Filter Device Swirling Flow Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices in liquid storage tanks fail to effectively prevent bubbles from being released into the liquid retained in the tank, which can lead to issues like air being fed to pumps and potential damage due to bubble bursting.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a cylindrical shape and a bubble removing portion that uses an inflow pipe positioned around the outer periphery of the filter case to create a swirling flow, collecting air bubbles in the center and releasing them above the liquid surface, ensuring they do not mix with the filtered hydraulic oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh portion is provided at the passage opening portion to collect bubbles, then bubbles are collected and released upward, but bubbles that have not been collected are still released into the liquid retained in the tank and fed to the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a swirling flow that collects bubbles in the center portion before the liquid reaches the passage opening portion. The inflow pipe is positioned to generate this swirling flow in advance, ensuring bubbles are removed from the liquid stream before it enters the tank, preventing them from being fed to the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts bubbles from the liquid stream by positioning the inflow pipe to create a swirling flow that separates bubbles from the liquid. The bubbles are collected in the center portion and discharged separately through the air outlet portion, removing them from the liquid that will be fed to the pump.
2Device complexity
If the inflow pipe is positioned to overlap the filter element in height direction, then structure is simplified, but bubbles cannot be effectively collected in center portion of swirling flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the inflow pipe specifically in the lower portion of the filter case, overlapping with the lower end of the filter element in the height direction. This localized positioning creates the necessary swirling flow in the lower region, ensuring bubbles are collected in the center portion effectively without requiring complex positioning throughout the entire filter element.
3Reliability
If bubbles are released into the liquid retained in the tank, then bubble removal is achieved, but air is fed to the pump causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bubbles from the liquid stream through the swirling flow mechanism and discharges them separately through the air outlet portion into the space above the liquid surface in the tank. This separation ensures bubbles are removed from the liquid that will be fed to the pump, preventing air from entering the pump and hydraulic circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the space above the liquid surface in the tank as an intermediary discharge zone for bubbles. The air outlet portion directs bubbles into this intermediate space rather than releasing them directly into the liquid or the pump, serving as a buffer that prevents air from entering the pump while still achieving bubble removal.
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
Effectively removes bubbles from hydraulic oil before filtering, preventing them from being released inside the hydraulic oil tank, thus avoiding defects and damage caused by air entering the hydraulic circuit.
Implementation Method 1
configured to cause a liquid to flow into the inner case along a tangential direction at an arbitrary point on the side surface of the filter case and to produce a swirling flow in the flowed liquid
Implementation Method 2
Air contained in the fluid is collected in a center portion of the swirling flow to generate bubbles, and the bubbles are released to a space above the liquid surface inside the tank through the air outlet portion
Data Source
AI summary
When a liquid flows into a case along a tangential direction at an arbitrary point on a side surface of a filter case from an inflow pipe provided substantially around an outer periphery, at the side surface of the filter case, a swirling flow is produced in the liquid flowed and air contained in a fluid is collected in a center portion of the swirling flow to generate bubbles. The inflow pipe and a filter element are positioned not to overlap each other in a height direction, whereby the liquid flows into a hollow portion of a filter element from a case while swirling. The bubbles generated in the center portion of the swirling flow are released to a space above a liquid surface of the fluid retained in a tank through an air outlet portion formed in an upper end surface or the side surface of the filter case.