Reservoir for a hydraulic system

Abstract

A reservoir for a hydraulic system, having a housing with an inner cavity and a fluid outlet, a hydraulic drive device coupled with a shaft extending in the housing for introducing a torque, and a partitioning device arranged in the housing for dividing the inner cavity into two sections separated from each other, wherein the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with a first section, wherein the partitioning device extends in the housing along the shaft, wherein the partitioning device is configured for adjusting a size ratio of the two separated sections by pivoting at least one first face of the partitioning device coupled with the shaft about an axis predefined by the shaft, and wherein the partitioning device is coupled with the hydraulic drive device in such a way that the at least one first face exerts a pressure associated with an area size of the first face and the torque to a fluid located in the first section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservoir for a hydraulic system, a hydraulic system having at least one such hydraulic reservoir, and a vehicle having such a hydraulic system. Background Technology

[0002] Hydraulic systems typically have a predetermined volume of hydraulic fluid and are capable of supplying it at a predetermined pressure. Reservoirs are provided to store a variable amount of hydraulic fluid within a predetermined range. Since the amount of hydraulic fluid in the consumer also varies during operation, the variable fill level of the reservoirs is meaningful.

[0003] Especially in aircraft, so-called bootstrap-reservoirs have become widespread. In addition to storing hydraulic fluid, these reservoirs can also provide a slight positive pressure on the intake side, which is significantly lower than the pressure level of the hydraulic system. This avoids cavitation on the hydraulic pump.

[0004] A common self-pressurizing reservoir has two pistons mechanically connected to each other and with different area dimensions. The smaller piston is pressurized by a hydraulic system, causing it to act on the larger piston by means of a force associated with its pressure and area. During this time, the larger piston communicates with the low-pressure side and acts on the hydraulic fluid directed towards the pump's suction side. This generates a certain pressure on the low-pressure side. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the low-pressure side and thus on the pump's suction side can be determined based on the area ratio of the two pistons.

[0005] This construction is highly efficient and effective, but it requires a certain structural length. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A storage device can be provided for use that, while providing the same functionality as a self-boosting storage device, is more compact in construction and, in particular, has a smaller structural length. Such a design is not known from the prior art.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an alternative hydraulic reservoir having a significantly smaller size and, in particular, a smaller structural length.

[0008] This objective is achieved by a storage device according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments and improvements can be derived from the following description.

[0009] A reservoir for a hydraulic system is proposed, the reservoir comprising: a housing having an inner cavity and a fluid outlet; a hydraulic drive coupled to a shaft extending in the housing for introducing torque; and a partition disposed in the housing for dividing the inner cavity into two mutually separated sections, wherein the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with a first section, wherein the partition extends in the housing along the shaft, wherein the partition is configured to adjust the size ratio of the two separated sections by pivoting at least one first face of the partition coupled to the shaft about an axis predetermined by the shaft, and wherein the partition is coupled to the hydraulic drive such that the at least one first face applies pressure associated with the area size of the first face and the torque to the fluid located in the first section.

[0010] Therefore, the basic construction of the reservoir according to the invention differs significantly from that of conventional self-pressurizing reservoirs. The core aspect lies in the combination of the hydraulic drive and the aforementioned dividing device, specifically the first surface connected to the shaft. As explained in detail below, this achieves the same advantages as self-pressurizing reservoirs, but with a significantly more compact size.

[0011] The housing is used to contain fluid, particularly hydraulic fluid. Preferably, but not necessarily, the internal cavity defined in the housing can be cylindrical. In particular, the housing can have a longitudinal axis or a central axis, which predetermines the direction of extension of the housing.

[0012] The interior cavity of the housing is divided into two mutually separated sections by the partitioning device. Here, a section should be understood as a part of the cavity that is separate from another part or section of the cavity. For example, the first surface may extend radially outward from the axis and completely span the gap between the inner wall of the housing and the axis. A fixed second surface may be arranged on the other side of the axis, the second surface completing the division of the cavity by radial extension. The dimensions of these two mutually separated sections are determined by the pivot angle of the first surface about the axis or the longitudinal axis or central axis.

[0013] One of these sections is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. The fluid outlet is configured to supply fluid to a hydraulic pump. If fluid is withdrawn from the first section, the first face can further pivot about the longitudinal axis or central axis due to the torque applied via the shaft. By pivoting, the volume of the first section can be gradually reduced, thereby compensating for the volume loss of fluid, but despite this, force or pressure still acts on the remaining fluid. Therefore, there is always fluid at a specific pressure at the fluid outlet, which can be supplied to the pump.

