Fluid Conditioning Module with Dual Pump and Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems in machines, such as those used in agriculture and construction, face challenges in ensuring effective filtration and pressure regulation of fluids like lubrication oil and fuel, which can lead to component damage from contaminants and inefficiencies in fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conditioning module with a first and second pump element, a filter mount, a pressure regulator, and a control valve, along with a controller that adjusts the operation of the prime mover and control valve based on predetermined parameters, allowing for recirculation and optimized filtration and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter assembly is provided to filter contaminants from fluid, then filtration quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and recirculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump, filter assembly, pressure regulator, and control valve into an integrated fluid conditioning module. This merging of components achieves effective filtration while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid conditioning module serves multiple functions within a single integrated unit: pumping fluid, filtering contaminants, regulating pressure, and enabling recirculation. This multi-functionality improves filtration quality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If fluid is recirculated through the filter element to obtain desired filtration level, then filtration efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve dynamically adjusts the recirculation flow based on system requirements. By varying the recirculation rate rather than maintaining constant high-rate recirculation, the system achieves desired filtration efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator provides feedback control by monitoring downstream pressure and adjusting flow accordingly. This ensures filtration is performed at optimal rates, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining required filtration efficiency.
3Reliability
If pressure regulation is added to manage pressure variations, then system robustness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is integrated into the fluid conditioning module along with the pump and filter assembly. This combining of pressure regulation with existing filtration components achieves system robustness without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple pump elements are used for optimized filtration and pressure management, then filtration quality and pressure control are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump elements are integrated into a single modular unit with shared mounting structures, common fluid pathways, and unified control systems. This merging approach achieves improved filtration quality and pressure control while reducing manufacturing complexity compared to separate pump assemblies.
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 enhances fluid filtration quality, increases the service life and efficiency of machines by ensuring greater filtration efficiency and robustness to pressure variations, while simplifying system operation and packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump element having a first pump inlet and a first pump outlet. The first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the module
Implementation Method 2
the filter assembly is provided which includes at least one filter element that filters the contaminants from the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pressure regulator having a pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet. The pressure regulator inlet is in fluid communication with the filter outlet
Implementation Method 4
a control valve disposed in the recirculation conduit, the control valve having a first position and a second position. Fluid flow is allowed through the recirculation conduit when the control valve is in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.