storage device

Abstract

This utility model relates to a storage device, particularly a bootstrap device, the storage device comprising at least a storage housing (10) and a partition device (12) movably disposed therein, the partition device separating two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) from each other within the storage housing (10), and the storage device having a control housing (18) in which a control piston (20) is movably guided at least partially, the control piston cooperating with the partition device (12) and separating a high-pressure chamber (22) from at least one of the two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) in the storage housing (10), characterized in that the partition device (12) at least partially surrounds the other low-pressure chamber (16) of the two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) in the storage housing (10) by means of a flexible sleeve (26), wherein the partition device (12) at least partially surrounds the other low-pressure chamber (16) of the two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) in the storage housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a storage device, particularly a bootstrap device, which comprises at least a storage housing and a partition device movably disposed therein, the partition device separating two low-pressure chambers from each other within the storage housing, and the storage device having a control housing in which a control piston is movably guided at least partially, the control piston cooperating with the partition device and separating a high-pressure chamber from at least one of the two low-pressure chambers in the storage housing. Background Technology

[0002] The relevant storage device, also known in technical terms as a bootstrap memory, is integrated into the hydraulic system to ensure a sufficient fluid supply to the suction side of the hydraulic pump and to load the associated suction line at low pressure. The bootstrap memory can autonomously be placed under a predetermined fluid pressure and, particularly in a closed hydraulic circuit, ensures an airless fluid supply. The bootstrap memory operates undisturbed and independently of environmental conditions such as temperature, air pressure, acceleration, and applied loads. Furthermore, a constant boost pressure is available regardless of the device's filling status. Moreover, such a storage device can be manufactured lightweight and cost-effectively and operates with minimal maintenance over extended periods, leading to the establishment of such storage devices, particularly in the aerospace field, at least in large aircraft.

[0003] Therefore, EP3657026A1 discloses a storage device of the aforementioned type, particularly a bootstrap memory, which preloads the input pressure of a hydraulic supply pump on the suction side and is fluidly connected to a control housing with a control piston on the output side of the hydraulic pump, and thus on its high-pressure side. This control piston operates a separator in the form of a separating piston within the bootstrap memory storage housing, which separates two low-pressure chambers from each other, one of which preloads the suction side of the hydraulic pump with its output pressure. This avoids cavitation on the pump side.

[0004] Furthermore, at least one hydraulic actuator is connected to the high-pressure side or output side of the hydraulic pump. This hydraulic actuator is used in the aircraft to operate aircraft components such as steering gear components, as well as all possible types of valves such as braking and interference valves, deflectors, running gear valves, and drive gear valves, and the aircraft's running gear itself. The related list is not exhaustive. The corresponding hydraulic actuator switches on its output side to the low-pressure side of the storage housing, from which the hydraulic pump supplies fluid at a predetermined preload pressure.

[0005] In known solutions, a hydraulic reservoir is additionally connected to the output side of the hydraulic pump to the high-pressure supply line leading to the high-pressure chamber of the control housing containing the control piston. In the event of a failure of the total energy supply, the hydraulic reservoir can continue to supply fluid at a predetermined working pressure to the corresponding actuator during emergency operation for manipulating the actuator.

[0006] In order to maintain the working pressure in the suction line of the hydraulic pump, a dividing device in the form of a dividing piston divides the storage housing into two low-pressure chambers. Depending on the position of the dividing piston, at least one of the low-pressure chambers in the storage housing has ambient pressure, and the other low-pressure chamber in the storage housing provides preload pressure for the hydraulic supply device (in particular, in the form of a hydraulic pump).

[0007] Bootstrapping refrigerants commonly used in the prior art have a longitudinally movable partition piston in the low-pressure section of the refrigerant housing. This partition piston preloads the associated low-pressure side of the refrigerant, where a large-area partition piston is pulled by the relatively small annular surface of a control cylinder and very high system pressure (e.g., 3000 psi) on the high-pressure side, achieving preload (e.g., 85 psi) on the output side via area drive. Commonly constructed partition pistons (as are typically used in hydraulic systems) have a surrounding seal, typically in the form of at least one elastomeric sealing ring, on their outer peripheral side relative to an adjacent wall component of the refrigerant housing. However, this elastomeric sealing ring always leaves a thin liquid film on the operating surface during operation, which in turn causes a lack of seal between the two low-pressure chambers of the refrigerant housing. Furthermore, there is a risk of damage to the seal and / or the operating surface in the event of contamination (e.g., caused by common wear) on the operating surface of the refrigerant housing. Utility Model Content

[0008] Based on this existing technology, the object of the present invention is to improve upon known storage devices. A storage device according to the present invention generally achieves the relevant objectives.

