Hydraulic Tank Flow Guide for Dead Zone Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems require a cost-effective tank design that minimizes dead volumes and effectively manages fluid temperature to reduce aging and maintain efficient operation, while also preventing short-circuiting and air separation issues.
Innovation Solution
A tank with a flow guide featuring at least two 180° flow arcs between the inflow and outflow connections, guided by walls that ensure the hydraulic fluid flows through the entire tank volume, reducing dead zones and promoting uniform mixing and cooling, with design features like gravitational flow assistance for air separation and compact construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tank volume is reduced for compact design, then the device size is minimized, but the hydraulic fluid temperature rises excessively due to insufficient cooling volume
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide is designed with curved flow arcs (at least two flow arcs each with an angle of 180° or approximately 180°) that guide the hydraulic fluid in a serpentine path through the tank. This curved flow path increases the effective cooling distance and ensures the fluid passes through cooler regions of the tank, enabling effective temperature reduction even in compact tank volumes.
2Volume of moving object
If the tank volume is reduced, then the device size is minimized, but dead volumes increase and fluid circulation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The curved flow arcs with 180° deflections create a serpentine flow pattern that maximizes the utilization of available tank volume. This design ensures that hydraulic fluid reaches all regions of the tank including corners and edges, eliminating dead volumes while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tank design is simplified for cost-effectiveness, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but temperature management and fluid mixing become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides fluid flow from inlet to outlet, creates turbulent mixing through 180° flow arcs, extends the cooling path by forcing fluid through curved trajectories, and prevents short-circuiting. This multi-functionality is achieved with a relatively simple structural design that can be manufactured cost-effectively.
4Device complexity
If the flow path is shortened, then the device complexity is reduced, but hydraulic fluid short-circuits from inlet to outlet without proper mixing and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide incorporates at least two flow arcs each with an angle of 180° or approximately 180°, creating a serpentine flow path. This curved path design prevents direct short-circuiting between inlet and outlet while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece flow guide structure that can be manufactured without complex assembly.
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
The solution enhances fluid circulation, reduces maintenance intervals, prevents temperature-induced aging, and ensures efficient operation by maintaining hydraulic fluid at a lower temperature, thereby extending fluid change intervals and reducing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the flow guide is formed in such a way that it has at least two flow arcs which each have an angle of 180° or approximately 180°
Implementation Method 2
the hydraulic fluid can be calmed by the flow guide which has at least two main direction flow changes of 180°. Any turbulent inflow of the hydraulic fluid through the inflow connection which leads to swirling of the hydraulic fluid can be effectively calmed by the length of the flow guide
Implementation Method 3
design features like gravitational flow assistance for air separation
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic unit includes a tank configured to be filled with a hydraulic fluid. The tank has at least one inflow connection and at least one outflow connection. A flow guide for the hydraulic fluid is formed between the inflow connection and the outflow connection. The flow guide is configured to have at least two 180° flow arcs configured to cool and calm the hydraulic fluid and to avoid dead zones.