Hydraulic Actuator Locking Unit for Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic actuators face errors in valve operation due to insufficient hydraulic pressure and fluid leakage caused by clearance differences between the engagement of the rack gear and pinion gear, leading to inaccurate valve control.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuator with a limit adjustable mechanical lock that includes a housing, side covers, holders, and a locking unit, where the locking unit is axially movable and uses balls and springs to lock or unlock the piston based on hydraulic pressure, ensuring the valve operates correctly only under preset pressure and preventing operation errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston to rotate and open/close the valve, then the valve operation speed is improved, but errors occur in valve operation when hydraulic pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking unit is engaged in advance before hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston. This preliminary mechanical locking ensures that the piston cannot move unless the locking unit is first disengaged, preventing erroneous valve operation due to insufficient hydraulic pressure. The locking unit acts as a prerequisite condition that must be satisfied before the hydraulic actuation can occur.
2Ease of operation
If the rack gear of the piston is engaged with the pinion gear to rotate the valve, then the valve can be opened or closed, but fluid leakage occurs due to clearance differences between engagement moments
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking unit is engaged in advance to establish a precise reference position for the piston before hydraulic pressure is applied. This preliminary positioning eliminates clearance differences by ensuring the piston starts from a known, precisely defined position, thereby preventing fluid leakage that would otherwise occur due to engagement timing variations between the rack gear and pinion gear.
3Device complexity
If the piston is allowed to move freely by hydraulic pressure, then the valve operation is simple, but the locking state cannot be maintained under insufficient hydraulic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking unit serves as an intermediary mechanism between the piston and the hydraulic pressure system. It mediates the interaction by providing a mechanical constraint that supplements the hydraulic pressure, ensuring the locking state is maintained even when hydraulic pressure is insufficient. The locking unit acts as a backup or supporting mechanism that works in conjunction with the hydraulic system.
4Manufacturing precision
If mechanical locking units are inserted into the housing to lock the piston, then valve operation accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking unit is integrated with the hydraulic actuator components rather than being completely separate. The locking unit shares the same housing and coordinate system with the piston and hydraulic components, merging multiple functions into a coordinated system. This integration reduces the overall structural complexity compared to having completely independent locking and actuation systems.
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 hydraulic actuator accurately and stably maintains valve operability by locking the piston under preset pressure, preventing errors and fluid leakage, and allowing for simple adjustment of the coupling structure to remove operating clearance, ensuring precise valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
spring elastic force to lock or unlock the piston and a fluid passage extending from the housing to each of the side covers
Implementation Method 2
a piston formed integrally with a rack gear is moved by a predetermined distance through hydraulic pressure to rotate a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear of the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic actuator to which a limit-adjustable mechanical lock device is applied, comprising: a housing having a first hole; side covers coupled at both sides of the housing, and having holder insertion holes formed to be opened toward the first hole side of the housing, and plugs; a first holder of which one side of the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the holder insertion hole at the plug side of the side cover by screw coupling; a second holder fitted and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the side cover and having one end thereof screw-coupled to the second hole of the first holder; a locking means into which a rod is inserted so as to be movable in an axial direction at a predetermined distance across the second hole of the first holder and the third hole of the second holder.