Hydraulic Flow Control Valve with Dynamic Characteristic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic systems for working machines face a compromise between actuator speed and precision control, requiring more operator skill for fine control due to the linear relationship between manual control movement and fluid flow, leading to suboptimal performance in both rapid and slow operations.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a flow control apparatus biased by a resilient device, where the control pressure is derived from the load pressure and can be modified by a pressure control device to either maximize or minimize fluid flow through the control valve, allowing for adjustable fluid flow based on operator input or desired operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the control valve is designed to permit maximum fluid flow when fully open, then actuator speed is improved, but fine flow control becomes difficult requiring more operator precision
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve design is made dynamic by allowing the operator to adjust the valve characteristic curve. The valve can be reconfigured between a linear flow characteristic (for fine control during excavating) and a quadratic flow characteristic (for rapid movement during transport), transforming a static compromise into a dynamic, task-specific solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow characteristic parameter of the control valve based on operational requirements. By switching between linear and quadratic flow characteristics, the system adapts the relationship between manual control movement and fluid flow to match the desired operational mode, whether fine control or rapid response is needed.
2Ease of operation
If the control valve is designed to permit finer flow control with larger manual control movements, then ease of operation is improved, but actuator speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve design is made dynamic by allowing the operator to adjust the valve characteristic curve. The valve can be reconfigured between a linear flow characteristic (for fine control during excavating) and a quadratic flow characteristic (for rapid movement during transport), transforming a static compromise into a dynamic, task-specific solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow characteristic parameter of the control valve based on operational requirements. By switching between linear and quadratic flow characteristics, the system adapts the relationship between manual control movement and fluid flow to match the desired operational mode, whether fine control or rapid response is needed.
3Device complexity
If a single control valve design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot optimize both rapid transport and fine control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in at least two distinct flow characteristic modes (linear and quadratic) within a single device. This allows the same valve to optimize both rapid transport operations and fine control operations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized valves while maintaining adaptability to different operational requirements.
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 greater fluid flow for rapid actuator operation while allowing for finer control by reducing fluid flow, eliminating the need for a compromise in control valve design and improving operator precision without sacrificing performance.
Implementation Method 1
The flow control apparatus typically includes a resilient device to bias an actuating part towards a closed condition
Implementation Method 2
excess fluid which is delivered by the pump, can be relieved to a low pressure region e.g. fluid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system for an operator controlled machine, the system including at least one actuator for moving a machine component, a source of pressurized fluid for delivering pressurized fluid at a system pressure to a control valve which is operable under operator control, to control the flow of fluid from the source to the actuator at a load pressure, along a load pressure path, a flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid from the source to the control valve, the flow control apparatus including an actuating part which is biased by a resilient device to a condition in which the flow control apparatus provides for a maximum flow of fluid to the control valve, actuating part movement by the resilient device being resisted by system pressure fluid and being supported by fluid at a control pressure, the control pressure being derived from the load pressure, and wherein the system includes a pressure control device to which the load pressure is communicated, the pressure control device being operated under operator control either to deliver the control pressure to the flow control device at load pressure or a modified pressure which is less than the load pressure.