[0014] If fluid is reintroduced into the first section during this period via a fluid inlet not specified herein, the first face can pivot in another direction, thereby increasing the volume of the first section again. The current angle of the first face is adjusted by balancing the force exerted by the fluid on the first face with the torque on the shaft.

[0015] The hydraulic drive is configured to introduce a specific torque into the shaft, thereby applying a desired pressure at the fluid outlet. Various variations can be used to generate torque from hydraulic pressure (e.g., from the high-pressure side of a hydraulic system). Due to the limited pivot angle of the first face, for example, it may be proposed to provide a piston with a limited stroke, which is used to generate torque via a lever structure or similar device. However, in this variation, the piston's stroke does not necessarily have to extend along the central axis or longitudinal axis (i.e., the direction of shaft extension), but can extend laterally thereto. As a result, the required structural length of the reservoir according to the invention is significantly reduced compared to conventional self-pressurizing reservoirs. Furthermore, a flatter, more compact construction can be achieved due to the use of a face element that pivots around the shaft.

[0016] Overall, the storage device according to the invention achieves improved compactness and a significantly shorter structural length, while retaining the same functionality and equally good adaptability to desired pressures.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the cavity is cylindrical. This results in a particularly simple structure for the housing. The shaft can extend along the central axis of the cavity. In this case, the first surface can be substantially rectangular and completely cover half of the cylindrical cavity. For example, the first surface extends from the bottom surface of the cavity to the oppositely arranged top surface and extends between the shaft and the radially outward inner wall.

[0018] Therefore, it is preferable that the first surface extends radially outward from the axial direction to the inner wall of the cavity. To achieve a complete seal between the shaft and the inner wall, a first sliding seal may be arranged on the first surface. The first sliding seal may be supported on the inner wall and designed to prevent fluid from entering the second section from the first section beside the first surface.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the separating device further has a second surface rigidly disposed within the cavity and extending radially from the inner wall of the cavity toward the shaft. It is also proposed that a second sliding seal be disposed on the second surface, the second sliding seal being supported on the shaft. This should prevent fluid from entering the second section from the first section around the second surface. Therefore, the arrangement of the first and second surfaces makes it possible for the first and second sections to be implemented as cylindrical cross-sections. These cylindrical cross-sections can provide a wedge-shaped volume with a circular cross-section as the base surface, wherein the two sections are substantially complementary at 360°, and the division of these two sections is determined solely by the angle between the first and second surfaces.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the hydraulic drive has a piston movably supported in a cylinder, mechanically coupled to a drive shaft, and capable of being hydraulically pressurized via a high-pressure inlet in the cylinder. Thus, the piston can be subjected to hydraulic pressure at the high-pressure inlet, causing a force to act on the piston to move it within the cylinder as appropriate. The high pressure can originate from a hydraulic system including a reservoir. Through mechanical coupling to the drive shaft, the piston can introduce torque into the drive shaft via the resulting force. It should be understood that the drive shaft is coupled to the shaft for introducing torque into the shaft. This can be achieved through corresponding couplings. In this variant, the hydraulic drive and the housing can be configured as separate, independent units.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the piston is connected to a rod having a first tooth, wherein the drive shaft is equipped with a second tooth, and wherein the first tooth engages with the second tooth. Therefore, the force acting on the piston can be directly introduced into the drive shaft along its circumference. The lever arm (the force acting on the piston acting on the drive shaft via the lever arm) is determined by the effective diameter of the second tooth. Therefore, the torque on the drive shaft can be determined based on the dimensions of the piston face and the pressure level at the high-pressure inlet. As mentioned above, the pressure within the first section can be determined by considering the area dimensions of the first face.

[0022] Therefore, the reservoir according to the invention allows for pressure influence within the first section at multiple locations. This allows for particularly good adjustability and modularity of the reservoir. The reservoir can be adapted to various pressure levels of the hydraulic system by variations in one or more components (rather than always generating additional pressure in the first section). The pressure within the first section can be increased by increasing the piston area. As the pressure increases, the effective diameter of the second tooth also increases. Furthermore, the pressure is also affected by variations in the area size and radial extension size of the first face. These three components can be selected and combined independently of each other. It may be proposed that, to achieve specific modularity, different housing sizes with different designs for the first face and different hydraulic drives with different piston sizes are also provided.

