines a plurality of auxiliary voids 128 that are not in fluid communication with the rectangular cuboid chambers 118. The body 102 includes a support structure 130 disposed in the plurality of auxiliary voids 128. The purpose of the auxiliary voids 128 is to speed up the manufacturing process when built by an additive manufacturing process, while the support structure 130, which may be in the form of a grid of interconnected ribs, provides structural rigidity and strength.

The body 102 may be seamless and the first filter media 112 may be an integral part of the body 102 or may be a separate component from the body 102 that is later inserted into the body 102. As best seen in fig. 5, the first filter media 112 may define a plurality of pores 117 defining a minimum dimension 134 of between 50 microns and 200 microns. In particular embodiments, the smallest dimension 134 of the plurality of apertures 117 may be in a range of 70 microns to 170 microns. These various configurations, spatial relationships, and dimensions may be varied as needed or desired to be different from what has been particularly shown and described in other embodiments. For example, the pore size may be large or may be small as desired (e.g., 4 microns, in fig. 5, h _ a > > h _ b).

Referring to fig. 2 and 4, the filter 100 may further include a second filter media 132 disposed proximate the first filter media 112 and the outlet 110. That is, the fluid to be filtered passes through the inlet 108, through the first filter media 112, then through the second filter media 132, and then out through the outlet 110. In some embodiments, as best understood with reference to fig. 5, the first filter media 112 defines a plurality of apertures 117, 117 ' having a first minimum dimension 134, and the second filter media 132 defines a plurality of apertures 117, 117 ' having a second minimum dimension 134 '. The first minimum dimension 134 may be greater than the second minimum dimension 134'.

Thus, multiple filtration stages may be provided such that larger sized contaminants are filtered out by the first filter media 112 in a first stage, finer contaminants are filtered out by the second filter media 132 in a second stage, and so on. In various embodiments, a number of filter states (up to and including the nth stage) may be provided as needed or desired. In other embodiments, the first filter media 112 may be configured to remove water, the second filter media 134 may be configured to remove debris, and the like. In some embodiments, first filter media 112 and second filter media 132 are separate components that may be inserted into body 102. In this case, the body 102 of the filter 100 is separated from the first and second filter media 112, 132. In other embodiments, first filter media 112 and second filter media 132 are integral with body 102 and with each other, built simultaneously with body 102 through an additive manufacturing process.

Attention is now directed to fig. 6 to 14, a filter 200 (e.g., a canister filter) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The filter 200 may include a housing 202 including an outer wall 204 and an inner wall 206. The outer wall 204 and the inner wall 206 define the same longitudinal axis 208. The inner wall 206 may have a cylindrical configuration and may define a radial direction 210 that passes through and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 208 and a circumferential direction 212 that is tangential to the radial direction 210 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 208. The inner wall 206 is spaced radially away from the outer wall 204, and the housing 202 further defines a first end 214 and a second end 216 disposed along the longitudinal axis 208 and a hollow interior 218. In other embodiments, these various configurations and spatial relationships may be different.

As best seen in fig. 7-10, the inlet 220 is in fluid communication with the hollow interior 218, and the outlet 222 is in fluid communication with the hollow interior 218. Disposed within the hollow interior 218 is a filter media 224 comprising a plurality of layers 226, 226', etc. Each layer 226 may include relief strips 228, 228' of cured material, etc. Filter media 224 includes an annular shape defining an outer annular region 230 and an inner annular region 232.

The hollow interior 218 includes: an outer annular chamber 234 in fluid communication with inlet 220 and outer annular region 230 of filter media 224; and a central cylindrical void 237 concentric about the longitudinal axis 208 in fluid communication with the outlet 222 and the inner annular region 232 of the filter media 224. This establishes a fluid flow to be filtered as indicated by arrows 236 in fig. 6 and 7. In other embodiments, the flow direction may be reversed.

The inner wall 206 may define the outlet 222 and may include internal threads 238 or other types of mating interfaces. Housing 202 defines a top surface 240, and inlet 220 is a first cylindrical bore 242 extending from top surface 240 to outer annular chamber 234, and outlet 222 extends from top surface 240 to central cylindrical void 237. As shown in fig. 7-9, a plurality of identically configured inlets 220 may be provided, arranged in a circular array about the longitudinal axis 208. Similarly, multiple outlets may be provided in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the number and arrangement of inlets and outlets may be varied as needed or desired.

