Manual emergency circuit for a hydraulic system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydraulic connection device 10, wherein the hydraulic connection device 10 has a hydraulic inlet 20 and a hydraulic return outlet 30, wherein the hydraulic connection device 10 has a hydraulic device inlet 40 and a hydraulic device outlet 50, wherein the hydraulic connection device 10 has a switching valve 60, wherein the switching valve 60 has a first position 61 and a second position 62, wherein in the first position 61 the switching valve 60 fluidically connects the hydraulic inlet 20 to the hydraulic device inlet 40 and the hydraulic device outlet 50 to the hydraulic return outlet 30, wherein the hydraulic connection device 10 has a manually operated hydraulic pump 70, wherein the hydraulic pump 70 has at least one pump cylinder chamber 80, wherein the pump cylinder chamber 80 has at least one pump inlet 81 and one pump outlet 82.wherein the pump cylinder chamber 80 is connected to the switching valve 60 such that in the second position 62 of the switching valve 60 the pump outlet 82 is connected to the hydraulic device inlet 40 and the hydraulic device outlet 50 is connected to the pump inlet 81.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hydraulic connection device to enable manual operation of a hydraulically operated element, for example an actuator or cylinder, even in the event of a failure of the hydraulic system.

[0002] Especially in submarines, many components are hydraulically operated, such as rudders. However, particularly in the context of a submarine, functionality must be guaranteed even in the event of a failure, as the survival of the crew may depend on it.

[0003] Therefore, hydraulic hand pumps are now used on board submarines, connected to the component in place of a pressure tank. Hydraulic fluid is then pumped from the pump's reservoir into the component, while the return hydraulic fluid flows back into the return tank. While this is simple and requires little space and weight on board the submarine, it also has disadvantages. Firstly, there is usually only one hand pump. Realigning three to six rudders takes time. Secondly, the hand pump's reservoir is limited and must be refilled from the return tank during such operations, which requires even more time and effort.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a manual emergency system that avoids the problems of the hand pumps used today.

