US20060086751A1 - Variable volume container - Google Patents

Variable volume container Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060086751A1
US20060086751A1 US10/954,751 US95475104A US2006086751A1 US 20060086751 A1 US20060086751 A1 US 20060086751A1 US 95475104 A US95475104 A US 95475104A US 2006086751 A1 US2006086751 A1 US 2006086751A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
variable volume
radius
flexible tube
wall portions
volume container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/954,751
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gregory Haunhorst
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eaton Corp
Original Assignee
Eaton Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eaton Corp filed Critical Eaton Corp
Priority to US10/954,751 priority Critical patent/US20060086751A1/en
Assigned to EATON CORPORATION reassignment EATON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HAUNHORST, GREGORY A.
Priority to EP05790617A priority patent/EP1800011A1/en
Priority to MX2007003862A priority patent/MX2007003862A/es
Priority to PCT/IB2005/002884 priority patent/WO2006035298A1/en
Priority to BRPI0515837-0A priority patent/BRPI0515837A/pt
Priority to CNA2005800330212A priority patent/CN101031726A/zh
Publication of US20060086751A1 publication Critical patent/US20060086751A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B1/00—Installations or systems with accumulators; Supply reservoir or sump assemblies
    • F15B1/02—Installations or systems with accumulators
    • F15B1/04—Accumulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D5/00—Power-assisted or power-driven steering
    • B62D5/06—Power-assisted or power-driven steering fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle
    • B62D5/062—Details, component parts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/20—Accumulator cushioning means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/20—Accumulator cushioning means
    • F15B2201/21—Accumulator cushioning means using springs

