Agricultural Actuator Fluid Flow Regulation via Pressure Differential Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural implements face inefficiency due to excess fluid flow, which increases the load on the engine of the work vehicle, reducing the efficiency of both the implement and the vehicle, as operators often set operational parameters to ensure adequate fluid supply to actuators.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that include sensors to detect pressure differentials across valves, allowing a controller to adjust the fluid flow by controlling a second valve upstream of the first valve, ensuring the pump supplies only the necessary fluid flow based on the determined pressure differential, thereby optimizing fluid supply to actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operators set operational parameters to ensure adequate fluid flow to actuators, then actuator performance is improved, but excess fluid flow increases engine load and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator performanceVSAvoidengine load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pressure sensors to detect the actual pressure differential across the flow control valve and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the valve position to maintain the desired pressure differential, ensuring adequate fluid flow to actuators without generating excess flow that would increase engine load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the flow control valve opening based on the detected pressure differential. By changing the valve opening parameter in response to pressure conditions, the system optimizes fluid flow to match actual actuator needs, preventing both insufficient flow and excessive flow that would waste energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If operators set operational parameters to ensure adequate fluid flow to actuators, then actuator performance is improved, but overall system efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator performanceVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure differential feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically optimize fluid flow parameters, ensuring actuator performance requirements are met while minimizing unnecessary fluid generation. This automated optimization improves overall system efficiency by eliminating the need for operators to over-compensate with excessive flow settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the pump generates more fluid flow than necessary, then adequate supply to actuators is ensured, but energy wastage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid supply adequacyVSAvoidenergy wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By continuously monitoring the pressure differential across the flow control valve and adjusting the valve position accordingly, the system ensures that the pump generates only the fluid flow that is actually needed by the actuators. This eliminates energy wastage associated with generating excess fluid flow while maintaining adequate supply reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the fluid flow parameters based on real-time pressure differential measurements and actual actuator requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the pump to vary its output to match demand, preventing both insufficient supply and excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution reduces energy wastage by ensuring only the necessary fluid flow is supplied to actuators, enhancing the efficiency of both the agricultural implement and the work vehicle by minimizing excess fluid generation.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS10912245B2System and method for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.