Hydraulic Motor Torque Equilibrium Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic machines struggle with precise control of position and low-speed operations, particularly in applications requiring fine-grained control of speed, torque, and direction, such as hydraulic winches, due to their design for continuous rotation rather than fixed position locking and release under load.

Innovation Solution

The method involves establishing and manipulating torque equilibrium in a hydraulic motor by controlling high and low-pressure valves across multiple cylinders, allowing stepwise and precise shaft movement by adjusting valve opening and closing timing, and using a control system to determine which cylinders to activate or deactivate to achieve desired torque contributions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If hydraulic machines are designed for continuous rotation, then they can operate smoothly at high speeds, but they cannot easily be locked in a fixed position and released again under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous rotation capabilityVSAvoidposition locking and release
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic machine divides the continuous rotation into discrete steps by controlling individual cylinders independently. Each cylinder can be activated or deactivated separately, allowing the machine to stop at specific positions and maintain fixed positions under load by locking certain cylinders while others remain inactive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If solenoids are used to keep valves open, then efficiency is improved by external control, but the solenoids are weak compared to pressures over closed valves and cannot provide fine-grained control at low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidlow speed and position control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts valve timing and cylinder activation based on the desired speed and position. By controlling the timing of valve openings and closings, the system can provide precise control at low speeds while maintaining efficiency through external solenoid control at higher speeds. The control system adapts the activation strategy based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If hydraulic machines operate under high load, then they can provide high torque, but they cannot easily stop and start under load with precise position control

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetorqueVSAvoidstart and stop under load
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system prepares for load changes by pre-positioning cylinders and adjusting valve timing before actual load transitions. When stopping under load, the system activates cylinders in a sequence that maintains torque support throughout the deceleration. When restarting, cylinders are activated in advance to ensure immediate torque availability, enabling smooth start-stop operation under high load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3535493B1A method for controlling torque equilibrium of a hydraulic motor
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 DIINEF
  • EP3535493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535493B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3535493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling torque equilibrium of a hydraulic motor (1), comprising; - setting a torque equilibrium reference position (r) in a control system (100), - setting a reference direction (d) in the control system (100), - determining one or more high-pressure torque producing cylinders (10-1, 10-2,…) towards the torque equilibrium reference position (r) in a reference direction (d) in the control system (100), - opening a high-pressure valve (10-1H, 10-2H,…) on each of one or more high-pressure torque producing cylinders (10-1, 10-2,…) to produce a torque towards the torque equilibrium reference position (r) in the reference direction (d) on the drive shaft (20) of the motor. Fig. 2a for the abstract