EP2172272A2 - Centrifugal separator for separating dirt particles in fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The centrifugal separator has a rotating rotor with a rotor housing (1) in which a flow opening (12) for the fluid is inserted, where the rotor housing is formed of two-pieces. The radially outward lying inner side of the rotor housing forms a dirt accumulation wall (3a). An interchangeable cartridge is inserted in the rotor housing. The rotor housing has a base plate (2) and a rotor pot (3) attached at the base plate.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a centrifugal separator for the separation of dirt particles in fluids, in particular of dirt particles in oil in an aggregate of a vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

In the DE 10 2004 037 414 A1 a centrifugal separator for the separation of dirt particles in oil is described which has a fixed separator housing in which a separator cylinder is rotatably mounted. The separator cylinder rests on a shaft which is rotatably mounted in the separator housing and driven by a drive motor. The fluid to be cleaned is directed into the interior of the separator cylinder, wherein due to the rotational movement, the dirt particles in the fluid, which usually have a higher density than the fluid, are thrown radially outwards under the action of the centrifugal force and on the inner wall of the Deposit the separator cylinder. The cleaned of the dirt particles fluid is then discharged from the separator housing.

Since the centrifugal separators are added in use by the dirt particles, it is necessary to subject them to a regular cleaning, for which, however, the separator cylinder from the Removed separator housing, then cleaned and finally must be reinserted into the housing. This is associated with a relatively high maintenance and cleaning costs.

The invention has for its object to provide with simple constructive measures a usable under different conditions centrifugal separator, which can be freed from dirt deposits in a simple manner.

Disclosure of the invention

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims indicate expedient developments.

The centrifugal separator according to the invention is used for the separation of dirt particles in fluids, in particular of dirt particles, which are in oil, which is used in an assembly of a vehicle, for example engine oil in an internal combustion engine. The centrifugal separator is provided with a rotatable rotor with a rotor housing, in which at least one flow opening for the fluid to be cleaned is introduced. In the uncleaned fluid, by the rotation of the rotor under the action of the centrifugal forces, the dirt particles, which are usually provided with higher density, are thrown radially outward against the outer inner wall of the rotor housing and are deposited there. The fluid cleaned by the dirt particles subsequently flows out of the rotor housing.

According to the invention it is provided that the rotor housing is formed in two parts, wherein a part of the rotor housing is to be opened. In the rotor housing, a replaceable cartridge is used, which is provided with inflow and outflow openings, which correspond to the inflow and outflow openings of the rotor housing. At the same time it is provided that the radially outer inner wall of the rotor housing forms a dirt deposit wall.

This embodiment has several advantages. It is possible to operate the centrifugal separator both with inserted cartridge and without cartridge, the function of the centrifugal separator is basically completely guaranteed in both modes. If it is dispensed with an insertion of the cartridge, the dirt particles are deposited in the fluid on the radially outer inner wall of the rotor housing, which is used for this purpose as a dirt deposit wall. In this case, the dirt-depositing wall extends either only over the inside of one of the components of the rotor housing or else over both components.

If, however, the cartridge is inserted into the centrifugal separator, the cartridge serves to receive the dirt particles. The cartridge is rotatably connected to the rotor housing and therefore exerts the same rotational movement as the rotor housing, so that the dirt particles in the fluid within the cartridge in a corresponding manner at the radial deposited outside the inner wall of the cartridge. The cartridge forms an exchangeable or replaceable insert part, which can optionally be inserted into the rotor housing.

The replacement or exchangeability of the cartridge requires that the rotor housing can be opened. For this purpose, the rotor housing is formed in two parts and, in an advantageous embodiment, comprises a base plate and a rotor pot which can be placed on the base plate and can be opened. The bottom plate is expediently arranged on a shaft, which is preferably driven by an electric motor and drives the rotor in the mounted state. The shaft serves in particular at the same time as a fluid channel for the fluid to be cleaned. However, the rotor can also be driven directly via the fluid flow. To secure the rotor pot in the assembled state, a fastening element is provided, which is designed in an advantageous embodiment as a threaded ring which is screwed onto the shaft and thereby clamps the rotor pot axially.

The dimensions of the cartridge are adapted to the rotor housing to allow insertion of the cartridge into the rotor housing. It may be expedient that the outer contour of the cartridge of the inner contour of the rotor pot is modeled, so that in the inserted state, the outer wall of the cartridge rests flat against the inner wall of the rotor housing or at least only a small air gap between the outside of the cartridge and the inside of the rotor housing. In In this embodiment, the cartridge has almost the same capacity as the rotor housing, which is reduced only by the cartridge wall thickness compared to the rotor housing.

According to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that the outer contour of the cartridge deviates from the inner contour of the rotor housing, as long as it is ensured that the cartridge can be inserted into the rotor housing. It may, for example, be expedient to design the upper section of the rotor pot opposite the base plate conically, whereas the cartridge may be cylindrical or disc-shaped for reasons of simpler manufacture.

To ensure full functionality in the inserted state, the cartridge has at least one same flow opening as the rotor housing for the supply or the discharge of the fluid to be cleaned. With the insertion of the cartridge into the rotor housing, the flow openings of the cartridge and the rotor housing are aligned with each other, so that a continuous flow path is provided inside the cartridge or out of the cartridge. The flow openings are inflow and / or outflow openings.

To support the cartridge on the inner wall of the rotor housing support means may be provided, which are preferably formed integrally with the outer wall of the cartridge. These proppants are for example formed as the outer contour of the cartridge slightly superior heels, which are integrally formed on the cartridge wall. In this way, a defined support is ensured at selected positions between the cartridge and the rotor housing.

Furthermore, it may be expedient to provide at least one sealing means between the outer wall of the cartridge and a component adjacent to the cartridge, for example a sealing ring which is pushed around the supporting shaft and forms a tight seal between the outer wall of the shaft and the inner wall of the cartridge. This sealing ring is preferably positioned immediately adjacent to a flow-through opening in the wall of the shaft, via which the fluid is guided from the fluid channel through the shaft into the cartridge or is discharged in the opposite direction from the cartridge. Such rings, which are placed around the shaft, are preferably used in the embodiment variant in which the rotor cup has no continuous axial wall on its inside facing the shaft, but rather is open, whereas the cartridge is in the form of a hollow cylinder with a central recess equipped for receiving the shaft.

The cartridge is preferably made of plastic, which on the one hand ensures a simple and cost-effective production and on the other hand ensures good environmental compatibility, since such cartridges are completely incinerated. It may be convenient to use the cartridge to provide a viewing device for displaying the current degree of contamination, for example with a viewing window, on the outside of the Schmutzbefüllungsgrad is visible within the cartridge. However, it is also possible to produce the cartridge completely or in sections from a transparent material, in particular a transparent plastic.

By contrast, the rotor housing is preferably made of metal in order to be able to safely absorb the forces occurring during operation. Since the cartridge is supported on the rotor housing in the inserted state, production of the cartridge from a material which is less resilient than the rotor material is sufficient.

According to a further expedient embodiment, a sealing valve is integrated in the outflow opening of the cartridge, which can be transferred in the inserted state of the cartridge to the outflow of the purified fluid in the open position. The transfer to the open position can be done in various ways depending on the design of the sealing valve, for example, automatically by inserting the cartridge into the rotor housing by a part of the rotor housing converts the sealing valve in the open position. It is also possible to exploit the pressure prevailing in the cartridge of the fluid to be cleaned for the opening of the sealing valve.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and expedient embodiments can be taken from the further claims, the description of the figures and the drawings.

Show it:

Fig. 1 a section through a rotor housing of a centrifugal separator, consisting of a bottom plate and a rotor pot to be placed on the bottom plate, wherein bottom plate and rotor pot sit on a shaft through which a fluid channel for the supply of the fluid to be cleaned is guided

Fig. 2 in an individual view in section a cartridge which can be used as an insert or replacement part in the rotor housing,

Fig. 3 a section through a centrifugal separator with the rotor housing within a fixed separator housing, wherein in the rotor housing a cartridge is inserted,

Fig. 4a in a highly schematic representation in each case a section of the rotor housing and the cartridge with a valve placed over the discharge opening of the cartridge,

Fig. 4b Rotor housing and cartridge off Fig. 4a in the assembled state with opened sealing valve,

Fig. 5a a sealing valve in the discharge opening of the cartridge, which is inserted into the rotor housing, in the closed state,

Fig. 5b a Fig. 5a corresponding illustration, but with opened sealing valve.