[0009] By means of a flexible sleeve at least partially surrounding one of the two low-pressure chambers (which typically guides ambient pressure) in the storage housing, and taking into account the fluid-tight construction of the flexible sleeve, liquid loss towards the ambient side on the preloaded low-pressure side of the storage housing (consisting of the one low-pressure chamber) is avoided. In this respect, no leakage occurs, and damage along the operating surface of the storage housing is prevented due to possible particle abrasion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the storage device according to the invention, the flexible sleeve is provided as follows: the flexible sleeve is composed of an elastic bellows, preferably a spring bellows or a folded bellows, the bellows being particularly preferably made of a metallic material. The bellows allows for a reliable media-sealed separation between the two low-pressure chambers within the storage housing of the storage device from the outside. The bellows, particularly the metallic bellows, are installed such that fluid (particularly in the form of hydraulic fluid) is positioned between the bellows and the storage housing. Thus, damping can be achieved, particularly in the event of impact loads and / or vibration, due to the bellows, as the fluid is applied externally in a supporting manner between the bellows folds.

[0011] Preferably, the bellows extends between the guide piston and the end wall of the storage housing. Because the guide piston is longitudinally movable within the storage housing with its edges flush, it stabilizes the bellows and its individual folds, reliably preventing accidental bulging or deformation of the bellows folds.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the storage device according to the invention, the plate-shaped guide piston is fixedly connected to the control piston, which is preferably designed as a hollow piston, and the control piston establishes a flow-guiding connection between at least one low-pressure chamber of the storage housing and the housing chamber of the control housing. This creates an internal pressure balance between the storage cylinder and the control cylinder, enabling unobstructed operation. Preferably, the other low-pressure chamber in the storage housing, surrounded by a sleeve-shaped or corrugated partition, has a corresponding ambient pressure. Thus, the preload pressure in the adjacent low-pressure chambers of the storage housing can be directly matched according to the pressure specifications of the control cylinder and its control piston side. Preferably, the low-pressure chamber in the storage housing has a suction port for connecting to the supply pump (to ensure pressure supply to the actuator, in particular), and a return port on the low-pressure side, through which fluid from the corresponding actuator on the output side is returned to the fluid-containing low-pressure side of the storage housing.

[0013] If the high-pressure chamber is surrounded by a variable volume between the control piston and the control housing, a particularly space-saving structure is achieved. The control housing can, in particular, be directly connected axially to the storage housing.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the storage device according to the invention, the control piston extends at one of its free end regions into the low-pressure chamber of the storage housing. This allows, in particular, a displacement measuring system for monitoring the corresponding position of the separating device within the storage housing, located in the other free end region of the control piston.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the storage housing is enclosed by a cover component having multiple receptacles for valves, filters, sensors, and various fluid interfaces. This allows the main components of the fluid control device for the hydraulic supply pump and the actuator connected thereto to be mounted on a single storage unit at the central location. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The storage device according to the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to an embodiment. Here, in a schematic and non-total-scale illustration:

[0017] Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the main components of the storage device is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 An exemplary lid structure is shown, as can be used according to... Figure 1 The storage device, for the sake of simplicity, Figure 1 Not depicted according to Figure 2 All components of the cover structure;

[0019] Figure 3 The diagram is shown in the form of a hydraulic schematic, including the following: Figure 1 and Figure 2 The main component of the actuator control device of the storage device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 The storage device, shown in a schematic longitudinal sectional view, is also referred to in technical terms as a bootstrap device or bootstrap memory. The storage device has a can-shaped storage housing 10 with a movably disposed partition 12 that spatially separates two low-pressure chambers 14 and 16 within the storage housing 10. These two low-pressure chambers can cooperate to occupy different fluid volumes. A control housing 18 is also provided, within which a control piston 20 is longitudinally movable and guided, cooperating with the partition 12. Specifically, the control piston 20 separates a high-pressure chamber 22 from another low-pressure chamber 24 within the control housing 18, the other low-pressure chamber being configured according to… Figure 1The embodiment is fluidly or media connected to one of the low-pressure chambers 14 in the storage housing 10. The separating device 12 has a fluid-impermeable flexible sleeve 26 that at least partially surrounds or encloses another low-pressure chamber 16 of the two low-pressure chambers 14, 16 in the storage housing. In this way, the sleeve 26 fluid-tightly seals the other fluid chamber 16 relative to another fluid chamber 36 formed by the inner circumferential side of the storage housing 10 and the adjacent opposite outer side of the sleeve 26.

