Hydraulic Intensifier with Concentric Pistons for Force Multiplication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear actuators with force multipliers cannot repeatedly reset without losing the reached position or thrust force, leading to reduced performance during restarts.

Innovation Solution

A double-acting concentric piston design within a cylinder, with a hydraulic circuit and proportional servo-control, allows for force multiplication and independent reciprocal movement, maintaining position and thrust force across cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a conventional intensifier of hydraulic power is used, then force multiplication is achieved, but the thrust force decreases during reset phase and may eventually reach zero

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrust forceVSAvoidreset phase duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The intensifier is divided into two independent concentric cylinders: an outer cylinder containing a first piston and an inner cylinder containing a second piston. This segmentation allows independent operation of each piston, enabling the second piston to maintain thrust force while the first piston resets, thereby resolving the contradiction between force multiplication and thrust force maintenance during reset phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner cylinder with the second piston is nested within the outer cylinder containing the first piston. This nested configuration allows both pistons to operate simultaneously in the same space, enabling continuous force multiplication while one piston resets and the other maintains thrust, thus preventing thrust force degradation during reset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Force

If a force multiplier is added inside the cylinder stem, then force multiplication capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce multiplication capabilityVSAvoidcylinder structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer cylinder serves dual functions as both the housing for the first piston and the sliding seat for the second piston. The inner cylinder serves as both the housing for the second piston and the stem extension. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving force multiplication.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of the cylinder stem and the force multiplier housing are merged into a single integrated structure. The inner cylinder combines the stem extension function with the force multiplier housing, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying the device structure while maintaining force multiplication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the same outer dimensions are maintained, then the adaptability for different applications is improved, but the functional characteristics become more difficult to differentiate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication adaptabilityVSAvoidfunctional configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intensifier employs a dynamic control system with proportional valves and servo-control that can independently regulate the operation of the first and second pistons. This dynamic control allows the same physical structure to adapt to different functional requirements by adjusting control parameters, enabling differentiation of functional characteristics while maintaining identical outer dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows independent adjustment of control parameters for each piston, including pressure, flow rate, and positioning. By changing these parameters, the same device can be optimized for different applications (pressing, cutting, driving kinematic mechanisms) without modifying the physical structure, thus maintaining adaptability while managing functional configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 repeated force multiplication and position maintenance without loss of thrust force, suitable for various industrial applications including pressing, cutting, and kinematic mechanism driving, with customizable control and power circuits.

Implementation Method 1

an hydraulic circuit, wherein the whole is characterised in that the said fixed part has the double function of liner for the piston and slide for the mobile part homologous to the stem

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the said piston can be moved reciprocally by the said hydraulic circuit formed by suitable valves and relative distributor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPascal's law: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

which can move reciprocally and which permits the multiplication of the force by feedback positioning through a pure proportional servo-control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2539592B1Intensifier of hydraulic power with rely with maintenance of the reached position and force
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 ROZZI DE HIERONYMIS CARLO MARIA
  • EP2539592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2539592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2539592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a linear hydraulic actuator which incorporates inside it a piston which can be reciprocally actuated by means of a distributor and a feedback positioning and reversing device. If during its uniform linear travel the actuator meets a resistance or an obstacle, actuating the double- action piston reciprocally will enable the actuator to continue its stroke with intermittent motion and multiplied force without the mobile part of the actuator moving back from the previously reached position and until the obstacle has been overcome.