Hydraulic Pulse Unit Air Separator for Power Wrenches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Power wrenches with hydraulic pulse units face issues with oil leakage and air penetration, leading to increased air in the oil volume, which impairs efficiency over time.
Innovation Solution
A power wrench design featuring a disc-shaped separator element and a partitioning element that creates two fluid communication volumes, utilizing the difference in density between air and oil to ensure only oil is sucked back into the chamber, preventing air re-entry and maintaining low air levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air volume is arranged in communication with the oil chamber to accommodate heat expansion, then the oil can expand into the air space, but air will be introduced into the oil chamber when oil is sucked back, causing impaired efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving space is divided into a first partial volume and a second partial volume using a partitioning element. The first partial volume communicates with the oil chamber through the fluid opening, while the second partial volume is separated. This segmentation ensures that only oil (not air) can be sucked back into the oil chamber through the fluid opening, preventing air re-entry while still accommodating heat expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning element acts as an intermediary structure that selectively allows oil flow while blocking air flow. By positioning the partitioning element such that it creates a liquid seal in the first partial volume, it mediates between the need for air expansion space and the need to prevent air contamination of the oil chamber.
2Quantity of substance
If the pulse unit is filled completely with oil without air, then heat expansion can be accommodated, but oil leakage during operation allows air to penetrate into the pulse unit, increasing air percentage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts air from the oil chamber by providing a separating arrangement with a disc shaped separator element that allows oil to flow from the oil chamber to the receiving space while preventing air from entering the oil chamber. The partitioning element further ensures that only oil can be sucked back, effectively removing the harmful air component while maintaining complete oil filling.
3Temperature
If a small amount of air is introduced in the oil to absorb heat expansion, then thermal expansion can be accommodated, but it is difficult to achieve exact filling with correct oil amount and sufficient air
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to precisely control the air amount during filling, the invention preliminarily provides a receiving space with partitioning that automatically separates oil and air. This preliminary structural arrangement eliminates the need for precise filling control, as the partitioning element automatically ensures proper oil-air separation regardless of initial filling conditions.
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 effectively maintains low air levels in the oil volume, enhancing the tool's performance by preventing air from entering the oil chamber during cooling, thus improving the power wrench's efficiency and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the difference in density between air and oil to ensure only oil is sucked back into the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A power wrench includes a hydraulic pulse unit that includes an impulse generator. A separating arrangement is provided to extract air from oil. The separating arrangement includes a disc-shaped separator element and a sealing arrangement arranged to provide a seal between the disc-shaped separator element and a receiving space in fluid communication with the oil chamber. The disc-shaped separator element provides a passageway between the oil chamber and the receiving space by a fluid opening. The separating arrangement also includes a partitioning element arranged in the receiving space, such that first and a second partial volumes are formed on sides of the partitioning element. The first and second partial volumes are in fluid communication, and the fluid opening is arranged on the first side of the partitioning element.