Hydraulic Balancing Valve for Pressure-Equalized Ride Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic ride control systems for material moving machines face challenges in maintaining pressure balance between actuators and accumulators, leading to inefficiencies and potential bouncing issues when encountering uneven terrain, and existing solutions often introduce complexity or reduce ride control effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic balancing valve with a spool and biasing member that controls fluid flow between a pump, tank, and accumulator, allowing fluid communication changes based on pressure differentials to maintain equal pressure between the accumulator and hydraulic cylinder, thereby preventing flow when pressures are equal and allowing flow to balance pressures when imbalances occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple solenoid activated control valves are used to control hydraulic fluid flow, then pressure balance between accumulator and actuator can be maintained, but system complexity and potential fault points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single three-position spool valve that integrates the functions of multiple solenoid activated control valves. The spool valve consolidates pressure balance control, fluid flow direction control, and accumulator pressure regulation into one component, reducing the total number of valves and solenoids while maintaining the ability to maintain pressure balance between the accumulator and actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-position spool valve performs multiple functions simultaneously: it controls fluid flow between the pump and actuator, regulates accumulator pressure, maintains pressure balance, and provides a closed center position for system isolation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized valves for each function, reducing system complexity while improving reliability.
2Device complexity
If an orifice is used between accumulator and hydraulic cylinder, then system complexity is reduced, but ride control effectiveness decreases due to soft or bouncy feel
Solution Approach 1:
The spool valve provides dynamic control of fluid flow between the accumulator and hydraulic cylinder, adjusting the flow path based on pressure differentials and system conditions. Unlike a fixed orifice that creates a constant soft feel, the spool valve can actively regulate flow to maintain firm ride control effectiveness while still providing the simplicity of a single component design.
3Device complexity
If no load balancing is provided, then system complexity is minimized, but implement stability deteriorates due to uncontrolled actuator movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spool valve automatically maintains pressure balance between the accumulator and actuator through its own operation, using the pressure differential to drive spool movement that opens or closes flow paths as needed. This self-regulating mechanism provides load balancing and implement stability without requiring external control systems or additional components, achieving simplicity while maintaining stability.
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 reduces complexity and cost while maintaining effective ride control functionality by ensuring pressure balance between the accumulator and hydraulic cylinder, minimizing bouncing and maintaining stability during material handling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The spool is movable within the bore between: a first position in which the charge port and the tank port are in fluid communication with each other and the charge port and the pump port are in fluid isolation from each other, a second position in which the charge port, the tank port, and the pump port are in fluid isolation from each other, and a third position in which the charge port and the pump port are in fluid communication with each other and the charge port and the tank port are in fluid isolation from each other
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member is operatively connected to the body and spool to bias the spool to the second position and is configured to permit movement of the spool to the first position upon a first pressure differential between the first pressure surface and the second pressure surface
Data Source
AI summary
A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.