Hydraulic Motion Compensation Device with Flywheel Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movement compensation devices, such as gas-loaded hydraulic piston accumulators, face challenges with large pressure changes due to temperature fluctuations and volume changes, requiring numerous compressors and pressure vessels, leading to increased space and weight, as well as slow adaptation to pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A movement compensation device featuring a hydraulic actuator with adjustable drive devices, each equipped with hydraulic machines that can operate as pumps or motors, coupled with a flywheel and an electric motor, allowing for quick adaptation to load changes and energy storage, distributed energy storage across multiple devices for redundancy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydraulic piston accumulators are used for motion compensation, then energy storage capability is provided, but pressure changes due to temperature and volume fluctuations occur, requiring numerous compressors and pressure vessels which increase space and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas spring function and energy storage function into a single integrated hydraulic accumulator design. The hydraulic machine serves dual purposes: acting as both the gas spring element for force compensation and the energy storage mechanism, eliminating the need for separate compressors and pressure vessels required by conventional piston accumulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic machine performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a gas spring for force compensation, an energy storage device, and a pressure regulation mechanism. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate components (compressors, pressure vessels, gas springs) found in conventional systems, thereby reducing overall system weight.
2Force
If conventional piston accumulators are used, then force compensation is achieved, but adaptation to pressure changes is slow due to low compressor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic machine serves itself by using its own mechanical structure to provide both force compensation and rapid pressure adaptation. The adjustable stroke volume mechanism allows the system to self-regulate pressure changes without external compressors, enabling immediate response to load variations while maintaining continuous force compensation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If numerous compressors and pressure vessels are used to maintain pressure, then pressure stability is achieved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure maintenance function into the hydraulic machine itself through its adjustable stroke volume capability. This eliminates the need for separate compressors and pressure vessels, achieving pressure stability within a compact integrated structure that occupies minimal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic machine's stroke volume is made adjustable to dynamically adapt to pressure changes. By varying the stroke volume parameter, the system maintains pressure stability without requiring multiple fixed-volume pressure vessels or continuous compressor operation, thereby reducing space 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
The solution enables rapid adaptation to load changes, reduces space and weight, lowers energy consumption, and provides a redundant design for efficient energy storage and release, while minimizing hydraulic and mechanical losses.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the several drive units further comprises a flywheel that can be coupled to the hydraulic machine in both pump and motor modes
Implementation Method 2
Both machines are fluidically connected via a low-pressure line on one side and a high-pressure line leading to a pressure chamber within the hydraulic cylinder on the other
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic actuator (2) which is designed to support a load
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed is a motion compensation device with a hydraulic actuator that supports a load and a supply unit through which the hydraulic actuator can be supplied with a pressure medium. Furthermore, the supply unit comprises at least one drive unit with at least one hydraulic machine, which can be operated as a pump or as a motor and can be coupled to a flywheel.