Hydraulic Rescue Power Unit Control for Cold-Start Pressure Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic units for rescue operations are not energy-efficient and can cause unnecessary noise and uncertainty due to automatic speed increases, especially in cold conditions, leading to inefficient use of energy and potential misoperation.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic unit with a first and second pump arrangement, each comprising high-pressure and low-pressure pump elements, a controlled drive motor, and an electronic control device that suppresses automatic speed increases unless a predetermined temperature and pressure threshold is met, ensuring energy-efficient operation only when a connected rescue device requires power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic speed increase control is implemented in cold conditions, then the hydraulic unit responds to perceived power requirements, but unnecessary noise and energy consumption occur due to false detection of pressure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pressure threshold parameter based on temperature conditions. When temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the control device raises the pressure threshold that must be exceeded to trigger automatic speed increase. This parameter adaptation prevents false activation in cold conditions where hydraulic fluid viscosity naturally increases pressure, while still enabling proper response when actual power requirements occur.
2Productivity
If automatic speed increase is activated based on pressure thresholds, then power delivery responds to demand, but unnecessary noise and uncertainty occur in cold conditions without actual device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device modifies the pressure threshold parameter according to temperature conditions. In cold environments below the predetermined temperature threshold, a higher pressure must be detected to activate speed increase, preventing noise-generating false activations. When temperature rises above the threshold, the normal lower pressure threshold applies, maintaining responsive power delivery without unnecessary noise.
3Extent of automation
If pressure-dependent automatic control is used, then accumulation and speed adjustment occur without operator intervention, but misoperation occurs in cold conditions due to high fluid viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature-based parameter adjustment where the pressure threshold for automatic control activation is dynamically modified. Below the predetermined temperature threshold, the elevated pressure threshold prevents misoperation caused by cold-induced viscosity effects. Above the threshold, normal operation proceeds with standard parameters, maintaining reliable automatic control without false activations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulic power unit (1) with a first and at least one further pressure outlet (2, 3) for selectively supplying a single hydraulically driven rescue device (4; 5) at one of the pressure outlets (2, 3) with pressurized hydraulic fluid, or for simultaneously supplying several hydraulically driven rescue devices (4, 5) at the pressure outlets (2, 3) with pressurized hydraulic fluid. An electronic control device (44) of the hydraulic power unit (1) is connected to at least one temperature sensor (50) and at least one pressure sensor (40, 41).The electronic control device (44) is configured to (i) suppress or deactivate pressure-dependent accumulation and cumulative supply of delivery quantities from a first and second pump arrangement (12, 15) of the hydraulic unit (1) to a common, single pressure outlet (2; 3) and/or (ii) prevent or deactivate hydraulically or electrically controlled, automated speed increase of the drive motor (18) if the temperature value of the hydraulic fluid detected by the at least one temperature sensor (50) is below a predetermined temperature threshold for the hydraulic fluid and if, in addition, the pressure detected by the at least one pressure sensor (40, 41) at each of the pressure outlets (2, 3) is below a predetermined pressure threshold.