Oil Separator with Integrated Inflow Pipe to Reduce Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation space required for an oil separator with a curved portion in an inflow pipe is excessive, leading to a larger overall size.
Innovation Solution
The oil separator integrates the peripheral wall of the separator body and the inflow pipe, sharing a common portion to reduce the overall size, and incorporates a curved portion with specific wall configurations to enhance centrifugal separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the inflow pipe includes a curved portion for centrifugal separation, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the installation space and overall size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion of the inflow pipe is merged with the peripheral wall of the separator body, forming a common portion. This integration allows the curved portion to be positioned within the separator body's volume rather than occupying additional external space, thereby maintaining centrifugal separation efficiency while reducing the overall installation space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portion is nested within the separator body structure by making it a common portion with the peripheral wall. This nesting approach enables the curved portion to utilize the internal space of the separator body, reducing the external dimensions and installation space while preserving the centrifugal separation function
2Ease of manufacture
If the curved portion has a larger cross-sectional area to reduce pipe diameter, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the surface area exposed to outside decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion is repositioned from an external configuration to an integrated structure with the separator body. By making the curved portion a common portion with the peripheral wall, the design transitions the curved portion into a multi-functional structural element that contributes to both the inflow passage and the separator body wall, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adequate surface area through the integrated geometry
3Device complexity
If the separator body and inflow pipe are made as an integral structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separator body and inflow pipe are merged into an integral structure made of a cast, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these components. This integration reduces the number of parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing device complexity. The casting process is used to achieve the required manufacturing precision for the integrated structure, including the curved portion and common portion
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 configuration reduces the size of the oil separator, improves separation efficiency, and simplifies manufacturing, while minimizing vibrations and noise.
Implementation Method 1
In the curved portion, an oil in a fluid is separated by a centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
In the separator body, the oil in the fluid is further separated by a centrifugal force generated by a swirling flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A peripheral wall (71) of a separator body (70) and an inflow pipe (50) include a common portion (C) common to each other.