Centrifugal Separator Venturi Drainage and Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-powered centrifugal separators face challenges in operational efficiency and reliability due to issues with fluid drainage and protection from excessive fluid pressure, particularly in environments where mounting above the lubrication fluid reservoir is not feasible, and risk of damage from high fluid pressure and rotor speed.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design incorporating a spring-loaded valve body with a Venturi arrangement in the fluid passageway that regulates fluid supply to the rotor based on pressure, restricting flow at low and high pressures to prevent damage and enhance drainage efficiency, while also incorporating a non-return valve to prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the separator is mounted at a sufficient level above the reservoir to provide adequate drainage pressure, then drainage efficiency is improved, but installation flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using a Venturi arrangement in the fluid passageway. The Venturi creates a pressure differential that generates suction to actively draw fluid from the sump through the drainage passage, eliminating the need for gravity-dependent mounting heights and enabling flexible installation positions.
2Device complexity
If no pressure regulation is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability is compromised due to risk of damage from excessive fluid pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spring-loaded valve body that automatically responds to pressure changes. The spring mechanism detects excessive pressure conditions and modulates the opening of openings in the valve body to restrict fluid supply to the rotor, providing passive pressure regulation without complex control systems.
3Productivity
If fluid supply is unrestricted at low pressure, then productivity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient lubrication supply to the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve body responds to low pressure conditions by closing openings in the valve body, preventing fluid diversion to the centrifugal cleaning means. This ensures that when inlet pressure is insufficient, all available fluid is directed to the engine for adequate lubrication rather than being diverted to the separator.
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 enhances operational efficiency and reliability by ensuring consistent fluid supply to the engine, protecting the separator from excessive pressure, and minimizing fluid loss during maintenance, thereby improving the separator's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a Venturi arrangement provided in the fluid passageway in the base to develop suction pressure to draw fluid from the drainage passage into the fluid passageway
Implementation Method 2
a spring loaded valve body is provided in the fluid passageway, said body being configured and arranged to shut off supply of fluid to the interior of the rotor when pressure of fluid entering the inlet port falls below a predetermined minimum pressure value and also to restrict and/or shut off supply of fluid to the interior of the rotor when pressure of fluid entering the inlet port rises above a second predetermined pressure value
Implementation Method 3
a rotor which is supported therein to spin at high speed about a substantially vertical axis. Fluid is supplied at elevated pressure along the axis of rotation and is ejected from tangentially directed nozzles into the housing
Implementation Method 4
a rotor mounted on an operably substantially vertical axis for rotation thereabout by reaction to fluid emission from rotor nozzles therein
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A self-powered centrifugal separator comprises a base (10), a rotor (11) mounted on an operably substantially vertical axis (12) for rotation thereabout by reaction to fluid emission from nozzles in the base, a housing (13) mounted on the base and enclosing the rotor, a sump (14) formed in the base (10) below the rotor (11), a fluid passageway (16) through the base extending from an inlet port (17) to an outlet port (18) and including a diversion port (19) to supply fluid to the interior of the rotor (11) by way of the rotation axis (12), and a drain passage (15) in the base for draining fluid from the sump (14) to the fluid passageway (16). A spring loaded valve body (30) is provided in the fluid passageway (16) and is configured and arranged to shut off supply of fluid to the interior of the rotor (11) when pressure of fluid entering the inlet port (17) falls below a predetermined minimum pressure value so that an engine to which the fluid is supplied as lubricating fluid is not at risk of damage. The valve body (30) is also configured and arranged (at 38, 39) to restrict and/or shut off supply of fluid to the interior of the rotor (11) when pressure of fluid entering the inlet port (17) rises above a second predetermined pressure value so that the rotor speed cannot be increased so much that there is risk of damage to the separator itself. Furthermore, a Venturi arrangement is provided in the fluid passageway (16) to develop suction pressure to draw fluid from the drainage passage into the fluid passageway and said Venturi arrangement (40) is conveniently provided integrally with the valve body (30). A non-return formation (50) to prevent back flow of fluid from the outlet port (18) may also be advantageously provided as part of the valve body (30).