Automatic PTO Control Based on Hydraulic Power Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PTO control systems require manual operator intervention for engagement and disengagement, leading to fuel wastage, excess heat, noise generation, and increased maintenance costs due to continuous engine operation when power is not needed by the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A control system that automatically engages and disengages the PTO based on power demand sensed by sensors or switches, using microprocessors to monitor fluid power systems, such as hydraulic or pneumatic circuits, and compare sensed values to predetermined thresholds to determine when to activate or deactivate the PTO.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If manual operator control is used for PTO engagement and disengagement, then ease of operation is maintained, but fuel consumption increases and maintenance costs increase due to continuous engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect equipment power demand and controls the PTO engagement/disengagement without operator intervention. The control system monitors sensor inputs (pressure, temperature, motion, torque) and autonomously decides when to engage or disengage the PTO, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor equipment power demand and feed this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts PTO engagement status, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual equipment needs rather than relying on manual operator judgment.
2Reliability
If PTO is continuously engaged to ensure power availability, then reliability of power supply is improved, but energy waste and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PTO engagement status transitions from a static continuous state to a dynamic state that automatically adjusts based on real-time equipment demand. The control system continuously monitors sensor inputs and dynamically engages or disengages the PTO to match actual power requirements, eliminating the need for continuous engagement while ensuring power availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively engages the PTO before power is actually needed by monitoring sensor inputs that indicate upcoming equipment demand. This preliminary action ensures immediate power availability when equipment requires it, while avoiding continuous engagement by disengaging the PTO as soon as demand ceases.
3Productivity
If manual PTO control is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to operator intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical PTO control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and microprocessors to monitor equipment demand and control PTO engagement. This substitution of mechanical/operator-based control with electronic automation increases productivity by eliminating manual intervention requirements while managing complexity through integrated electronic components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of time—thereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipment—the controller automatically disengages the power take-off.