Hydraulic Crane Drive Speed Tracking Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crane operators lack knowledge of the required engine speed for hydraulic crane systems, leading to excessive fuel consumption, high noise emissions, and unnecessary wear due to running the drive unit at high speeds to ensure sufficient movement speed reserves.

Innovation Solution

A method for speed tracking of hydraulic crane drives that dynamically controls the speed of the drive unit and pivot angle of variable pumps based on requested volume flow and additional crane-specific parameters, allowing for optimal engine speed adjustment to match the required movement speed, reducing fuel consumption and noise emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive unit is run at high speed to ensure sufficient power for all crane movements, then the power reserve and reliability are improved, but the fuel consumption and noise emissions increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower reserveVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed adaptation by continuously adjusting the drive unit speed based on real-time hydraulic system demands. The control unit monitors actual speeds of hydraulic consumers and dynamically sets optimal drive unit speeds, replacing the static high-speed operation with adaptive speed control that matches actual power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by measuring actual speeds of hydraulic consumers and using this information to adjust the drive unit speed. The control unit receives speed signals from consumers and continuously adapts the drive unit operation, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes fuel consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the drive unit is run at high speed to ensure sufficient power, then the power availability is improved, but the wear on the drive unit increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts drive unit speed to match actual hydraulic consumer demands, avoiding continuous high-speed operation. By adapting speed to real-time requirements, the system reduces mechanical wear and extends service life while maintaining power availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter (speed) of the drive unit based on actual system demands. Instead of maintaining a constant high speed, the system varies the speed parameter to match hydraulic consumer requirements, reducing wear while preserving power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the drive unit speed is reduced to optimize fuel consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the power reserve for sudden movements may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidpower reserve
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic speed adjustment to optimize fuel efficiency while maintaining power reserve capability. The control unit monitors hydraulic consumer speeds and adapts drive unit speed in real-time, ensuring sufficient power is available when needed while minimizing fuel consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Feedback from hydraulic consumer speed sensors enables the control unit to maintain optimal fuel efficiency while ensuring power reserve availability. The system continuously adapts drive unit speed based on actual demands, preventing both excessive fuel consumption and insufficient power reserve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pump delivery volume is increased to provide sufficient hydraulic flow for all consumers, then the system versatility is improved, but the fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of pump delivery volume based on actual hydraulic consumer demands. The system adjusts pump output to match real-time requirements of individual consumers, maintaining system versatility while optimizing fuel consumption by avoiding excessive delivery volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the delivery volume parameter of the hydraulic pump based on actual consumer requirements. Instead of maintaining constant high delivery volume for all possible operations, the system adapts the volume parameter to match current operational needs, reducing fuel consumption while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2746212B1Method for tracking the rotational speed of a crane drive and crane drive
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 LIEBHERR WERK EHINGEN
  • EP2746212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2746212B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2746212B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves feeding hydraulic loads (7, 11) e.g. hydraulic motors, of a hydraulic crane drive with an adjustable volume flow by a variable displacement pump (3). The pump is driven by a drive engine (1) e.g. diesel engine, of the crane. A rotational speed of the drive engine and a pivot angle of the pump are controlled and/or regulated by a central crane controller (10) based on the required volume flow for the loads and/or due to parameters. A proportional controllable directional seat valve (5) is controlled. The required volume flow is adjusted by an operating lever (6). The parameter is a surrounding temperature. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a hydraulic crane drive (2) a crane.