Hydraulic Pump Torque Control for Engine Speed Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic pump regulation systems driven by heat engines suffer from sudden drops in hydraulic power delivery when engine speed decreases, leading to jerky tool behavior and power losses, exacerbated by stricter pollution standards that degrade engine reactivity.

Innovation Solution

A control device for a volumetric hydraulic pump with variable displacement that adjusts torque consumption based on real-time torque measurements and setpoint values, gradually modifying the torque setting to match hydraulic power demands while respecting engine dynamics, preventing sudden speed drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the regulation device reduces the torque consumed by the pump to lighten the load on the engine after detecting a drop in engine speed, then the engine speed crushing is avoided, but the hydraulic power delivered by the pump drops sharply causing jerky tool behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine speed stabilityVSAvoidhydraulic power delivery continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control device proactively increases the torque setpoint before the engine speed actually drops, based on prediction of upcoming power demands. This preliminary action prevents the speed drop from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after the drop is detected. The system uses feedback from actual torque consumption and power demand patterns to anticipate and prepare for load increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation device continuously monitors actual torque consumption, engine speed, and power demand, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the torque setpoint. When the tool demands power exceeding instantaneous engine capacity, the feedback loop triggers an increase in torque setpoint to maintain speed stability. This closed-loop control ensures both engine speed stability and continuous hydraulic power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the control system reacts only after detecting a drop in engine speed, then the regulation is simple, but the hydraulic power varies suddenly and engine reactivity is degraded under Tier 3B/Tier 4 standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidengine speed reactivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control device proactively increases the torque setpoint before the engine speed actually drops, based on prediction of upcoming power demands. This preliminary action prevents the speed drop from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after the drop is detected. The system uses feedback from actual torque consumption and power demand patterns to anticipate and prepare for load increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation device dynamically adapts the torque setpoint based on real-time conditions including engine speed, actual torque consumption, and predicted power demands. Under Tier 3B/Tier 4 standards, the system adjusts control parameters to optimize the balance between emission compliance and dynamic response. The control strategy becomes more aggressive in predicting and responding to load changes, improving reactivity while maintaining simplicity through rule-based logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3018346B1Power control device of a hydraulic pump
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 GRP MECALAC
  • EP3018346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3018346B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3018346B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Hydraulic pump (10) comprising a control device (16) and a torque regulation device, characterized in that the regulation device comprises: - a means for measuring (18, 20) the actual torque consumed by the hydraulic pump (10); - a calculation means (22) coupled to the measuring means (18, 20), capable of gradually modifying the maximum torque absorbed by the pump (10) via the control device (16), as a function of the ratio between an instantaneous actual torque value (CRI) measured by the measuring means (18, 20) and a theoretical maximum torque value (CMT).