[0005] This problem is solved by the hydraulic connection device with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0006] The hydraulic connection device according to the invention serves to establish a fluid connection between a central hydraulic system and a hydraulically actuated component, for example, a hydraulic switching element. The hydraulic connection device has a hydraulic inlet and a hydraulic return outlet. The hydraulic inlet can, for example, and preferably, be connected to a pressure supply via a central hydraulic network. A hydraulic network serves to supply a hydraulic fluid under pressure via a central infrastructure on one side for pressure supply and to discharge it again on the other side as a return flow.For example, the hydraulic network can have a pressure tank on the pressure side and a return tank and a pump on the other side to transfer hydraulic fluid from the return tank to the pressure tank, thus centrally providing the pressure and therefore the necessary energy. The hydraulic network and its design are completely independent of the invention and familiar to those skilled in the art, and can be implemented in any way according to the prior art. The hydraulic return outlet can, for example, and preferably, be connected to a return tank or return system via a central hydraulic network. The hydraulic connection device has a hydraulic device inlet and a hydraulic device outlet. The hydraulically actuated component can then be connected via the hydraulic device inlet and the hydraulic device outlet.The hydraulic connection device thus establishes the fluid connection between a hydraulic network and a specific hydraulically actuated component. The hydraulic connection device includes a switching valve. The switching valve has at least, preferably exactly, a first position and a second position. The first position is for normal operation, and the second position is for manual emergency operation. In the first position, the switching valve fluidly connects the hydraulic supply inlet to the hydraulic device inlet and the hydraulic device outlet to the hydraulic return outlet. In the first position, normal operation, the hydraulic connection device simply connects the hydraulic network directly to the hydraulically actuated component without itself influencing the hydraulics. The hydraulic connection device includes a manually operated hydraulic pump.This pump is permanently installed, so it no longer needs to be carried around the ship. However, this requires a corresponding manually operated hydraulic pump for each component that can be manually actuated. These pumps can then be operated simultaneously, which, for example, speeds up changes to the rudder position. Therefore, the manually operated hydraulic pump can be relatively small, which, while it may slow down each individual operation, is still faster overall and saves weight and volume. The hydraulic pump has at least one cylinder chamber (the first cylinder chamber if there is a second). The cylinder chamber has at least one inlet (the first inlet if there are two) and one outlet (the first outlet if there are two).The pump cylinder chamber is connected to the switching valve in such a way that, in the second position of the switching valve, the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the hydraulic device inlet, and vice versa. In this second position, the emergency operation, the hydraulic fluid can thus be circulated in a short circuit between the hydraulic connection device and the hydraulically actuated component using the manually operated hydraulic pump. Since this is a closed system, no hydraulic fluid tank is required. Instead, the hydraulically actuated component is simply completely disconnected from the hydraulic network and actuated directly via the manually operated hydraulic pump. This also eliminates travel time for transporting hydraulic fluid in an emergency.Since the hydraulic connection device can be attached in the immediate vicinity, usually directly on, the hydraulically operated component, a defect in between is practically impossible.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic pump is designed as a double-stroke cylinder. The double-stroke cylinder has a second pump cylinder chamber. This second pump cylinder chamber has at least a second pump inlet and a second pump outlet. The second pump cylinder chamber is connected to the switching valve such that, in the second position of the switching valve, the second pump outlet is connected to the hydraulic device inlet, and vice versa. This simple addition enables twice the fluid delivery speed. At the same time, pressure fluctuations in the system are reduced. Furthermore, the power requirement is more evened out, which minimizes pressure peaks during manual operation. This also eliminates the need for a volume compensation element.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pump inlet and the second pump inlet are each connected to the switching valve via a check valve, the check valves being configured such that fluid can only flow towards the pump inlet and the second pump inlet. A short-circuit flow from the pump inlet to the second pump inlet is thus prevented. The pump outlet and the second pump outlet are each connected to the switching valve via a check valve, the check valves being configured such that fluid can only flow out of the pump outlet and the second pump outlet. A short-circuit flow from the pump outlet to the second pump outlet is thus prevented.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pump inlet and the pump outlet are connected to each other via a pressure relief valve, wherein the pressure relief valve is connected to the pump outlet as the control pressure. If excessively high pressure is generated during manual actuation, this prevents it from entering the hydraulically actuated component, since at a sufficiently high pressure, the pressure relief valve opens and thus allows a short-circuit flow to reduce the pressure down to the limiting pressure. The pressure relief valve then closes automatically.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the switching valve is manually operable. This ensures operability even in the event of a failure, for example, of an electrical system. Since an operator must be present for manual pumping anyway, this does not result in any disadvantage.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic connection device includes a 3 / 2-way valve. For example, this can be used to adjust a rudder that has a stop. The hydraulic device inlet and outlet are fluidically connected to the 3 / 2-way valve on the side of the two ports. The hydraulic connection device has three control outlets, which are fluidly connected to the 3 / 2-way valve. The three control outlets are then connected to the hydraulically actuated component. Alternatively, the 3 / 2-way valve can also be part of the hydraulically actuated component.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic connection device includes a 2 / 2-way valve. For example, this can be used to switch a hydraulic drive between forward and reverse. The hydraulic device inlet and outlet are fluidically connected to the 2 / 2-way valve on a common side. The hydraulic connection device has two control outlets, which are fluidically connected to the 2 / 2-way valve on the opposite side from the connection to the hydraulic device inlet and outlet. The two control outlets are then connected to the hydraulically actuated component. Alternatively, the 2 / 2-way valve can also be part of the hydraulically actuated component.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a check valve is arranged between the switching valve and the hydraulic device inlet and the hydraulic device outlet, wherein the check valve of the hydraulic device inlet is controlled by the pressure of the hydraulic device outlet and the check valve of the hydraulic device outlet is controlled by the pressure of the hydraulic device inlet.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic connection device comprises a housing in which all components are arranged. The hydraulic connection device is therefore only one component, which, however, can be universally placed in front of any hydraulically operated device.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, a submarine is equipped with a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system comprises a pressure supply and a return tank. The central components for pressure supply are connected to the individual hydraulically actuated components via a hydraulic network. The submarine has at least one hydraulically actuated component. This hydraulically actuated component is connected to the hydraulic system via a hydraulic connection device according to the invention. The hydraulic inlet is fluidly connected to the pressure supply via the hydraulic network, and the hydraulic return outlet is fluidly connected to the return tank via the hydraulic network.

