Hydraulic Supply Health Check Using Controlled Pressure Decay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling hydraulic components with multiple supply systems lack an effective method for performing health checks, particularly when switching between supply systems or during startup, which can lead to risks of hydraulic failures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hydraulic component with a controlled leakage between the supply and return sides, along with multiple hydraulic supply systems, a device, and a control system that performs a health check routine by connecting a supply system, isolating the fluid, monitoring pressure, and determining if the pressure follows a predetermined pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple hydraulic supply systems are used to ensure backup supply, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a health check routine before activating a backup hydraulic supply system. This preliminary action involves isolating the component, monitoring pressure decay over time, and determining system health based on whether pressure follows an expected pattern. By checking the backup system's health beforehand, the system ensures reliable backup supply while avoiding unnecessary activation of complex backup mechanisms when the primary system is still functional.
2Reliability
If health check routine is implemented to mitigate risks, then reliability is improved, but the time required for system checks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The health check routine uses a controlled leakage path that provides a measurable pressure decay signal within a predetermined time period. By intentionally creating a known leakage path, the system can determine health status through partial monitoring of pressure decay rather than requiring complete system testing. The check is designed to complete within a predetermined amount of time, balancing thoroughness with time efficiency.
3Speed
If backup hydraulic supply is activated immediately upon failure detection, then response time is improved, but the risk of unnecessary activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before activating the backup hydraulic supply system, the control system performs a preliminary health check by isolating the component and monitoring pressure decay over time. The backup system is activated only if the pressure decay follows an expected pattern indicating the primary system has failed. This preliminary verification prevents unnecessary activation of the backup system while ensuring rapid response when actual failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The health check routine provides feedback to the control system about the actual failure mode by monitoring pressure decay characteristics. This feedback allows the control system to distinguish between actual failures requiring backup activation and false indications, thereby improving activation accuracy while maintaining rapid response capability when genuine failures occur.
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 system effectively mitigates risks by ensuring that hydraulic supply systems are healthy before use, preventing unnecessary activation of backup systems, and reducing the likelihood of hydraulic failures by identifying leaks and other issues.
Implementation Method 1
a controlled leakage between the hydraulic supply side and the hydraulic return side
Implementation Method 2
monitoring the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic supply side and/or the hydraulic return side over time
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a hydraulic component. The system includes a control system configured to carry out a health check routine having steps of (A) fluidly connecting one of the hydraulic supply systems with the component until (i) a predetermined pressure is reached on the hydraulic supply side and/or the hydraulic return side, and/or (ii) a predetermined amount of time has passed; then (B) isolating the pressurised hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic supply side and the hydraulic return side so that hydraulic fluid leaks from the hydraulic supply side to the hydraulic return side via the controlled leakage; (C) monitoring the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic supply side (50S) and/or the hydraulic return side over time; and then (D) determining if the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic supply side and/or the hydraulic return side follows a predetermined or expected pattern.