Innovative Hydraulic Tank with Integrated Return Filter
Positive aspects of the functional integration: 1. Filter housing can be integrated in the tank 2. Filling strainer can be integrated in the tank 3. Integrated oil level indicator 4. Ventilating filter with rollover protection valve 5. Quick connect ports 6. Sensor connections 7. Oil drain plug 8. Baffle
With increasing demands on function integration and cost efficiency, plastics as a material for tank production are becoming increasingly important. In addition, designers expect almost unlimited creative freedom. Meanwhile, numerous methods for tank production have been developed; the advantages and disadvantages of the most common methods should here be briefly compared.
On the market already established technologies in comparison:
- Welded steel tank
- Rotationally molded plastic tank
- Blow molded plastic tank
- NEW: ARGO-HYTOS injection molded plastic tank
| Welded steel tank | Rotationally molded plastic tank | Blow molded plastic tank | NEW: ARGO-HYTOS injection molded plastic tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank volume | Suitable for large and small tank volume | Suitable for large and small tank volume | Suitable for large and small tank volume | Suitable for medium and small tank volume |
| Temperature resistance | Very good | Bad when using PP/PE | Bad | Very good |
| Pressure resistance | Good | Average | Bad | Good |
| Chemical resistance (hot oil) | Good | Limited with PP/PE | Limited with PP/PE | Good |
| Geometry | High costs with complex geometry | Complex external geometry possible | Complex external geometry possible | Complex external geometry possible |
| Cleanliness | Difficult to clean | Difficult to clean | Difficult to clean | Clean tank without additional cleaning |
| Costs | Surcharges if functions must be integrated | Integration of functions (e.g. filter housing) very difficult; high costs with the use of PA | Integration of functions (e.g. filter housing) very difficult | Easy integration of functions (e.g. filter housing) without additional costs |
Special features of the new production technology at ARGO-HYTOS
The injection molding technology, which is applied at ARGO-HYTOS, has established itself as one of the most important plastic processing methods. The process allows complex geometries at low manufacturing costs. Functions such as e.g. filter housing can be integrated without additional costs. Also the very good temperature resistanceand the cleanliness of the tank (no additional cleaning required) are decisive criteria in the hydraulics for technology and procurement.
ARGO-HYTOS has manufactured injection molded tanks for numerous applications in mobile hydraulics, in which several functions are integrated such as e.g. a return filter. The ARGO-HYTOS tank solutions allow maximum freedom in design, which in turn means that also scarce space can optimally be used. In addition to the filter housing and filling strainer, also an oil level indicator can be integrated in the tank. Another positive aspect are the so-called “quick-connect ports”, for whose assembly no tools are needed. The connectors are simply plugged into the corresponding tank connectors and fixed by a locking clip.
Overview
Advantages of the injection molded ARGO-HYTOS tanks:
- Installation of a complete module into the machine
- External return filter is no longer needed by integration in the tank
- Easy filter element service / exchange
- Very clean tank module by injection molding technology and contactless welding methods
- High mechanical strength and thermal stability through the use of polyamide
- High cost savings