Hydraulic system de-aeration device

摘要

A de-aeration device that de-aerates hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system. The hydraulic fluid is controllably supplied to the de-aeration device in response to one or more sensed parameters. Consequently, the de-aeration device can de-aerate fluid at strategic times during operation of the hydraulic system to prevent a decrease in system performance and prevent cavitation.

主权项

1. A de-aeration device including:
a jet pump configured to receive fluid to be de-aerated, wherein the jet pump includes a nozzle and a diffuser downstream of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle produces a high pressure stream of fluid that is delivered to an inlet of the diffuser; a suction chamber in fluidic communication with the jet pump, wherein fluid flowing through the jet pump generates a relatively low pressure in the suction chamber; a return chamber for receiving the fluid exiting the jet pump, wherein the return chamber receives a mixture of high pressure fluid flowing through the jet pump from a control valve and low pressure fluid drawn into the jet pump from the suction chamber; and a de-aeration chamber having a first end coupled to the return chamber and a second end coupled to the suction chamber, wherein the de-aeration chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of the mixture of fluid from the return chamber, separate gas from the mixture of fluid, and deliver the de-aerated fluid to the suction chamber.