Labyrinth Seal Ventilation Device for Fluid Reservoirs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation devices for fluid-storing reservoirs fail to effectively prevent the entry of penetrating media like water and cleaning chemicals while also preventing necessary air exchange, leading to potential contamination and reduced service life of hydraulic system filters.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation device with a labyrinth-like seal system and a separate ventilation chamber containing a filter element, where the filter acts as a partition between seal passages, ensuring reliable sealing against foreign media without obstructing air exchange, and simplifying production and installation by separating operational elements into distinct components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a ventilation device with filter is installed to prevent penetrating media from entering the reservoir, then the quality of stored fluid is improved, but air exchange is blocked and ventilation function is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetrating media contaminationVSAvoidair exchange function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is divided into separate functional components: a ventilation chamber for air exchange and multiple seal passages for preventing penetrating media entry. The filter element is positioned within the ventilation chamber, separating the filtration function from the sealing function, allowing air to pass through while blocking water and cleaning chemicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The labyrinth-like seal passages act as an intermediary mechanism between the ventilation function and the sealing function. These passages create a complex path that allows air molecules to pass through while preventing larger penetrating media such as water droplets and cleaning chemicals from entering the reservoir.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a complex sealing system is installed to ensure reliable sealing against penetrating media, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural housing for the filter element, creates the labyrinth-like seal passages for preventing penetrating media entry, and maintains the ventilation pathway for air exchange. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is nested within the ventilation chamber, and the seal passages are integrated into the chamber structure. The connecting part with its sealing surface is attached to the ventilation chamber, creating a nested arrangement where components are integrated rather than separate, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 provides enhanced protection against foreign media while allowing necessary air exchange, thereby maintaining the quality of stored fluids and extending the service life of hydraulic system filters.

Implementation Method 1

This connection is effectively sealed by a labyrinth-like seal of a system of seal passages at least against passage of penetrating media such as water or cleaning chemicals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLabyrinth seal:

Implementation Method 2

Within the connection, a filter element is located... the tank ventilation devices with their filters should efficiently precipitate solid particles from the air that may subsequently flow into the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8127806B2Ventilation device, particularly for fluid-storing reservoirs such as tanks

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH

AI summary

A ventilation device for fluid-storing reservoirs includes a connecting part (1) attachable to the opening of the reservoir to form an air- and/or fluid-conducting connection between the inside of the reservoir and the surroundings. This connection is effectively sealed by a labyrinth-like seal of a system of seal passages (53, 59, 69, 73) from the penetration of media such as water and/or cleaning chemicals but is not sealed off from an exchange of air for ventilation. A filter element (61) is placed inside the connection. A portion of the seal passages (59, 69, 73) is formed on a ventilation chamber (41) releasably attachable to the connecting part (1) and having a seat (79) for the filter element provided as a filter leaf (61). The filter leaf (61) forms a partition between two successive seal passages (59 and 69) adjacently extending approximately parallel to one another.