Inverted Hydraulic Fluid Sampler for Clean Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fluid sampling in hydraulically operated systems is prone to contamination and inaccurate representation due to sampling location, equipment, and technician errors, which affects the maintenance and performance of hydraulic systems.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fluid sampler with a sample container holder that can be inverted to flush contaminants and then filled in a non-inverted position, using a frame with swivels for rotation and secure attachment options like magnetic bases, to ensure a clean and representative sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sample container is filled directly in the sampling position, then the sampling process is simple and quick, but the sample container becomes contaminated with extraneous particles and the sample may not represent the true hydraulic fluid condition
Solution Approach 1:
The sample container is inverted during the flushing operation, with the opening facing downward. Hydraulic fluid flows through the container from the top, flushing out contaminants. After flushing, the container is rotated to an upright position for sampling. This inversion technique allows the flushing action to occur in reverse orientation, effectively cleaning the container before sample collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample container holder is made rotatable to dynamically change the container's orientation between inverted (for flushing) and upright (for sampling) positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the same container to serve dual purposes: being flushed in the inverted position and then filled with a clean sample in the upright position, thereby ensuring sample accuracy without requiring separate containers.
2Reliability
If the sample container is flushed before sampling, then extraneous contamination is removed, but the sampling process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing and sampling operations are merged into a single continuous process using the same sample container. The container is first flushed while inverted to remove contaminants, then rotated upright and filled with the hydraulic fluid sample without being removed or replaced. This combination of operations in sequence using the same container eliminates the time loss associated with container replacement while ensuring sample purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling process maintains continuity by performing flushing and sampling in an unbroken sequence within the same container. The container holder rotates the container from inverted to upright position without interruption, and the sampling technician can immediately collect the sample after flushing completes. This continuous action minimizes idle time and ensures the container remains in a controlled environment throughout the process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sample container holder is made rotatable to enable flushing, then the container can be properly flushed and filled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sample container holder is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a support structure and as a rotational mechanism. The holder not only holds the sample container but also enables it to rotate between inverted and upright positions. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions: supporting the container, enabling flushing orientation, and facilitating sample collection orientation, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample container holder is designed to automatically orient the container in the correct position based on the operational phase. During flushing, the holder positions the container inverted; during sampling, it rotates the container upright. This self-adjusting capability allows the holder to serve itself by incorporating the orientation control function into its basic structure, eliminating the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms or additional actuators.
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 sampler effectively minimizes extraneous contamination and ensures a true representation of the hydraulic fluid, reducing maintenance errors and improving system uptime and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the sample container holder is configured to flush the sample container with hydraulic fluid so as to flush away any contaminates that may be present
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic base, to which the frame is attachable
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic fluid sampler (20, 20', 20", 20'", 20'") and a method for obtaining a hydraulic fluid sample includes a sample container holder (26) configured to support a sample container (28) mounted thereto in an inverted position and a non-inverted position. In the inverted position, the sample container holder (26) is configured to flush the sample container (28) with hydraulic fluid so as to flush away any contaminates that may be present. In the non-inverted position, the sample container holder (26) is configured to fill the sample container (28) with hydraulic fluid.