Hydraulic Pressure Amplifier With Accumulator for Peak Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standardized onboard hydraulic supply systems in work vehicles become inefficient due to the need to support a wide range of auxiliary power-consuming systems and intermittent high-pressure demands, leading to oversized pumps that consume excessive power and experience energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fluid pressure amplifier system that uses a boost cylinder assembly, energy storage device, and working cylinder assembly to increase the pressure of a received hydraulic fluid from a nominal pressure to a higher amplified pressure, utilizing the nominal pressure of the source fluid to power the system and deliver the higher pressure to hydraulic consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydraulic pump is sized to support peak power loading for intermittent high-pressure demands, then the system can meet maximum pressure and flow requirements, but the pump consumes excessive sustained power during continuous operation at lower pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump output by using a motor operator to rotate a control member that adjusts the pump's displacement or flow rate based on actual system demand. This allows the pump to operate at lower power levels during continuous low-pressure operation while still being capable of meeting peak high-pressure demands when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-pressurizes an accumulator with nitrogen gas to a predetermined pressure level before peak demand occurs. When high-pressure flow is needed, the accumulator rapidly discharges stored hydraulic fluid, providing immediate peak pressure support without requiring the pump to sustain high power output continuously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large variable pump is specified to deliver required aggregate pressures and flows, then the system can satisfy diverse hydraulic consumer demands, but it is inefficient to have the pump stand ready at all times to deliver high pressure when only intermittently needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by accumulating hydraulic energy in the accumulator during low-demand periods and releasing it during high-demand periods. This allows the pump to operate intermittently at lower power levels rather than continuously at peak capacity, reducing energy waste while maintaining the ability to support diverse hydraulic consumers when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the pump and the hydraulic consumers. It decouples the pump's output from the consumers' demand, allowing the pump to operate efficiently at varying levels while the accumulator buffers and delivers high pressure when required by diverse consumers.
3Ease of operation
If high-pressure oil is dumped over relief and directed to the lubrication and cooling system, then the transmission can receive adequate flow, but direct energy loss occurs as pressure drops from high to low
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously harmful pressure drop into a beneficial process by using the pressure differential productively. The accumulator stores energy at high pressure and delivers it to the lubrication and cooling system when needed, converting what was previously wasted energy loss into useful work that actually benefits the hydraulic consumers.
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 efficiently raises the hydraulic fluid pressure, reducing the need for additional pumps or motors and minimizing energy losses, while providing the necessary high pressure only when required, thus optimizing energy use and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
movement of the plunger member received in the boost cylinder compresses a charge fluid within a blind side volume of the boost cylinder from a first fluid pressure to an amplified fluid pressure greater than the first pressure
Implementation Method 2
The energy storage device is operable to selectively receive and store a portion of the charge fluid compressed to the amplified fluid pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic fluid pressure amplifier system includes a boost cylinder assembly, an energy storage device in fluid communication with the boost cylinder assembly, and a working cylinder assembly. The boost cylinder assembly is configured to selectively receive a plunger member into a boost cylinder, wherein movement of the plunger member received in the boost cylinder compresses a charge fluid within a blind side volume of the boost cylinder from a first fluid pressure to an amplified fluid pressure greater than the first pressure. The working cylinder assembly is selectively operable responsive to receiving a source hydraulic fluid having a nominal fluid pressure less than the amplified fluid pressure for effecting the movement of the plunger member into the boost cylinder. The energy storage device is operable to selectively receive and store a portion of the charge fluid compressed to the amplified fluid pressure.