EP3060499A1

EP3060499A1 - Reservoir having wave suppression plate

Info

Publication number: EP3060499A1
Application number: EP14855166.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mark Schmidt; Robert QUANDT; Robert E. Broman; Ryan O'connor
Original assignee: Helgesen Industries Inc; Helgesen Ind Inc
Current assignee: Helgesen Industries Inc; Helgesen Ind Inc
Priority date: 2013-10-25
Filing date: 2014-10-24
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Also published as: CN105873835A; US20160251156A1; EP3060499A4; WO2015061640A1; RU2016120184A

Abstract

A new and improved fluid storage reservoir that includes a wave suppression plate is provided. The wave suppression plate inhibits entraining air into fluid stored within the fluid storage reservoir by inhibiting wave formation and splashing of the fluid at the fluid-to-air interface within the fluid storage reservoir. The wave suppression plate is configured to inhibit mixing between a portion of fluid having a lower entrained amount of air below the wave suppression plate and a portion of fluid having a higher entrained amount of air above the wave suppression plate.

Description

RESERVOIR HAVING WAVE SUPPRESSION PLATE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to fluid storage reservoirs and particularly fluid storage reservoirs configured to reduce the entrainment of air into the fluid stored within the fluid storage reservoirs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many machines use fluids for operation. For instance, many tractors, trucks, or other types of mobile equipment often include hydraulic systems for power and operating devices controlled by the machine.

[0003] Many of these machines will be exposed to large vibrations and impacts that will cause the hydraulic fluid to splash and generate waves within the fluid storage reservoir. Many fluids, and particularly, hydraulic fluid will often entrain air at the surface of the fluid due to the splashing and waves that are created due to the motion of the machine. The fluid with the entrained air will also then mix throughout the rest of the fluid within the fluid storage reservoir.

[0004] Unfortunately, entrained air will often affect the performance and operability of various components of the hydraulic system such as hydraulic pumps, cylinders or motors that use or otherwise process the hydraulic fluid.

[0005] The present invention provides improvements in fluid storage reservoirs to reduce the amount of air that is entrained and/or to inhibit mixing of the air entrained fluid with the rest of the fluid within the fluid storage reservoir.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a new and improved fluid storage reservoir. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a new and improved fluid storage reservoir that includes a wave suppression plate to inhibit entraining air into fluid stored within the fluid storage reservoir due to inhibiting wave formation and splashing of the fluid at the fluid-to-air interface within the fluid storage reservoir.

Additional benefits may be that the wave suppression plate prevents or otherwise inhibits mixing between a portion of fluid having a lower entrained amount of air below the wave suppression plate and a portion of fluid having a higher entrained amount of air above the wave suppression plate.

[0007] In one embodiment, a fluid storage reservoir including a tank and a wave suppression plate is provided. The tank defines a fluid storage cavity in which fluid can be stored. The tank defines a bottom and a top. The wave suppression plate is positioned between the bottom and the top and is offset from both the top and the bottom separating the fluid storage cavity into a top portion above the wave suppression plate and a bottom portion below the wave suppression plate. The wave suppression plate has at least one opening that allows for fluid flow between the top and bottom portions.

[0008] In another embodiment, the tank includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and outlet are positioned below the wave suppression plate and in direct fluid communication with the bottom portion of the fluid storage cavity.

[0009] In one embodiment, the at least one opening in the wave suppression plate has a surface are of between about 50% and 125% of the entire surface area of the outlet.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each having a cross-sectional area equal to a circle having a diameter of between about 0.1 inches and 0.256 inches.

[0011] In one embodiment, a predetermined volume of fluid is stored within the fluid storage cavity defining a fluid-to-air interface. The wave suppression plate is positioned below the fluid-to-air interface. In an alternative embodiment, the wave suppression plate is positioned above the fluid-to-air interface.

[0012] In one embodiment, the wave suppression plate is positioned between 40 and 140 mm below the fluid-to-air interface.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of openings are substantially equally spaced. [0014] In one embodiment, a secondary plate is offset from the wave suppression plate and is positioned between the wave suppression plate and the top of the tank with the secondary plate positioned within the top portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the secondary plate overlaps the at least one opening such that the secondary plate covers at least 75% of the surface are of the at least one opening.

[0016] In one embodiment, the secondary plate extends outward beyond the periphery of the at least one opening by at least 1/4 inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of flow fluid through the at least one opening.

[0017] In one embodiment, the secondary plate is spaced from the wave suppression plate by a distance Dl . The secondary plate extends outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the flow of fluid through the at least one opening by at distance at least equal to distance Dl .

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings.

[0019] In one embodiment, a method of inhibiting the entrainment of air within a fluid storage reservoir is provided. The method includes separating a fluid storage cavity defined by an tank of a fluid storage reservoir into a top portion and a bottom portion with a wave suppression plate having at least one opening fluidly communicating the top portion with the bottom portion.

[0020] In one method, the method includes redirecting the fluid flow after it flows from the bottom portion to the top portion using a secondary plate spaced apart from the wave suppression plate. The secondary plate is positioned within the top portion and between the wave suppression plate and a top of the tank.

[0021] In one method, the method includes drawing fluid out of the tank through at least one outlet of the tank, the at least one opening having a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% the cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet.

[0022] In one method, the wave suppression plate is positioned between 140 mm above and 140 mm below a fluid-to-air interface within the tank. [0023] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective illustration of a fluid storage reservoir according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of the fluid storage reservoir of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of a further embodiment of a fluid storage reservoir;

[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 are additional partial cross-sectional illustrations of the embodiment of FIG. 3; and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of a further embodiment of a fluid storage reservoir.

[0030] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of an embodiment of a fluid storage reservoir 100 according to the teachings of the present invention. The fluid storage reservoir 100 is configured to store a fluid for use by a downstream system. In a particular embodiment, the fluid storage reservoir 100 is configured to be a fluid storage reservoir 100 for storing hydraulic fluid.

[0032] With additional reference to FIG. 2, the fluid storage reservoir 100 includes a tank 102 that defines a fluid storage cavity 104 in which fluid can be stored. The tank 102 includes a top 106 and a bottom 108 that is vertically spaced from the top 108. The illustrated tank is generally prismatic and includes sidewall 110 that extends generally between the top 106 and bottom 108 and surrounds, at least in part, the fluid storage cavity 104. In some embodiments, the tank could be spherical or have a bottom or top that could be dome or bowl shaped such that dome or spherical shape generally provides the sides, top and/or bottom of the tank, such designs will still be considered to have a top, a bottom and sides. In a preferred embodiment, the tank 102 is generally formed from a pair of U-shaped wrapper portions that are coupled together to form and enclose the fluid storage cavity 104.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid storage reservoir 100 includes a fluid inlet 112 and a fluid outlet 114. The fluid inlet 112 and fluid outlet 114 allow the fluid storage reservoir 100 to be connected to an external system, such as for example a hydraulic system or fuel system. Typically, fluid will be drawn from the fluid outlet 114 and passed through the system. Fluid returning to the fluid storage reservoir 100 will typically enter through the inlet 112 during operation. While not shown, the fluid storage reservoir 100 could include other inlet and outlet ports for filling or draining the fluid storage reservoir 100 at initial setup or at maintenance intervals. Additional fluid inlets and fluid outlets may exist in any configuration of size, quantity, or location.

[0034] The fluid storage reservoir 100 includes a wave suppression arrangement in the form of wave suppression baffle illustrated as wave suppression plate 120 positioned horizontally between the bottom 108 and the top 106. The wave suppression plate 120 is vertically offset from both the top 106 and the bottom 108. The wave suppression plate 120 separates the fluid storage cavity 104 into a top portion 122 above the wave suppression plate 120 and a bottom portion 124 below the wave suppression plate 120. [0035] The wave suppression plate 120 includes a plurality of openings 126 extending therethrough that allows for fluid flow between the top and bottom portions 122, 124.

However, the inclusion of the openings 126 inhibits easy mixing of the fluid within the top and bottom portions 122, 124. The wave suppression plate 120 acts as a false top and reduces the overall exposure of the entire volume of fluid to the fluid-to-air interface 130 (shown schematically), which is the surface where the fluid meets the air stored within the fluid storage reservoir 100.

[0036] Ideally, a fluid storage reservoir would have no air stored therein so as to entirely avoid the possibility of entraining air within the fluid stored therein. However, due to, among other things, fluid usage, fluid leakage, imprecise filling and fluid expansion and contraction, fluid storage reservoirs will almost always have some air therein. The wave suppression plate 120 limits the amount of wave action and splashing action within the fluid storage reservoir 100 so as to minimize the amount of air that is entrained into the fluid stored within the fluid storage reservoir. The wave suppression plate 120 also limits the amount of mixing of the fluid within the tank such that the fluid above the wave suppression plate 120 exposed to the fluid-to-air interface does not mix as readily with the fluid below the wave suppression plate 120. Thus, the wave suppression plate allows for the fluid storage reservoir 100 to be slightly larger than the exact necessary volume of fluid within the system so as to compensate for the changes in volume of fluid within the system while limiting the adverse effects of air entrainment due to the volume of air stored within the fluid storage reservoir.

[0037] Preferably, the openings 126 are sized to allow for fluid flow between the top and bottom portions 122, 124, but inhibit significant mixing between the two portions and also act to prevent significant motion or splashing within the bottom portion 124.

[0038] Due to this arrangement, the inlet 112 and outlet 114 are illustrated in direct fluid communication with the bottom portion 124 below the wave suppression plate 120 so that the fluid that is drawn from the fluid storage reservoir is, preferably, the fluid that has the least amount of entrained air. [0039] In this embodiment, it is preferred that the openings be small enough to, at least partially, inhibit easy mixing between the two portions of the fluid storage cavity 104. In one embodiment, each opening has a cross-sectional area equal to a circle having a diameter of between about 0.1 inches and 0.256 inches and is preferably about 0.16 inches. In some embodiments, the combined cross-sectional area of the openings 126 is no less than 50% the combined cross-sectional area of all outlet ports (also referred to as suction ports).

Preferably, the combined cross-sectional area of the openings 126 is no more than 125% the combined cross-sectional area of all outlet ports.

[0040] Preferably, the wave suppression plate 120 is positioned between 40 and 140 mm above or below, but more preferably below, the fluid-to-air interface 130 when the fluid storage reservoir 100 and fluid therein are at rest, such as at initial filling of fluid into the system. Additionally, the plurality of openings 126 are preferably substantially equally spaced.

[0041] The wave suppression plate 120 is preferably positioned such that no more than 20%) of the fluid volume is above the wave suppression plate 120 within the top portion 120, more preferably, no more than 15%, and even more preferably no more than 10%. Similarly, the wave suppression plate 120 is preferably positioned such that there is a gap between the fluid-to-air interface and the bottom of the plate 120 that is less than 20% of amount of volume of fluid within the tank 102, more preferably, no more than 15%, and even more preferably no more than 10%.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a fluid reservoir 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes a wave suppression arrangement 219 that includes a wave suppression plate 220 and a secondary plate 221.

[0043] In this embodiment, the wave suppression plate 220 includes a pair of enlarged openings 226 configured to allow fluid to transition between top and bottom portions 222, 224 of the fluid storage cavity 204.

[0044] The secondary plate 221 is spaced away from the wave suppression plate 220 and is positioned between the top 206 and the wave suppression plate 220. Preferably, the spacing Dl between the wave suppression plate 220 and the secondary plate 221 is such that the fluid that passes from the bottom portion 224 to the top portion 222 of the fluid storage cavity 204 is directed horizontally outward toward the sidewalls 210 of the storage tank 202, as illustrated by arrows 223.

[0045] In one embodiment, Dl is no greater than 3 inches, preferably Dl is no greater than 2 inches and even more preferably, Dl is no greater than 1 inch. Further, Dl is preferably sufficiently large to prevent unnecessary back pressure within the bottom portion 224 of the fluid storage cavity 204. For instance, Dl is configured to prevent fluid to fiuidly communicate through openings 226 into the remainder of top portion 222. Preferably, Dl is at least 1/8 inch, more preferably at least 1/4 inch.

[0046] In some embodiments, both wave suppression plate 220 and secondary plate 221 are mounted such that both components are below the fluid-to-air interface when the system is filled and the fluid is at rest, such as at initial fluid filling of the system. In some embodiments, both components are positioned above the fluid-to-air interface when the fluid is at rest. In other embodiments, the wave suppression plate 220 is located below the fluid-to-air interface and the secondary plate 22 is above the fluid-to-air interface when fluid is at rest. Typically, when this is measured when the fluid is also at a standard temperature of between about 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

[0047] In this embodiment, the secondary plate 221 extends entirely between two opposed sidewalls 210 of the fluid tank 204. The two edges 225 of the plate 221 adjacent sides 210 attach the plate 221 to the sidewalls 210. The two edges 227 of secondary plate 221 that extend between edges 225 are spaced away from adjacent sides 210 to allow fluid to flow into the rest of top portion 224 of the fluid storage cavity 204. The secondary plate 221 dampens the wave action. It that this change in direction helps reduce the wave action within the tank 202 and helps reduce entrainment of air.

[0048] It is desired that at least 75% of the surface area of the openings 226 are covered by the secondary plate 221. Preferably, the secondary plate 221 completely overlaps all of the surface area of all of the openings 226. Further, it is preferred that the openings 226 are covered by the secondary plate 221 such that the secondary plate 221 extends outward beyond the periphery of the openings 226 by at least the distance Dl . This region is illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3 and has a dimension of D2. Preferably, D2 is greater than or equal to Dl . In some embodiments, the distance (e.g. dimension D2) the secondary plate 221 extends outward beyond the periphery of each opening is greater than 1/4 inch, more preferably 1/2 inch.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a fluid reservoir 300. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5. This embodiment fails to include the secondary plate of the prior embodiment. Instead, this embodiment only includes wave suppression plate 320 that defines openings 326 that permit fluid communication between the top and bottom portions 322, 324 of the fluid storage cavity 304.

[0050] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0051] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non- claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. [0052] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fluid storage reservoir comprising: a tank defining a fluid storage cavity in which fluid can be stored, the tank defining a bottom and a top; and a wave suppression plate positioned between the bottom and the top and offset from both the top and the bottom separating the fluid storage cavity into a top portion above the wave suppression plate and a bottom portion below the wave suppression plate, the wave suppression plate having at least one opening that allows for fluid flow between the top and bottom portions.

2. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1 further comprising an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being positioned below the wave suppression plate and in direct fluid communication with the bottom portion of the fluid storage cavity.

3. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 2, wherein the at least one opening in the wave suppression plate has a surface are of between about 50% and 125% of the entire surface area of the outlet.

4. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each having a cross-sectional area equal to a circle having a diameter of between about 0.1 inches and 0.256 inches.

5. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, further comprising a predetermined volume of fluid stored within the fluid storage cavity defining a fluid-to-air interface, the wave suppression plate being positioned below the fluid-to-air interface.

6. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 5, wherein the wave suppression plate is positioned between 40 and 140 mm below the fluid-to-air interface.

7. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings are substantially equally spaced.

8. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, wherein each opening has a cross- sectional area equal to a circle having a diameter of between about 0.1 inches and 0.256 inches.

9. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, further comprising a secondary plate offset from the wave suppression plate and positioned between the wave suppression plate and the top of the tank with the secondary plate positioned within the top portion.

10. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 9, wherein the secondary plate overlaps the at least one opening such that the secondary plate covers at least 75% of the surface are of the at least one opening.

11. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 10, wherein the secondary plate extends outward beyond the periphery of the at least one opening by at least 1/4 inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of flow fluid through the at least one opening.

12. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 10, wherein the secondary plate is spaced from the wave suppression plate by a distance Dl, wherein the secondary plate extends outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the flow of fluid through the at least one opening by at distance at least equal to distance Dl .

13. The fluid storage reservoir of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings.

14. A method of inhibiting the entrainment of air within a fluid storage reservoir, the method comprising: separating a fluid storage cavity defined by an tank of a fluid storage reservoir into a top portion and a bottom portion with a wave suppression plate having at least one opening fluidly communicating the top portion with the bottom portion.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising redirecting the fluid flow after it flows from the bottom portion to the top portion using a secondary plate spaced apart from the wave suppression plate, the secondary plate being positioned within the top portion and between the wave suppression plate and a top of the tank.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising drawing fluid out of the tank through at least one outlet of the tank, the at least one opening having a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% the cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the wave suppression plate is positioned between 140 mm above and 140 mm below a fluid-to-air interface within the tank.