Hydraulic Fluid Control Valve With Chamber Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fluid consumption in internal combustion engine systems is high due to the need for continuous pressurization and de-pressurization of hydraulic actuation chambers, leading to increased power requirements and inefficiencies in fluid management.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fluid control valve with a spool and valve housing design that recirculates hydraulic fluid between actuation chambers, utilizing one-way valves and bias springs to efficiently manage fluid flow and reduce consumption by routing excess fluid back to the system for replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic fluid is continuously supplied to actuation chambers for pressurization and de-pressurization, then the hydraulically actuated component can operate, but hydraulic fluid consumption increases and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers hydraulic fluid that would otherwise be discarded to the reservoir by capturing it from the actuation chamber during de-pressurization and redirecting it back to the actuation chamber for subsequent pressurization cycles. This is achieved through the spool valve mechanism that switches between connecting the actuation chamber to the reservoir and connecting it to the pressurized fluid supply, thereby recovering and reusing the hydraulic fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping hydraulic fluid circulating within the actuation chamber through rapid pressurization and de-pressurization cycles controlled by the spool valve. Instead of allowing fluid to be continuously supplied from the reservoir and discarded, the system maintains a continuous cycle where the same fluid is repeatedly pressurized and released, eliminating the need for continuous fluid supply from the reservoir.
2Reliability
If hydraulic fluid is continuously supplied to actuation chambers, then the hydraulically actuated component can operate, but power requirements of the hydraulic fluid pump increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers hydraulic fluid that would otherwise be discarded, reducing the total volume of fluid that needs to be continuously pressurized by the pump. By capturing and redirecting fluid from the actuation chamber back to the pressurized fluid supply line, the pump only needs to pressurize a smaller portion of the total fluid volume, thereby reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous cycling of hydraulic fluid within the actuation chamber through rapid pressurization and de-pressurization eliminates the need for continuous fluid supply from the reservoir. This reduces the cumulative work the pump must perform, as the same fluid volume is reused repeatedly rather than continuously supplying new fluid from the reservoir.
3Loss of substance
If hydraulic fluid is recirculated between actuation chambers, then fluid consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spool valve mechanism performs multiple functions: it controls pressurization of the actuation chamber, controls de-pressurization to the reservoir, and redirects fluid back to the pressurized fluid supply line. By integrating these multiple functions into a single valve mechanism, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate valves for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pressurization control and fluid recirculation functions into a single spool valve assembly. The spool valve integrates the function of controlling fluid flow to and from the actuation chamber with the function of redirecting recirculated fluid back to the pressurized supply line, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system.
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 reduces hydraulic fluid consumption by recirculating fluid between chambers, enhancing system efficiency and responsiveness to pressure changes, thereby decreasing the power requirements of hydraulic fluid pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve arranged within the inner fluid chamber. The one-way valve opens in a radially inward direction and fluidly connects the through-hole to the inner fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
a bias spring that is configured to apply an axial biasing force to the spool
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic fluid control valve (HFCV) configured to recirculate an exiting hydraulic fluid from a first hydraulic actuation chamber to a second hydraulic actuation chamber is provided. The HFCV includes a spring well that combines a hydraulic fluid received from a hydraulic fluid pressure source with a recirculated hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic actuation chamber and delivers the combination to the second hydraulic actuation chamber.