Hydraulic Pump Control Using Active and Passive Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive valve hydraulic pumps in hydraulic power units are unable to quickly respond to changes in fluid flow demands, leading to inefficiencies in dynamic testing systems.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic power unit incorporating both active and passive valve hydraulic pumps, where active valve pumps are activated when pressure is below a first setpoint and passive valve pumps are activated when pressure is below a second setpoint, allowing for rapid adjustment of fluid flow to meet demand changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passive valve hydraulic pumps are used to provide large volumetric hydraulic fluid flows, then the hydraulic power unit can efficiently generate high flow rates, but the system cannot quickly respond to changes in fluid flow demands
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic power unit is segmented into two distinct pump systems: passive valve hydraulic pumps for steady-state high flow generation and active valve hydraulic pumps for rapid flow adjustments. This segmentation allows each subsystem to optimize its performance for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between high volumetric flow and fast response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges passive valve and active valve hydraulic pump systems into a single integrated power unit with a common reservoir and output. The passive pumps handle bulk flow requirements while active pumps provide rapid response capability, combining the advantages of both pump types to simultaneously achieve high productivity and fast response.
2Adaptability or versatility
If passive valve hydraulic pumps with variable displacements are used, then the system can adjust flow output, but the adjustment response time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
Active valve hydraulic pumps are positioned to provide preliminary rapid response when flow demand changes occur. These pumps can instantly adjust their displacement in response to pressure changes, acting before the slower passive valve pumps can respond, thereby reducing the overall system adjustment response time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure feedback from the common hydraulic circuit to control both passive and active valve pumps. When pressure deviates from the setpoint, the active valve pumps respond rapidly to correct the deviation, providing fast feedback control that reduces adjustment response time while maintaining the adaptability to vary flow output.
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 combined use of active and passive valve pumps enables efficient and rapid response to fluid flow demands, enhancing the performance of dynamic testing systems by ensuring steady-state operation and quick adjustments to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor has a pressure signal that is indicative of a pressure of the main flow
Implementation Method 2
Each active valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a first flow portion of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output
Implementation Method 3
Each passive valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a second flow portion of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output
Implementation Method 4
The hydraulic actuators of the testing stations are driven by hydraulic fluid flows that are generated by hydraulic power units
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic power unit includes a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid, a main output, a pressure sensor, at least one active valve hydraulic pump and at least one passive valve hydraulic pump. A main flow of the hydraulic fluid is discharged through the main output. The pressure sensor includes a pressure signal that is indicative of a pressure of the main flow. Each active valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a first flow portion of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output when the pressure signal is below a first pressure setpoint. Each passive valve hydraulic pump is configured to drive a second flow portion of the main flow from the reservoir to the main output when the pressure signal is below a second pressure setpoint.