Adjustable Cylinder Position Sensor Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for determining the absolute position and direction of motion of hydraulic cylinder rods require modifications to the cylinder body and gland, making them unsuitable for retrofitting with existing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system is mounted on a gland member of the cylinder assembly, which includes detectable features on the cylinder rod, allowing the sensor to read these features regardless of the gland's rotation, and can be adjusted for optimal positioning and angular orientation, enabling the detection of absolute position and direction of motion without modifying the cylinder body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor system is mounted on the cylinder body or gland with fixed positioning, then the sensor can detect the position of the cylinder rod, but modifications to the cylinder body and gland are required which prevent retrofitting with existing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount is designed to be adjustable and repositionable on the gland member, allowing the sensor to be oriented at different angles and positions to optimally read the detectable features on the cylinder rod. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to achieve precise measurement without requiring fixed modifications to the cylinder body, thus facilitating retrofitting with existing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting system is segmented into separate components: the sensor itself, the sensor mount attached to the gland member, and the adjustable positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows the sensor system to be independently installed and adjusted without modifying the fundamental structure of the cylinder body, enabling retrofitting while maintaining measurement precision.
2Device complexity
If the sensor is fixed in position on the gland member, then the structure is simplified, but the sensor cannot be optimized for reading detectable features on the cylinder rod
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the sensor to be dynamically repositioned and reoriented on the gland member. This enables optimization of the sensor's reading position and angular orientation relative to the detectable features on the cylinder rod, improving measurement precision while adding only minimal complexity to the mounting structure.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor mount is made adjustable and repositionable on the gland member, then optimal positioning and angular orientation can be achieved for reading detectable features, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount employs adjustable positioning mechanisms with limited degrees of freedom, allowing the sensor to be repositioned and reoriented to optimal angles for reading the detectable features. The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be simple and intuitive, providing the necessary precision without excessive complexity in the mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable sensor mounting system is divided into modular components that can be independently adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows for precise positioning capability while keeping each individual component relatively simple, thereby achieving high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 solution allows for precise detection of the absolute position and direction of motion of the cylinder rod, improving control over machinery without requiring modifications to existing cylinder bodies, and can be retrofitted to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field sensor senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device for detecting the absolute position of a cylinder rod (6) is provided. A cylinder assembly has a cylinder body (4) with a gland member (20) positioned thereof. The gland member (20) has a rod opening (32) extending therethrough. An adjustable sensor (60) is mounted on the gland member (20), the adjustable sensor (60) being operable to read one or more detectable features of the cylinder rod (6). The adjustable sensor (60) can be incrementally adjusted relative to the cylinder rod (6) to optimize the gap provided between the adjustable sensor (60) and the cylinder rod (6), allowing the sensor (60) to detect the motion and absolute position of the cylinder rod (6). The detectable features may be three tracks of data including first timing data (490) and position data (492).