Fluid circuit with a primary stream filter and a bypass stream centrifuge

• US 5,693,217 A
• Filed: 08/30/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FILTERWERK Mann & HUMMEL GmbH
• Original Assignee: FILTERWERK Mann & HUMMEL GmbH
• Inventors: Weindorf, Martin, Schetter, Martin, Erdmannsdoerfer, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Reifsnyder, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/520,931
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 210/97, 210/117, 210/130, 210/136, 210/168, 210/232, 210/297, 210/304, 210/360.1, 137/625, 137/625.29, 137/625.5, 184/6.24
• US Class Current: 210/97
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/045 Combination of filters with centrifugal separation devices
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 11/04 Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/005 Centrifugal separators or filters for fluid circulation systems, e.g. for lubricant oil circulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/10 Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of lubricant venting or purifying means, e.g. of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/16 Controlling lubricant pressure or quantity rendering machines or engines inoperative or idling on lubricant pressure failure F01M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/1035 comprising centrifugal filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86726 Valve with bypass connections

Abstract

A hydraulic fluid circuit having a primary stream filter and a centrifuge disposed on a bypass, in which a device for setting a minimum response pressure for operation of the centrifuge and for maintaining an overall maximum pressure in the fluid circuit is arranged between primary stream filter and the centrifuge.

Claims

1. A hydraulic fluid circuit comprising a primary stream, a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid through said circuit, a filter disposed on said primary stream, a bypass line which is connected to said primary stream and which avoids said filter, a centrifuge disposed on the bypass line, and a pressure regulator comprising a two stage valve arranged between the filter and the centrifuge for opening the bypass line when a minimum response pressure for the centrifuge is attained in the fluid circuit, and for maintaining a maximum pressure in the fluid circuit, wherein said centrifuge comprises a rotor comprising a cylindrical vessel with at least one propulsion nozzle through which fluid exits the vessel to drive the rotor.

2. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein said valve comprises at least two offset bores.

3. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 2, wherein said valve comprises a venting bore which opens into an unpressurized fluid chamber.

4. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein said valve is arranged with a first outlet bore connected via a fluid passage to a center shaft of said centrifuge.

5. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein said pressure regulator is arranged upstream of said filter.

6. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge comprises a rotor body with an interior tube fastened at one end to the rotor body and secured at its other end by an axial lock member.

7. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 6, wherein said axial lock member is a lock ring secured to a smooth outer surface of said interior tube.

8. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge comprises a rotor body with an interior tube fastened at both ends to the rotor body by axial lock members.

9. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1,wherein said centrifuge comprises a tubular shaft secured inside a cylindrical housing by a pair of elastomeric members.

10. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 9, wherein said elastomeric members comprise an elastomeric plug and an elastomeric ring.

11. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein said rotor comprises a cylindrical vessel and a lid crimped to one axial end thereof, and said propulsion nozzles are formed at an opposite axial end thereof from the crimped lid.

12. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein said centrifuge turns on an upright tubular shaft mounted in a centrifuge housing by means of a lock member.

13. A hydraulic fluid circuit comprising a primary stream, a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid through said circuit, a filter disposed on said primary stream, a bypass line which is connected to said primary stream and which avoids said filter, a centrifuge disposed on the bypass line, and a pressure regulator arranged between the filter and the centrifuge for opening the bypass line when a minimum response pressure for the centrifuge is attained in the fluid circuit and for maintaining a maximum pressure in the fluid circuit, wherein said pressure regulator comprises a two stage valve arranged with a first outlet bore connected via a fluid passage to a center shaft of said centrifuge and a second outlet bore connected via a fluid return passage to a fluid reservoir.

14. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 13, wherein said fluid return passage is an outlet passage for the centrifuge.

15. A hydraulic fluid circuit comprising a primary stream, a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid through said circuit, a filter disposed on said primary stream, a bypass line which is connected to said primary stream and which avoids said filter, a centrifuge disposed on the bypass line, and a pressure regulator arranged between the filter and the centrifuge for opening the bypass line when a minimum response pressure for the centrifuge is attained in the fluid circuit, and for maintaining a maximum pressure in the fluid circuit, wherein said centrifuge comprises a rotor comprising a cylindrical vessel with at least one propulsion nozzle through which fluid exits the vessel to drive the rotor, and wherein each said at least one propulsion nozzle is formed by a hollow rivet.

16. A hydraulic fluid circuit comprising a primary stream, a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid through said circuit, a filter disposed on said primary stream, a bypass line which is connected to said primary stream and which avoids said filter, a centrifuge disposed on the bypass line, and a pressure regulator arranged between the filter and the centrifuge for opening the bypass line when a minimum response pressure for the centrifuge is attained in the fluid circuit and for maintaining a maximum pressure in the fluid circuit, wherein said centrifuge comprises a rotor containing a removable hollow plastic body disposed interiorly of the rotor for collecting contaminants separated from the hydraulic fluid by the centrifuge.

17. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 16, wherein said hollow plastic body forms an intermediate bottom partition in said centrifuge.

18. A hydraulic fluid circuit according to claim 16, wherein the centrifuge rotor comprises a closure mechanism for selectively opening the centrifuge rotor, and said hollow plastic body is removable and exchangeable to empty the rotor of collected contaminants.