Hydraulic Filter Adaptor With Auxiliary Ports for Low-Cost Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in cost-effectively integrating a canister filter with a hydraulic manifold without the complexities and expenses associated with machining the standard mounting interface, particularly for systems operating at pressures of 725 psi (50 bar) or less.
Innovation Solution
A filter adaptor is designed to easily connect a canister filter to a hydraulic manifold, featuring a stud with a specific thread for the filter and another thread for the manifold, along with annular seals and auxiliary ports for fluid flow and monitoring, reducing machining requirements and allowing for flexible and unencumbered access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard mounting interface with internal cavities and threaded studs is provided on the hydraulic manifold, then the canister filter can be securely mounted, but the manufacturing cost and machining complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adaptor as an intermediary component that bridges the simple external thread on the manifold and the internal thread of the canister filter. The adaptor includes a first external thread that engages with the manifold's simple thread, and a first internal thread that receives the canister filter's internal thread. This intermediary solution allows secure mounting without requiring complex internal cavities to be machined into the manifold, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining mounting reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is segmented into two separate components: the adaptor that attaches to the manifold, and the canister filter that attaches to the adaptor. This segmentation allows the manifold to have a simple external thread that is easy to machine, while the threading complexity is transferred to the adaptor component, which is designed specifically to interface with standard canister filters
2Reliability
If a standard mounting interface with internal cavities is machined into the hydraulic manifold, then proper fluid sealing and filtration integration is achieved, but the machining time and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor serves as a mediator that provides the fluid sealing function without requiring the manifold to have complex internal cavities machined into it. The adaptor includes sealing surfaces and grooves that create fluid-tight seals between the adaptor and the manifold, as well as between the adaptor and the canister filter, thereby achieving proper fluid sealing while minimizing machining time on the manifold
Solution Approach 2:
The complex internal cavity structure and sealing features are extracted from the manifold and transferred to the separate adaptor component. This allows the manifold to maintain a simple external thread that requires minimal machining, while the adaptor contains all the necessary sealing surfaces and internal structures to ensure proper fluid sealing and filtration integration
3Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary ports and passageways are added to the adaptor, then fluid flow monitoring and access capabilities are improved, but the adaptor structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is designed with multiple auxiliary ports and passageways that serve multiple functions: providing fluid flow access for filtration, enabling pressure monitoring, allowing visual inspection, and facilitating maintenance. By integrating these multiple functions into a single adaptor component, the design achieves high adaptability and versatility without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as all features are incorporated into one unified part rather than requiring multiple separate components
Data Source
AI summary
A filter adaptor joins a canister filter to a hydraulic manifold block. The adaptor includes a hexagonal tool-receiving portion, an outflow passageway and one or more inflow passageways. The outlet flow passageway extends between opposed ends of the adaptor, and is used to direct filtered fluid from the filter to the manifold block. The inlet flow passageway(s) extend between the one end and a sealed region of the adaptor, and are used to direct fluid from the manifold block to the filter. The adaptor includes auxiliary ports formed in the tool-receiving portion that communicate with the inlet flow passageways and permit monitoring thereof.