HYDRAULIC FILTER SYSTEM FOR EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT

Abstract: A filter module is provided which is especially useful for filtering large volumes of oil in devices like hydraulic ex­ cavators. The filter module comprises a housing (12) defining an enclosure, and a filter element supported in the enclosure comprising an elongated cartridge of uniform cross section. One end of the cartridge is closed and the other end is open. The cartridge comprises at least two slots (42) longitudinally of the cartridge at diametrically-opposed sides of its long­ itudinal axis. A plurality of magnets (36) is disposed about the cartridge (30) in longitudinally-spaced relation. Furtheron, a plurality of non-magnetic spaces (38) is disposed about the cartridge (30) between the magnets (36). The spacers (38) con­ tain openings (40) in communication with the slots at the inner ends and in communication with the surrounding enclosure at the outer ends. Furtheron, means (50) are provided for con­ necting the open end of the cartridge with the source of oil to be filtered. Means (54) provides for exit of the filtered oil from the enclosure.

Description: The invention refers to a filter module according to the first part of claim 1. The invention further refers to a filter system comprising such a filter module. Such filter modules and such a filter system as especially used for maintaining the oil in hydraulically-operated excavators continuously clean. Such hydraulic excavators require relatively large volumes of oil for their operation and due to the nature of the equipment and the surroundings in which they are used, the oil becomes contaminated with metal particles within a relatively short time so that frequent replacemant of oil is required in order to maintain the equipment. Failure to replace the oil results in rapid deterioration, inefficient operation and, ultimately, replacement and since such equipment is very expensive, it is vitally important to provide for maintaining clean oil in the system at all times and to continuously clean the oil of any metal particles incurred into the system. A filter module according to the first part of claim 1 is disclosed in document US-A-3 900 400. In this known filter module the magnets are fixed on the elongate cartridge and removal thereof for cleaning purposes is difficult. According to the invention, the filter module is characerized by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The invention further refers to a filter system using such a filter module as specified in claim 6. The filter module or system according to the invention is in particular suitable for hydraulically-operated heavy equipment, specifically hydraulic excavators and the like. However, it is to be understood that it can be used in conjunction with any equipment requiring the use of large volumes of oil for the purpose of maintaining the oil clean and free of abrasive metal particles. The elongate cartridge is desirably of circular cross section and the magnets and spacers of annular configuration. There is a support disposed in the chamber above the bottom defining with the bottom a plenum chamber, said support containing an opening and the cartridge is disposed within the chamber with its lower open end in communication with the opening in the support. A tubular coupling connects the opening in the support with the lower open end of the cartridge. There is a top support disposed in the chamber in spaced, parallel relation to the bottom support containing openings concentric with the openings in the bottom support within which the upper closed ends of the cartridge are received. There is a removable closure at the open upper end of the cartridge. Desirably, the housing defines a chamber of rectangular, horizontal and vertical section and the bottom plate contains longitudinally-disposed, spaced, parallel rows of openings and a corresponding number of tubular cartridges are disposed in the chamber in communication with the openings in the bottom plate. The system may include a hydraulic tank and a conductor connecting the chamber above the plenum chamber with the hydraulic tank. Desirably, the hydraulic tank contains a filter element through which the filtered oil is delivered from the chamber into the hydraulic tank. A bypass connects the plenum chamber to the hydraulic tank, including a bypass valve. Desirably, there is a filter module of the aforesaid kind disposed in the bypass from the plenum chamber to the hydraulic tank. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective of a filter unit; FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the embodiment of the filter unit in conjunction with a hydraulic tank. Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1, the filter unit 10 is of generally rectangular, horizontal and vertical section and comprises a housing 12 defining an interior chamber 14 closed at the top by a cover plate 16 which is removably secured thereto at its four corners by bolts 18. The plate 16 is provided with a handle 20 by which it may be easily lifted off the open top of the housing for the purpose of cleaning the interior structure. Within the housing adjacent the bottom, but spaced therefrom, is a bottom plate 22 which is coextensive in length and width with the bottom and defines with the bottom a plenum chamber 24. The bottom plate 22 contains longitudinally and transversely-spaced openings 26 of circular configuration. Above each opening 26, there is disposed in the chamber 14 above the plenum chamber filter modules 28. Each filter module comprises an elongate, tubular structure 30, the lower end of which is provided with a radial flange 32. A tubular coupling element 34 connects the lower end of the tube 30 with the opening 26. A plurality of annular permanent magnets 36 are disposed about the tubular cartridge 30 in vertically-spaced relation and supported in such vertically-spaced relation by a plurality of annular, non-magnetic spacers 38. The spacers 38 contain radially-disposed openings 40. The tubular cartridge 30 contains diametrically-disposed, elongate slots 42 so that the interior of the tubular cartridge is in communication with the interior of the chamber 14 above the plenum chamber by way of the radial openings 40. The upper end of the tubular cartridge is closed by a closure 42' which fits into the open upper end and which is retained therein by a spring element 44 above which is disposed in the cover plate 16. The upper ends of the modules are held in vertically-spaced relation with the lower ends by means of a too plate 46 containing openings 48 concentric with the openings 26. At the bottom of the housing 12, there is provided an inlet opening 50 through which the oil to be filtered is introduced into the plenum chamber for distribution from the plenum chamber to the several filter modules described above. An outlet 52 is provided in the chamber 14 above the plenum chamber for conducting filtered oil from the chamber to the system within which it is used. As herein shown, the filtered oil is delivered from the filter chamber by way of a conductor 54 to a hydraulic tank 56 from which oil is supplied to the hydraulic system, for example, that of a hydraulic excavator. Generally, the hydraulic tank 56 is provided with a conventional filter module 58 and the conductor 54 is connected to the upper end of the filter module 58. In the event that some obstruction should occur in the filter unit 10, a bypass conductor 60 is provided which is connected at one end by a valve 62 to the plenum chamber and which is connected at its other end to a filter module 64 of the kind described with reference to FIG. 1 which, in turn, is connected to the hydraulic tank by way of the outlet 66. The valve 62 is operable at a predetermined rise in pressure due to the blockage of the filter module 28 in the unit 10 to bypass the oil by way of the conductor 60 to the filter module 64 and from thence into the hydraulic tank 56. As described above, the filter unit is provided with a removable cover 16 so as to afford ready access to the interior of the chamber and removal of the elements comprising the filter modules for the purpose of cleaning. A remarkable feature of the filter unit resides in the fact that it not only removes particles of iron and steel from the oil, but also particles of silicon, aluminum and brass due to the fact that these non-magnetic particles become coated with iron or steel due to rubbing contact therewith so that these coated non-magnetic particles are also removed. As a consequence, the oil is cleared of not only magnetizable particles, but also non-magnetizable particles. As related above, the system and the filter module described is designed especially for maintaining the oil in hydraulically-operated excavators continuously clean, in order to provide for efficient operation and improve their longevity. It is to be understood, however, that the system may be used with any equipment where oil is required for hydraulic operation. Further, it is to be understood that a single module or a plurality of modules can be used, depending upon the size of the equipment involved and the volume of oil which must be maintained.