[0023] In particular, due to the restricted pivoting path, as an alternative to the rack and pinion mechanism, it is also possible to implement a lever mechanism consisting of interconnected levers connected to a piston and a drive shaft. This would allow for a near 180° pivoting motion of the first face.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the housing is equipped with a slit in fluid communication with the second section. This allows for compensation of variable gas volume within the second section during movement of the first surface. Gas can enter the second section through the slit or escape again therefrom. To prevent potential contamination, the slit can be equipped with a filter or similar device. The gas can, in particular, be air.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic drive and the first surface are implemented such that the pressure ratio between the hydraulic drive and the pressure at the fluid outlet is adjusted in the range of 1:25 to 1:120.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a hydraulic system having at least one hydraulic reservoir as described above.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic system has a pump with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to the fluid outlet of the hydraulic reservoir, and wherein the outlet is connected to the hydraulic drive.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a vehicle having a hydraulic system according to the above description.

[0029] In one variant, the vehicle is an aircraft. It is possible to correlate the pressure level within the first section with the mounting position of the hydraulic reservoir relative to the pump mounting location. Furthermore, the determination of the hydraulic drive unit and the area dimensions of the first surface can be correlated with a pre-set pressure in the hydraulic system. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Other features, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and drawings. Here, all described and / or illustrated features, in themselves and in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their relationship to the individual claims or the claims to which they are referenced. Furthermore, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar objects.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a storage device according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 A hydraulic system with such a reservoir is schematically shown.

[0033] Figure 3 An aircraft is shown that integrates such a hydraulic system. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a hydraulic reservoir 2 according to the invention is shown. The reservoir 2 has a housing 4, which is exemplary implemented as a cylinder. For this purpose, the housing 4 has an outer surface 6, which is supplemented by a bottom 8 and a cover 10. The housing 4 forms an inner cavity 12 through which a shaft 14 extends. The shaft is arranged along a central axis 16, extends substantially completely through the entire inner cavity 12, and extends outward from the cover 10.

[0035] Preferably, the shaft 14 is sealed in the cover 10, for example, by a radial shaft seal (not shown) or a similar device. The shaft 14 is rotatably supported in the housing 4 and connected to a first surface 18. This first surface is exemplary implemented as a rectangle and extends from the bottom 8 to the cover 10 within the inner cavity 12. The first surface follows the movement of the shaft by being connected to it. A first sliding seal 22 is provided at the radially outward end 20 of the first surface 18, which seals the first surface 18 toward the inner wall 24.

[0036] A second surface 26 is shown on the opposite side of shaft 14 in the accompanying drawing. This second surface is also exemplarily implemented as a rectangle. The second surface 26 is rigidly connected to the inner wall 24 and extends radially toward shaft 14. A second sliding seal 30 is present at the edge 28 of the second surface 26 toward shaft 14. This second sliding seal can be constructed similarly to the first sliding seal 22 and seals shaft 14 relative to the second surface 26. Shaft 14, first surface 18, and second surface 26 constitute a partition 32 that divides the inner cavity 12 into a first segment I and a second segment II.

[0037] With this construction, the first face 18 can pivot about the central axis 16 by rotating the axis 14, thereby increasing the first segment I and decreasing the second segment II, or vice versa.

[0038] A fluid outlet 34 is provided in the first section I, which is in fluid communication with the first section I. A fluid inlet 36 is also provided, which is also in fluid communication with the first section I. Fluid from a hydraulic pump or similar device can be removed from the first section I through the fluid outlet 34, and fluid can be reintroduced into the first section I through the fluid inlet 36.

[0039] Additionally, a hydraulic drive unit 38 is provided, which has a cylinder 40 in which a piston 42 is movably supported. The cylinder 40 has a high-pressure inlet 46 at a first end 44, which can be connected to a high-pressure line of the hydraulic system. Thus, the piston 42 is subjected to high pressure from the hydraulic system and experiences a force away from the first end 44.

[0040] A rod 48 is arranged on the side of piston 42 opposite to the first end 44, and the rod has a first tooth 50. The hydraulic drive unit 38 also has a drive shaft 52, which has a second tooth 54. The drive shaft 52 is rotatably supported in the hydraulic drive unit 38 such that the first tooth 50 and the second tooth 54 engage with each other. Therefore, if pressure is applied to piston 42, torque will be introduced into drive shaft 52 via teeth 50 and 54.

