Fluid Power Gearing System for Constant Volume Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid power systems convert fluid energy into mechanical motion primarily through fluid volume expansion, which limits efficiency and can result in substantial fluid volume changes, leading to inefficiencies and potential leakage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a gearing system that converts fluid energy into mechanical motion while maintaining a substantially constant fluid volume, using pressurized fluid to repel a moving member and set in motion a gearing mechanism, allowing the member to move along an underlying surface without significant fluid volume change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If fluid volume expansion is used to convert fluid energy to mechanical motion, then mechanical motion is generated, but fluid volume changes substantially leading to leakage and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical motion generationVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional fluid volume expansion mechanism with a mechanical gearing system. Pressurized fluid acts on a moving member (plate or disk) to generate mechanical motion, which is then transmitted through gears and rack gears. This substitution maintains constant fluid volume while achieving the same mechanical output, eliminating leakage issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a moving member (plate or disk) as an intermediary between the pressurized fluid and the mechanical output. The fluid pressurizes this intermediary component, which then drives the gearing mechanism. This intermediary approach allows fluid energy conversion without requiring fluid volume expansion, thereby preventing leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If fluid volume expansion is used to convert fluid energy to mechanical motion, then mechanical motion is generated, but efficiency is reduced due to substantial fluid volume changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical motion generationVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inefficient fluid volume expansion process with a mechanical gearing system driven by pressurized fluid acting on a moving member. This substitution eliminates energy losses associated with fluid compression and expansion, significantly improving overall system efficiency while maintaining the same mechanical power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If a gearing system is used to convert fluid energy to mechanical motion with constant fluid volume, then efficiency is enhanced and leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidgearing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fluid volume expansion function from the system, separating it from the mechanical motion generation process. By removing this problematic function and replacing it with a dedicated moving member and gearing system, the patent achieves efficiency improvements while containing complexity in specific modular components rather than throughout the entire fluid system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 efficiency by maintaining constant fluid volume, reducing leakage, and enabling precise mechanical motion, as demonstrated in various apparatuses including inclined plane, rotating disk, and cylindrical drum implementations.

Implementation Method 1

The pressurized fluid in the gap repels the plate away from the underlying surface, thereby causing (i) the first rack gear to move linearly and the first gear to rotate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10753348B2Apparatuses and systems for converting fluid energy to mechanical motion

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 BOLGER DAVID V

AI summary

An example apparatus includes: a plate configured to move along an underlying surface via a layer of fluid disposed in a gap between the plate and the underlying surface, where pressurized fluid forms the layer of fluid in the gap; a first rack gear coupled to the plate and meshing with a first gear; and a second rack gear coupled to a second gear. The second rack gear is fixed, and the second gear is coupled to the first gear. The pressurized fluid in the gap repels the plate away from the underlying surface, thereby causing (i) the first rack gear to move linearly and the first gear to rotate, (ii) the second gear to rotate and move along the second rack gear, and (iii) the plate to move along the underlying surface.