Dual-Stroke Piston Pressure Regulator with Parallel Switching Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically driven pressure control and volume delivery systems, such as piston and gear pumps, face challenges in achieving precise pressure control and dynamic switching between forward and return strokes due to complex mechanical designs and high leakage rates, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator or motor-gear unit based on the double-piston principle with a hydraulic block design that connects the front and rear of the double-stroke piston via switching valves with large flow cross-sections, minimizing throttling losses and enabling rapid switching between different hydraulic active surfaces, along with the use of a pressure-volume characteristic curve for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three valves are connected in series between front and rear of double-stroke piston, then pressure control is possible, but switching speed between forward and return stroke is slow due to large throttle effect
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection is segmented into two parallel paths: one path contains switching valves with large flow cross-sections for rapid stroke switching, while the other path provides pressure control functionality. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of fast switching and precise pressure control without the throttling losses of series-connected valves.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic block with direct, short low-flow hydraulic lines acts as an intermediary connection between the front and rear chambers of the double-stroke piston. This intermediary provides a low-resistance path that enables rapid pressure equalization and fast switching between forward and return strokes.
2Measurement precision
If complex mechanical design with multiple valves is used, then pressure control capability is improved, but system reliability decreases due to multiple potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single switching valve with large flow cross-section. This consolidated valve design provides both rapid switching capability and pressure control functionality, eliminating the multiple failure points associated with series-connected valves while maintaining pressure control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses standard valves with smaller flow cross sections from series production, connected in parallel rather than series. This approach accepts that individual valves may have limited lifetimes but ensures system reliability through redundancy, and the standardization reduces complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If linear actuator is downsized, then system compactness and efficiency are improved, but force and torque requirements become more challenging to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different hydraulic active surfaces (cross-sectional areas) during operation. By adjusting the effective area ratio between front and rear chambers, the linear actuator experiences varying force requirements that optimize performance across different operating conditions, enabling downsizing while meeting force demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic active surface area ratio between front and rear chambers is changed as a controllable parameter. By optimizing this area ratio (preferred 1.5 to 2.5, preferably 2), the system achieves effective downsizing of the linear actuator while maintaining adequate force and torque capabilities through dynamic parameter adjustment.
4Speed
If rapid pressure equalization is required for dynamic switching, then switching speed is improved, but throttling losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful throttling effect is extracted and eliminated by providing a direct, short low-flow hydraulic line connection between chambers. This separate low-resistance path allows rapid pressure equalization without the energy losses associated with flow through restrictive valve passages, achieving fast switching without excessive throttling losses.
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
This solution allows for high delivery rates, precise pressure control, and dynamic switching between different effective cross-sectional areas, reducing the force and torque requirements of the linear actuator, leading to a downsized and more efficient pressure control system with improved reliability and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
connecting the front and rear of the double-stroke piston via switching valves with large flow cross-sections and direct connection of the front and rear side via a short, low-flow hydraulic line
Implementation Method 2
A double-stroke piston 1 acting on both sides can be moved in both directions over the path sk by a push rod piston 2
Implementation Method 3
The front and rear sides are directly connected via a short, low-flow hydraulic line which connects the first pressure chamber 3a with the second pressure chamber 3b
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure-volume delivery system comprising a piston-cylinder unit with a piston acting on both sides (dual-action reciprocating piston), said piston having at least two different active surfaces in corresponding pressure chambers and the pressure chambers being connected to at least one consumer via hydraulic lines. The delivery system also comprises a drive for the piston-cylinder unit. According to the invention, the pressure chambers and/or hydraulic lines are interconnected by means of at least one or more switching valves connected in parallel and having a large flow cross-section (AV) and via a short hydraulic line or lines with low flow resistance.