Gas Input Quantity Control for Energy Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy recovery systems for working machines, such as load lifting arms, require large hydraulic accumulators that occupy significant space and increase operational weight, and their performance is affected by temperature changes, leading to undesirable changes in the force-displacement characteristic, which affects energy efficiency and reliability across varying ambient temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically adjusts the gas input quantity in an energy recovery cylinder or recuperator using a control device with parallel valve units, including a pressure-reducing and pressure-relief valve, to maintain a predeterminable force-displacement characteristic, allowing for efficient energy recovery and adaptation to temperature changes without significant delay or increased complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If large hydraulic accumulators are used for energy recovery, then energy recovery capacity is improved, but installation space and operational weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recovery capacityVSAvoidoperational weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the gas charge by automatically adjusting its quantity and pressure through a control device with valve units. This allows the recuperator to maintain optimal performance across varying temperatures without requiring oversized accumulators, thereby reducing weight while preserving energy recovery capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors the state of the gas charge and automatically adjusts its quantity and pressure through valve units based on temperature and pressure conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures the recuperator maintains consistent force-displacement characteristics without requiring excessive gas volume, reducing the need for large accumulators and associated weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If gas charge quantity is increased to compensate for temperature changes, then force-displacement characteristic stability is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce-displacement characteristic stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent automatically adjusts the quantity and pressure parameters of the gas charge based on temperature conditions. The control device modifies these parameters in response to temperature changes, maintaining stable force-displacement characteristics without requiring complex manual intervention or oversized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device provides automatic feedback control by monitoring system conditions and adjusting gas charge quantity and pressure through valve units. This maintains force-displacement characteristic stability without adding excessive system complexity, as the control mechanism responds automatically to temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual adjustment of gas charge is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to temperature changes and operational reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to temperature changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically monitors and adjusts gas charge quantity and pressure based on temperature and pressure conditions. This feedback mechanism provides adaptability to temperature changes without significantly increasing system complexity, as the control system integrates seamlessly with the existing recuperator architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of gas charge parameters through the control device and valve units, which automatically respond to temperature and pressure changes. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining operational simplicity and improving adaptability to varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If gas pressure is increased to maintain force characteristics at low temperatures, then force-displacement characteristic consistency is improved, but risk of over-pressurization and system damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce-displacement characteristic consistencyVSAvoidover-pressurization risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors pressure conditions and automatically adjusts gas charge quantity and pressure through valve units. This feedback control prevents over-pressurization by reducing gas charge when pressure exceeds safe thresholds, while maintaining force-displacement characteristic consistency within the safe operating range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts gas charge parameters based on real-time temperature and pressure conditions. The control device modifies gas quantity and pressure dynamically, allowing the system to maintain optimal force characteristics at low temperatures while automatically preventing over-pressurization through responsive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system ensures reliable energy recovery with minimal energy consumption, maintains consistent force-displacement characteristics across an extended temperature range, and is cost-effective by avoiding complex heat exchanger units, allowing the same system to function effectively in diverse ambient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

one valve unit is a pressure reducing valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

the other valve unit is a pressure limiting valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

the pressure of the gas input quantity can change during operation by compression or expansion and/or with changing operating and ambient temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 4

a compression device with which, in the event of expansion of the working gas, a corresponding compression quantity can be compressed into the working system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3033531B1System for automatically adjusting a predeterminable gas input volume and an actuation device with such a system
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 HYDAC TECH GMBH
  • EP3033531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for the automatic adaptation of a predefinable gas input quantity (10) in a working system (12) with system components (14, 16) which can be moved relative to one another, in which the pressure of the gas input quantity (10) can be changed during operation by way of compression or expansion and/or in the case of changing operating and ambient temperatures, wherein an accumulator system (18) with a predefinable accumulator volume (20) can be connected via a control device (22) to the working system (12) in such a way that, in the case of a compression within the working system (12), part of the gas input quantity (10) can be output as accumulator quantity (24) to the accumulator system (18) and. in the case of an expansion within the working system (12), can be fed to the working system (12) again as a gas input quantity (10) in a manner which can be recalled from the accumulator system (18), serves, in particular, for equalizing changes in the temperature in the working system (12) and/or in the surroundings thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to an actuating device.