Coolant Separation Structure for Oil Skimming and Abrasive Settling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation devices fail to effectively separate non-magnetic abrasive grains and oil from a coolant, as they either discharge abrasive grains with the coolant or cannot separate oil from the coolant.

Innovation Solution

A separation device incorporating an orbiting mechanism that attracts and separates oil from the surface, an abrasive grain accumulation part for non-magnetic abrasive grains, and a liquid discharge structure to separate and discharge the coolant from abrasive grains, allowing for the effective separation of non-magnetic abrasive grains and oil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic drum separation device is used to separate magnetic sludge from coolant, then magnetic sludge can be effectively removed, but non-magnetic abrasive grains cannot be separated and are discharged with the coolant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidabrasive grain discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separation device is divided into multiple functional sections: a magnetic separation section for removing magnetic sludge and a gravitational separation section for removing non-magnetic abrasive grains. This segmentation allows each section to specialize in separating specific types of contaminants, solving the problem of abrasive grains being discharged with the coolant while maintaining magnetic sludge separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary gravitational separation section is introduced between the magnetic separation drum and the coolant discharge. This intermediary section uses gravity-based settling to capture non-magnetic abrasive grains before they can be discharged, while allowing the already-separated magnetic sludge to proceed to further processing or disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separation device focuses on magnetic sludge removal, then magnetic contaminants are eliminated, but oil floating on the coolant surface cannot be separated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic sludge separationVSAvoidoil contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the separation process into three distinct functional areas: magnetic separation for magnetic sludge, gravitational settling for oil and abrasive grains, and surface skimming for oil removal. This multi-segmented approach enables simultaneous handling of different contaminant types without compromising magnetic sludge separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the separation device are designed with locally optimized properties: the magnetic drum section has magnetic fields for magnetic sludge capture, the bottom section has settling zones for gravitational separation of oil and abrasive grains, and the surface has skimming mechanisms for oil removal. This local quality differentiation allows each region to address specific contamination issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single separation mechanism is used, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot separate multiple types of contaminants (magnetic sludge, non-magnetic abrasive grains, and oil) simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmulti-contaminant presence
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges three different separation mechanisms (magnetic separation, gravitational settling, and surface skimming) into a single integrated system. The magnetic drum, settling chamber, and oil skimming components are combined in one continuous flow path, allowing simultaneous removal of magnetic sludge, non-magnetic abrasive grains, and oil without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separation device is designed as a multi-functional system that can handle multiple contaminant types in a single pass. The magnetic drum serves universal separation purposes by attracting magnetic particles, while the integrated settling and skimming sections provide universal coverage for non-magnetic particles and oil, making the entire device universally applicable to coolant contamination from various sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device successfully separates non-magnetic abrasive grains and oil from the coolant, improving the cleanliness of the coolant and facilitating efficient recovery of both components.

Implementation Method 1

attracting oil floating on the liquid surface to separate the oil from the liquid to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

outer peripheral surface whose partial region is immersed in a liquid to be treated and which orbits to cross a liquid surface, and attracting oil floating on the liquid surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

non-magnetic abrasive grains having larger specific gravity than the liquid to be treated are accumulated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

non-magnetic abrasive grains having larger specific gravity than the liquid to be treated are accumulated in the abrasive grain accumulation part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP4039368A1Separation device
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND FINETECH
  • EP4039368A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039368A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4039368A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a separation device capable of separating non-magnetic abrasive grains and oil from a liquid to be treated, such as a coolant. A part of an outer peripheral surface (21) of an orbiting mechanism (20) is immersed in a liquid to be treated (80) flowing through a first flow path (11). The outer peripheral surface (21) orbits so as to cross a liquid surface. Oil (81) floating on the liquid surface is attracted to the outer peripheral surface (21) and separated from the liquid to be treated (80) in the first flow path (11). The oil (81) attracted to the outer peripheral surface (21) of the orbiting mechanism (20) is removed from the outer peripheral surface (21) by a first scraper (23) . An abrasive grain accumulation part (30) is provided on the downstream side of the first flow path (11) with respect to a position where the outer peripheral surface (21) of the orbiting mechanism (20) is immersed. Non-magnetic abrasive grains (82) having a larger specific gravity than the liquid to be treated (80) are accumulated in the abrasive grain accumulation part (30). A liquid-to-be-treated discharge structure (35) is provided on the downstream side of the first flow path (11) with respect to the position where the outer peripheral surface (21) of the orbiting mechanism (20) is immersed. The liquid-to-be-treated discharge structure (35) separates the liquid to be treated (80) in the first flow path (11) from the abrasive grains (82) and discharges the liquid to be treated (80) from the first flow path (11).