In some embodiments, the housing 202 is seamless and the filter media 224 is integral with the housing 202. For example, the filter media 224 may be constructed simultaneously with the housing 202 through an additive manufacturing process. In other embodiments, the filter media 224 may be a separate component that is inserted into the housing. If desired, a plurality of different filter media may be arranged in a concentric manner as previously described herein to provide multi-stage filtration. The filter media 224 defines a plurality of pores 117 (not explicitly shown in fig. 7-14, but understood to have the same structure shown in fig. 3 or 5) that define a minimum dimension 134 of less than 200 microns. As previously mentioned herein, the size of the pores may be any suitable size.

Directing attention to fig. 8-12, the filter media 224 includes a lid portion and a bottom portion. The cover portion 246 includes a first plurality of cured material layers 250, 250', etc., including: a first layer 250 having first photovoltaic strips 252 of cured material extending in a first predetermined direction 254; and a second layer 250 'having second relief strips 252' of solidified material extending in a second predetermined direction 256. The first layer 250 is in contact with the second layer 250' and the first predetermined direction 254 is non-parallel to the second predetermined direction 256.

Similarly, the bottom portion 248 includes a second plurality of solidified material layers 258, 258' including: a third layer 258 having third relief stripes 260 of solidified material extending in a third predetermined direction 262; and a fourth layer 258 'having fourth relief stripes 260' of solidified material extending in a fourth predetermined direction 264. The third layer 258 is in contact with the fourth layer 258' and the third predetermined direction 262 is non-parallel to the fourth predetermined direction 264.

As best seen in fig. 10, the undulations of the cover portion 246 and the undulations of the bottom portion 248 are out of phase with one another. The cover portion 246 and the bottom portion 248 may represent the first 3-5 layers of printing. The number of solid layers at the bottom and top is controlled by the print settings. They can provide additional structural support for printing and seal "fillers" from exposed plastic layers. In some embodiments, multiple media may be stacked vertically to create "out of phase" undulations that can manipulate and alter the flow path of fluid flowing through each section of the out of phase media pack. For example, more restrictive channels may be provided at the top or bottom portion, while the middle portion may have more open channels, depending on the preference of a particular filtering application.

Fig. 14 illustrates that the filter 200 may include an auxiliary void 266 in which a support structure 268 is provided to speed up the manufacturing process when using an additive manufacturing process while maintaining the structural integrity of the filter 200.

A filter 300 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure may be generally described below with reference to fig. 1-14. The filter 300 may include a housing 302 and a filter media 304 including a plurality of layers 306, 306', etc. of cured material. At least one of the plurality of layers 306, 306' of solidified material comprises relief strips 308 of solidified material extending in a first predetermined direction 310. Referring to fig. 3, the raised strips of material 308 may be arranged in a trapezoidal pattern. That is, the two legs 312 of the strip 308 may be angled relative to each other to form an aperture 314 having a reduced size as fluid passes through the aperture 314. In fig. 3, this reduction in size occurs in the X-Y plane. In fig. 5, this reduction also occurs in the Y-Z plane. In other words, the trapezoidal pattern at least partially defines a plurality of apertures 314, 314 ', each of the plurality of apertures 314, 314' including an aperture dimension 318 that decreases in size along a second predetermined direction 316.

Focusing on fig. 3, the plurality of cured material layers 306, 306', etc. comprise: a first layer 306 having first photovoltaic strips 308 of cured material extending in a first predetermined direction 310; and a second layer 308 'having second relief stripes 308' of solidified material extending in a second predetermined direction 316. For any of the embodiments described herein, the undulations of any solid strip of material may have any suitable shape, including zig-zag, square, trapezoidal, sinusoidal, polynomial, and the like.

The first layer 306 is in contact with the second layer 306' and the first predetermined direction 310 is not parallel to the second predetermined direction 316. This arrangement helps to form the apertures 314, 314'. The first predetermined direction 310 may be perpendicular to the second predetermined direction 316. As shown in fig. 3, the first undulating bars 308 of solidified material are arranged in a trapezoidal pattern, and the second undulating bars 308 'of solidified material are arranged in a square pattern (with the legs 312' parallel to each other). Another shape, such as trapezoidal, may also be used for the strips 308'. In other embodiments, any of these shapes may be varied as needed or desired.

