Active Damping Hydraulic Actuator Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ride control systems for hydraulic actuators in machines are expensive and inefficient, leading to poor ride quality and reduced stability due to vibrations, which negatively impact operator comfort and the service life of the actuators.
Innovation Solution
A ride control system utilizing a variable displacement pump, independent metering valves, pressure sensors, and a controller to dynamically manage fluid pressure and displacement in the hydraulic actuator's chambers, attenuating oscillations by controlling fluid flow between the pump, tank, and actuator chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional accumulator-based ride control systems are used, then vibration attenuation capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the accumulator component from the traditional ride control system, extracting only the essential function of vibration attenuation. This is achieved by using a valve arrangement that directly controls fluid flow between the hydraulic actuator chambers and the tank, eliminating the need for energy storage devices while maintaining vibration damping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical accumulator-based passive damping system with an electronically controlled valve arrangement. The controller receives signals from sensors and actuates the valves to actively manage fluid flow, substituting mechanical energy storage with electronic control mechanisms for vibration attenuation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional accumulator-based ride control systems are used, then vibration attenuation capability is improved, but installation and operation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard hydraulic valves and common electronic components instead of expensive accumulators. These conventional components are more readily available, easier to install, and less costly to replace if needed, reducing both initial installation costs and long-term operational expenses while achieving the same vibration attenuation function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If machine travels on uneven ground, then operational capability is improved, but ride quality deteriorates causing vibrations in hydraulic actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect vibrations in the hydraulic actuator and send signals to the controller. The controller then adjusts the valve arrangement in real-time to counteract the detected vibrations, enabling the system to maintain ride quality while operating on uneven terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic valve arrangement that can actively adjust fluid flow rates in response to changing operating conditions. Unlike fixed or passive systems, the electronically controlled valves can modify their opening程度 dynamically to match the varying vibration characteristics encountered on different terrain types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively attenuates oscillations in hydraulic actuators, improving ride quality, reducing wear, and extending the service life of the actuators while being more cost-effective than traditional designs by eliminating the need for accumulators.
Implementation Method 1
a variable displacement pump that is disposed downstream of the tank. The variable displacement pump is fluidly coupled to the tank via a primary supply line
Implementation Method 2
The valve arrangement is configured to operably attenuate oscillations of the piston block in the hydraulic actuator based at least partially on a pressure of fluid in the head end chamber of the hydraulic actuator and a displacement of the piston block in the hydraulic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A ride control system includes four independent metering valves (IMVs) that are independently and selectively controlled by a controller for attenuating oscillations in a hydraulic actuator of a machine. The controller is configured to open at least one of the IMVs for supplying pressurized fluid from a tank to a head end chamber of the hydraulic actuator when a pressure of the head end chamber drops to a value less than an initially registered pressure. Additionally, when the displacement of the piston block is positive and the pressure in the head end chamber falls to a value less than the pressure of fluid in a rod end chamber of the hydraulic actuator, the controller may also open another one of the IMVs by which fluid from the rod end chamber could be supplied to the head end chamber for supplementing pump flow and attenuating oscillations in the hydraulic actuator.