Fluid Actuator Positioning with Elastic Buffer Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidically operable working systems face inefficiencies in energy utilization, particularly in achieving precise positioning and efficient energy use, as significant parts of the provided energy are converted into heat during braking processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves controlling a valve device to provide a specific volume of pressurized fluid to the first working chamber for acceleration and then closing it to ensure precise braking, with the second working chamber acting as an elastic fluid buffer, minimizing energy conversion to heat by optimizing fluid flow and pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the actuator member is braked by converting kinetic energy to heat during positioning, then the actuator member can reach the target position with high precision, but a significant part of the provided energy is converted into heat causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful kinetic energy that would normally be dissipated as heat during braking into useful work by using the second working chamber as an elastic fluid buffer. The fluid compression stores energy that can be recovered, transforming the braking process from an energy-wasting operation into an energy-recovering process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a fluid buffer in the second working chamber to absorb and store kinetic energy during deceleration. The compressible fluid acts as an elastic element that stores energy during compression and can release it during expansion, enabling energy recovery instead of heat dissipation.
2Reliability
If a large volume of pressurized fluid is supplied to the first working chamber to ensure the actuator member reaches the target position reliably, then positioning reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameters dynamically by using a compressible fluid buffer instead of maintaining constant high pressure. The fluid compression ratio and pressure levels are adjusted according to the motion phase, allowing reliable positioning with optimized energy consumption by matching pressure supply to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic fluid supply and release cycles synchronized with the actuator motion phases. Pressurized fluid is supplied during acceleration phases and released during deceleration phases when the fluid buffer compresses, creating a rhythmic pattern of energy input and recovery that improves reliability while reducing overall energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the actuator member is accelerated to high target speed to reduce movement time, then productivity is improved, but more energy is required and braking energy conversion to heat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful high-speed braking energy into useful stored energy by compressing the fluid buffer in the second working chamber during deceleration. This allows high-speed operation with energy recovery, converting what would be wasted heat into recoverable potential energy in the compressed fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic energy management by using a compressible fluid buffer that adapts to varying speeds. The system dynamically adjusts energy absorption and release based on the actuator's motion state, enabling high-speed operation while recovering energy during deceleration phases rather than dissipating it as heat.
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 approach enhances energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary energy conversion to heat, allowing the actuator member to reach target positions with minimal kinetic energy and maintaining a low pressure level, thus improving the overall energy utilization in fluidically operable working systems.
Implementation Method 1
provide a first specifiable volume of a pressurized fluid to the first working chamber in order to accelerate the actuator member
Implementation Method 2
the second working chamber acting as an elastic fluid buffer
Implementation Method 3
significant parts of the provided energy are converted into heat during braking processes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The method involves actuating a valve device (9) for provision of a predeterminable volume of a pressurized fluid to a work chamber (7) to accelerate an actuator link (4) from a start position on a predeterminable target speed. The valve device is actuated to close the work chamber. The valve device is actuated to enable diverting of another predeterminable volume of the pressurized fluid to another work chamber (8) such that deceleration of the actuator link to a predeterminable target position is ensured along an actuator housing (3). An independent claim is also included for a working system for provision of a position movement of an actuator.