Hydraulic Valve Arrangement Decoupling Control Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic valve arrangements for pressure medium supply to consumers suffer from power losses and cavitation due to coupled control edges, leading to inefficient operation and potential damage under changing load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with two working connections, featuring a first control valve for independent control of inlet and return flows and a second control valve with a pressure compensator, where the control edges are decoupled to prevent pressure drops and cavitation, utilizing a check valve to manage return flows and a pressure compensator to regulate pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single control spool is used to jointly control supply and return flow rates, then the valve arrangement can be simplified in structure, but pressure drops occur unintentionally at control edges leading to power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The control spool is divided into multiple independent control spindles (first control spindle for supply flow, second control spindle for return flow). Each spindle can be controlled independently to adjust its respective flow rate without affecting the other, thereby eliminating unintended pressure drops at control edges and reducing power loss while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If control edges are coupled to control both supply and return flows, then the valve arrangement operates with fewer components, but cavitation occurs in supply or return flow under certain operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control spool is segmented into independent control spindles for supply and return flows. This segmentation allows each flow path to be controlled independently, preventing cavitation in either supply or return flow under varying operating conditions while maintaining a compact valve structure with minimal components.
3Reliability
If control edges are individually adapted to each consumer, then cavitation can be avoided under all operating conditions, but the geometry becomes complex and requires special coordination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex individually adapted control edge geometries, the invention segments the control spool into multiple independent control spindles. Each spindle has standardized geometry but can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired flow control without cavitation, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control spindles are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing real-time modification of control characteristics to match different consumer requirements without changing the physical geometry of control edges. This dynamic adaptability replaces the need for complex static geometry coordination.
4Loss of energy
If separate control orifices are provided for supply and return flows, then power loss is reduced, but the control arrangement becomes more complex requiring multiple control spools
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control spindles are merged into a single integrated control spool assembly that can be actuated by a single control valve. This combining approach reduces the number of separate actuators and control mechanisms needed, lowering overall system complexity while maintaining the power loss benefits of separate control orifices for supply and return flows.
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 reduces power losses and prevents cavitation, ensuring reliable and efficient pressure medium supply to hydraulic consumers by decoupling control edges and using a pressure compensator to manage pressure differences, thereby maintaining low pressure drops and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure compensator for compensating a pressure difference between the first control valve and the second control valve
Implementation Method 2
the second control valve, in its unactuated position, prevents any possible backflow originating from the first and the second inlet of the first control valve by means of a check valve integrated into the second control valve
Data Source
AI summary
Valve arrangement for supplying a hydraulic consumer with pressure medium, which valve arrangement has two working connectors (A, B) for the fluid connection to the consumer, with a first control valve which - has a first feed line (24), via which a first feed stream from the first working connector (A) to the consumer (10) can be controlled, and with a first return control restrictor (26), via which a first return stream (28) from the consumer (10) via the second working connector (B) can be controlled at the same time as the first feed line (24), and - has a second feed line (34), via which a second feed stream from the second working connector (B) to the consumer (10) can be controlled, and with a second return control restrictor (36), via which a second return stream (38) from the consumer (10) via the first working connector (8) can be controlled at the same time as the second feed line (34), and with a second control valve (40) with a feed control restrictor (42), by way of which the respective feed line (24, 34) of the first control valve (20) can be controlled.