U-Shaped Hydraulic Tank Layout for Degassing and Flow Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tank designs for hydraulic units face challenges in minimizing tank volume, improving degassing, and climate management, leading to issues with wave formation, turbulence, and temperature distribution within the fluid.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped tank design with parallel or angled space legs and beveled outer wall sections that redirect flow, minimizing back pressure and turbulence, and incorporating a diffuser projection to split the liquid flow, enhancing degassing and temperature management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tank designs are used, then the tank volume is larger, but the degassing and climate management are inferior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegassing performanceVSAvoidtank volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tank chamber is divided into two separate chamber legs (first and second chamber legs) that are arranged horizontally and connected via a transverse chamber leg. This segmentation creates distinct flow paths for oil return and suction, improving degassing performance while maintaining a compact overall tank volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chamber legs are arranged horizontally rather than vertically, representing a dimensional change in the tank configuration. This horizontal arrangement allows for improved oil circulation and degassing while reducing the overall tank volume compared to traditional vertical designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional flow paths are used, then the tank structure is simpler, but wave formation and turbulence occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave formation and turbulenceVSAvoidtank structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer wall sections are designed with asymmetric beveled configurations rather than symmetric vertical walls. These beveled outer wall sections redirect oil flow smoothly between chamber legs, preventing wave formation and turbulence while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The beveled outer wall sections create curved flow paths instead of sharp angular transitions. This curvature in the wall design guides oil flow smoothly from one chamber leg to another, eliminating turbulence and wave formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Volume of stationary object

If horizontal leg arrangement is used, then the tank volume is reduced and degassing is improved, but the flow redirection requires beveled corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank volumeVSAvoidtank geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The tank features asymmetric beveled corners at the transitions between chamber legs, creating a tapered appearance. This asymmetric geometry enables efficient flow redirection in the compact horizontal arrangement, achieving both volume reduction and improved flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The horizontal arrangement of chamber legs represents a dimensional reconfiguration from traditional vertical designs. This dimensional change reduces tank volume while the beveled corners provide the necessary flow redirection in this new spatial configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 U-shaped tank design reduces tank volume, improves degassing, and enhances climate management by ensuring complete recirculation of oil, minimizing temperature differences and preventing channel formation, thus improving oil utilization and reducing turbulence.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the outer wall sections extends, viewed in cross-section, in particular transversely to the top-bottom direction, obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the adjacent space leg. This outer wall section extends obliquely such that the tank has a beveled corner for redirecting the flow of oil from the first space leg into the second space leg.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

the tank chamber has two chamber legs extending parallel to one another or at an angle to one another, the end sides of which are connected via a transverse chamber leg. Liquid can flow into the tank chamber via the return opening and flow via the first chamber leg to the second chamber leg. Via the second chamber leg, the liquid can exit the tank chamber again via the suction opening.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation:

Implementation Method 3

The obliquely arranged outer wall sections can prevent waves and turbulence in the liquid. In other words, beveled side walls serve to prevent waves and turbulence.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWave suppression:

Data Source

PatentEP4074966B1Tank and assembly with a tank
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4074966B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4074966B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4074966B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~2

AI summary

The tank shown consists of side walls, a bottom, and a top. It can be designed as a U-shaped trough, thus maximizing the flow path from a suction and a return suction line within a small installation space.