Hydraulic Implement Braking Circuit for Fast Stop and Fluid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power machines with rotary implements face challenges in efficiently braking high-energy rotary members, which require substantial time to stop and result in excessive hydraulic fluid heating, leading to reduced operational efficiency and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An implement braking system that configures the hydraulic system to operate in an implement braking mode, utilizing a bypass flow path and a pressure drop to brake the rotary member, while routing heated fluid back to a power machine cooler for cooling and recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional hydraulic systems are used for braking rotary implements, then the system structure remains simple, but the braking time becomes excessively long and hydraulic fluid overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit is segmented into multiple independent flow paths: a first flow path through the hydraulic motor, a second flow path bypassing the motor through a bypass valve, and a third flow path through a brake valve. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of multiple braking mechanisms, significantly reducing braking time while distributing heat generation across separate circuits that can be independently managed.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooler is introduced as an intermediary component in the hydraulic circuit to actively remove heat from the hydraulic fluid during braking operations. The cooler serves as a heat exchange intermediary between the hydraulic fluid and the environment, preventing fluid overheating while maintaining the high-energy braking process.
2Productivity
If a bypass flow path is added to reduce braking time, then braking performance improves, but the hydraulic circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve and brake valve are designed to perform multiple functions: they control flow distribution during braking, regulate pressure in different circuit paths, and can be integrated with existing hydraulic control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving improved braking performance.
3Loss of time
If high pressure drop is applied to brake the rotary member quickly, then braking time is reduced, but the risk of hydraulic fluid overheating and component damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler acts as a thermal intermediary that continuously removes excess heat from the hydraulic fluid during high-pressure braking operations. This allows the system to safely apply high pressure drops for rapid braking without causing fluid overheating or component damage, as the cooler mediates the thermal load.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic circuit is segmented into multiple flow paths that distribute the braking energy dissipation. The first path through the hydraulic motor, second path through the bypass valve, and third path through the brake valve allow heat generation to be distributed across separate circuits, preventing concentrated overheating in a single location while maintaining rapid braking capability.
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 approach significantly reduces the time for a rotary member to stop rotating and maintains hydraulic fluid temperature within safe limits, enhancing operational efficiency and preventing damage from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a bypass flow path and a pressure drop to brake the rotary member
Implementation Method 2
routing heated fluid back to a power machine cooler for cooling and recirculation
Data Source
AI summary
A power machine can include a frame, a power source, a machine hydraulic system, and a rotary implement removably securable to the frame. The machine hydraulic system can provide operational hydraulic power to a hydraulic motor of the rotary implement through an implement hydraulic circuit. In an implement braking mode, flow of hydraulic fluid through the implement hydraulic circuit can provide braking for the hydraulic motor.