[0016] The hydraulic connection device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 Hydraulic connection device Fig. 2 Hydraulic connection device with 3 / 2-way valve

[0017] In Fig. 1 The hydraulic connection device 10 is shown in the form of a hydraulic circuit diagram. On the left is the hydraulic inlet 20, which can be connected to a pressure supply via a hydraulic network and through which the hydraulic fluid can be supplied under pressure. On the right is the hydraulic return outlet 30, which can be connected to a return tank via a hydraulic network and through which the hydraulic fluid can be discharged. The switching valve 60 is shown here in its first position 61, so that the hydraulic inlet 20 is directly connected to the hydraulic device inlet 40 and the hydraulic device outlet 50 is directly connected to the hydraulic return outlet 30. In this position, the hydraulic connection device 10 only establishes the fluid connection without performing any active function itself.

[0018] The hydraulic pump 70 is shown in the upper section and can be operated directly via a lever. In the first position 61 of the switching valve 60, as shown, the hydraulic pump 70 has no further function. However, if the switching valve 60 is moved to the second position 62 for emergency operation, the hydraulic inlet 20 and the hydraulic return outlet 30 are closed and have no further function. Instead, the hydraulic pump 70 is now directly connected to the hydraulic device inlet 40 and the hydraulic device outlet 50. Since this immediately creates a closed hydraulic system consisting of the hydraulic connection device 10 and the hydraulically actuated component 150, no additional hydraulic fluid is required. The hydraulic pump 70 is designed as a double-stroke cylinder, ensuring that the hydraulic volume remains constant and that hydraulic fluid is pumped with every movement of the hydraulic pump 70.The hydraulic pump 70 has a pump cylinder chamber 80 and a second pump cylinder chamber 90. The pump inlet 81 and the second pump inlet 91 each have an upstream check valve 100, so that hydraulic fluid can only flow into pump cylinder chamber 80 through pump inlet 81 and only into the second pump cylinder chamber 90 through the second pump inlet 91, and not out. The pump outlet 82 and the second pump outlet 92 each have an upstream check valve 100, so that hydraulic fluid can only flow out of pump cylinder chamber 80 through pump outlet 82 and only from the second pump cylinder chamber 90 through the second pump outlet 92, and not into it. To prevent excessive internal pressure, which can occur during manual operation due to excessive force, the hydraulic connection device 10 has a pressure relief valve 110.If the pressure at pump outlet 82 or at the second pump outlet 92 exceeds the control pressure, the pressure relief valve 110 opens and allows pressure equalization with the side of pump inlet 81 and the second pump inlet 91, thus preventing the excessive pressure from damaging the hydraulically actuated component 150.

