Hydraulic Axial Machine Feedback Assembly for Low-Hysteresis Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic axial displacement machines lack effective control and feedback systems, leading to inefficiencies in volumetric displacement regulation and increased hysteresis due to direct mechanical contact and lack of modular design.

Innovation Solution

A feedback assembly with a spool, spool actuator, pivotal feedback arm, and feedback piston, utilizing compound springs and separate modules for forward and reverse motion, provides proportional feedback information and reduces friction through spring-loaded mechanisms, enabling improved control and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a feedback system is implemented to regulate volumetric displacement, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where a feedback piston is coupled to the swashplate through a feedback arm. The feedback piston moves in response to swashplate position changes and provides feedback pressure to a spool valve, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically regulates volumetric displacement without requiring complex external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback piston acts as an intermediary element between the swashplate and the spool valve. It converts swashplate position changes into pressure signals that automatically control the spool valve position, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors and control circuits while maintaining precise control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If direct mechanical contact is used in the feedback mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but hysteresis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidhysteresis
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact with hydraulic coupling through the feedback piston. The feedback piston is acted upon by hydraulic pressure from the servo-piston and transmits this pressure to the spool valve through fluid coupling, eliminating mechanical friction and hysteresis while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Device complexity

If a single control module is used for both forward and reverse motion, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into separate forward motion and reverse motion modules. Each module has its own spool valve, feedback piston, and associated control lines, allowing independent optimization and control of forward and reverse operations while maintaining overall system coherence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of repair

If modular design is implemented for forward and reverse motion modules, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into modular forward and reverse motion units, each containing complete control functionality. These modules can be independently removed, repaired, or replaced without affecting the other module, significantly easing maintenance while the modular architecture itself provides clarity that offsets the perceived complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances control precision, reduces hysteresis, and allows for modular assembly and maintenance, providing improved reliability and redundancy in hydraulic axial displacement machines.

Implementation Method 1

a feedback spring, the feedback spring being adapted to bias the spool towards the neutral position of the spool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spool actuator includes a solenoid adapted to receive electrical drive command signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3669096B1Control systems for hydraulic axial displacement machines
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS II TECH AS
  • EP3669096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3669096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Control systems and feedback assemblies for hydraulic axial displacement machines, such as pumps and motors. The control systems and feedback assemblies can reduce friction on the charging spools and provide for a more reliable return of the swashplate to a neutral position. Aspects of the control systems and feedback assemblies can be modularized for, e.g., easy maintenance and to reduce the overall size of the system.