Electronic Hydraulic Pressure Cutoff for System Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In meterless hydraulic systems, overpressure conditions lead to energy wastage due to the release of hydraulic fluid through relief valves, which compromises fuel efficiency and system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for overpressure control in hydraulic systems with multiple pumps, where a system controller detects pressure exceeding a threshold and electronically modifies the flow rate of variable displacement pumps to reduce pressure without using relief valves, thereby maintaining pressure below the threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relief valve is used to control overpressure in a hydraulic circuit, then the pressure can be controlled, but energy is wasted due to the release of hydraulic fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the relief valve from the hydraulic circuit entirely. Instead of using a relief valve to vent excess pressure, the system extracts the pressure control function and implements it through electronic control of the variable displacement pump, eliminating the energy-wasting fluid release mechanism while maintaining pressure control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical relief valve system with an electronic control system. The controller receives pressure sensor signals and electronically adjusts the variable displacement pump's flow rate, substituting the mechanical pressure relief approach with an electronically controlled flow modulation approach that avoids energy wastage
2Ease of operation
If a variable displacement pump is used to control actuator flow, then flow control is achieved, but overpressure conditions occur when the actuator encounters an obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the hydraulic circuit pressure and sends signals to the controller. When overpressure is detected, the controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the variable displacement pump's flow rate downward, creating a closed-loop system that prevents overpressure conditions while maintaining ease of flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the variable displacement pump's ability to dynamically adjust its flow rate in real-time. The pump's displacement can be continuously modified based on controller commands, allowing the system to adapt to changing load conditions and prevent overpressure by reducing flow when obstructions are encountered, rather than maintaining a fixed flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for overpressure control in a hydraulic system having multiple hydraulic pumps, with each hydraulic pump being connected by a respective hydraulic circuit for actuating a single respective hydraulic actuator, includes actuating a first variable displacement hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic pump being fluidly linked by a first hydraulic circuit to a first hydraulic actuator for powering the first hydraulic actuator. Upon detecting a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, the flow rate of the first hydraulic pump is electronically modified to a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate whereby the pressure in the first hydraulic circuit is reduced to a pressure that is below the predetermined threshold pressure.