Patent US4685061A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4424829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle fluid power system reservoir
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1982-04-12
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Granted: 1984-01-10
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Expires: 2002-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A reservoir vessel intended for storage of a small volume of reserve fluid in an automobile for a remotely located power steering or like system connected with the reservoir by flexible hoses and including a baffle structure for redirecting the incoming high velocity flow from the system to mix within the reservoir without undue turbulence and air entrainment. This invention relates to vehicle fluid power systems and more particularly to an improved reservoir therefor. The modern trend in vehicle design, front wheel drive and otherwise, creates even further premium on space in engine compartments, and a corresponding emphasis in redesigning engine-related accessories. In power steering and like fluid power systems, it is now often desirable to separate the fluid reservoir from what formerly had been unitary association with a submerged engine-driven pump, and rather to situate it remote from the engine and connect it to the steering gear and pump by flexible hoses. However, it is also desirable to shape the reservoir suitably to available space, and further ensure against the undue turbulence and entrainment of air in the fluid within the reservoir that can easily arise from the high entering flow velocities associated with the popular use of small diameter flex hoses. Such air entrainment affects the fluid viscosity and thus the efficiency of the fluid system. The present invention provides a reservoir that is small in volume and space efficient, yet avoids undue amounts of such turbulence. Fluid entering the reservoir at high velocity through the hose from the fluid power system is redirected smoothly and efficiently in ways to avoid turbulence. Any air-entrained fluid is permitted to rise to regions remote from the reservoir outlet which feeds the fluid system. The invention features a box-like vessel, which may be of even quite flat rectangular cross section for engine compartment space advantage. An inlet is provided in one wall at an angle to direct the incoming high velocity fluid from the hose against the opposite wall and then through a series of baffles. The baffles include webs overlapping each other to partition the inlet region from the region of a fluid outlet spaced from the inlet near the bottom of the vessel or otherwise. Intermediate these regions flow is routed via the baffle webs and via a series of overlapping and angled flanges of such baffles which define flow redirection channels. High velocity incoming fluid flow is caused to circulate to regions of the fluid body remote from the outlet region and mix therein at lower velocities prior to exiting the fluid outlet. Undue turbulence is avoided and oil frothing or air entrainment minimized. As a further feature, the baffling further can be constructed such that in more aggravated cases of high inlet velocity, or due to vessel shape, etc., whatever air entrainment that might occur can dissipate to upper margins of the body of fluid away from the mixing regions and the fluid outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Millington
- 👤 Gerald A. Nyquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:25
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/062; F; F15; F15B; F15B1/00; F15B1/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86187; Y10T137/86212; Y10T137/86228; Y10T137/86348
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A small volume, low turbulence reservoir for a hydraulic power system comprising, a vessel having a first wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body, a first baffle extending between said vessel walls and separating said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with turned lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, and a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle terminating with turned lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel in regions spaced from said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A small volume, low turbulence reservoir for a hydraulic power system comprising, a vessel having a first wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body, a first baffle extending between said vessel walls and separating said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with turned lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, and a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle terminating with turned lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel in regions spaced from said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system, a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel having a first generally vertical wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body located below said inlet, a first baffle extending generally horizontally between said vessel walls and located vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with upwardly directed lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, and a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle merging with downwardly directed lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid flow entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and downwardly through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced laterally from said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system, a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel having a first generally vertical wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body located below said inlet, a first baffle extending generally horizontally between said vessel walls and located vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with upwardly directed lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, and a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle merging with downwardly directed lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid flow entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and downwardly through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced laterally from said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system, a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel having a first wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a second wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body spaced from said inlet, a first baffle extending generally horizontally between said vessel walls and located vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with turned lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, a