[0041] Drive shaft 52 is connected to shaft 14 via coupling 56. Therefore, the torque introduced into drive shaft 52 is further transmitted to shaft 14 via coupling 56. If hydraulic fluid is present in the first section I, the pressure of this hydraulic fluid is applied via the first face 18, thereby providing a specific overpressure at fluid outlet 34. This overpressure is determined by the dimensions of the piston 42 face, the effective diameter of the second tooth 54, the dimensions of the first face 18 and its radial extension from the central axis 16, and by the pressure applied at high-pressure inlet 46. Therefore, at a preset pressure level in the hydraulic system, a desired low-pressure level at fluid outlet 34 is achieved by adapting piston 42, drive shaft 52, and first face 18.

[0042] When fluid is removed from the first section I, the first face 18 may also follow the decrease in fluid volume in the first section I, or, when the fluid volume in the first section I increases, deviate from the fluid inlet 36 by the flowing fluid. The possible pivoting movements of the first face 18 are determined by the length of the first tooth 50.

[0043] In particular, air can be located in the second section II, which also faces a variable volume. To compensate for this variable volume, a cutout 58 is provided, which is in fluid communication with the second section II and is exemplarily arranged in the cover 10. Thus, air can smoothly escape from or enter the second section II.

[0044] Figure 2 An exemplary hydraulic system 60 is shown, which is equipped with hydraulic lines 62, a pump 64, a consumer 66, and a hydraulic reservoir 2. Here, a high-pressure inlet 46 is exemplary connected to a pipe in line 62, such that the pressure generated by the pump 64 causes pressure to be generated at the fluid outlet 34.

[0045] at last, Figure 3 An aircraft 68 is shown, which is equipped with such a hydraulic system 60. A pump 64 may be located, for example, in or at the propulsion unit 70.

[0046] Additionally, it should be noted that "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "an" or "a" does not exclude multiple. Furthermore, it should be noted that combinations of features already described with reference to one of the above embodiments, as well as other features of the other embodiments described above, may be used. Reference numerals in the claims should not be considered limiting.

Claims

1. A reservoir (2) for a hydraulic system, the reservoir having: - Housing (4), the housing having an inner cavity (12) and a fluid outlet (34); - A hydraulic drive unit (38), which is coupled to a shaft (14) extending in the housing (4) for introducing torque; and - A partition device (32) arranged in the housing (4) for dividing the inner cavity (12) into two separate sections, a first section (I) and a second section (II), wherein the fluid outlet (34) is in fluid communication with the first section (I). The separating device (32) extends along the axis (14) within the housing (4). The separating device (32) is configured to adjust the size ratio of the two separated first segments (I) and second segments (II) by pivoting at least one first surface (18) of the separating device (32) connected to the shaft (14) about an axis (16) predetermined by the shaft (14), and The separating device (32) is connected to the hydraulic drive device (38) in such a way that the at least one first surface (18) applies pressure associated with the area of ​​the first surface (18) and the torque to the fluid located in the first section (I). The hydraulic drive (38) has a piston (42) which is movably supported in a cylinder (40), mechanically connected to a drive shaft (52), and can be subjected to hydraulic pressure via a high-pressure inlet (46) in the cylinder (40), and the stroke of the piston extends transversely to the direction of extension of the shaft.

2. The storage device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity (12) is cylindrical.

3. The storage device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first surface (18) extends radially outward from the shaft (14) to the inner wall (24) of the cavity (12).

4. The storage device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition device (32) further has a second surface (26) rigidly disposed in the inner cavity (12) and extending radially toward the axis (14) from the inner wall (24) of the inner cavity (12).

5. The reservoir (2) according to claim 1, wherein the piston (42) is connected to a rod (48) having a first tooth (50), wherein the drive shaft (52) is equipped with a second tooth (54), and wherein the first tooth (50) engages in the second tooth (54).

6. The storage device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (4) has a cutout (58) in fluid communication with the second section (II).

7. The reservoir (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hydraulic drive (38) and the first surface (18) are implemented such that the pressure ratio between the hydraulic drive (38) and the pressure at the fluid outlet (34) is adjusted in the range of 1:25 to 1:

120.

8. A hydraulic system (60) having at least one reservoir (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The hydraulic system (60) according to claim 8, wherein the hydraulic system (60) has a pump (64) having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir (2) and wherein the outlet is connected to the hydraulic drive (38).

10. A vehicle (68) having a hydraulic system (60) according to any one of claims 8 and 9.

11. The vehicle (68) according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle (68) is an aircraft.

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