Vertical Hydraulic Tank Layout for Low-Air Oil Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large Hydraulic Power Units face inefficiencies due to high air content in oil reservoirs, requiring a compact modular design that optimizes fluid flow and reduces air dissolution while maintaining compactness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tank with inclined surfaces and a conduit system that deflects fluid flow to create an ascending-descending path, increasing the oil flow path length within a small volume, and includes a diffuser to direct fluid perpendicular to the tank's vertical direction, reducing air dissolution and optimizing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large tank volume is used to store oil, then the oil reservoir capacity increases, but the floor space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank design transitions from a horizontal floor-based layout to a vertical space utilization approach. The tank extends primarily in the vertical direction with height significantly greater than its base dimensions, allowing large oil capacity (2500-30000 liters) to be achieved without proportionally increasing floor space occupation.
2Reliability
If the oil flow path length is increased to reduce air dissolution, then the tank volume increases, but the compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is extended by utilizing the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally. The conduit system directs oil to flow upward along the tank walls and then downward through the center, creating a long circulation path within the compact vertical footprint of the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank incorporates curved surfaces and inclined walls that guide the oil flow in smooth arcs, increasing the flow path length without requiring additional volume. The curved geometry allows oil to traverse longer distances while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Productivity
If a modular design with standardized elements is implemented, then the production time is reduced, but the optimization of floor space and flow efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tank design incorporates universal features that serve multiple functions: the inclined walls both structurally support the tank and simultaneously guide flow patterns; the central conduit serves as both a structural element and a flow director; the vertical extension provides both compactness and extended flow path. These multi-functional elements achieve flow optimization within standardized modular components.
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 effectively reduces air dissolved in the fluid while maintaining the compactness of the modular hydraulic power unit, enhancing efficiency and scalability from 2500 to 30000 liters with minimal floor space and flow optimization.
Implementation Method 1
said tank comprises at least one inclined surfaces, which faces said second end portion of said conduit and which is inclined with respect to said vertical direction of said tank so as to deflect the flow of fluid coming from said second end portion of said conduit toward an upper portion of said tank
Implementation Method 2
wherein said second end portion of said conduit is configured so as to release the fluid coming from said first opening along a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical direction of said tank
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tank (100) for a modular hydraulic power unit (1000) for the supply of a pressurized fluid; said tank (100) extending primarily along a vertical direction (D1); said tank (100) being provided with a first opening (101) which is positioned at an upper portion of said tank(100) and through which a fluid can be introduced into said tank (100); said tank (100) further comprising a conduit (102) having a first and a second end portion (102a, 102b), wherein said first end portion (102a) is attached to said first opening (101) and wherein said second end portion (102b) is positioned at a central portion of said tank (100) so as to convey said fluid coming from said first opening (101) to a central portion of said tank (100); wherein said second end portion (102b) of said conduit (102) is configured so as to release the fluid coming from said first opening (101) along a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical direction (D1) of said tank (100); wherein said tank (100) comprises at least one inclined surfaces (103), which faces said second end portion (102b) of said conduit (102) and which is inclined with respect to said vertical direction (D1) of said tank (100) so as to deflect the flow of fluid coming from said second end portion of said conduit (102) toward an upper portion of said tank (100).