A filter media 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which may be used as a replacement part, will now be described with reference to fig. 3 and 5. It should also be noted that the various embodiments of the filter media as described herein may be reused by backwashing the captured debris or other contaminants from the filter media. The filter media 400 may include a plurality of layers of cured material 402, 402', etc. comprising: a first layer 402 having first photovoltaic strips 404 of cured material extending in a first predetermined direction 406; and a second layer 402 'having second relief strips 404' of solidified material extending in a second predetermined direction 408. The first layer 402 is in contact with the second layer 402 'and the first predetermined direction 406 is non-parallel to the second predetermined direction 408, forming a plurality of apertures 410, 410' therebetween.

In a particular embodiment, the first predetermined direction 406 is perpendicular to the second predetermined direction 408, but need not be. The first undulating bars 404 of cured material have a trapezoidal pattern and the second undulating bars 404' of cured material have a square pattern. Other shapes are possible.

As mentioned earlier herein, the trapezoidal pattern at least partially defines a plurality of apertures 410, 410', each including an aperture dimension 412 that decreases in size along the second predetermined direction 408.

In fig. 3, the filter media 400 comprises a rectangular cuboid configuration. Other shapes, such as annular, are possible.

In fig. 5, the filter media 400 defines a third predetermined direction 414, and the pore size 412 decreases in size along the third predetermined direction 414. As an example, the first predetermined direction may be an X direction, the second direction may be a Y direction, and the third direction may be a Z direction.

Referring to fig. 7 through 12, another embodiment of a filter media 500 that may be provided as an alternative portion may be described as follows. The filter media 500 may include a plurality of layers 502, 502 ', etc., each layer including a relief strip 504, 504', etc. of cured material. The filter media 500 can include an annular shape defining an outer annular region 506 and an inner annular region 508. The plurality of layers 502, 502', etc. are in contact with one another, defining a plurality of apertures 510 therebetween.

The filter media 500 can also include a lid portion 512 and a bottom portion 514 having the attributes and options previously described herein. The lid portion 512 may include a first plurality of cured material layers 516, 516', etc., including: a first layer 516 having first photovoltaic strips 518 of cured material extending in a first predetermined direction 520; and a second layer 516 'having second relief strips 518' of cured material extending in a second predetermined direction 522. The first layer 516 is in contact with the second layer 516' and the first predetermined direction 520 is not parallel to the second predetermined direction 522.

The bottom portion 514 includes a second plurality of cured material layers 524, 524', etc., that includes: a third layer 524 having third relief stripes 526 of solidified material extending in a third predetermined direction 528; and a fourth layer 524 'having fourth relief stripes 526' of solidified material extending in a fourth predetermined direction 530. The third layer 524 is in contact with the fourth layer 524' and the third predetermined direction 528 is not parallel to the fourth predetermined direction 530.

Again, as mentioned earlier herein, the undulations of the cover portion 512 and the undulations of the base portion 514 are out of phase with one another. As mentioned earlier herein, a "out of phase" undulation may provide the opportunity to have different porosity and filtration in different directions and sections of the media.

Any of the dimensions or configurations discussed herein for any embodiment of the filter media or filter or associated features may be varied as needed or desired. Additionally, the filter media or filter may be made of any suitable material having the desired structural strength and chemical compatibility with the fluid to be filtered. For example, various plastics may be used, including but not limited to PLA, copolyester, ABS, PE, nylon, PU, and the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Indeed, the filter media or filter according to any of the embodiments described herein may be sold, purchased, manufactured, or otherwise obtained in an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or after-market setting.

Referring to fig. 15 and 16, the disclosed filter media and filters may be manufactured using conventional techniques, such as casting or molding. Alternatively, the disclosed filter media and filters may be manufactured using other techniques commonly referred to as additive manufacturing or additive machining.

Known additive manufacturing/processing processes include techniques such as 3D printing. 3D printing is a process in which material can be deposited in successive layers under computer control. The computer controls the additive manufacturing device to deposit successive layers according to a three-dimensional model (e.g., a digital file, such as an AMF or STL file) configured to be converted into a plurality of slices, e.g., a plurality of two-dimensional slices, each slice defining a cross-sectional layer of a filter or filter media, in order to manufacture or process the filter or filter media. In one case, the disclosed filter or filter media would be the original component, and the 3D printing process would be used to manufacture the filter or filter media. In other cases, the 3D process may be used to replicate an existing filter or filter media, and the replicated filter or filter media may be sold as an after-market item. These replicated after-market filters or filter media may be exact copies of the original filter or filter media, or pseudo-copies that differ only in non-critical respects.

