Bootstrap Reservoir Valve Control for Pump Inlet Pressure Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closed-loop hydraulic systems face inefficiencies due to high maximum pump inlet pressures, which require robust and costly system components to handle pressure fluctuations, leading to increased weight and cost.

Innovation Solution

A control system comprising a pressure sensor, controller, and valve that modulates pressure within the system to maintain a desired minimum pressure at the pump inlet, reducing pressure fluctuations and overall system pressure requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bootstrap reservoir maintains a minimum pump inlet pressure above the desired minimum, then pump operation reliability is improved, but maximum system pressure increases requiring more robust and expensive components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation reliabilityVSAvoidmaximum system pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve dynamically adjusts the pressure setting of the bootstrap reservoir based on real-time pump inlet pressure measurements. When the pump inlet pressure approaches the desired minimum, the control valve automatically reduces the bootstrap reservoir pressure, preventing excessive maximum pressures while maintaining pump reliability through continuous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A control system with pressure sensors provides feedback on actual pump inlet pressure to a controller, which then modulates the control valve to adjust bootstrap reservoir pressure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the minimum pressure requirement is met while minimizing maximum pressure excursions that would require over-engineered components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If system components are designed to withstand higher pressures, then system reliability under pressure fluctuations is improved, but system weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliability under pressure fluctuationsVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically changes the pressure parameter of the bootstrap reservoir based on actual system conditions. By adjusting the reservoir pressure to match actual pump inlet requirements rather than designing for worst-case scenarios, components can be optimized for actual operating conditions, reducing weight while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If system components are designed to withstand higher pressures, then system reliability under pressure fluctuations is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliability under pressure fluctuationsVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By dynamically adjusting the bootstrap reservoir pressure parameter based on actual pump inlet conditions, the system allows components to be designed for actual operating pressures rather than conservative maximum ratings. This reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability through active pressure management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8517040B2Valve control of pump inlet pressure with bootstrap reservoir

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A closed-loop system includes a pump driving a fluid through a series of conduits. A control system is included that minimizes pressure fluctuations in a bootstrap reservoir to maintain a desired minimum pressure at the pump inlet. Moreover, the control system reduces a maximum system pressure by reducing the magnitude of pressure fluctuations encountered by the bootstrap reservoir.