Hydraulic Power Tool Fluid Control for Faster Piston Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic power tools face inefficiencies in the extension and retraction of pistons, which slows down the operation of hydraulic power tools.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic power tool incorporates a brushless direct current motor, gear reducer, and a pump system with a controller that manages fluid flow through a sequence valve and flow control valve to optimize piston movement, allowing for faster extension and retraction by utilizing both low and high-pressure fluid effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional hydraulic actuation system is used, then the tool can perform cutting, crimping, or separation operations, but the extension and retraction of the piston is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into multiple circuits with different pressure levels. The pump system includes a first pump circuit and a second pump circuit that can operate independently or together, allowing the piston to be actuated by low-pressure fluid for extension and high-pressure fluid for retraction, thereby increasing overall operation speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different pressure levels based on the operational phase. The controller activates the first pump circuit during piston extension and the second pump circuit during piston retraction, optimizing the speed for each phase of the operational cycle
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
This configuration enhances the speed and efficiency of piston movement, enabling faster crimping operations and improved performance in hydraulic power tools.
Implementation Method 1
a brushless direct current motor
Implementation Method 2
a pump system with a controller that manages fluid flow through a sequence valve and flow control valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulic tool (100) which includes: a fluid reservoir (208); a pump (204); an electric motor (202); a cylinder (106); a piston; a first trigger button (118); a second trigger button (120); and a controller (212) configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.