[0021] The flexible sleeve 26 is constructed of an elastic bellows in the form of a folded bellows 28, which is preferably made of a metal material common to bellows. The folded bellows 28 extends between the guide piston 30 and the end wall 32 on the end side of the storage housing 10. The folded bellows 28 is fixed to the guide piston 30 and the end wall 32, particularly by being welded to these locations, with its free ends facing each other. The end wall 32 has at least one opening 33, allowing the interior of the bellows 28, or another medium chamber or low-pressure chamber 16, to have ambient pressure. The opening 33 may also be provided with a ventilation device (not shown). The cylindrical guide piston 30 is plate-shaped and has a support and guide ring 34 on its outer periphery, which has a plurality of not shown in detail, so as to establish a flow connection between the low-pressure chamber 14 and the fluid chamber 36 defined by the outer periphery of the folded bellows 28 and the inner periphery 38 of the cylindrical storage housing 10 outside the sleeve 26.

[0022] Along the direction Figure 1 From a visual perspective, if the guide piston 30 moves to the left, the associated movement can continue for such a long time that the individual folds of the folded bellows 28 are brought together, i.e., compacted. Pulling the individual folds of the folded bellows 28 apart in the opposite direction of movement of the guide piston 30, i.e., to the right, and correspondingly increasing the volume of the other low-pressure chamber 16 in the storage housing 10, and conversely, decreasing the volume of one low-pressure chamber 14, results in an increase in the preload pressure.

[0023] The storage housing 10 is flush with the cover member 40, which is penetrated by a hollow cylindrical control housing 18, which is statically fixed to the cover member 40 via corresponding anchoring devices, such as expansion and retaining rings. Furthermore, the hollow cylindrical control housing 18 extends from a corresponding fixing portion 42 on the cover member 40 with a predetermined overhang, moving away from the storage housing 10 towards the environment. Additionally, the control housing 18 is sealed towards the environment by a connecting member 44, which, according to… Figure 2 The diagram is shown from the outside and for simplicity... Figure 1 Omitted in .

[0024] A control piston 20, designed as a hollow piston, is longitudinally guided within a control housing 18. This hollow cylindrical control piston 20 establishes a flow connection between one low-pressure chamber 14 in the storage housing 10 and the other low-pressure chamber 24 in the control housing 18. For this purpose, the control piston 20 is implemented open towards the pressure chamber 24 and closed at its other free end, for example, by means of a plug 46. Furthermore, in this region with the plug 46, the control piston 20 is penetrated by a single orifice plate opening 48, which is preferably grouped diametrically opposite to each other about the longitudinal axis or axis of movement of the control piston 20. Thus, an internal fluid connection is established between the one low-pressure chamber 14 and the other low-pressure chamber 24 via the orifice plate opening 48 and the hollow piston-shaped control piston 20, allowing fluid exchange between these chambers 14 and 24 in the form of a oscillating volume. The associated exchange movement of the oscillating volume is damped by the orifice plate opening 48.

[0025] A control piston 20, which is longitudinally movable within the control housing 18, has a sealing assembly 50 (not shown in detail) on its outer periphery toward the other low-pressure chamber 24; similarly, the control piston 20 is longitudinally movably guided in a sealed manner in the region of the fixed portion 42 in the cover member 40 via another sealing assembly 52. ​​A high-pressure chamber 22 with a variable volume extends between the two sealing assemblies 50, 52. If, for example, the high-pressure effect in the high-pressure chamber 22 (relative to the low-pressure regions in chambers 14, 16, and 24) increases, the volume of the high-pressure chamber 22 increases and the control piston 20, under pressure, moves from its position... Figure 1 The position shown in the diagram moves to the right. Conversely, when the high-pressure chamber 22 is depressurized, the control piston 20 moves towards the direction indicated by the low-pressure components 14, 16, and 24. Figure 1 The line of sight moves to the left, and the volume in the high-pressure chamber 22 decreases in a valve-controlled manner. This causes the guide piston 30 of the separator 12 to actuate. During this rightward movement, the fluid volume in the low-pressure chamber 14 decreases, resulting in an increase in the preload pressure.

[0026] The following is based on Figure 3 Detailed explanation of the schematic diagram according to Figure 1 The storage device is connected to the entire system or supply system. Here, the aforementioned reference numerals relating to the storage device are also used according to... Figure 3 The same parts, and the previous instructions for this purpose also apply to those specified in the original text. Figure 3 Supply solutions.