In the figures, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals.

Embodiments of the invention

In Fig. 1 a rotor housing 1 is shown, which is part of a centrifugal separator for the separation of debris in fluids, especially in oil of an engine of an internal combustion engine. The rotor housing 1 is constructed in two parts and comprises a bottom plate 2 and a rotor pot 3, wherein the rotor pot 3 can be detached from the bottom plate 2. Bottom plate 2 and rotor pot 3 include a hollow cylindrical interior in the housing 1, in which the unpurified fluid for the deposition of dirt particles is introduced.

The rotor housing 1 is mounted on a shaft 4, which in a separator housing ( Fig. 3 ) is rotatably mounted and driven by an electric motor. The approximately disk-shaped bottom plate 2 and the rotor pot 3 are each placed on the shaft 4. The shaft 4 is designed as a hollow shaft and has an inner fluid channel 5 for the supply of the fluid to be cleaned. For rotatably supporting the shaft 4 end bearing 6 and 7 are arranged.

Approximately in the middle of the shaft 4, flow openings 8 are introduced into the wall of the shaft, via which the uncleaned fluid, which has been conveyed axially via the fluid channel 5, can flow radially outward into the interior of the rotor housing 1. The Rotortopf 3 has at its the Shaft 4 facing inside no continuous axial wall, but is open. Only on its bottom plate 2 axially opposite side of the rotor pot 3 is provided with an axially inwardly bent portion 9 which limits an end opening for receiving the shaft 4. The inside of the radially outer wall of the rotor pot 3 forms a dirt deposit wall 3a, at which the dirt particles are deposited in the fluid by the rotation of the rotor and the centrifugal force caused thereby.

At the bottom plate 2 opposite end face a screw ring 10 is screwed onto the shaft 4, which secures the rotor pot 3 in the installed state axially. On the opposite side of the rotor pot 3 is supported on the bottom plate 2 and on a radially projecting portion 11, which is formed integrally with the shaft 4. In this way, via the screw ring 10, the rotor pot 3 can be safely connected in the mounted state with the shaft 4. After loosening the screw ring 10, the rotor pot 3 can be removed.

In the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing 1 discharge openings 12 are introduced. Advantageously, distributed over the circumference a plurality of such outflow openings 12 are provided in the bottom plate 2, via which the purified fluid flows out of the interior of the rotor housing 1.

After passing through the outflow openings 12 in the bottom plate 2, the cleaned fluid passes into a space which is between the radially projecting portion 11 of the shaft 4 and the underside of the bottom plate 2 is located. From this intermediate space, the cleaned fluid flows via flow nozzles 13, which lie in bulges of the projecting portion 11, in an annular space surrounding the rotor housing 1, which is located between the rotor housing and the encompassing separator housing.

The rotor housing 1 with bottom plate 2 and rotor pot 3 is suitably made of metal.

In Fig. 2 a cartridge 14 is shown in section, which is designed as a use or replacement part and is optionally used in the interior of the rotor housing 1. The outer contour of the cartridge is adapted to the inner contour of the rotor housing 1, so that in the inserted state, the cartridge at least substantially flat against the inside of the bottom plate 2 and rotor pot 3 or only a small gap between the rotor housing and cartridge. The cartridge 14 is preferably made of plastic and is manufactured as an injection-molded component. The cartridge 14 is formed as a hollow cylinder and has a channel 15 which allows the cartridge 14 to be pushed onto the shaft 4. The channel 15 delimiting, radially inner inner wall 16, the radially outer outer wall 17, the bottom 18 and the ceiling 19 of the cartridge are designed as one-piece component and define an interior into which the fluid to be cleaned for the deposition of dirt is directed. In the inner wall 16 inlet openings 20 are introduced, which in the inserted state of the cartridge 14 with the flow openings 8 of the shaft 4 (FIGS. Fig. 1 ), so that fluid introduced via the fluid channel 5 into the shaft 4 passes via the flow openings 8 in the wall of the shaft 4 and the inflow openings 20 in the inner wall 16 of the cartridge 14 into the interior of the cartridge.

In the bottom 18 of the cartridge 14 discharge openings 21 are introduced, which correspond to the outflow openings 12, which are introduced into the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing 1. In this way it is ensured that the outflow openings 12, 21 are aligned in the rotor housing and in the cartridge in the inserted state and the purified fluid is discharged from the interior of the rotor.

The inside of the radially outer wall 17 of the cartridge 14 forms analogous to the rotor housing a dirt deposit wall, at which the dirt particles by the rotation of the rotor, which is also carried out by the cartridge inserted, deposit. The purified fluid then leaves the interior of the cartridge via the outflow opening 21.

In the discharge openings 21 sealing valves 22 are used, which preferably consist of a sealing material and at the same time form a sealing element, which helps to prevent false currents in the discharge of the purified fluid. The sealing valve 22 has a the bottom of the soil 18 projecting portion which protrudes in the assembled state of the cartridge in the discharge opening 12 in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing 1. This will prevent spurious currents in the small gap between the bottom of the bottom 18 of the cartridge and the top of the bottom plate 12 of the rotor housing. The sealing valve 22 is designed, for example, in the manner of a beak valve, which is closed in the pressureless state due to its material elasticity, so that it can be removed from the rotor housing for replacement of the cartridge without any residual oil present in the cartridge can escape from the cartridge in an unintentional manner , In the assembled state, however, the sealing valve opens under the pressure of the fluid in the cartridge, so that the cleaned fluid can escape via the opened sealing valve 22.

On the outside of the outer wall 17 are integrally formed on the cartridge 14 with the wall radially projecting support portions 23 which are adjacent to the axial end faces of the cartridge and are formed either as a circumferential ring or as individual sections. The support portions 23 and 24 provide a defined support in the inserted state between the outer wall of the cartridge and the inner wall of the rotor housing.

On the radially inner side of the inner wall 16 are corresponding support portions 24 which protrude radially inwardly into the channel 15 and provide a defined support on the shaft 4.

In Fig. 3 an overall view of the centrifugal separator 30 is shown in section. The centrifugal separator 30 has a encompassing separator housing 31, consisting of a lower part and a removable upper part, wherein the rotor with the rotor housing 1 is inserted into the separator housing 31. Between the lower part and the upper part of the separator housing 31 extends a hollow shaft 32, which is inserted into the inner channel 5 of the shaft 4 and forms an inner flow path 33 for the zuurzuführende, unpurified fluid. The electric motor driven shaft 4 is carrier of the rotor housing 1, which accordingly performs a rotational movement. In the rotor housing 1, the cartridge 14 is inserted.

On the shaft 4 sealing rings 34 and 35 are pushed, which are arranged axially immediately adjacent to the flow openings 8 in the wall of the shaft and form a tight seal between the outer wall of the shaft and the inside of the inner wall 16 of the cartridge 14. In this way, a false flow of the emerging from the flow openings 8 fluid in the space between the outside of the shaft 4 and the inside of the inner wall 16 of the cartridge 14 is prevented.

The flow is supplied as indicated by the arrows initially over the bottom region in the lower part of the separator housing 31 in the radial direction until reaching the hollow shaft 32 and the axial flow path 33 therein. In the further course, the unpurified fluid passes through the flow openings 8 in the shaft 4 and corresponding inflow openings 20 in the inner wall 16 of the cartridge 14 in the interior of the cartridge. Due to the rotational movement exerted by the cartridge 14 together with the rotor housing 1, the dirt particles are deposited on the inside of the outer wall 17 of the cartridge 14. The purified fluid is discharged via the outflow openings in the bottom 18 of the cartridge 14 and in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing 1 in the underlying intermediate region and via the flow nozzles 13, which are received in the radially projecting portion 11 of the shaft 4, in the intermediate space between the outside of the rotor housing 1 and the inside of the separator housing 31 is initiated. From this intermediate space, the purified fluid can finally be removed from the centrifugal separator 30.

The sealing valve 22, which is inserted into the outflow opening in the bottom 18 of the cartridge 14 and which at the same time extends into the outflow opening in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing 1, opens under the pressure of the fluid in the interior of the cartridge. When the cartridge is empty, the sealing valve closes again, so that the cartridge without the Danger of contamination from the separator housing 31 can be removed.

The insertion of the cartridge 14 in the rotor housing 1 is an option. In principle, a operation without a cartridge is possible; In this case, the dirt particles are deposited from the supplied, unpurified fluid directly on the inside of the radially outer wall of the rotor pot 3. The discharge takes place in a similar manner as with inserted cartridge via the outflow opening 12 (see Fig. 1 ) in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing. 1

In the FIGS. 4a and 4b a further embodiment of a sealing valve 22 is shown, which closes the outflow opening 21 in the bottom 18 of the cartridge 14 and releases this outflow opening. According to Fig. 4a and 4b the sealing valve comprises two partially overlapping sealing lips, which are arranged on the end face of an axially raised dome in the bottom 18 of the cartridge 14, wherein in this dome, the discharge opening 21 is introduced. In the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing a corresponding dome is arranged, wherein in the assembled state according to Fig. 4b the dome mesh, so that the respective outflow openings are aligned. However, the dome in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing has a slightly greater axial elevation, so that in the mounted state, the end faces of the dome in the Bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing lift the sealing lips 22 in an open position.

With the removal of the cartridge from the rotor housing of the dome in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing into disengagement with the sealing lips of the sealing valve, so that the sealing lips are closed by their residual stress again.

In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 5a and 5b the sealing valve 22 is also made of overlapping sealing lips, which cover the outflow opening 21 in the bottom 18 and in the inserted state additionally the outflow opening 12 in the bottom plate 2 of the rotor housing. In the unloaded state, the sealing lips 22 are closed. Fig. 5b shows the opened state of the sealing valve 22, in which the sealing lips of the sealing valve are opened under the internal pressure in the cartridge and extend into the raised dome in the bottom plate 2 and in the bottom 18 inside. In order for this opening movement of the sealing lips can be carried out, the axial elevation of the dome in the bottom plate 2 in the assembled state is less than the axial elevation of the dome in the bottom 18 of the cartridge, so that the sealing lips without obstruction by the end faces of the dome in the bottom plate 2 can open down.

Claims (15)

Centrifugal separator for the separation of dirt particles in fluids, in particular of dirt particles in oil in an assembly of a vehicle, with a rotatable rotor with a rotor housing (1), in which at least one flow opening (12) is introduced for the fluid, characterized in that the rotor housing (1) is formed in two parts, wherein the radially outer side of the rotor housing (1) forms a dirt deposit wall (3a), wherein a part (3) of the rotor housing (1) is to be opened, and that in the rotor housing (1) an exchangeable cartridge (14) is used, which is provided with inflow and outflow openings (20, 21), of which at least one opening (21) with a flow opening (12) of the rotor housing (1) corresponds. Centrifugal separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor housing (1) comprises a bottom plate (2) and an on the bottom plate (2) can be placed, to be opened rotor pot (3). Centrifugal separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotor housing (1) on a shaft (4) is arranged, which is rotatably mounted in a separator housing (31). Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer contour of the cartridge (14) is adapted to the inner contour of the rotor housing (1). Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cartridge (14) is made of plastic. Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotor housing (1) is made of metal. Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rotor housing (1) on a shaft (4) is arranged, which is rotatably mounted in a separator housing (31). Centrifugal separator according to claim 7, characterized in that in the shaft (4) has a channel (5) is introduced for the fluid to be cleaned. Centrifugal separator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that on the shaft (4) a fastening element for releasably securing the rotor housing (1) is arranged. Centrifugal separator according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening element is designed as a screw ring (10) which can be screwed onto the shaft (4). Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cartridge (14) has a viewing device for representing the degree of contamination. Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the outflow opening (21) of the cartridge (14), a sealing valve (22) is integrated, which is in the installed state or under pressure in the open position. Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that between the outer wall (17) of the cartridge (14) and the inner wall (16) of the rotor housing (1) supporting means are arranged. Centrifugal separator according to claim 13, characterized in that the support means are formed integrally with the wall of the cartridge (14). Centrifugal separator according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that between the outer wall (17) of the cartridge (14) and a cartridge (14) adjacent component (4) at least one sealing means (34, 35), in particular between the cartridge ( 14) and the outer wall (17) of the shaft (4) is arranged.

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