External Reciprocating Pump Layout for Clean Hydraulic Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic power units face challenges in efficiently servicing in-tank pumps without exposing hydraulic fluid to contamination and require complex gasket replacement, leading to potential leakage and increased servicing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic power unit design featuring a frame-supported fluid tank with a manifold and reciprocating pumps mounted externally, allowing for easy pump installation and removal without opening the fluid tank, using seals for reliable fluid connections and reducing the need for hoses, and incorporating a control circuitry to manage hydraulic pressure and valve states for efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is mounted inside the fluid tank, then the pump is protected from external contamination, but the servicing complexity increases and contamination risk during maintenance arises
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the fluid tank and mounted externally on the tank wall. This allows the pump to be serviced by simply removing it from its external mounting location, without needing to open the fluid tank, thereby eliminating contamination risk during maintenance while maintaining operational protection through sealed connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed connection interface (flange with seal) is introduced as an intermediary between the pump and fluid tank. This intermediary maintains hermetic sealing to prevent contamination during normal operation while allowing easy pump removal for servicing by simply disconnecting the sealed interface.
2Reliability
If a long gasket is used to seal the fluid tank lid, then contamination is prevented, but the gasket replacement complexity and potential for leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex long gasket sealing system is removed from the fluid tank lid assembly. Instead, simple O-ring seals are used at the pump connection flange, eliminating the need for complex gasket geometry matching and reducing sealing complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Simple circular O-ring seals are used instead of complex long gaskets. These flexible thin film seals provide effective sealing at the pump connection interface without requiring complex geometry, reducing both manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple systems are mounted above the fluid tank, then space utilization is optimized, but pump accessibility for servicing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented from the fluid tank interior and mounted externally on the tank wall. This segmentation allows the pump to be positioned in an accessible location on the tank exterior, independent of the space constraints above the tank, thereby maintaining compact overall design while improving servicing accessibility.
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
This design enhances pump servicing efficiency, reduces contamination risks, simplifies fluid connections, and optimizes energy usage by maintaining the hydraulic power unit's performance while minimizing maintenance complexity and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first reciprocating pump configured to draw hydraulic fluid from the fluid tank and provide a first hydraulic flow to the hydraulic circuit at the manifold. The first reciprocating pump includes a first piston having a first internal check valve, and the first reciprocating pump is configured to output the first hydraulic flow during both an upstroke of the first piston and a downstroke of the first piston.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.