Integrated Cross-Flow Reservoir for Hydraulic Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems in vehicles like zero-turn-radius mowers face challenges with heat generation and contamination in hydraulic fluid, requiring separate components for cooling and filtration that are prone to leaks and complex connections.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cross-flow reservoir with a built-in filter and heat exchanger eliminates the need for connecting hoses and fittings, featuring a housing with reservoir chambers, a heat exchanger core, and a removably attached filter element that allows for efficient cooling and filtration without additional support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heat exchanger, filter assembly and hydraulic fluid reservoir are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the system becomes complex with multiple connecting hoses and fittings that create potential leak paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reservoir, heat exchanger, and filter assembly into a single integrated unit. The heat exchanger core is positioned within the reservoir housing with fluid channels connecting reservoir chambers, and the filter element is housed within one of the reservoir chambers. This merging eliminates multiple external connections, hoses, and fittings, thereby reducing potential leak paths and improving system reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If separate heat exchanger and filter assembly are used, then each component can perform its function independently, but the system requires additional space and support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the filter element and heat exchanger core within the reservoir housing. The filter element is housed within one of the reservoir chambers, and the heat exchanger core with its fluid channels is integrated into the reservoir structure. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for separate support structures and optimizes space utilization by having components occupy different spatial zones within the same housing volume.
3Temperature
If conventional radiator constructions are used for heat exchanger, then cooling function is effective, but the design cannot easily accommodate filter integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the reservoir housing to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the fluid reservoir, contains the heat exchanger core for cooling, and houses the filter element for filtration. The cross-flow heat exchanger core with its fluid channels connecting reservoir chambers provides effective cooling, while the filter element integrated within a reservoir chamber provides filtration. This multi-functional design demonstrates adaptability by combining conventional heat exchanger principles with filter integration in a single versatile unit.
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 solution provides a compact, leak-free, and efficient hydraulic fluid management system that effectively cools and filters hydraulic fluid, improving performance and reducing complexity in hydraulic systems by integrating filtration and cooling functions into a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger core with fluid channels connecting the reservoir chambers and cross-flow air passages through which air can flow to extract heat from fluid flowing through the fluid channels
Implementation Method 2
cross-flow air passages through which air can flow to extract heat from fluid flowing through the fluid channels
Implementation Method 3
a filter element removably attached to the housing and housed within one of the reservoir chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-flow reservoir has a uniquely integrated filter and heat exchanger, whereby the reservoir, filtration and cooling functions are all performed by a single unit and without connecting fittings and connecting hoses therebetween.