Hydraulic Cylinder Regeneration Using Rod-to-Piston Fluid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems require increased energy input to control the force and position of hydraulically actuatable components, as they constantly drain hydraulic medium to a tank, leading to inefficiencies and susceptibility to faults.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system design that includes a connecting line between the rod chamber and the proportional pressure control valve for the piston chamber, allowing regenerative operation by using displaced fluid from the rod chamber to directly support the piston side, and utilizing proportional pressure control valves to manage pressure differentials for efficient force regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic medium is constantly drained to tank to control force and position, then force and position control is achieved, but energy consumption increases and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rod chamber and piston chamber into a single functional unit by connecting them through a connecting line. This allows the hydraulic medium discharged from the rod chamber to be directly reused for piston chamber pressurization, eliminating the need to drain to tank and reducing energy consumption while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the hydraulic medium that would otherwise be discarded to the tank. By routing the discharged medium from the rod chamber through a connecting line back to the piston chamber, the system recovers both the hydraulic fluid and its pressure energy, reducing the need for constant pump operation and lowering energy consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If proportional pressure control valves are used for force regulation, then force control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting line serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure equalization path, a fluid return line, and a means for regenerative braking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining precise force control through the proportional pressure control valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting line acts as an intermediary between the rod chamber and piston chamber, mediating the transfer of hydraulic medium and pressure. This intermediary structure enables precise force control by allowing controlled pressure differential while avoiding the need for complex additional control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic medium is drained to tank for force adjustment, then force adjustment range is expanded, but loss of hydraulic medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting line establishes a continuous circulation path for the hydraulic medium between the rod chamber and piston chamber. This continuous action allows force adjustment through pressure differential control without interrupting the hydraulic medium circulation, eliminating the need to drain to tank and preventing hydraulic medium loss.
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
Enables energy-efficient force regulation and position adjustment of the piston rod unit, reducing energy consumption and minimizing faults by leveraging pressure differentials between the rod and piston sides.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing proportional pressure control valves to manage pressure differentials for efficient force regulation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hydraulic system having a hydraulically actuable working cylinder which has a cylinder housing with a piston-rod unit that is guided in longitudinal movement therein, is actuable in opposite directions and subdivides the cylinder housing into a piston chamber and a rod chamber, and having two proportional pressure control valves, of which one is assigned to the piston chamber and the other is assigned to the rod chamber, wherein a connecting line is connected in a fluid-conducting connection between the rod chamber and the proportional pressure control valve assigned to the rod chamber, said connecting line being guided to an input side of the proportional pressure control valve for the piston chamber such that, when the piston-rod unit is extended, the fluid displaced from the rod chamber passes into the piston chamber of the cylinder housing.