Coupled Yokes in Hydrostatic Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrostatic assemblies face limitations in increasing power output without significantly increasing physical size, as existing designs rely on large hydraulic devices and additional hardware like manifolds and fittings, which occupy valuable space in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates coupled yokes with rotatable arm portions for fluid communication between the pump and motor, allowing for variable displacement and reducing the overall size of the hydrostatic assembly by eliminating the need for external manifolds and conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If hydraulic devices of larger physical size are used to increase power output, then power output is improved, but the physical size of the hydrostatic assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump yoke and motor yoke are merged into a single coupled yoke assembly that rotates as one unit. The fluid passages are integrated directly into the yoke structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external manifolds and conduits. This consolidation reduces the overall volume of the hydrostatic assembly while maintaining the power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupled yoke serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support for both pump and motor components, provides the fluid passage conduits through its integrated passages, and enables variable displacement control through rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall assembly size.
2Reliability
If additional hardware such as manifolds and fittings are added to connect pump and motor, then fluid connection is improved, but the size and weight of the hydrostatic assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid passage conduits are merged directly into the yoke structure itself. The yoke contains integrated passages that provide fluid communication between the pump rotating group and motor rotating group, eliminating the need for separate external manifolds and fittings. This integration maintains reliable fluid connection while significantly reducing the weight and size of the assembly.
3Reliability
If fixed manifolds and conduits are used for fluid transfer, then fluid communication is established, but the overall size of the hydrostatic assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid communication pathways are merged into the rotating yoke structure. The yoke contains passages that provide fluid transfer between pump and motor components while rotating with them. This eliminates the need for separate fixed manifolds and reduces the overall volume of the hydrostatic assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid passages are integrated into a rotating yoke that moves with the pump and motor components. This dynamic integration allows the fluid communication system to rotate with the components rather than requiring separate fixed manifolds, reducing the stationary volume required for fluid transfer infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydrostatic assembly includes a pump having a yoke and an associated rotating group. The pump yoke has a bucket portion and an arm portion. At least one fluid passage extends through the pump yoke. The hydrostatic assembly also includes a motor having a yoke and an associated rotating group. The motor yoke also has a bucket portion and an arm portion. At least one fluid passage extends through the motor yoke. The arm portion of the pump yoke and the arm portion of the motor yoke have associated coupling portions for fluidly coupling the pump yoke to the motor yoke so that the at least one fluid passage in the pump yoke is in direct fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage in the motor yoke.