[0027] Therefore, the low-pressure chamber 14 in the storage housing 10 has a suction port 54 for connecting a common supply pump or hydraulic pump 56, which in Figure 3The description is only symbolic. Accordingly, a so-called suction line 58, which can be quite long, leads from the suction port 54 to the input or suction side 60 of the hydraulic pump 56. This hydraulic pump, with its pressure side or output side 62, is connected via a pump line or high-pressure line 64 to the inlet side 66 of the actuator 68, which can consist of one or more hydraulically operated cylinders, which can be used to control the aircraft's steering system or other components, such as operable valves or travel mechanisms. The related enumeration is not exhaustive. On the output or discharge side 70, the actuator 68 is connected to a system return line 72, which in turn leads to the low-pressure chamber 14 in the storage housing 10 via a low-pressure side return port 74. Actuator control devices (typically in the form of valve control devices) for the retraction and extension of the respective actuator 68 or cylinder are common and will not be discussed in detail here. For this purpose, the actuator 68 is shown only with its inlet and discharge sides 66, 70.

[0028] As from Figure 3 As also observed, supply line 78 extends at branch point 76 into pump line or high-pressure line 64, which, like line 64, guides the high pressure, or pump pressure, of the hydraulic pump 56 at its output side 62. The supply line 78 extends via connection point 79 into high-pressure chamber 22 within control housing 18. Based on the pressure in high-pressure chamber 22, and also based on the force or pressure balance between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the storage device, control piston 20 and the guide piston 30 connected to it in the same separating device 12 are positioned accordingly.

[0029] To illustrate more simply, in Figure 3 The folded bellows 28 is not shown in detail; therefore, 80 is used to symbolically represent the displacement measurement system (e.g., a so-called LVDT system) for detecting the position of the guide piston 30 of the separating device 12. Preferably, the associated LVDT system is located in the free hollow cross-section of the control piston 20. Since this structure is known (EP3657026A1), it will not be discussed in detail here. System pressure 84, not detailed, is also directed to the high-pressure side with high-pressure chamber 22 via the cross section 82. This system pressure, via a corresponding connecting line 86, transmits a pressure share to the connection section 79 of the storage device, which comes from a common hydraulic, undetailed supply circuit. Figure 3As illustrated, even if the input of system pressure 84 to connection 79 via connection line 86 is omitted, and especially if these inputs are completely eliminated, the system circuit and supply circuit will still operate normally. A high-pressure valve 88 is connected between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side of the supply circuit. This high-pressure valve connects the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side at a predetermined set pressure, that is, for safety reasons, a pressure-balanced connection is established between fluid lines 72 and 78.

[0030] A check valve 90 is also connected to the supply line or pump pressure line 78, which opens toward the high-pressure side fluid filter 92. A branch line is connected between the check valve 90 and the high-pressure side fluid filter 92, the branch line having a spring-loaded check valve 94 that opens toward line 78 and fluid-tightly closes the first fluid interface 114 in the indicated position. A pressure sensor 96 is also connected to the clean side of the filter 92, correspondingly monitoring the high-pressure side. Ground equipment (not shown in detail) can be independently connected to the fluid connection 114 with the spring-loaded check valve 94 (e.g., for maintenance or inspection purposes). Correspondingly, a filter 98 with a bypass component is provided on the low-pressure side of the supply loop in the system return line 72. This filter is then branched off to another spring-loaded check valve 100, which in turn provides a hydraulic fluid interface 116 for the ground equipment, enabling maintenance and monitoring work, similar to the solution for connection 114.

[0031] Furthermore, a temperature sensor 102 is connected to the return line 72 in the direct low-pressure side inlet leading to the storage housing 10. Two vent valves 106 and 108 are connected to another low-pressure line 104 leading to the one low-pressure chamber 14, wherein the vent valve 108 can be manually operated.

[0032] Finally, the entire arrangement ensures that, regardless of system conditions (pressure, temperature, acceleration, load, installation conditions, etc.) and with any length of the suction line 58, the hydraulic pump 56 always has a preload pressure from the low-pressure region of the storage housing 10 on its input or suction side 60. This enables problem-free, cavitation-free operation of the hydraulic pump 56, even after it has been started from a standstill. This operating characteristic also applies to almost any length of the suction line 58 and to situations where the power of the power unit is reduced due to a fault or emergency, or when the power unit fails completely.

