Hydraulic Pressure Amplifier Control Without End-of-Stroke Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic pressure amplifiers are complex, expensive, and prone to pressure pulses due to brutal reversal of piston direction, limiting their performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic pressure amplifier system with electronic control means, utilizing a distributor controlled by a time base to manage piston movement, reducing the number of components and eliminating mechanical end-of-race detection, thereby smoothing piston displacement and avoiding pressure pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical end-of-stroke detection with detection valves is used to control piston movement, then the piston can be precisely controlled to achieve pressure amplification, but the system becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston movement controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical detection valve system with an electronic control system. A position sensor detects the piston's actual position and sends signals to a microprocessor, which then controls the distributor to adjust piston movement. This substitution of mechanical detection with electronic sensing and processing simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control loop where the position sensor continuously monitors the piston position and feeds this information back to the microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the actual position with the desired position and adjusts the distributor control accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise piston control without requiring complex mechanical end-of-stroke detection valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If mechanical end-of-stroke detection valves are used, then piston position can be detected, but pressure pulsations occur due to sudden reversal of piston direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston position detectionVSAvoidpressure pulsation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static, abrupt piston reversal controlled by mechanical end-of-stroke valves to dynamic, continuously adjustable piston movement controlled by electronic signals. The microprocessor can modulate the distributor control in real-time based on position feedback, enabling smooth acceleration and deceleration of the piston. This dynamic control eliminates the sudden direction reversals that cause pressure pulsations while maintaining precise position detection through the position sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If successive cycles of supplying and discharging the inlet chamber are used to move the piston, then pressure amplification is achieved, but the system produces noise and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure amplificationVSAvoidnoise and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action through the cyclic operation of the distributor, which is controlled by the microprocessor based on position feedback. The distributor periodically switches between supplying and discharging the inlet chamber, creating controlled cycles of piston movement. This periodic control, when properly synchronized and modulated, achieves the necessary pressure amplification while the smooth transition control reduces the intensity of noise and vibrations compared to uncontrolled mechanical cycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 higher performance hydraulic pressure amplification system with reduced complexity, cost, and noise, ensuring efficient and smooth pressure amplification without pulsation, suitable for applications like trailer braking systems.

Implementation Method 1

When hydraulic pressure is applied to a low-pressure inlet chamber on the large-section piston section, a higher pressure is collected in an outlet chamber containing the small-section piston section. The pressure ratio between the pressure applied in the inlet chamber and the pressure prevailing in the outlet chamber is equal to the ratio between the sections of the two piston sections.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPascal's law: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

the means for controlling the movement of the piston integrated into the hydraulic pressure amplifier are formed of an electronic control piloted by means for estimating the end of travel of the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3728863B1System comprising a hydraulic pressure amplifier
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 POCLAIN HYDRAULICS IND
  • EP3728863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3728863B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3728863B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention concerns a hydraulic pressure amplifier device comprising a casing (10) having two chambers (12, 14) of different cross-sections which house a staged piston (20) comprising two piston sections (22, 24) with cross-sections respectively matching the chambers (12, 14), and means (30) for controlling the movement of the piston (20), characterised by the fact that the control means (30) are formed of an electronic control driven by means for estimating the ends-of-stroke of the piston (20) without an end-of-stroke sensor or mechanical stop.