Variable-Displacement Hydraulic Pump Flow Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic systems face inefficiencies due to fluid restriction for actuator speed control, and existing meterless systems have limitations in simultaneous operation and control of multiple actuators, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system utilizing variable-displacement pumps and combiner valve arrangements to connect multiple actuators in closed loops, allowing simultaneous operation and independent control of fluid flow to achieve efficient and flexible actuator speed and torque management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional hydraulic systems use fluid restriction to control actuator speed, then actuator speed control is achieved, but flow losses increase and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the throttling valves and fluid restriction elements from the hydraulic system. Instead of restricting flow to control speed, the system uses a pump that directly controls the flow rate to match the actuator's instantaneous demand, eliminating the energy-wasting restriction components entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical throttling valve system with a controlled pump system. The pump's displacement is dynamically adjusted to match the actuator's flow requirements, substituting a mechanical flow restriction approach with a more efficient flow generation approach.
2Loss of energy
If meterless hydraulic systems connect pumps to single actuators or tandem actuators, then energy efficiency is improved, but simultaneous operation of multiple actuators is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional hydraulic system where a single pump can serve multiple actuators simultaneously. The pump can dynamically allocate flow to different actuators based on instantaneous demands, allowing any actuator to receive pressurized fluid from one or more pumps as needed, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple actuators while maintaining meterless efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic flow allocation where the pump's flow distribution to multiple actuators is continuously adjustable. The system can dynamically change which actuators receive flow and at what rates, allowing flexible simultaneous operation of multiple actuators while maintaining the efficiency benefits of meterless control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps are used to supply multiple actuators, then simultaneous operation capability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple pumps into a single coordinated control system. Instead of independently controlling each pump-actuator pair, the system uses a unified control approach where one or more pumps dynamically serve multiple actuators, reducing the number of independent control loops while maintaining full operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system includes a variable-displacement first pump and a variable-displacement second pump. The hydraulic system also includes a first actuator selectively connected either to the first pump in a closed loop manner and not the second pump, to the second pump in a closed loop manner and not the first pump, or to the first and second pumps in a closed loop manner. The hydraulic system further includes a second actuator and a variable-displacement rotary actuator that are each selectively connected either to the first pump in a closed loop manner and not the second pump, to the second pump in a closed loop manner and not the first pump, or to the first and second pumps in a closed loop manner.