Compensated Motion Base Hybrid Actuation Payload Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion bases that provide multi-degree of freedom movement for payloads lack efficient compensation mechanisms, leading to suboptimal performance and increased power consumption, especially when handling varying payloads or static loads with minimal movement.

Innovation Solution

A compensated motion base system that combines electric and fluid actuators with pivoting connectors and fluid supply tanks to provide a hybrid actuation mechanism, allowing for the combination of linear forces and rotation, and adjusting pneumatic pressures to compensate for payload changes, thereby optimizing force distribution and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electric actuators are used for multi-degree of freedom movement, then motion control precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion control precisionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electric actuators with fluid actuators (pneumatic or hydraulic systems) to create a hybrid actuation system. The fluid actuators handle static loads and compensate for payload weight, while electric actuators focus on providing motion control for dynamic movements. This merging allows the electric actuators to operate more efficiently by not continuously counteracting static forces, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining motion control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid actuators serve as counterweight mechanisms that automatically compensate for the payload mass and static loads. By using pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to balance the weight, the system eliminates the need for electric actuators to continuously exert force against gravity, significantly reducing their energy consumption while maintaining precise motion control capability when movement is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Force

If fluid actuators are used to compensate for payload changes, then force distribution is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce distributionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic or hydraulic fluid actuators to compensate for payload changes and distribute forces efficiently. The fluid pressure system automatically adjusts to payload variations, providing smooth force distribution across multiple actuators. While this adds some system complexity, it enables optimized force distribution and payload compensation that would be difficult to achieve with electric actuators alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid actuation system serves multiple functions: it compensates for payload weight changes, provides force distribution across the motion base, and works cooperatively with electric actuators to enable both static load bearing and dynamic motion control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several critical functions into a unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If hybrid actuation mechanism is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid actuation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically coordinate between fluid and electric actuators. The system monitors payload changes, fluid pressure, and actuator positions to dynamically adjust force distribution and maintain optimal operation. This automated feedback control reduces the operational burden on users, making the complex hybrid system as easy to operate as conventional systems while maintaining reduced power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system achieves efficient and precise movement with reduced power consumption by compensating for payload changes and static loads, enabling stable operation across various applications, including scientific, medical, and amusement uses.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid actuator 30 that is cooperatively connected to the electric actuator 20 and the output attachment point 72

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a fluid actuator 30 that is cooperatively connected to the electric actuator 20 and the output attachment point 72

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

The spring may be configured to provide a predetermined spring rate and the fluid supply tank may be configured to provide a substantially constant spring rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3155605B1Compensated motion base
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3155605B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3155605B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3155605B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point