Variable Displacement Fuel Pump Cooling for Hot Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pressure-controlled pump systems face issues with oversizing due to variable pressure and flow requirements, and thermal conditions impact actuator operability and service life.
Innovation Solution
A fluid system with a boost pump, variable displacement pump, auxiliary pump, and control valve, along with actuator modules, where the auxiliary pump operates independently to manage pressure and temperature, using electromechanical actuators and control units to regulate fluid flow and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used to supply fluid to actuators, then the system structure is simple, but the pump must be oversized to accommodate limiting operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into a boost pump and a variable displacement pump. The boost pump provides initial pressurization, while the variable displacement pump adjusts flow to match actuator demands. This segmentation allows each pump to be appropriately sized for its specific function rather than one oversized pump handling all conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable displacement pump incorporates a valve element that can dynamically adjust the pump's output displacement based on system demands. This dynamic adjustment allows the pump to optimize its performance across varying operating conditions without requiring oversizing for peak demands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If actuators are located in high temperature environments, then the system can operate in demanding conditions, but the actuator operability and service life are impacted
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component between the actuator and the high temperature environment. The heat exchanger transfers heat away from the actuator, allowing the actuator to operate in a cooler, protected environment while the system remains adaptable to demanding external conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal load is extracted from the actuator through dedicated cooling pathways. The cooling system removes heat from the actuator separately from the main hydraulic fluid, isolating the actuator from high temperature effects and preserving its reliability and service life.
3Ease of operation
If pressure control is implemented for actuators, then actuator operation is optimized, but additional components and system complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve serves multiple functions: it regulates pressure to the actuator, controls flow to the variable displacement pump, and can facilitate cooling pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each control function, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining precise actuator control.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system includes a boost pump and a variable displacement pump along a main leg configured to output fluid within a pressure range and at variable flow rates. An auxiliary leg of the fluid system includes an auxiliary pump configured to receive a portion of the fluid from the main leg and to output pressurized fluid to a control valve of the variable displacement pump and multiple actuator modules. Each actuator module includes an electromechanical actuator and a collocated control unit.