Hydraulic Leveling System Direct Fluid Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blasthole drill leveling systems experience hysteresis and reduced responsiveness due to complex control inputs and pressure losses caused by hose connections between the valve manifold and hydraulic jacks, leading to lagged operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hydraulic leveling system with direct fluid communication between valve manifolds and actuators, utilizing directional flow control, regenerative flow, and counterbalance valves to eliminate the need for hoses, thereby enhancing responsiveness and reducing hysteresis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hose connections are used between the valve manifold and hydraulic jacks, then the system can be controlled centrally, but pressure losses occur and the system exhibits hysteresis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hose connections from the system by implementing direct fluid communication between the valve manifold and hydraulic actuators. This removes the source of pressure losses and hysteresis while maintaining the centralized control capability through the valve manifold's direct coupling to multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve manifold serves as an intermediary component that enables centralized control without requiring hoses. It directly couples multiple hydraulic actuators to the control system, allowing fluid distribution to multiple actuators from a single control point while eliminating the need for intermediate hose connections that cause pressure losses.
2Ease of operation
If hose connections are used between the valve manifold and hydraulic jacks, then the system can be controlled centrally, but the operation of the jacks lags behind the controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hoses that cause lag between control inputs and actuator responses. By implementing direct fluid communication, the system achieves immediate response to control commands while preserving centralized control through the valve manifold's ability to distribute fluid to multiple actuators simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve manifold acts as a direct intermediary between the control system and hydraulic actuators, eliminating the lag caused by hoses. It provides immediate fluid transmission to actuators while maintaining centralized control capability, thus improving responsiveness without sacrificing ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hoses are used to connect the valve manifold to individual jacks, then fluid can be distributed to multiple jacks, but the hose connections are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cumbersome hose connections from the system by implementing direct fluid communication pathways. The valve manifold is directly coupled to multiple hydraulic actuators through integrated fluid passages, maintaining the ability to distribute fluid to multiple actuators while removing the complexity and bulk of hose management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fluid distribution function into the valve manifold structure itself, which is directly coupled to multiple actuators. This integration eliminates the need for separate hose connections while preserving the versatility of distributing fluid to multiple actuators, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If hoses are used for fluid communication, then the system can be assembled with separate components, but pressure losses cause hysteresis in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hoses that cause hysteresis and reliability issues while maintaining modular assembly capability. The valve manifold is designed with direct coupling features that allow separate components to be assembled into an integrated unit with direct fluid communication, eliminating pressure losses and hysteresis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fluid communication pathways into the valve manifold structure, which is directly coupled to actuators. This integration eliminates the hysteresis caused by hoses while preserving the ease of manufacture through modular design, where the manifold and actuators can be manufactured separately and assembled with direct fluid connection.
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 improves the responsiveness and efficiency of the leveling system by eliminating hose connections, reducing hysteresis, and allowing for more precise and immediate control of the drill's leveling mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The counterbalance valve is in direct fluid communication with the actuator
Implementation Method 2
The manifold is coupled to the actuator and includes a directional flow control valve
Implementation Method 3
The manifold is coupled to the actuator and includes a regenerative flow valve
Data Source
AI summary
A leveling system for supporting a drill assembly includes at least one hydraulic actuator and a manifold coupled to the actuator. The hydraulic actuator supports the cab relative to a support surface, and includes a first end coupled to the cab and a second end that is extendable away from the first end. The manifold is coupled to the actuator and includes a directional flow control valve, a regenerative flow valve, and at least one counterbalance valve for controlling the extension of the actuator. The counterbalance valve is in direct fluid communication with the actuator.