[0033] From now on, especially from Figure 2As it turns out, all the main housings for valves, filters, and sensors, as well as the various fluid interfaces mentioned above, are integrated into the cover member 40 of the storage housing 10. Therefore, the cover member 40, which is of the form of a casting or injection molding, has housing spaces 110, 112 on both sides of the cylindrical control housing 18 for the high-pressure filter 92 or the low-pressure filter 98, respectively. However, the cover member 40 can also be made as a single piece. Fluid interfaces 114, 116 are machined on the free ends of the respective housing spaces 110, 112, to which the ground equipment (not shown) can be connected if needed.

[0034] A connection point 79 for a pump supply line 78 is provided in the arcuate region of the edge of the receiving space 110. A connection line 86 with system pressure 84 extends into this connection point at the intersection 82. On the opposite side, a return port 74 is machined into the lateral arcuate portion of the second receiving space 112, to which the system return line 72 can be connected (see...). Figure 3 Furthermore, an overflow valve 88 and a pressure sensor 96 are provided on the top side of the cover component 40 and in an arrangement parallel to the control housing 18. For simplicity, in... Figure 2 Temperature sensor 102 is omitted; otherwise, it would be mounted on the connection portion 118 of the cover component 40 to measure the fluid temperature in the low-pressure chamber 14. Figure 3 The two exhaust valves 106 and 108, further shown, can be connected to the cover component 40 via an additional connection 120 and exhaust the low-pressure chamber 14 when needed. An intake port 54 is also provided on the flat top side of the cover component 40, which is guided via an intake line 58 to the intake side 60 of the hydraulic pump 56. In addition to the aforementioned high-pressure filter 92 and low-pressure filter 98, spring-loaded check valves 94 and 100 are also accommodated in the receiving space 110 or 112 of the cover component 40, preceding the corresponding fluid ports 114 and 116 in the corresponding receiving spaces 110 and 112.

[0035] For the LVDT displacement measurement system 80 (which extends within the control housing 18 and the control piston 20 and cooperates with the guide piston 30 to monitor the position of the separation device 12), in Figure 2 Only the external end component 44 is visible, which in this respect encloses the control housing 18. (As for this from...) Figure 1 As it turns out, a radially extending fluid channel 122 is machined into the cover component 40, which leads into the high-pressure chamber 22 via a single through-hole 124 in the control housing 18, and an overflow valve 88 and a pressure sensor 96 are connected radially to the fluid channel; and in Figure 1The second receiving space 112 shown is adjacent to it. In this regard, the channel 122 leads outward to the connection 79 for pump pressure in the supply line 78, and the associated channel 122 is closed by a sealing plug 126 before the storage device is put into operation (i.e., in order to connect to the...). Figure 2 The sealing plug can be removed from the supply circuit.

[0036] The relevant cover structure is merely exemplary. Therefore, other components can also be mounted on the cover component 40 in a space-saving manner, or individual components can be mounted outside the bootstrap memory. Figure 3 The technical solution for the supply loop.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising at least a storage housing (10) and a partition (12) movably disposed therein, the partition separating two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) within the storage housing (10), and the storage device having a control housing (18) in which a control piston (20) is movably guided at least partially, the control piston cooperating with the partition (12) and separating a high-pressure chamber (22) from at least one of the two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) in the storage housing (10), characterized in that, The separating device (12) uses a flexible sleeve (26) to at least partially surround another of the two low-pressure chambers (14, 16) in the storage housing (10).

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage device is a bootstrap device.

3. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible sleeve (26) is composed of an elastic bellows (28).

4. The storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bellows (28) is a spring bellows or a folded bellows.

5. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bellows (28) is made of metal.

6. The storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bellows (28) extends between the guide piston (30) and the end wall (32) of the storage housing (10).

7. The storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The guide piston (30) is fixedly connected to the control piston (20).

8. The storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control piston (20) is designed as a hollow piston.

9. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The other low-pressure chamber in the storage housing (10), surrounded by the partition device (12), has ambient pressure via at least one opening (33) leading to the environment.

10. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The low-pressure chamber (14) in the storage housing (10) has a suction port (54) for connection to the supply pump (56) and a return port (74) on the low-pressure side.

11. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The high-pressure chamber (22) is surrounded by a variable volume between the control piston (20) and the control housing (18).

12. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The control piston (20) is fixedly connected to the separation device (12) at one of its free end regions and opens to the housing chamber (24) of the control housing (18) at its other free end region.

13. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The storage housing (10) is closed by a cover component (40) having multiple receptacles for valves, filters, sensors and various fluid interfaces.

14. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, A displacement measuring system (80) is housed in the control piston (20), which is used to monitor the corresponding position of the separating device (12).

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