Hydraulic Pump Drive Protection via Electronic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressurization systems with hydraulic pumps suffer from frequent starts and stops, leading to damage of electric drives and mechatronic components, and existing solutions do not effectively protect these components or optimize drive management.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses an electronic control unit to set predetermined parameters, detect manometric pressure, and determine the sequential or synchronized operation of hydraulic pumps based on pressure derivatives, minimizing wear and optimizing switching actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the autoclave cushioning function is used to avoid frequent pump starts and stops, then pump damage is reduced, but the system becomes vulnerable when the autoclave fails due to diaphragm breakage or compressed air supply failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump protectionVSAvoidsystem vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized electronic control device as an intermediary between the pressure sensors and the pump drives. This control device processes pressure signals and intelligently manages pump starting and stopping, replacing the traditional autoclave cushioning mechanism and providing a more reliable protection strategy that does not depend on autoclave functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical autoclave cushioning system with an electronic control system that uses pressure sensors and a centralized control device to manage pump operation. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability associated with autoclave failure while maintaining pump protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If pressure sensors and electronic control devices are added to manage pump operation, then pump protection is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized electronic control device performs multiple functions: it receives pressure signals from sensors, processes the signals to determine pump operation needs, and controls the starting and stopping of pumps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If independent pressurization units with autonomous control are used, then drive protection is improved, but the system becomes particularly complex and difficult to configure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive protectionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple independent pressurization units into a single centralized electronic control device. This consolidation provides drive protection while avoiding the configuration complexity of fully autonomous units, as the centralized device coordinates all pump operations from a single point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the frequency and optimizes the distribution of pump start/stop actions, protecting internal components and ensuring reliable operation while minimizing wear on mechatronic parts.

Implementation Method 1

detecting at least one manometric pressure value by means of at least one pressure sensor at a delivery duct of each of the hydraulic pumps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3789615B1Drive protection and management method of a pressurization system
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 CALPEDA
  • EP3789615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3789615B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3789615B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive protection and management method of a pressurization system (1) comprising at least two operatively independent hydraulic pumps (2), the method comprising the steps of setting a plurality of predetermined parameters by a user by means of an electronic control unit (5) at each of the hydraulic pumps (2), detecting at least one pressure value by means of at least one pressure sensor at a delivery duct (7) of each of the hydraulic pumps (2), determining a drive in a sequential and/or synchronized manner of the at least two hydraulic pumps (2) by managing and interpolating, independently for each pump, these predetermined parameters and the at least one pressure value at each of the hydraulic pumps (2) by means of each electronic control unit (5). The invention relates to a pressurization system as well, adapted to implement this method.