Differential Hydraulic Buffer for Pressure Fluctuation Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic accumulators fail to effectively mitigate pressure and flow fluctuations in hydraulic systems, leading to increased noise, accelerated wear, and reduced performance due to changes in compliance with environmental conditions and non-linear stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A differential buffer system is introduced, which utilizes a phase difference in pressure and flow fluctuations between internal volumes to mitigate these fluctuations through destructive interference, employing barriers that move based on pressure differences and are biased towards a neutral position to maintain a desired phase relationship between flow passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic accumulators are used to mitigate pressure fluctuations, then some pressure relief is achieved, but the compliance changes with environmental conditions and the stiffness becomes non-linear, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the buffer system by using a differential pressure configuration with two flow passages. The barrier position is controlled by the difference between two pressures rather than a single absolute pressure, which linearizes the stiffness characteristic and maintains compliance stability across environmental conditions. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between pressure fluctuation mitigation and compliance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a differential buffer as an intermediary device between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic load. This buffer contains a barrier that moves in response to differential pressure, acting as a mediator that absorbs and dampens pressure fluctuations before they reach the load. The intermediary buffer maintains stable compliance characteristics while effectively mitigating pressure variations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier is moved to mitigate pressure fluctuations, then noise and wear are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to multiple flow passages and phase relationship requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic system into two parallel flow passages (first and second flow passages) that connect the hydraulic device to the buffer. Each passage handles a portion of the fluid flow and pressure fluctuations independently. This segmentation allows the barrier to respond to differential pressure in a controlled manner, reducing noise and wear while managing system complexity through modular flow path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of pressure fluctuations in hydraulic systems by designing the buffer to respond to rhythmic pressure variations. The barrier moves periodically in response to the fluctuating differential pressure, with the first and second flow passages maintaining a phase relationship that enhances the damping effect. This periodic action approach reduces noise and wear by synchronizing the barrier movement with the pressure cycle.
3Reliability
If the barrier is biased toward a neutral position, then the phase relationship is maintained and fluctuations are mitigated, but the device complexity increases due to biasing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biasing mechanism that acts as a counterforce to the differential pressure acting on the barrier. The biasing force is configured to restore the barrier to a neutral position, analogous to a counterweight system. This anti-weight approach maintains the phase relationship between the flow passages by ensuring the barrier returns to its equilibrium position, thereby maintaining reliable operation while managing the added complexity through a well-defined mechanical restoring force.
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 differential buffer system effectively reduces the magnitude of pressure and flow fluctuations, minimizing noise and wear while maintaining system performance across varying conditions by using barriers that adjust dynamically to operational pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier is configured to move based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and the second internal volume
Implementation Method 2
the first flow passage and the second flow passage are configured to maintain a phase relationship of pressure fluctuations in the first flow passage and the second flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
Hydraulic systems and methods for reducing the propagation of flow and/or pressure fluctuations within a hydraulic system with a differential buffer are described. A differential buffer may include a first internal volume, a second internal volume, and a barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume. The barrier may move to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the first internal volume and the second internal volume by passive destructive interference.