Hybrid Hydraulic Pump Control for Fast Flow Demand Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic power units with passive valve hydraulic pumps struggle to quickly respond to changes in fluid flow demands, leading to inefficiencies in dynamic testing systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a hydraulic power unit that combines active valve hydraulic pumps and passive valve hydraulic pumps, with each type of pump activated based on pressure setpoints to efficiently manage hydraulic fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passive valve hydraulic pumps are used to provide large volumetric hydraulic fluid flows, then the hydraulic power unit can efficiently generate high flow rates, but the system is unable to quickly respond to changes in fluid flow demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines active valve hydraulic pumps and passive valve hydraulic pumps into a single hybrid power unit. The active valve pumps provide fast response capability while the passive valve pumps deliver high volumetric flow efficiency, allowing the system to achieve both rapid response to flow demand changes and efficient large-scale fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between active and passive valve pump modes based on real-time flow demand conditions. The controller monitors system requirements and activates the appropriate pump type, enabling the hydraulic power unit to adapt its response characteristics and flow generation capabilities to match varying operational demands.
2Speed
If active valve hydraulic pumps are used to quickly respond to flow demand changes, then the system response speed improves, but the ability to efficiently provide large volumetric hydraulic fluid flows is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid power unit integrates both active and passive valve hydraulic pumps, allowing the system to leverage the fast response of active pumps while simultaneously utilizing the high volumetric flow efficiency of passive pumps. This combination enables the system to achieve both rapid response and large-scale efficient fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically selects between active and passive valve pump modes based on flow demand characteristics. When rapid response is needed, active pumps are activated; when large volumetric flow is required, passive pumps are engaged, optimizing system performance across different operational conditions.
3Speed
If a hybrid system with both active and passive valve pumps is implemented, then the system can respond rapidly to flow demand changes while maintaining efficient large flow generation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic power unit is segmented into distinct active valve pump and passive valve pump subsystems, each with dedicated functions. This modular segmentation allows independent optimization of each pump type while maintaining overall system coordination through the controller, managing complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid pump system provides multi-functionality by combining the rapid response capability of active valve pumps with the high volumetric efficiency of passive valve pumps in a single integrated unit. This universal design allows the system to handle diverse operational requirements without needing separate dedicated systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hydraulic power unit (110) includes a reservoir (136) containing hydraulic fluid, a main output (133), a pressure sensor (140), at least one active valve hydraulic pump (130A) and at least one passive valve hydraulic pump (130B). A main flow (106) of the hydraulic fluid is discharged through the main output. The pressure sensor includes a pressure signal (142) that is indicative of a pressure of the main flow. Each active valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a first flow portion (132A) of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output when the pressure signal is below a first pressure setpoint. Each passive valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a second flow portion (132B) of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output when the pressure signal is below a second pressure setpoint.