Referring to fig. 15, a three-dimensional model 1001 representing a filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500 according to any embodiment disclosed herein may be a computer-readable storage medium 1002, such as a magnetic storage device, including a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; semiconductor storage devices such as Solid State Disks (SSDs) or flash memories; an optical disk storage device; a magneto-optical disk storage device; or any other type of physical memory or non-transitory medium on which information readable by at least one processor may be stored. This storage medium may be used in conjunction with a commercially available 3D printer 1006 to manufacture or process the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500. Alternatively, the three-dimensional model may be electronically transmitted to the 3D printer 1006 in a streaming manner without being permanently stored at the location of the 3D printer 1006. In either case, the three-dimensional model constitutes a digital representation of the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500, suitable for use in manufacturing the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500.

The three-dimensional model may be formed in a variety of known ways. Generally, the three-dimensional model is created by inputting data 1003 representing the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500 into a computer or processor 1004, such as a cloud-based software operating system. The data may then be used as a three-dimensional model representing the physical filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter medium 400, 500. The three-dimensional model is intended to be suitable for the purpose of manufacturing the filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter medium 400, 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the three-dimensional model is suitable for the purpose of manufacturing the filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter media 400, 500 by additive manufacturing techniques.

In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, the input of data may be accomplished with a 3D scanner 1005. The method may involve contacting the filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter medium 400, 500 via a contact and data receiving device, and receiving data from the contact in order to generate the three-dimensional model. For example, the 3D scanner 1005 may be a contact scanner. The scanned data may be imported into a 3D modeling software program to prepare a digital data set. In one embodiment, the contact may occur through direct physical contact by contacting a probe with a surface of the filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter media 400, 500 using a coordinate measuring machine that measures the physical structure of the filter 100, 200, 300 or the filter media 400, 500 in order to generate a three-dimensional model.

In other embodiments, the 3D scanner 1005 may be a non-contact type scanner, and the method may include directing projection energy (e.g., light or ultrasound) onto the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500 to be replicated and receiving reflected energy. From this reflected energy, the computer will generate a computer-readable three-dimensional model for use in manufacturing the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500. In various embodiments, multiple 2D images may be used to create a three-dimensional model. For example, 2D slices of a 3D object may be combined to produce a three-dimensional model. Instead of a 3D scanner, the input of data may be done using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. In this case, the three-dimensional model may be formed by generating a virtual 3D model of the disclosed filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500 using CAD software. A three-dimensional model will be generated from the CAD virtual 3D model in order to fabricate the filter 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500.

The additive manufacturing process used to produce the disclosed filters 100, 200, 300 or filter media 400, 500 may involve materials as previously described herein. In some embodiments, additional processes may be performed to produce a finished product. Such additional processes, for example when employing metallic materials, may include, for example, one or more of cleaning, hardening, heat treating, material removal, and polishing. In addition to or instead of these indicated processes, other processes required for completing the finished product may also be performed.

Focusing on fig. 16, a method 600 for manufacturing a filter or filter media according to any embodiment disclosed herein may include providing a computer-readable three-dimensional model of the filter or filter media configured to be converted into a plurality of slices, each slice individually defining a cross-sectional layer of the filter or filter media (block 602); and each layer of the filter or filter media is formed sequentially by additive manufacturing (block 604). Continuously forming each layer of the filter or filter media by additive manufacturing may include building a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers includes a first photovoltaic strip of material extending in a first predetermined direction (block 606).

Additionally, the method may include forming a second layer of the plurality of layers, the second layer including a second relief stripe of material extending in a second predetermined direction, the second predetermined direction being different from the first predetermined direction (block 608). Further, the method may include varying at least one of the following variables to produce the desired minimum size of the aperture: the speed and/or path of the print head, the flow rate of the plastic, the type of plastic, the cooling rate of the plastic, and the pattern or configuration of the relief material to produce the layer deformation (block 610). The filter or filter media may be constructed from the bottom toward the top.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some devices may be constructed and function differently than described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than specifically mentioned, or in some cases simultaneously or in sub-steps. Moreover, certain aspects or features of the various embodiments may be changed or modified to produce additional embodiments, and features and aspects of the various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide yet further embodiments.

It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.