Hydraulic Pump Speed Control for Variable Lifting Power Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic systems in lifting equipment face challenges in optimizing energy efficiency, noise emission, and performance trade-offs due to varying operator demands, leading to inefficiencies and increased wear and tear.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for determining a target rotational speed of a rotary drive in a hydraulic system using processing circuitry to analyze time series data of hydraulic power demands, adjusting a computational model based on averages to optimize rotational speed for energy efficiency and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the rotary drive operates at high rotational speed to meet peak hydraulic power demands, then the required performance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic power outputVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the rotational speed of the rotary drive based on real-time hydraulic power demands. Instead of operating at constant high speed, the system dynamically modulates speed to match actual requirements, thereby maintaining performance when needed while reducing energy consumption during lower-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the rotary drive by adjusting rotational speed according to varying hydraulic power demands. The control system modifies speed parameters in response to demand signals, optimizing the balance between power output and energy input rather than maintaining fixed high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the rotary drive operates at high rotational speed to respond quickly to operator demands, then the responsiveness is improved, but noise emission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speedVSAvoidnoise emission
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts rotational speed based on actual hydraulic power demands rather than maintaining constant high speed. This dynamic response allows the system to be responsive when needed while minimizing noise emissions during periods of lower demand, resolving the contradiction between speed and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the rotary drive operates continuously at high speed to meet varying demands, then the productivity is improved, but the wear and tear on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment that modulates rotational speed according to actual hydraulic power demands. This prevents continuous high-speed operation and reduces mechanical stress on components, thereby extending component lifespan while maintaining productivity when high power is actually required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4685096A1Apparatus and method for determining a target rotational speed for a rotary drive driving a displacement pump of a hydraulic system of a lifting equipment
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 PALFINGER AG
  • EP4685096A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685096A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685096A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus for determining (504, 506, 508) a target rotational speed for a rotary drive (130) driving a displacement pump (125) of a hydraulic system of a lifting equipment (120). The apparatus includes processing circuitry (110) configured to receive time series data (101) indicating a demanded hydraulic power for operating the lifting equipment (120). Furthermore, the processing circuitry (110) is configured to determine an average for the demanded hydraulic power based on the time series data (101). The processing circuitry (110) is additionally configured to determine, based on the average for the demanded hydraulic power, a parameter setting (343) for a computational model for determining (504, 506, 508) the target rotational speed. The processing circuitry (110) is configured to determine the target rotational speed based on the demanded hydraulic power according to the determined parameter setting (343). In addition, the processing circuitry (110) is configured to output control data (102) indicating the determined target rotational speed.