Counter Pressure Valve With Active Refill for Cavitation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems face a risk of cavitation in hydraulic actuators due to restricted fluid supply and low pressure conditions, particularly during float operating and regenerative operation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A counter pressure valve arrangement is introduced, comprising a moveable valve member, a counter pressure regulating port, a tank port, and a pump port, which controls the pressure level of hydraulic fluid in the return line by switching between supplying pressurized fluid and discharging fluid to the tank, thereby reducing the risk of cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive counter pressure functionality is used to maintain refill capacity in hydraulic consumers, then the risk of cavitation is reduced, but the system cannot actively refill when counter pressure becomes too low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive counter pressure functionality with active refill functionality into a single integrated counter pressure valve. The valve member can assume different positions to provide either passive counter pressure maintenance or active refilling from the pump port, eliminating the need for separate components and enabling both cavitation protection and active refilling capabilities in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter pressure valve is designed with multi-functionality, where the same valve structure can perform both passive counter pressure regulation and active refilling operations. By controlling the position of the valve member, the system can adapt between maintaining counter pressure and actively refilling hydraulic consumers, making the component universally applicable for different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If separate components are used for counter pressure functionality and active refill functionality, then each function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates counter pressure regulation and active refilling functions into a single counter pressure valve assembly. The valve member, housing, and port configuration are designed to provide both functions through different valve positions, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining functional capability. This merging approach lowers device complexity and cost compared to using separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter pressure valve is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple functions: passive counter pressure maintenance, active refilling from pump port, and pressure relief to tank port. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying the overall system while maintaining optimized functionality for each operation mode.
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 counter pressure valve arrangement effectively merges counter pressure functionality with active refill functionality, reducing the risk of cavitation in hydraulic consumers by maintaining a stable pressure level in the return line, all while maintaining a cost-efficient and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a first position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the pump port and the counter pressure regulating port for supplying pressurised hydraulic fluid to the return line; and wherein a second position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the counter pressure regulating port and the tank port for discharging hydraulic fluid from the return line to the tank
Implementation Method 2
The counter pressure valve arrangement effectively merges counter pressure functionality with active refill functionality, reducing the risk of cavitation in hydraulic consumers by maintaining a stable pressure level in the return line
Data Source
AI summary
A counter pressure valve arrangement for controlling a pressure level of a hydraulic fluid in a return line from a hydraulic actuator arrangement. The counter pressure valve arrangement comprises a counter pressure valve having: a moveable valve member; a counter pressure regulating port configured for being connected to the hydraulic actuator arrangement via the return line; a tank port configured for being connected to a tank or low pressure reservoir for storing low pressure hydraulic fluid; and a pump port configured for being connected to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid. A first position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the pump port and the counter pressure regulating port for supplying pressurised hydraulic fluid to the return line (4), and a second position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the counter pressure regulating port and the tank port for discharging hydraulic fluid from the return line to the tank.