[0019] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows the hydraulic connection device 10, a directional control valve block 120, and a hydraulically actuated component 150. In the example shown, the directional control valve block 120 is arranged between the hydraulic connection device 10 and the hydraulically actuated component 150 for the sake of simplicity. However, the directional control valve block 120 can also be an integral part of the hydraulic connection device 10 or the hydraulically actuated component 150. The hydraulically actuated component 150 could, for example, be a rudder blade of a submarine. The directional control valve block 120 has three additional 3 / 2-way valves 140, which can be switched between two positions, thus enabling targeted control of the hydraulically actuated component 150. The hydraulic connection device 10 is identical here to the one shown in Figure 1. Fig. 1 shown, so that for simplification the reference numerals within the hydraulic connection device 10 in Fig. 2 were omitted. Reference sign

[0020] 10 Hydraulic connection device 20 Hydraulic inlet 30 Hydraulic return outlet 40 Hydraulic tool inlet 50 Hydraulic tool outlet 60 Switching valve 61 First position 62 Second position 70 Hydraulic pump 80 Pump cylinder chamber 81 Pump inlet 82 Pump outlet 90 Second pump cylinder chamber 91 Second pump inlet 92 Second pump outlet 100 Check valve 110 Pressure relief valve 120 Way valve block 130 Control outlet 140 3 / 2-way valves 150 Hydraulically actuated component

Claims

1. Hydraulic connection device (10), wherein the hydraulic connection device (10) has a hydraulic inlet (20) and a hydraulic return outlet (30), wherein the hydraulic connection device (10) has a hydraulic device inlet (40) and a hydraulic device outlet (50), wherein the hydraulic connection device (10) has a switching valve (60), wherein the switching valve (60) has at least a first position (61) and a second position (62), wherein in the first position (61) the switching valve (60) fluidically connects the hydraulic inlet (20) to the hydraulic device inlet (40) and the hydraulic device outlet (50) to the hydraulic return outlet (30), wherein the hydraulic connection device (10) has a manually operated hydraulic pump (70), wherein the hydraulic pump (70) has at least one pump cylinder chamber (80), wherein the pump cylinder chamber (80) has at least one pump inlet (81) and one pump outlet (82),wherein the pump cylinder chamber (80) is connected to the switching valve (60) such that in the second position (62) of the switching valve (60) the pump outlet (82) is connected to the hydraulic device inlet (40) and the hydraulic device outlet (50) is connected to the pump inlet (81).

2. Hydraulic connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hydraulic pump (70) is designed as a double-stroke cylinder, wherein the double-stroke cylinder has a second pump cylinder chamber (90), wherein the second pump cylinder chamber (90) has at least a second pump inlet (91) and a second pump outlet (92), wherein the second pump cylinder chamber (90) is connected to the switching valve (60) such that in the second position (62) of the switching valve (60) the second pump outlet (92) is connected to the hydraulic device inlet (40) and the hydraulic device outlet (50) is connected to the second pump inlet (91).

3. Hydraulic connection device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that The pump inlet (81) and the second pump inlet (91) are each connected to the switching valve (60) via a check valve (100), wherein the check valves (100) are configured so that fluid can only flow in the direction of the pump inlet (81) and the second pump inlet (91), wherein the pump outlet (82) and the second pump outlet (92) are each connected to the switching valve (60) via a check valve (100), wherein the check valves (100) are configured so that fluid can only flow out of the pump outlet (82) and the second pump outlet (92).

4. Hydraulic connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the pump inlet (81) and the pump outlet (82) are connected to each other via a pressure relief valve (110), the pressure relief valve (110) being connected to the pump outlet (82) as the control pressure.

5. Hydraulic connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the switching valve (60) can be operated manually.

6. Hydraulic connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the hydraulic connection device (10) has a 3 / 2-way valve (120), wherein the hydraulic device inlet (40) and the hydraulic device outlet (50) are fluidically connected to the 3 / 2-way valve (120), wherein the hydraulic connection device (10) has three control outlets (130), wherein the three control outlets (130) are fluidically connected to the directional control valve block (120).

7. Submarine with a hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system has a pressure supply and a return tank, wherein the submarine has at least one hydraulically actuated component (150), wherein the hydraulically actuated component (150) is connected to the hydraulic system via a hydraulic connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic inlet (20) is fluidly connected to the pressure supply and the hydraulic return outlet (30) is fluidly connected to the return tank.

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