Hydraulic Block Layout for Bidirectional Pump Cavitation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transportation refrigeration systems in railway applications face operational challenges due to the bidirectional rotation of hydraulic pumps, which can cause cavitation issues in the priming pump when the direction of wheel rotation changes, disrupting hydraulic fluid pressure and power generation consistency.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic block with check valves and a pressure regulator is integrated between the hydraulic pump and motor, ensuring hydraulic fluid flow is directed consistently into the motor inlet, regardless of pump direction, maintaining consistent priming pump operation and hydraulic fluid pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hydraulic pump operates in bidirectional rotation to adapt to railway wheel rotation directions, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but cavitation issues occur in the priming pump disrupting hydraulic fluid pressure stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to wheel rotation directionVSAvoidhydraulic fluid pressure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A hydraulic block is introduced as an intermediary component between the bidirectional hydraulic pump and the unidirectional priming pump. This hydraulic block contains directional control valves that mediate the bidirectional hydraulic flow from the pump and convert it into unidirectional flow for the priming pump, thereby allowing the system to adapt to wheel rotation direction changes while maintaining priming pump operation stability and preventing cavitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hydraulic pump rotates in opposite directions based on wheel rotation, then the system can power the refrigeration unit in both directions, but the priming pump operation becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional power generation capabilityVSAvoidpriming pump operation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the priming pump bidirectional to match the pump's bidirectional rotation, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the priming pump unidirectional and using the hydraulic block to invert the bidirectional flow from the pump into unidirectional flow for the priming pump. This inversion strategy simplifies the priming pump operation while maintaining bidirectional power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If check valves are added to the hydraulic block to direct flow consistently, then the priming pump operates consistently in one direction, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepriming pump operation consistencyVSAvoidhydraulic block structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic block is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it directs hydraulic flow to the motor inlet passage regardless of pump direction, regulates pressure through an integrated pressure regulator, and guides flow to the priming pump inlet through check valves. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single hydraulic block, the invention achieves reliable priming pump operation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration ensures the hydraulic motor and priming pump operate in a consistent direction, preventing cavitation and maintaining stable hydraulic fluid pressure, thus providing reliable electrical power generation for refrigeration units regardless of wheel rotation direction.

Implementation Method 1

The hydraulic block including a plurality of check valves interconnected with a plurality of hydraulic passages to direct hydraulic fluid flow through the hydraulic block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve: Valve

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic motor operably connected to the hydraulic pump to convert hydraulic flow into electrical power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a pressure regulator... to maintain a selected hydraulic fluid pressure in the electrical power generation system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11268546B2Flush pump and hydraulic system

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

An electrical power generation system includes a hydraulic pump configured to be switchable between operating in a first pump direction and in a second pump direction opposite the first pump direction and a hydraulic motor operably connected to the hydraulic pump to convert hydraulic flow into electrical power. The hydraulic motor has a motor inlet passage and a motor outlet passage. A hydraulic block is located in flow communication with the hydraulic pump and with the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic block is configured such that hydraulic fluid flow exiting the hydraulic block toward the hydraulic motor is directed through the motor inlet passage, regardless of whether the hydraulic pump is operating in the first pump or the second pump direction.