Flow Control System for Automotive Hydraulic Air Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet sump systems in hydraulic lubrication systems face inefficiencies due to entrained air in hydraulic fluid during high lateral-G maneuvers, which reduces lubrication efficiency and requires complex, large sump housing designs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system incorporating passive valves and orifices that allow hydraulic fluid to flow while preventing air from passing through, with excess air being returned to the sump via the orifices, ensuring hydraulic fluid is substantially air-free before being pumped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the sump housing is made large and deep to hold sufficient hydraulic fluid, then the fluid storage capacity is improved, but the device complexity and size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air separation function from the main sump housing by introducing a dedicated external air separator. This allows the sump to be optimized for fluid storage while the separate component handles air removal, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and housing size complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air separator component that mediates between the sump housing and the pump system. This intermediary device captures and removes entrained air before fluid reaches the pump, allowing the sump to maintain adequate fluid volume without requiring excessive housing size
2Reliability
If passive valves are added to prevent air passage, then air separation is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive spring-loaded check valves that automatically open and close based on pressure differential without requiring external control systems. The valves self-regulate air separation based on system operating conditions, improving reliability while minimizing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles through spring-loaded check valves that respond to pressure differentials between the sump and atmospheric pressure. The spring mechanism converts pressure differential into mechanical valve actuation, achieving reliable air separation through passive pneumatic-hydraulic interaction without complex electronic controls
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 solution reduces the complexity and size of sump systems by effectively removing air from hydraulic fluid, enhancing lubrication efficiency and maintaining fluid quality during high-G maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
A passive valve is disposed within the conduit... hydraulic fluid substantially free of air flows past the passive valve
Implementation Method 2
The excess air is instead returned to the sump via the orifices... bleed out air through the orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management system, or flow control system, for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The system includes a housing defining a sump configured to collect a volume of liquid and gaseous fluid and a pump configured to pump fluid from the sump. The pump defines a pump inlet and a pump outlet. A conduit is in fluid communication with the pump outlet. A passive valve is disposed within the conduit, the conduit defining a conduit outlet downstream of the passive valve, and the conduit further defining an orifice between the pump and the passive valve. The passive valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow past the valve, while substantially preventing air from flowing past the passive valve. The air is instead bled out through the orifice, along with some of the hydraulic fluid.