second baffle above said inlet extending from said second wall a part of the distance toward the first wall and having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle, said second baffle terminating with turned lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, and a third baffle above said second baffle extending from said first wall part of the distance to said second wall defining a further flow redirection channel, whereby high velocity fluid flow entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced from said outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system, a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel having a first wall defining an inlet opening therein on an axis, a second wall opposite said first wall generally perpendicular to said axis extended and subjected to high velocity fluid flow from said inlet, an outlet in said vessel body spaced from said inlet, a first baffle extending generally horizontally between said vessel walls and located vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through said axis and terminating with turned lateral flanges each located substantially away from said outlet, a second baffle above said inlet extending from said second wall a part of the distance toward the first wall and having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle, said second baffle terminating with turned lateral flanges outside the first baffle flanges generally parallel with and overlapping same to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, and a third baffle above said second baffle extending from said first wall part of the distance to said second wall defining a further flow redirection channel, whereby high velocity fluid flow entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis and through said flow redirection channels enabling lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced from said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
389 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel being of generally rectangular cross section and including a first pair of generally vertical walls relatively proximate one another and a second pair of side walls oriented generally vertically and spaced substantially apart, an inlet opening defined in one of said first pair of walls receiving incoming high velocity fluid flow and directing same generally horizontally against the other of said first pair of walls, an outlet in said first of said pair of walls located below said inlet, a first baffle wall extending generally horizontally between said first pair of vessel walls and disposed vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle wall having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through the axis of said inlet and terminating in upwardly directed lateral flanges each located proximate one of said vessel side walls and substantially away from said outlet, a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle terminating in downwardly directed lateral flanges, said second baffle extending from said other of said first pair of walls a part of the distance of said one of said pair of walls and said downwardly directed flanges both generally parallel with and overlapping the flanges of the first baffle to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, a third baffle above the said second baffle extending from said one of said first pair of walls part of the distance toward said other of said pair of walls overlapping and closely proximate the second baffle to define a further flow redirection channel, said third baffle including a main web portion terminating in lateral flanges turned angularly downwardly and overlapping the downwardly turned flanges of said second baffle to provide a widened extension of the first mentioned flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis through said first mentioned flow redirection channels and widened extensions thereof and through said further flow redirection channels upwardly enabling a lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced from said inlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
389 words
In a vehicle hydraulic power system a small volume, low turbulence reservoir, comprising, a reservoir vessel, means mounting said vessel in the vehicle engine compartment, said vessel being of generally rectangular cross section and including a first pair of generally vertical walls relatively proximate one another and a second pair of side walls oriented generally vertically and spaced substantially apart, an inlet opening defined in one of said first pair of walls receiving incoming high velocity fluid flow and directing same generally horizontally against the other of said first pair of walls, an outlet in said first of said pair of walls located below said inlet, a first baffle wall extending generally horizontally between said first pair of vessel walls and disposed vertically between said inlet and said outlet, said first baffle wall having a main horizontal web generally centered on a plane through the axis of said inlet and terminating in upwardly directed lateral flanges each located proximate one of said vessel side walls and substantially away from said outlet, a second baffle above said inlet having a main web disposed generally parallel the web of the first baffle terminating in downwardly directed lateral flanges, said second baffle extending from said other of said first pair of walls a part of the distance of said one of said pair of walls and said downwardly directed flanges both generally parallel with and overlapping the flanges of the first baffle to define therewith fluid flow redirection channels, a third baffle above the said second baffle extending from said one of said first pair of walls part of the distance toward said other of said pair of walls overlapping and closely proximate the second baffle to define a further flow redirection channel, said third baffle including a main web portion terminating in lateral flanges turned angularly downwardly and overlapping the downwardly turned flanges of said second baffle to provide a widened extension of the first mentioned flow redirection channels, whereby high velocity fluid entering from said inlet flows in directions laterally of the inlet axis through said first mentioned flow redirection channels and widened extensions thereof and through said further flow redirection channels upwardly enabling a lower velocity mixing with the body of fluid contained in said vessel and rise of any air entrained fluid in regions spaced from said inlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-09 | 1987-07-11 | 1988-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-09 | 1991-07-11 | 1992-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-09 | 1995-07-11 | 1996-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |