Bi-Directional Hydraulic Filter With Check Valve for Contaminant Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contaminants such as dirt, dust, and debris within the hydraulic system of agricultural systems can affect the performance of hydraulic circuits, leading to reduced effectiveness in operating agricultural implements like tillers and tractors.

Innovation Solution

A bi-directional filter is integrated into the hydraulic circuit, featuring a check valve and a filter configuration that blocks contaminants larger than a threshold size while allowing fluid flow in both directions, thereby reducing contaminant flow into critical components and facilitating their removal from the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional single-direction filter is used in the hydraulic circuit, then it can block contaminants in one direction, but it cannot effectively prevent contaminant flow in the reverse direction during bidirectional hydraulic operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic system performanceVSAvoidbidirectional flow capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into two separate filtering paths: one for forward flow and one for reverse flow. Each path has its own filter element, allowing independent filtration in both directions without interfering with each other's functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single filter assembly performs multiple functions by incorporating both forward-flow and reverse-flow filtering capabilities in one unit, eliminating the need for separate filters for each direction while maintaining bidirectional hydraulic operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a bi-directional filter with parallel filter fluid line and check valve fluid line is used, then it enables filtering in both directions, but the device complexity increases compared to a single-direction filter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant blocking capabilityVSAvoidfilter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve and filter elements are merged into a single integrated assembly where the check valve body houses the filter elements. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining bidirectional filtering capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter elements are nested within the check valve body structure, with the forward-flow filter and reverse-flow filter arranged in a compact nested configuration that maximizes space efficiency and minimizes assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If the check valve is positioned close to the filter in the bi-directional filter assembly, then the structural compactness is improved, but the pressure drop across the system may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter assembly volumeVSAvoidhydraulic pressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The filter elements are arranged in a spatial configuration that extends in multiple dimensions rather than simply lengthening the flow path. This allows compact packaging while maintaining adequate flow cross-sectional area to minimize pressure drop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The bi-directional filter effectively reduces contaminant accumulation in the hydraulic system, enhancing the operational efficiency of agricultural equipment by preventing contaminant flow to sensitive components and enabling their removal, thus improving overall system performance.

Implementation Method 1

a check valve configured to block a fluid from flowing through the check valve fluid line in a first direction and to enable the fluid to flow through the check valve fluid line in a second direction, opposite the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 2

The filter is configured to block particles that are greater than a threshold size from passing through the filter fluid line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilter (physical): Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11629736B2Filter for a hydraulic circuit of an agricultural system

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A hydraulic system for an agricultural system includes a hydraulic circuit and a bi-directional filter disposed on a bi-directional fluid line of the hydraulic circuit. The bi-directional filter includes a check valve fluid line having a check valve configured to block a fluid from flowing through the check valve fluid line in a first direction and to enable the fluid to flow through the check valve fluid line in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and a filter fluid line having a filter configured to enable the fluid to flow through the filter fluid line in the first direction and the second direction. The filter is configured to block particles that are greater than a threshold size from passing through the filter fluid line, and the filter fluid line is in a parallel flow configuration with respect to the check valve fluid line.