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a variable volume container suitable for use in a variety of fluid power systems, including without limitation, a re-circulating hydraulic system.
  • Traditional re-circulating hydraulic systems such as power steering systems for motor vehicles, include a fluid reservoir that provides fluid to a hydraulic pump via a low pressure supply hose.
  • the hydraulic pump pressurizes the fluid and feeds it to an actuator, such as a steering rack, through a high pressure hose assembly.
  • the displaced fluid from the actuator returns to the reservoir via a low pressure return line.
  • the reservoir serves a variety of functions. It provides a serviceable means of charging the system with fresh fluid. It also holds excess fluid created from thermal changes in the volume of hydraulic fluid and provides a means of allowing any air to separate out of the fluid while resident in the reservoir.
  • the use of a reservoir is often undesirable, since a reservoir occupies a relatively large amount of space and necessitates the use of a relatively large amount of fluid.
  • variable volume container such as an expandable hose
  • the variable volume container replaces the traditional reservoir.
  • variable volume container should readily expand to increase its volume without generating excessive back pressures in the fluid.
  • the container construction selected should also exhibit a good memory, i.e. a tendency of the container to return to its original shape after expansion, to provide a more consistent fluid level when the hydraulic system is relatively cold.
  • the variable volume container may need collapse inwardly.
  • at least one passageway should remain to maintain a fluid passageway through the container.
  • Such a passageway allows fluid to re-enter and expand the tube and also maintains a passageway through which air escaping from the air separator may pass.
  • Elliptical or generally flat and elongated cross-sectional container profiles have traditionally been used in an attempt to satisfy these requirements.
  • variable volume containers that are currently being used in re-circulating hydraulic systems suffer from a number of limitations, including a failure to return to their original shape after expansion and a tendency to completely collapse under vacuum without generating a fluid passageway through the container. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved variable volume container that overcomes the noted limitations of the prior art.
  • a variable volume container includes a flexible tube having a wall that defines a variable volume chamber.
  • the tube wall includes a pair of generally curved end wall portions and a pair of generally flat intermediate wall portions separated from the end wall portions by a transition wall portion. The generally flat intermediate wall portions are spaced-apart in a neutral state.
  • a method of making a variable volume container is also provided.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art variable volume container
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art variable volume container of FIG. 1 in a neutral state
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art variable volume container of FIG. 2 in an expanded state
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a variable volume container according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the variable volume container of FIG. 4 in a neutral state
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the variable volume container of FIG. 4 in an expanded state.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the variable volume container of FIG. 4 applied over a mandrel during manufacture.
  • Container 20 includes an elongated tubular member 22 having opposing side walls 24 and opposing end walls 26 that define a chamber 28 .
  • Tubular member 22 is made from an elastic material, such as rubber, enabling it to flex radially outwardly and inwardly depending on the pressure or vacuum, respectively, within chamber 28 .
  • the cross-sectional view of container 20 shown in FIG. 2 illustrates container 20 in a neutral state without any pressure or vacuum applied to tubular member 22 .
  • the cross-sectional view of container 20 shown in FIG. 3 illustrates chamber 28 under pressure, which forces tubular member 22 to expand radially outwardly and the volume of chamber 28 to increase.
  • tubular member 22 is subjected to strain. While a significant portion of tubular member 22 may be subjected to strain under pressure, areas of tubular member subjected to particularly high levels of strain are denoted by arrows 29 adjacent the opposing end walls 26 . It is these areas of relatively high strain that have a tendency to damage the elastic material in tubular member 22 . This damage results in, among other things, a loss of elasticity that compromises the memory of tubular member 22 .
  • the relatively high strain 29 may also form cracks in the end walls 26 , which can result in failure of container 20 under pressure.
  • container 30 includes a flexible tube 32 having a wall 34 that defines a variable volume chamber 36 .
  • tube wall 34 includes a pair of generally curved end wall portions 38 and a pair of generally flat intermediate wall portions 40 separated from end wall portions 38 by a transition wall portion 42 .
  • the generally flat intermediate wall portions 40 are spaced-apart in a neutral state when no pressure or vacuum is applied to flexible tube 32 and may become curved when pressure is applied to container 30 that causes intermediate wall portions 40 to bow outwardly without unduly straining the flexible tube material.
  • variable volume container 30 proximate intermediate wall portions 40 is less than the height H 1 , H 3 of variable volume container 30 proximate end wall portions 38 .
  • This feature gives the tube wall 34 and chamber 36 a generally dog-bone shaped profile in the neutral state.
  • the variable volume chamber 36 includes a pair of generally bulbous end cavities 44 and a generally rectangular intermediate cavity 46 connecting the two end cavities 44 in the neutral state. The end cavities 44 remain open even when a vacuum is applied to flexible tube 32 that causes intermediate wall portions 40 to be drawn together closing intermediate cavity 46 .
  • the height H 1 , H 3 of variable volume container 30 proximate end wall portions 38 is shown as being substantially equal, container 30 is not necessarily limited to the illustrated construction.
  • end wall portions 38 are defined by a first radius R 1 and transition wall portions 42 are defined by a second radius R 2 .
