SUPPLEMENTAL FILTRATION FOR MACHINE FLUID SYSTEMS

• US 20130327729A1
• Filed: 06/08/2012
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Inventors: Apostolides, John K., McCosby, John J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,759,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/805
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 37/04 Controlling the filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/00 Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours filtering elements B01D24/00-B01D35/00; filtering material B01D39/00; their regeneration outside the filters B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/14 Conveying liquids or viscous products by pumping

Abstract

Enhanced fluid filtration methods, systems, and techniques are disclosed that can leverage the function of a supplemental pump in combination with the existing components of a machine, such as the main pump of an electrically-powered machine with an engine. In various embodiments, a supplemental filter apparatus may be operatively associated with the supplemental pump to provide filtration of fluid flowing through the machine. A control module may be operatively associated with the supplemental pump and/or various components of the machine. The control module may be programmed to activate or deactivate the supplemental pump, a valve, or take other actions in association with detecting the existence of one or more filter triggering conditions.

Claims

1. A fluid filtration apparatus, comprising:

at least one supplemental pump structured for fluid communication with at least one fluid system of a machine, wherein the supplemental pump is connected in fluidic communication with a main pump of the machine, wherein the supplemental pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine;

at least one supplemental filter apparatus positioned in fluidic communication with the supplemental pump and structured with an inlet to receive fluid flow from the supplemental pump; and

,

wherein the supplemental filter apparatus is structured with an outlet to direct fluid flow to at least a portion of a fluid system of the machine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplemental pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control module programmed to activate or deactivate the supplemental pump in association with a filter triggering condition.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time duration of operation.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a filter condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate the supplemental pump during operation of the machine.

14. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.

15. A fluid filtration apparatus, comprising:

at least one supplemental pump structured for fluid communication with at least one fluid system of a machine, wherein the supplemental pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine;

at least one supplemental filter apparatus connected to the supplemental pump and structured for fluid communication with at least a portion of a fluid system of the machine;

a valve apparatus comprising;

an inlet connected at a common junction between an outlet of the supplemental pump and an inlet of the supplemental filter apparatus,

an outlet connected at a common junction of an outlet of the supplemental filter apparatus and the fluid system of the machine, and,

wherein the valve apparatus includes a normally open valve; and

,

a control module programmed to;

(i) actuate the normally open valve in association with a filter triggering condition;

or

(ii) activate or deactivate the supplemental pump in association with a filter triggering condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the supplemental pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time of operation.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control module is programmed to activate at least one of the normally open valve or the supplemental pump during operation of the machine.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.

27. A fluid filtration apparatus, comprising:

at least one supplemental pump connected for fluid communication with at least one fluid system of a machine, wherein the supplemental pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine;

at least one supplemental filter apparatus having an inlet connected at a common junction of an outlet of the supplemental pump and an inlet of a first valve, wherein the first valve is connected to facilitate fluid flow to the machine at a threshold level of fluid pressure;

a second valve positioned between an outlet of the supplemental filter apparatus and an inlet of at least a portion of a fluid system of the machine; and

,

a control module programmed for actuating at least one of the first valve, the second valve, or the supplemental pump in association with detecting the existence of a filter triggering condition.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the supplemental pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time of operation.

35. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

37. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate at least one of the first valve, the second valve, or the supplemental pump at a predetermined time.

38. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate at least one of the first valve, the second valve, or the supplemental pump during machine operation.

39. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.

40. A fluid filtration apparatus, comprising:

at least one supplemental pump connected for fluid communication with at least one fluid system of a machine, wherein the supplemental pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine;

a multi-position valve located at a common junction of;

an inlet of a supplemental filter apparatus, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid system of the machine,

an outlet of the supplemental pump, and

an inlet of a second valve operatively associated with the machine;

wherein the multi-position valve is structured for being alternatively positioned;

in a first position in which a fluid path is established from the outlet of the supplemental pump to the inlet of the second valve, or

in a second position in which a fluid path is established from the outlet of the supplemental pump, through the inlet of the supplemental filter apparatus, and to the fluid system of the machine; and

,

a control module programmed for actuating at least one of the first valve, the second valve, or the supplemental pump in association with detecting the existence of a filter triggering condition.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the supplemental pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

47. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time of operation.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

49. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

50. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate at least one of the first valve, second valve, or the supplemental pump at a predetermined time.

51. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate at least one of the first valve, second valve, or the supplemental pump during machine operation.

52. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a filter positioned between an outlet of the second valve and at least one of the fluid reservoirs of the machine.

53. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.

54. A fluid filtration apparatus, comprising:

a fluid reservoir pump connected to at least one fluid reservoir of a machine, wherein the fluid reservoir pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine;

a supplemental filter apparatus connected to the fluid reservoir pump; and

,

a relief valve connected for fluid communication between the supplemental filter apparatus and the fluid reservoir pump, the relief valve structured to direct fluid flow from the fluid reservoir pump to the supplemental filter apparatus in association with a filter triggering condition.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the fluid reservoir pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the fluid reservoir pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

58. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a control module programmed to access the relief valve or direct fluid flow to the relief valve in connection with the filter triggering condition.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

61. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

62. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time of operation.

63. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

64. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

65. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate the relief valve or the fluid reservoir pump at a predetermined time.

66. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate the relief valve or the fluid reservoir pump during machine operation.

67. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.

68. A method for using a fluid filtration apparatus, the method comprising:

positioning at least one supplemental pump for fluid communication with at least one fluid system of a machine, including connecting the supplemental pump in fluidic communication with a main pump of the machine and positioning the supplemental pump onboard with respect to the machine;

positioning at least one supplemental filter apparatus in fluidic series with the supplemental pump;

positioning the supplemental filter apparatus with an inlet to receive fluid flow from the supplemental pump; and

,

positioning the supplemental filter apparatus with an outlet to direct fluid flow to at least a portion of a fluid system of the machine.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the supplemental pump is a component of a power steering system or a power braking system.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium.

72. The method of claim 68, further comprising activating or deactivating the supplemental pump in association with a filter triggering condition.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a threshold time duration of operation.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes an injection timing variable.

78. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value.

79. The method of claim 72, wherein the filter triggering condition includes a filter condition.

80. The method of claim 68, further comprising activating or deactivating the supplemental pump during operation of the machine.

81. The method of claim 68, further comprising processing time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine.