Fluid Storage Tank Nucleation Slots for Air Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid storage tanks face inefficiencies in removing entrained air and heat from hydraulic fluid, requiring larger tank sizes to effectively address air contamination and heat extraction, which is not only space-intensive but also inefficient in terms of fluid flow and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid storage tank with a nucleation plate featuring saw-toothed nucleation slots that promote the agglomeration of microscopic air bubbles into larger bubbles, combined with angled surfaces and zones for enhanced air extraction and heat dissipation, allowing for smaller tank sizes while maintaining effective air and heat removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reservoir is made larger to increase surface contact area, then air removal efficiency is improved, but tank size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is segmented into distinct functional zones: an air extraction zone with nucleation plates containing multiple nucleation slots, and a separate heat extraction zone. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the entire tank to be oversized, thereby improving air removal efficiency while controlling tank size.
Solution Approach 2:
Nucleation plates with nucleation slots are introduced as intermediary structures that facilitate air bubble formation and coalescence. These plates provide controlled interfaces where entrained air can nucleate and grow into larger bubbles that rise more efficiently, enhancing air removal without increasing tank volume.
2Temperature
If the reservoir is made larger to extract excess heat, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but tank size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into functional zones including a dedicated heat extraction zone separate from the air extraction zone. This allows heat dissipation to occur in a specific region optimized for thermal exchange, improving heat dissipation capability without requiring the entire tank to be larger than necessary.
3Productivity
If traditional air removal methods are used, then air can escape to the surface, but turbulence and fluid resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
Nucleation plates with controlled slot geometries serve as intermediaries that guide air bubble formation and rise. The slots are designed with specific angles and surface roughness to promote bubble nucleation while minimizing turbulence. This controlled approach allows air to be removed efficiently without generating excessive turbulence or fluid resistance in the hydraulic fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The nucleation slots are designed with specific local characteristics including downward angles (30-60 degrees) and controlled surface roughness (40-70 Ra) in critical regions to promote bubble formation, while other areas of the reservoir maintain smooth surfaces to minimize overall turbulence. This localized optimization allows effective air removal with reduced harmful turbulence.
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 air extraction by up to 33% and improves heat transfer, enabling smaller tank sizes without compromising air and heat removal efficiency, reducing turbulence and fluid resistance while promoting buoyancy and convection.
Implementation Method 1
a nucleation plate having nucleation slots formed therein which cause small entrained air bubbles to nucleate or otherwise agglomerate into larger bubbles
Implementation Method 2
the surfaces of the saw toothed slots have a surface roughness of between about 40 and 70 Ra so as to further promote trapping the microscopic air bubbles on the surface of the nucleation slots
Implementation Method 3
larger bubbles that have sufficient buoyancy to overcome the flow forces acting on the air bubbles
Implementation Method 4
the nucleation surfaces are preferably angled downward relative to the top surface of the fluid within the fluid storage tank when traveling in the downstream direction. This directs the fluid flow away from the surface of the tank to inhibit turbulence production at the fluid surface
Implementation Method 5
as hydraulic fluid is cycled through a system, the fluid will take on heat energy. Unfortunately, larger tank sizes are typically required to extract this excess heat
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid storage tank (100) including an entrained air removal mechanism is provided. The entrained air removal mechanism assists in consolidating small air bubbles entrained within the fluid into larger bubbles such that the air bubbles have sufficient buoyancy to escape the fluid flow. The entrained air removal mechanism may be in the form of a plurality of saw toothed slots (112) communicating different chambers (145, 148) within the fluid storage tank (100). The fluid storage tank (100) can also be configured to direct fluid flow towards the sidewalls of the fluid storage tank as the fluid transitions from one chamber to another to promote heat transfer out of the fluid storage tank (100) and to avoid the fluid within the tank acting as a thermal insulator.