Hydraulic Synchronization for Ring Gate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic machines with ring gates require complex mechanical components for movement control, leading to delicate adjustments and tedious maintenance operations.

Innovation Solution

A control device using four dual-action hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic synchronization members to synchronize piston movements, reducing the need for mechanical components and simplifying adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical components (screw-nut pairs, pinions, transmission chains) are used to synchronize cylinder movements, then synchronization of piston movements is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization of piston movementsVSAvoidnumber of mechanical components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical synchronization components with hydraulic synchronization members (ducts) that connect the hydraulic cylinders. These ducts allow actuating fluid to flow between cylinders, synchronizing their movements through hydraulic pressure equalization rather than mechanical linkages. This eliminates screw-nut pairs, pinions, and transmission chains while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the entire mechanical synchronization system (screw-nut pairs converting translation to rotation, pinions, and transmission chains) with a hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinders and synchronization ducts create a fluid-based mechanism that directly synchronizes piston movements without intermediate mechanical conversion components, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple mechanical components are used for cylinder control, then precise synchronization is achieved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidadjustment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic synchronization ducts provide precise synchronization through fluid pressure transmission, which naturally equalizes across connected cylinders. This hydraulic approach eliminates the need for delicate mechanical adjustments of screw-nut pairs and pinion meshing, making the system easier to operate and maintain while maintaining synchronization precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If mechanical transmission components are used, then cylinder synchronization is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylinder synchronizationVSAvoidmaintenance operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical transmission components (screw-nut pairs, pinions, transmission chains) with hydraulic synchronization ducts, the system eliminates parts that require delicate adjustments and tedious maintenance. The hydraulic ducts have fewer wear points and do not require precision mechanical alignment, significantly reducing maintenance operations while maintaining cylinder synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

The solution provides precise synchronization of cylinder movements, reducing maintenance requirements and improving the reliability of hydraulic machines with ring gates.

Implementation Method 1

each cylinder comprising: a rod, a piston, a first chamber, and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being suitable for receiving an actuating fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

at least two hydraulic members for synchronizing the distances traveled by the piston in the main direction of movement of the ring gate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic synchronization: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS9494173B2Device for controlling the movement of a ring gate of a hydraulic machine and hydraulic machine comprising such a device

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 GE RENEWABLE TECH

AI summary

A device controls the movement of a ring gate of a hydraulic machine between an open position and a blockage position. The device includes at least four cylinders, the rods of which are suitable for being connected to the ring gate at locations located on a perimeter of the ring gate. The device also includes at least two hydraulic members for synchronizing pistons, the hydraulic synchronization members being connected to the cylinders such as to form at least two groups. Each group encompasses at least two cylinders connected by at least one hydraulic synchronization member, two cylinders belonging to two separate groups not being connected by a hydraulic synchronization member.