  • the flexible tube wall 34 includes an inner surface 48 that defines the variable volume chamber 36 .
  • the first radius R 1 is the radius of inner surface 48 included within the end wall portions 38 of flexible tube wall 34
  • the second radius R 2 is the radius of inner surface 48 included within the transition wall portions 42 of flexible tube wall 34 .
  • the first radius R 1 is generally less that the second radius R 2 .
  • the length of the second radius R 2 is approximately twice the length of the first radius R 1 ; however, the length of the radii are not intended to be limited thereto.
  • the radiused transition wall portions 42 cooperate with the curved end wall portions 38 to maximize the overall elastic strain on flexible tube 32 during expansion, while decreasing localized elastic strain in the tube wall.
  • the transition wall portions 38 also cooperate with the intermediate wall portions to increase the surface area of flexible tube 32 that is subjected to elastic strain during expansion. As a result, the elastic strain is more evenly distributed over the cross-section of flexible tube 32 , particularly when compared to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 6 , for example, relatively high levels of elastic strain is dispersed across an outer surface 50 of flexible tube 32 (denoted by arrows 52 in) proximate transition wall portions 42 , instead of being concentrated at the inner surface of end wall portions 38 like the prior art container 20 .
  • a more uniform distribution of elastic strain reduces or even eliminates concentrated areas of relatively high strain, e.g. the areas of strain denoted by arrows 29 in FIG. 3 , which may form cracks in flexible tube 32 or compromise the elasticity of the flexible tube material.
  • Flexible tube 32 may be made from various elastic materials including, without limitation, acrylonitrile and chlorinated-polyethylene based rubber compounds. Elastic materials having good recovery are especially suited for use in flexible tube 32 , given their ability to resist cracking and their tendency to return to their original shape after numerous expansion and contraction cycles.
  • the thickness of the flexible tube material is generally optimized to, among other things, minimize the pressure required to fully expand container 30 , prevent expansion of container 30 due to the weight of fluid within the container, maintain the elastic strain within an acceptable range during expansion of flexible tube 32 , and achieve the required burst strength of container 30 .
  • the thickness of flexible tube 32 is approximately 2.9 mm (0.114 in); however, the ultimate thickness used in a given implementation of the invention depends on, among other factors, the size of variable volume chamber 36 , the desired burst pressure of container 30 , and the physical properties of the materials used in container 30 .
  • variable volume container 30 is made using a generally dog-bone shaped mandrel 54 that includes a pair of bulbous end portions 56 having a first and second thickness T 1 , T 2 , a generally flat, intermediate portion 58 between the two end portions 56 and having a third thickness T 3 less than the first and second thickness T 1 , T 2 , and a transition portion 60 connecting the bulbous end portions 56 to the intermediate portion 58 .
  • Each thickness T 1 -T 3 is generally proportional to the heights H 1 -H 3 , respectively.
  • a length of flexible tube material is applied over mandrel 54 forming a variable volume container 30 having a variable volume chamber 36 corresponding in approximate size and shape to mandrel 54 over which the flexible tube material is applied.
  • Additional layers of material may be applied over the flexible tube, such as, for example, an optional braided reinforcement layer 62 or a flexible polymer cover 64 , prior to or after applying flexible tube 32 over mandrel 54 .
  • the overall characteristics of container 30 under pressure or vacuum are substantially similar for container designs that include the additional layers.
  • An additional step of curing the variable volume container 30 after the length of flexible tube material and optional reinforcing or cover layers are applied over mandrel 54 may be required for thermoset elastomer materials and other materials that do not necessarily retain their shape after removal from mandrel 54 .
  • the variable volume container 30 is removed from mandrel 54 prior to use.
  • the container geometry of FIGS. 4-6 was compared by means of finite element analysis with the prior art container geometry shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
  • both of the container profiles analyzed used the same flexible tube material.
  • a pressure in chambers 28 and 46 similar to a pressure found in a typical re-circulating hydraulic system was simulated on both container profiles. Comparing FIGS. 3 and 6 , the variable volume container 30 of the present invention exhibits less elastic strain (denoted by arrows 66 ) adjacent opposing end walls portions 38 than the prior art container 20 exhibits adjacent end walls 26 .
  • container 30 Another benefit of container 30 is that the maximum elastic strain 52 in flexible tube 32 is dispersed across outer surface 50 of container proximate transition wall portions 42 , instead of being concentrated in end wall portions 38 of the prior art container 20 . Moreover, the maximum elastic strain 52 at a given point in outer surface 50 of flexible tube 32 is significantly less than the maximum elastic strain 29 in the prior art container 20 , which decreases the risk of cracks or other damage in the flexible tube material. However, the aggregate elastic strain in variable volume container 30 is greater than the aggregate elastic strain in the prior art container 20 , which improves the memory of container 30 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
US10/954,751 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Variable volume container Abandoned US20060086751A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/954,751 US20060086751A1 (en) 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Variable volume container
EP05790617A EP1800011A1 (en) 2004-09-30 2005-09-28 Variable volume container
MX2007003862A MX2007003862A (es) 2004-09-30 2005-09-28 Recipiente de volumen variable.
PCT/IB2005/002884 WO2006035298A1 (en) 2004-09-30 2005-09-28 Variable volume container
BRPI0515837-0A BRPI0515837A (pt) 2004-09-30 2005-09-28 recipiente de volume variável e método para produzir um recipiente de volume variável
CNA2005800330212A CN101031726A (zh) 2004-09-30 2005-09-28 可变容积容器

