Hydraulic Distributor Phase Shifter for Variable Phasing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hydraulic motor-pump systems face inefficiencies due to fixed angular phasing of the inlet-outlet distributor, which does not adapt to varying operating conditions such as pressure and displacement modes, leading to irrecoverable energy losses and suboptimal performance when switching between 'pump' and 'motor' modes.

Innovation Solution

A distributor phase shifter is introduced, allowing for variable angular positioning of the inlet-outlet distributor relative to the motor-pump frame, utilizing phase shift actuators and rotation drive mechanisms to adjust the distributor's position based on operating conditions, enabling continuous adjustment between extreme values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the angular phasing of the inlet-outlet distributor is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the energy efficiency deteriorates under varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddistributor positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the distributor's angular position variable rather than fixed. The distributor can rotate around its axis to change its angular phasing relative to the motor-pump frame, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions (pressure, displacement, pump/motor mode) and optimize energy efficiency dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the angular position parameter of the distributor. By changing this geometric parameter, the system optimizes the phasing between the distributor's angular manifolds and the central rotor's inlet-outlet channels, thereby reducing energy losses due to oil compressibility under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the angular position of the distributor is adjusted for optimal pump mode efficiency, then pump mode performance is improved, but motor mode efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump mode efficiencyVSAvoidmode adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor's angular position is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the system to switch between different optimal phasing positions depending on whether it operates in pump mode or motor mode. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain high efficiency across both operating modes rather than being optimized for only one mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor positioning mechanism provides universal functionality by serving both pump mode and motor mode operations with a single adjustable component. The same distributor, when positioned at different angular phases, optimizes performance for both pump and motor operations, eliminating the need for mode-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If the angular sector of the angular manifolds is made variable, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework loss due to compressibilityVSAvoidvariable angular sector mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The angular sector is made variable through the rotatable distributor mechanism. By rotating the distributor around its axis, the angular sector occupied by the angular manifolds changes relative to the fixed motor-pump frame, allowing optimization of the phasing between pressure zones and reducing energy losses due to oil compressibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the variable angular sector requirement by introducing rotational movement in a different dimension. Instead of making the manifolds themselves variable in complexity, the entire distributor assembly rotates to change the effective angular sector, achieving the desired effect through a simpler rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enhances the motor-pump's performance by optimizing energy efficiency and reducing energy losses by allowing the distributor's position to change with operating conditions, improving efficiency across different modes of operation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one phase-shift actuator (301) which bears directly or indirectly on the motor-pump frame (2) so as to be able to rotate around of its longitudinal axis and over a determined angular range the input-output distributor (43) by acting directly or indirectly on means of rotational drive (302)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3259476B1Distributor phase shifter for a hydraulic motor pump unit
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 RABHI VIANNEY
  • EP3259476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3259476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a phase shifter (300) of a valve for a hydraulic engine/pump, wherein said phase shifter is provided for a hydraulic engine/pump (1) that includes an engine/pump frame (2) and an engine/pump central rotor (3) to which an angular inlet/outlet manifold (44) for an inner pipe and an angular inlet/outlet manifold (89) for an outer pipe are connected via an inlet/outlet valve (43). Said phase shifter includes a phase shift actuator (301) that engages with the engine/pump frame (2) so as to rotate the inlet/outlet valve (43) about the longitudinal axis thereof and over a predetermined angular range.