Hydraulic Actuator Position Sensing via Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for monitoring the operating state of bidirectionally actuated hydraulic actuators in transmission devices are complex and costly, requiring expensive sensors or multiple limit switches, which increases design complexity and operational effort.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a simple pressure sensor or pressure switch to monitor the position of a piston element by connecting areas subjected to hydraulic pressure via throttle devices and a pressure measuring device, allowing for direct sensing in the hydraulic actuation area without the need for complex sensors or switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If displacement sensors or pressure sensors are used to monitor the function of bidirectionally actuated hydraulic actuators, then the position of the piston can be determined, but the design complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary pressure sensing system that indirectly determines piston position through pressure measurements in the hydraulic fluid, rather than directly measuring piston displacement. This mediator approach (pressure sensor + hydraulic fluid) simplifies the measurement system while maintaining position determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical displacement sensors with a simpler pressure-based sensing system. By substituting direct mechanical position measurement with pressure field measurement, the system achieves position determination with less complex components
2Reliability
If multiple limit switches are installed to determine piston position, then the position can be monitored, but the design complexity and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple position monitoring functions into a single pressure sensing system. Instead of using separate limit switches for different positions, one pressure sensor monitors the hydraulic pressure to determine all relevant piston positions, reducing the number of components and simplifying operation
3Measurement precision
If telemetric measurement data determination is used to monitor rotating transmission components, then the operating state can be determined, but the system can only be operated with great effort in series use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure as the measurement medium to determine piston position. By utilizing the hydraulic fluid already present in the actuator system, the invention eliminates the need for separate telemetric measurement systems, enabling parallel operation and improving productivity
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 solution provides a structurally simpler and cost-effective method for determining the operating state of hydraulic actuators, reducing design complexity and operational effort while maintaining accurate position sensing.
Implementation Method 1
which can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure in the area of active surfaces of a piston element
Implementation Method 2
Areas of the actuating device that can be subjected to hydraulic pressure and are assigned to the effective surfaces of the piston element are connected to one another in positions of the piston element between the end positions via a throttle device
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) is described for determining an operating state of at least one bidirectionally actuable hydraulic adjusting device (2, 3) of a shifting element (4, 5) of a transmission device which can be subjected to hydraulic pressure (p_sys) in the region of each of the operative surfaces (6 to 9) of a piston element (10, 11). When a hydraulic pressure (p_sys) of a high-pressure region (34) is applied to the piston element (10) in the region of a first operative surface (6), a force component acting in the direction of a first end position of the piston element (10) is applied, and, when the hydraulic pressure (p_sys) of the high-pressure region (34) is applied in the region of a second operative surface (7), a force component acting in the direction of a second end position of the piston element (10) is applied. Regions (12 to 15) of the adjusting device (2, 3) that can be subjected to hydraulic pressure (p_sys) and are associated with the operative surfaces (6 to 9) of the piston element (10, 11) are connected to one another via a throttle device (16, 17) in positions of the piston element (10, 11) between the end positions. One of the regions (12 to 15) in each case can be coupled to the high-pressure region (34) and the other to a low-pressure region (18) in order to adjust the piston element (10, 11). A further throttling device (21) is provided upstream of the low-pressure region (18) and a pressure-measuring device (22) is provided in turn upstream of the further throttling device (21).