Hydraulic Buffer Fast Startup Plunger Receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic hammers face challenges in reducing startup time and fluid waste, with existing accumulator systems not effectively managing pulsating fluid flows and vibrations, leading to inefficiencies and noise.

Innovation Solution

The accumulator assembly features a vessel divided by a flexible membrane into gas and liquid chambers, with a plunger and receptacle system that reduces startup time and recycles fluid, minimizing waste by utilizing an initial fluid system and fluid circuit to manage pressurized fluid and inert gas interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a traditional accumulator system is used, then fluid storage is provided, but startup time is extended and fluid waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestartup timeVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger is pre-positioned within the receptacle in a ready state before operation begins. This preliminary positioning allows the plunger to immediately displace fluid into the accumulator chamber when activation occurs, eliminating startup delays and enabling immediate pressurization of the hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state and positioning parameters of the plunger from a static traditional accumulator configuration to a pre-positioned active state within the receptacle. This parameter change enables rapid fluid displacement and immediate system pressurization, significantly reducing startup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If existing accumulator systems manage pulsating fluid flows, then fluid storage is achieved, but vibrations and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibrations and noiseVSAvoidfluid flow management

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane converts the harmful pulsating fluid flows and vibrations into beneficial pressure equalization. The membrane's flexibility allows it to absorb and dampen pressure surges and vibrations, transforming what would be harmful mechanical oscillations into smooth pressure regulation, thereby reducing noise and vibrations while maintaining reliable fluid flow management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible membrane is introduced as a thin film separating the fluid chamber from the gas chamber. This flexible shell absorbs and dampens pulsating fluid flows and vibrations, converting mechanical oscillations into pressure equalization, thereby reducing harmful vibrations and noise while maintaining effective fluid flow management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of substance

If fluid is continuously supplied to the accumulator, then pressurization is maintained, but fluid waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid wasteVSAvoidpressurization level

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system recycles fluid that would otherwise be wasted by using the plunger to actively displace and transfer fluid into the accumulator chamber. This recovery mechanism ensures that fluid is reused efficiently, minimizing fluid waste while maintaining the necessary pressurization levels for hammer operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The initial fluid system with the plunger and receptacle is configured to automatically provide the necessary fluid to the accumulator chamber without requiring continuous external supply. The system serves itself by using the plunger's movement to displacement fluid into the chamber, maintaining pressurization while minimizing fluid waste through self-regulated fluid management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces startup time, alleviates vibrations and noise, and recycles fluid, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing fluid waste in hydraulic hammer systems.

Implementation Method 1

The membrane may divide the vessel into a gas chamber and a liquid chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressibility of gas: Compression

Implementation Method 2

an accumulator assembly for a hammer assembly is provided. The accumulator assembly includes a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic accumulation: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 3

fluid pressure to drive a reciprocating piston and a work tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

The membrane may divide the vessel into a gas chamber and a liquid chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10245714B2Hydraulic buffer with fast startup

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An accumulator assembly includes a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The accumulator assembly includes a flexible membrane extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The membrane may divide the vessel into a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber. The accumulator assembly includes a receptacle located proximate the vessel. The receptacle may be in fluid communication with the second interior chamber. The accumulator assembly includes a plunger located at least partially within the receptacle.