Fluid Circuit Pressure Booster Energy Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The hydraulic circuit used in hydraulic excavators faces inefficiencies in energy utilization, particularly when the load on the piston changes, as the pressure accumulated in the accumulator is not effectively reused when external forces are applied, leading to suboptimal regeneration of pressure oil.
Innovation Solution
A fluid circuit that includes a pressure booster and a second accumulator, connected via switching valves, to boost and accumulate pressure fluid, allowing for efficient reuse of energy even when the pressure is low, and a control valve to manage flow rates between the accumulators for optimal energy utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pressure fluid is accumulated in an accumulator during piston return, then energy of pressure fluid can be collected, but when external force is applied to the bucket, the accumulated pressure is insufficient for effective regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure booster is introduced as an intermediary device between the accumulator and the cylinder. The pressure booster receives low-pressure fluid from the accumulator and transforms it into high-pressure fluid that can effectively drive the piston during regeneration, even when external forces are applied to the bucket.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure booster changes the pressure parameter of the accumulated fluid. By using a piston with different sectional areas on its two sides, the device transforms low-pressure high-volume fluid from the accumulator into high-pressure low-volume fluid suitable for driving the main cylinder under load conditions.
2Device complexity
If a single accumulator is used to store return pressure fluid, then the system structure remains simple, but the pressure fluid cannot be effectively reused when load conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure booster acts as a mediator that adapts the accumulated pressure fluid to different load conditions. It enables the system to handle varying pressure requirements by transforming the fixed-pressure output of the accumulator into the variable high-pressure output needed during different operating conditions.
3Device complexity
If pressure fluid from the accumulator is directly supplied to the cylinder, then the circuit remains simple, but pressure losses occur in the oil passages and switching valve
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure booster is positioned strategically in the circuit to intercept the return pressure fluid before it loses energy through passages and valves. By boosting the pressure at this intermediate point, the system recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, and the boosted pressure compensates for subsequent pressure drops in the regeneration path.
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 configuration enhances the utilization of pressure fluid energy by boosting low-pressure fluid and accumulating it in a second accumulator, enabling effective regeneration and reduced power consumption in the hydraulic system.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure booster (42) connected in hydraulically parallel to the first accumulator (27), the pressure booster (42) to communicate with the second chamber (5-2) when the pressure fluid is supplied to the first chamber (5-1) and to boost pressure of the pressure fluid by using part of the pressure fluid from the second chamber (5-2)
Implementation Method 2
an accumulator (27) that accumulates pressure fluid discharged from the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid circuit includes a pressure fluid source, a switching valve, and a cylinder device having first and second chambers and partitioned by a piston. A first accumulator is configured to communicate with the second chamber when pressure fluid is supplied to the first chamber and to accumulate part of the pressure fluid from the second chamber. A pressure booster is connected in hydraulically parallel to the first accumulator, the pressure booster communicative with the second chamber when the pressure fluid is supplied to the first chamber to boost pressure of the pressure fluid by using part of the pressure fluid from the second chamber. A second accumulator accumulates the pressure fluid whose pressure is boosted by the pressure booster.