Hydraulic Pressure Accumulator Control for Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic high-pressure systems face inefficiencies in meeting varying consumer pressure demands due to energy losses and time delays in charging pressure accumulators, especially when operating pressure fluctuates.

Innovation Solution

The pressure accumulator is blocked during changes in operating pressure and only reconnected when the pressure stabilizes, allowing stored energy to be retained and minimizing the need for recharging, with additional accumulators used for pulsation damping at different pressure levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure accumulator is continuously connected to the pressure intensifier to dampen pressure fluctuations, then pulsation damping is improved, but energy is wasted when recharging the accumulator during pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulsation dampingVSAvoidcharging energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device blocks the pressure accumulator from the pressure intensifier before a pressure change occurs, preventing unnecessary charging of the accumulator. The accumulator is only reconnected when the operating pressure has risen sufficiently, eliminating wasted energy while maintaining pulsation damping capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches the connection state of the pressure accumulator based on operating conditions. The control device monitors operating pressure and actively blocks or connects the accumulator to the intensifier, transforming a static continuous connection into a dynamic conditional connection that optimizes both energy efficiency and pulsation damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the pressure accumulator is blocked during pressure changes to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but pulsation damping is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging energyVSAvoidpulsation damping
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the connection state of the pressure accumulator based on real-time operating conditions. The control device monitors operating pressure and switches the accumulator between blocked and connected states, ensuring pulsation damping is available when needed while blocking during pressure changes to save energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure accumulator is periodically connected and blocked based on the operating cycle. During normal operation, the accumulator is connected to provide pulsation damping. During pressure changes, it is blocked to save energy. This periodic switching optimizes both functions over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the pressure accumulator is recharged when operating pressure increases, then the accumulator is ready for next use, but time is lost and additional energy is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccumulator readinessVSAvoidpressure adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device blocks the pressure accumulator before a pressure change occurs, preventing the need to recharge it during the pressure adjustment. The accumulator maintains its charge from before the pressure change, eliminating the time and energy that would otherwise be required to recharge it, while still being ready to provide pulsation damping after the pressure change completes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables quick pressure adjustments with minimal energy expenditure and maintains pulsation damping, reducing the time required to reach operating pressure while minimizing energy losses.

Implementation Method 1

at least one pressure accumulator connected to the pressure intensifier as a pulsation damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure energy storage: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

unavoidable pressure fluctuations caused by the piston strokes are damped, particularly at high operating pressures, which is done with the help of pressure accumulators that are connected to the pressure intensifiers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulsation damping: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3059458B1Method and device for operating a hydraulic high pressure system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 GRUBER REINHARD
  • EP3059458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3059458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3059458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for operating a high-pressure hydraulic system is described, comprising a pressure intensifier (2) that can be actuated by a hydraulic unit (1) for supplying hydraulic fluid to a consumer (8), and at least one pressure accumulator (9) connected to the high-pressure side of the pressure intensifier (2) as a pulsation dampener, wherein the operating pressure (12) of the hydraulic fluid for the consumer (8) is controlled by the hydraulic unit (1). To save energy, it is proposed that the pressure accumulator (9) be closed before a change in the operating pressure (12) applied to the consumer (8) and only opened again when the operating pressure (12) of the hydraulic fluid increases or decreases.