Claims: Filter module comprising a housing (12) defining an enclosure, a filter element (28) supported in the enclosure comprising an elongate cartridge (30) of uniform cross-section, one end of which is closed and the other end open, a plurality of magnets (36) disposed about the cartridge (30) in longitudinally-spaced relation, means (50) connecting the open end of the cartridge (30) with a source of oil to be filtered and means (54) providing for exit of the filtered oil from the enclosure, characterized in that the cartridge (30) comprises at least two slots longitudinally of the cartridge at diametrically-opposed sides of its longitudinal axis, that a plurality of non-magnetic spacers (38) are disposed about the cartridge (30) between the magnets (36) and said spacers (38) contain openings (40) in communication with the slots at the inner ends and in communication with the surrounding enclosure at the outer ends. Filter module as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a bottom support (22) disposed in the enclosure above the bottom of the housing (12) and defining with the bottom a plenum chamber (24), said bottom support containing an opening (26), and the elongate tubular cartridge (30) being disposed in the enclosure on the bottom support (22). Filter module according to claim 2, characterized by a tubular coupling element (34) connecting the opening (26) in the bottom support (22) and the lower open end of the cartridge (30). Filter module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by a top support (46) disposed in the enclosure in spaced, parallel relation to the bottom support (22) containing openings (48) concentric with the openings (26) in the bottom support (22) within which the upper end of the cartridge (30) is received. Filter module according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a removable closure (42') at the upper end of the cartridge (30). Filter system comprising a filter module according to any of the claims 2 to 5 characterized in that the bottom support (22) contains longitudinally-disposed, spaced, parallel rows of openings (26) and a corresponding number of tubular cartridges (30) disposed in the enclosure closed at their upper ends and open at their lower ends, tubular coupling elements connecting the open lower ends of the cartridges (30) with the openings (26) in the bottom support (22), a top support (46) supporting the upper closed ends of the cartridges (30) in vertically disposed relation to the open lower ends, a removable cover (16) at the top of the cartridges (30) and retaining means which are positioned between the cover (16) and the cartridges (30) for retaining the magnets and the spacers in place, the system including means mounted at the bottom of the housing (12) defining an inlet opening to the plenum chamber (24) and means in the housing (12) above the bottom support (22) defining an outlet from the enclosure above the plenum chamber (24), a hydraulic tank (56) and a conductor (54) connecting the enclosure above the plenum chamber (24) with the hydraulic tank (56). Filter system according to claim 6, characterized in that the hydraulic tank (56) contains a filter element (58) through which the filtered oil is delivered into the hydraulic tank (56). Filter system according to claim 6, characterized by a bypass (60) connecting the plenum chamber (24) of the housing (12) to the hydraulic tank (56), including a bypass valve (62). Filter system according to claim 8, characterized in that a further filter module as defined in claim 1 is disposed in the bypass (60) from the plenum chamber (24) to the hydraulic tank (56).

Inventors: MORELLI, ALDO
Applicants: MORELLI, ALDO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B01D35
IPC codes: B01D35, F15B21, B03C1, B01D27