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/954,751 US20060086751A1 (en) 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Variable volume container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060086751A1 true US20060086751A1 (en) 2006-04-27

Family

ID=35529796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/954,751 Abandoned US20060086751A1 (en) 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Variable volume container

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20060086751A1 (pt)
EP (1) EP1800011A1 (pt)
CN (1) CN101031726A (pt)
BR (1) BRPI0515837A (pt)
MX (1) MX2007003862A (pt)
WO (1) WO2006035298A1 (pt)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040222238A1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2004-11-11 Murielle Vigny Container for a flowable product, process of manufacture and the use thereof

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1911963B1 (en) * 2006-10-10 2008-12-17 MAGNETI MARELLI POWERTRAIN S.p.A. Electronic-injection fuel-supply system

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3612352A (en) * 1969-09-16 1971-10-12 Donald G Smith Amalgam cartridge and method of making same and method and apparatus for dispensing amalgam from a cartridge
US3727803A (en) * 1969-04-08 1973-04-17 J Campbell Containers
US4054232A (en) * 1976-05-05 1977-10-18 Eastman Kodak Company Fluid containers
US4203287A (en) * 1979-03-09 1980-05-20 General Motors Corporation Power steering hydraulic system with a low pressure expansible reservoir
US4951841A (en) * 1984-12-28 1990-08-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Dispensing container made from an ethylene vinyl alcohol containing laminated material and the material therefor
US5020326A (en) * 1989-07-24 1991-06-04 Automotive Products Plc Hydraulic control system with prefilled pressurized reservoir
US5727390A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-03-17 Trinova Limited Re-circulating hydraulic system
US6076557A (en) * 1998-06-12 2000-06-20 Senior Engineering Investments Ag Thin wall, high pressure, volume compensator
US6158620A (en) * 1999-02-11 2000-12-12 Chester Labs, Inc. Collapsible container
US6675657B1 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-01-13 Dana Corporation Self-dampening vessel
US6789579B1 (en) * 1999-06-29 2004-09-14 Aba Of Sweden Ab Hose

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1425148A (en) * 1920-06-05 1922-08-08 Lawrence A Subers Hose of predetermined action under pressure
FR1234912A (fr) * 1959-08-07 1960-07-01 Tube à section particulière permettant un écrasement sans détérioration
EP0143808A1 (en) * 1983-05-09 1985-06-12 Enitor B.V. Flexible conduit for the transport of media
GB2265959B (en) * 1992-04-01 1995-10-18 Ford Motor Co A fuel pipe
US6314942B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2001-11-13 Siemens Automotive Corporation Fuel pressure dampening element
GB0307808D0 (en) * 2003-04-04 2003-05-07 Eaton Corp Hydraulic system

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3727803A (en) * 1969-04-08 1973-04-17 J Campbell Containers
US3612352A (en) * 1969-09-16 1971-10-12 Donald G Smith Amalgam cartridge and method of making same and method and apparatus for dispensing amalgam from a cartridge
US4054232A (en) * 1976-05-05 1977-10-18 Eastman Kodak Company Fluid containers
US4203287A (en) * 1979-03-09 1980-05-20 General Motors Corporation Power steering hydraulic system with a low pressure expansible reservoir
US4951841A (en) * 1984-12-28 1990-08-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Dispensing container made from an ethylene vinyl alcohol containing laminated material and the material therefor
US5020326A (en) * 1989-07-24 1991-06-04 Automotive Products Plc Hydraulic control system with prefilled pressurized reservoir
US5727390A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-03-17 Trinova Limited Re-circulating hydraulic system
US6076557A (en) * 1998-06-12 2000-06-20 Senior Engineering Investments Ag Thin wall, high pressure, volume compensator
US6158620A (en) * 1999-02-11 2000-12-12 Chester Labs, Inc. Collapsible container
US6789579B1 (en) * 1999-06-29 2004-09-14 Aba Of Sweden Ab Hose
US6675657B1 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-01-13 Dana Corporation Self-dampening vessel

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040222238A1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2004-11-11 Murielle Vigny Container for a flowable product, process of manufacture and the use thereof
US7201291B2 (en) * 2001-10-12 2007-04-10 Nestle Waters Management & Technology Container for a flowable product, process of manufacture and the use thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2007003862A (es) 2007-05-18
EP1800011A1 (en) 2007-06-27
WO2006035298A1 (en) 2006-04-06
BRPI0515837A (pt) 2008-08-12
CN101031726A (zh) 2007-09-05

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EATON CORPORATION, OHIO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HAUNHORST, GREGORY A.;REEL/FRAME:015316/0142

Effective date: 20041026

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION