Hydrodynamic retarder with working medium storage tank

Abstract

A hydrodynamic retarder having a housing, comprising a stator housing and a tank cover which enclose a tank, the tank being a pressure tank, the pressure tank comprising a fluid region which can be filled with oil, a defoaming chamber and an air system, the air system comprising a plurality of chambers and valves which are connected to one another by channels, the compressed air can be guided into the storage tank through the valve, and the storage tank can be exhausted to the environment through the valve. According to the invention, a collection region for accumulating oil is provided in a plurality of chambers of the air system, the oil separation is carried out in the air system during the discharge of the tank and the oil residue can be deposited in the collection region, and the oil residue can be brought back from the collection region to the fluid region during the introduction of compressed air into the tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hydraulic retarder with a working medium storage tank, specifically to a hydraulic retarder having a housing including a stator housing and a tank cover, the stator housing and tank cover surrounding the storage tank, wherein the storage tank is a pressure tank, the pressure tank including a fluid region capable of being filled with oil, an antifoaming chamber and an air system, wherein the air system includes multiple chambers interconnected by channels and valves, wherein compressed air can be introduced into the storage tank through the valves, and the storage tank can be vented to the environment through the valves. Background Technology

[0002] Hydraulic retarders are used, for example, as wear-free brakes in motor vehicle transmission systems to brake motor vehicles, especially trucks, buses, or rail vehicles, by transmitting torque through hydraulic circulation.

[0003] The retarder includes an annular working chamber formed by a rotor and stator, which is connected via a channel system to a working medium circulation loop containing a working medium reservoir. Exhaust from the working chamber is achieved through a contour exhaust system, which releases air through the connection between the working chamber and the environment. When the retarder switches to braking operation, the air present in the working chamber during non-braking operation is discharged from the working chamber into the environment through the contour exhaust system. To prevent the working medium, especially oil, from entering the environment, an oil separator and valves are provided.

[0004] In addition, a tank venting system is provided, through which air can be released from the working medium tank by connecting it to the environment. For braking operation, compressed air is introduced into the working medium tank through a compressed air regulating valve. By pressurizing the working medium in the tank, the working medium is delivered to the working chamber.

[0005] For non-braking operation or to adjust for lower braking power, compressed air is discharged from the storage tank into the environment through a compressed air regulating valve. The storage tank is thus vented.

[0006] To prevent the working medium, especially oil, from entering the environment with air during the venting of the working medium storage tank, an oil separation system with multiple separation devices is provided.

[0007] Two exhaust systems are known, for example, from DE 10 2013 207 004 A1. Special requirements are placed on tank venting because, in order to switch the retarder to braking operation, the working medium must be forced from the working medium tank into the working chamber using compressed air. The filling degree of the working chamber and therefore the braking power of the retarder depends on the air pressure, which is adjusted by regulating the filling degree. To switch to non-braking operation or to reduce the retarder's braking torque, this means that compressed air must be released. Especially when the retarder is closed, a relatively large amount of oil foam is formed, and the oil components of this foam must not enter the environment. To prevent this, separate passage arrangements between the working medium tank and the environment are known.

[0008] For example, CN 105 697 602 A describes a channel arrangement with multiple separation chambers through which oily air flows.

[0009] Furthermore, a tank venting system with a special channel arrangement is known from DE 10 2021 117 390 A1, in which it is proposed that the labyrinth structure of the tank venting system includes multiple spaces and / or channels within the tank surrounded by the tank shell and the tank cover, through which an air-working medium mixture can be guided to separate the working medium components, wherein drip channels are provided, through which the tank venting system is connected to the fluid region of the tank, thereby guiding working medium accumulations from the tank venting system back to the fluid region.

[0010] Practice has shown that known structures cannot adequately reduce oil discharge, or these structures have an adverse effect on the operation of the retarder. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a hydraulic retarder with a working medium storage tank, which has improved overall functionality.

[0012] This technical problem is solved according to the present invention by the hydraulic retarder described at the beginning. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the specification.

[0013] A hydraulic retarder is proposed, having a housing including a stator housing and a tank cover surrounding a tank, wherein the tank is a pressure tank including a fluid region capable of being filled with oil, an antifoaming chamber, and an air system, wherein the air system includes multiple chambers interconnected by channels and valves, through which compressed air can be introduced into the tank and through which the tank can be vented to the environment.

[0014] According to the invention, a collection area for accumulating oil is provided in multiple chambers of the air system, wherein oil separation is performed in the air system when the storage tank is vented, and oil residue can be deposited in the collection area, and when compressed air is introduced into the storage tank, the oil residue can be carried back from the collection area to the fluid area.

[0015] Additionally, a terminal chamber with a collection area can be provided between the valve and the environment. The advantage of venting through the terminal chamber is that oil separation can be performed again after the valve, wherein the oil components originating from this chamber are not carried back to the storage tank.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, exhaust from the terminal cavity to the environment can be achieved through multiple, preferably three, outlet openings, wherein the outlet openings are designed such that the air velocity does not exceed the desired value.

[0017] In addition, a deflector can be installed behind the outlet opening to guide the exhaust air in the desired direction.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous, for example, that a silencing element is arranged in the outlet opening, and / or that the collection area can be emptied through a closable discharge port. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are detailed in the figures:

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the retarder along the rotor shaft is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 Showing a cross section AA through the retarder housing

[0022] Figure 3 The BB section behind the intermediate plate is shown, showing the through holes in the intermediate plate.

[0023] Figure 4 Showing cross-sections through the valve inlet and outlet

[0024] All figures show cross-sectional views of the retarder. The order of the cross-sections shows the airflow path of the retarder as it switches from braking operation to non-braking operation. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The position of the cross-section along the longitudinal direction of retarder 1 is all from Figure 1 As can be seen, among them, Figure 1 This view shows a cross-section of the retarder 1 along the rotor shaft 2. Sections AA and BB can be seen in this view.

[0026] Figure 1A portion of the retarder 1 is shown, from which three components of the retarder that are important to the present invention can be identified. These components include the stator housing 6, the intermediate plate 7, the seal 22, and the tank cover 8, which surround the fluid region or define the chamber and passage.

[0027] The stator housing 6 and the tank cover 8 are castings with cast plates, which together with the intermediate plate 7 and the seal 22 form chambers and channels, wherein through holes or channels are also provided in the intermediate plate 7 and the seal 22.

[0028] Figure 1 The main visible areas include the fluid region 3 and the defoaming space 9 formed between the stator housing 6 and the intermediate plate 7.

[0029] For simplicity, fluid region 3 is only partially shown; the significantly larger volume region of storage tank 20 is shown in... Figure 1 Not shown in the diagram, and located below the retarder 1. The entire fluid zone 3 and the air system 5 required for exhaust are surrounded by the stator housing 6, the tank cover 8, and the seal 22 arranged between them.

[0030] For the description of this invention, the process of switching the retarder from braking operation to non-braking operation and from non-braking operation back to braking operation is crucial. A valve 10 is provided for switching operating states, through which compressed air can be introduced into the storage tank 20, and the storage tank 20 can be vented to the environment through the valve 10. The connection between the storage tank 20 and the valve 10 is formed by the air system 5.

[0031] The air system 5 includes multiple chambers 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, and 16, which are interconnected by channels 13a, 13b, and 15a. For example, chambers 14a and 14b are separated by a seal 22, in which multiple connecting channels 13a are provided. Furthermore, the circular chambers 12a and 12b are connected by at least one connecting channel 13b in the seal 22.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown in the details, an outlet channel 15a is provided in the circular cavity 12a in the stator housing 6 through the seal 22, through which air reaches the valve 10 via the valve cavity 16.

[0033] When the retarder switches to braking operation, compressed air delivers the working medium from fluid zone 3 to the retarder's working chamber 4, thereby generating braking torque in the retarder 1. If the compressed air is released into the environment through valve 10 and outlet 16, the retarder can pump the working medium from the working chamber 4 back to the storage tank 20.

[0034] To prevent the working medium, especially oil, from entering the environment, an air system 5 is provided, which is located essentially above the fluid zone 3. An anti-foaming chamber 9 is positioned between the air system 5 and the fluid zone 3.

[0035] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross-section AA through the stator housing 6. This cross-section clearly shows the arrangement and shape of the chambers within the stator housing 6. For example, the boundary of the defoaming chamber 9 relative to the fluid region 3 and the air system 5 is clearly visible. Comb-like structures 11a and 11b are provided to define the defoaming chamber 9, forming through-holes between the air system 5 region and the fluid region 3. These comb-like structures 11a and 11b ensure that rising oil foam formed when oil flows back to the storage tank 20 breaks up. The comb-like channels 11a and 11b have different cross-sections that can be adjusted according to the formation of oil foam. Air / compressed air is always guided through the comb-like structures 11a and 11b to enter or exit the storage tank 20.

[0036] Figure 3 A BB section is shown through the tank cover 8 toward the valve 10. This section clearly shows the arrangement and shape of the chambers in the tank cover 8.

[0037] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows separated circular cavities 12a and 12b, separated transition channels 14a and 14b, and an outlet cavity 16, which are separated from each other by connecting plates. Sealing of these areas is achieved by seals 23 and / or intermediate plates 7, which are not shown in the figure due to the cross-sectional orientation.

[0038] The airflow during exhaust is shown in the figure. Further understanding requires... Figure 3 and Figure 4 Through the through holes of the seal 23 and / or the partition element 7, one can see that air or compressed air can enter the areas of the transition channels 14a, 14b and the circular cavities 12a, 12b arranged in the tank cover 8 via the connecting channels 13a, 13b.

[0039] Air system 5 separates oil from the oil-containing exhaust air during switching to non-braking operation. The separated oil accumulates in collection areas at different locations within air system 5. Collection locations are not shown in the figure because multiple such collection locations exist, which can vary depending on the retarder's installation position. The air system can be divided into multiple sections, and for each section, the collection location is always formed at the lowest point of that section.

[0040] When the retarder switches to braking operation, compressed air flows through the air system at high speed. Due to the high-speed flow of the compressed air, the oil at the collection point is carried away and can be returned to the storage tank 20.

[0041] Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-section through valve 10, outlet chamber 16, and terminal chamber 23. When the retarder switches to non-braking operation, airflow enters valve chamber 16 through outlet passage 15a and from there through valve 10 into terminal chamber 23. Outlet openings 18 are provided from terminal chamber 23, through which air can be discharged into the environment. Sintered discs can be installed in these outlet openings 18 for oil separation and noise reduction. Furthermore, a baffle plate can be provided behind outlet openings 18 to direct exhaust gas in a specific direction, thereby providing some degree of protection against contamination.

[0042] In addition, a collection area 24 is provided in the terminal channel 23, where oil can accumulate. This collection area may include a closable vent, not shown here. The accumulated oil can be discharged as needed through this vent, since this oil cannot be returned to the storage tank from the terminal channel 23. Bringing or blowing the oil back using compressed air is only applicable to the air system 5.

[0043] List of reference numerals

[0044] 1. Retarder

[0045] 2 rotor shafts

[0046] 3 fluid regions

[0047] 4 working chambers

[0048] 5. Air System

[0049] 6 Stator Housing

[0050] 7. Intermediate Plate

[0051] 8 Tank Covers

[0052] 9 defoaming chambers

[0053] 10 valves

[0054] 11a, 11b comb-like structures

[0055] 12a, 12b circular cavities

[0056] 13a, 13b connecting channels

[0057] 14a, 14b transition cavities

[0058] Exit channels 15a, 15b, and 15c

[0059] 16 valve chambers

[0060] 17 filter elements

[0061] 18 Exit Openings

[0062] 19 Ascending Channel

[0063] 20 storage tanks

[0064] 21 heat exchangers

[0065] 22 Seals

[0066] 23 terminal cavity

[0067] 24 Collection Areas.

Claims

1. A hydraulic retarder (1) having a housing including a stator housing (6) and a tank cover (8), the stator housing and the tank cover surrounding a tank (20), wherein, The storage tank (20) is a pressure tank, which includes a fluid region (3) for filling oil, a defoaming chamber (9) and an air system (5). The air system (5) includes multiple chambers (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16) interconnected by channels (13a, 13b, 15a, 15b, 15c) and a valve (10). Compressed air can be introduced into the storage tank (20) through the valve (10), and the storage tank (20) can be vented to the environment through the valve (10). The characteristic feature is that collection areas for accumulating oil are provided in the multiple chambers (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16) of the air system (5). When the storage tank (20) is vented, oil separation is carried out in the air system (5), and oil residue can be deposited in the collection area. When compressed air is introduced into the storage tank (20), the oil residue can be carried back from the collection area to the fluid region (3).

2. The hydraulic retarder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A terminal cavity (23) with a collection area (24) is provided between the valve (10) and the environment.

3. The hydraulic retarder (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that, Exhaust to the environment is carried out through multiple, preferably three, outlet openings (18).

4. The hydraulic retarder (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that, A baffle is provided behind the outlet opening (18).

5. The hydraulic retarder (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sound-absorbing element is arranged in the outlet opening (18).

6. The hydraulic retarder (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The collection area (24) can be emptied through a closable discharge port.

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