Fluid Tank Filter Device Foam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid storage tank filter devices experience issues with foam and spraying at high pressures and large fluid volumes, leading to inefficient gas bubble separation and space-consuming prechambers, particularly in mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a circular cylindrical filter mat surrounded by a support tube and housing wall, featuring through-holes for fluid flow, where the cleaned fluid flows laminarly above the fluid level, preventing spray and foam formation, and allowing gas bubbles to rise and separate easily, eliminating the need for prechambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prechambers are used to separate gas bubbles from fluid, then gas bubble separation is improved, but tank volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas bubble separation function from a separate prechamber and integrates it into the filter element structure itself. The filter element is designed with an enlarged upper end portion that creates a flow calmation zone directly at the fluid outlet, eliminating the need for a dedicated prechamber while maintaining effective gas separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the filter element structure: filtration, flow calming, and gas bubble separation. The housing and filter element are designed to work together as an integrated unit where the filter element's enlarged upper end serves as both a structural feature and a flow management mechanism, combining what would traditionally require separate components.
2Productivity
If fluid flows at high pressure and large volume through filter element, then filtration capacity is improved, but foam and spray formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the filter element with an enlarged upper end portion that creates a flow calmation zone before the fluid exits into the tank. This pre-calming of the flow prevents the formation of foam and spray that would otherwise occur when high-velocity filtered fluid enters the tank, countering the harmful effect before it manifests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by using the enlarged upper end portion of the filter element to reduce flow velocity and create a calmer flow regime. This geometric modification transforms the high-velocity, turbulent flow into a lower-velocity, laminar flow, thereby preventing foam and spray formation while maintaining high filtration capacity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If prechamber volume is increased to handle high pressure and large fluid quantities, then foam prevention is improved, but tank space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow calmation function from a large prechamber and concentrates it into the enlarged upper end portion of the filter element. This localized flow management solution provides effective foam prevention without requiring the large tank space that would be needed for a traditional prechamber of sufficient volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the flow calmation function in a specific localized region (the enlarged upper end portion of the filter element) rather than requiring a large-volume prechamber. This localized structural feature creates the necessary flow conditions for foam prevention exactly where needed, at the fluid outlet, without consuming additional tank space elsewhere.
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
Ensures a space-saving, cost-effective solution with foam- and spray-free fluid transfer, effectively degassing the fluid and preventing hydraulic system damage, by utilizing capillary effects and structural layers for uniform fluid distribution and bubble separation.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element 18, which essentially forms a type of circular cylinder through which a fluid can flow from the inside out, with a filter mat 20
Implementation Method 2
any gas bubbles, which can regularly enter the fluid, particularly in the form of hydraulic oil, in the preceding hydraulic circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3
AI summary
1. Filter device and filter element for such a filter device. 2. The invention relates to a filter device, in particular intended for installation in a fluid storage tank (10), with at least one preferably replaceable filter element (18), which preferably allows a fluid to flow through it from the inside to the outside, which has a filter mat (20) that is enclosed on the outside by a support tube or support jacket (36) having through-holes for stiffening, and which is surrounded by a housing wall (44) of a housing (40) while maintaining a predefinable radial distance and forming a fluid flow space (66), the housing wall having several through-holes, some of which are arranged below a respective variable fluid level (68) in the storage tank (10) and the other part above this fluid level (68). The invention further relates to a filter element, in particular for such a filter device.