Two-Stage Bi-Rotational Hydraulic Pump for Stabilizer Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic vehicle stabilizer systems face a trade-off between load rating and deployment speed, where increasing load capacity results in slower leg extension and retraction rates, and using more powerful pumps increases costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage bi-rotational hydraulic pump system is employed, comprising a high-pressure, low-volume pump and a low-pressure, high-volume pump, which operates in conjunction with a hydraulic actuator to provide high-speed, low-force extension and retraction during the initial stroke and low-speed, high-force extension during the latter stroke, utilizing a non-return check valve and unloader valve to manage fluid flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a more powerful pump is used to increase load rating and maintain extension/retraction rate, then the load capacity and deployment speed are improved, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into two distinct pumps: a high-pressure pump for providing force during the latter stroke when the stabilizer leg encounters ground resistance, and a low-pressure pump for providing high-speed extension during the initial stroke when the leg is being rapidly deployed. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single oversized pump to handle all conditions.
2Force
If the load rating of the stabilizer system is increased, then the maximum load capacity is improved, but the rate of leg extension and retraction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two pump configurations based on the operational phase. During initial extension, the low-pressure pump operates to provide high-speed movement. When the stabilizer leg encounters ground resistance and high force is needed, the high-pressure pump activates. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain high speed during low-force phases and high force during high-force phases without compromise.
3Ease of operation
If a single pump is used to handle both high-speed extension and high-force retraction, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the performance compromise occurs between speed and force
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two previously separate pump functions into a coordinated dual-pump arrangement. The high-pressure pump and low-pressure pump work together, with their outputs combined through hydraulic circuitry including check valves and flow control valves. This merging allows the system to achieve both high-speed extension and high-force retraction capabilities that would be impossible with a single pump, while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated valve control.
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 configuration allows for faster deployment of the stabilizer system without sacrificing performance, reducing the time required to deploy the stabilizer legs while maintaining high load capacity, and minimizing energy wastage and system size.
Implementation Method 1
a first bi-directional pump and a second bi-directional pump that together can be coupled to and operatively driven bi-directionally by a prime mover, each pump having extend and retract ports that function as pressure and suction pumps depending on the direction of operation of the pumps
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer system and method that can provide high speed, relatively low force extension and retraction of a stabilizer leg during a first portion of a stroke, and low speed, relatively high force extension and retraction during a second portion of the stroke. Accordingly, the stabilizer system and method takes less time to deploy than conventional stabilizer systems but without sacrificing performance.