Hydraulic Valve Regeneration Circuit for Speed-Thrust Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic valve assemblies in work machines face challenges in efficiently switching between regenerative and non-regenerative modes, affecting the balance between speed and thrusting force, particularly when encountering external resistance during operations like lifting or pushing loads.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic valve assembly with a pressure control valve or variable pressure reducing valve that automatically or manually switches between regenerative and non-regenerative modes based on fluid pressure setpoints, allowing for fluid flow path adjustments to optimize speed and thrust according to operational demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the regeneration circuit is activated to increase cylinder extension speed, then the speed of the hydraulic cylinder is improved, but the hydraulic thrust is reduced due to reduced effective piston area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically switchable regeneration circuit that can transition between regenerative and non-regenerative modes based on operational requirements. The circuit includes a main control valve and a regeneration control valve that work together to dynamically reconfigure the fluid flow paths, allowing the system to adapt between speed-priority and force-priority operation modes during cylinder extension
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the system operational parameter by switching the regeneration circuit state. When the regeneration control valve shifts position, it fundamentally alters the circuit configuration from regenerative (return flow mixed with pump flow) to non-regenerative (return flow discharged separately), thereby changing the effective piston area and resulting hydraulic thrust output
2Reliability
If the regeneration circuit is used to prevent fluid cavitation during fast extension, then the reliability is improved, but the usable hydraulic thrust is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the regeneration circuit through the regeneration control valve, which can be actuated by solenoids or manual controls. This allows the system to enable the regeneration circuit temporarily during fast extension operations to prevent cavitation, then disable it when full thrust is required, optimizing both reliability and force output at different operational phases
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve assembly is designed to switch between regenerative and non-regenerative modes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control valves and passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the regeneration control function with the existing main control valve assembly. The regeneration control valve is integrated into the same valve body structure, and both valves work cooperatively to control fluid flow. This combining approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate control systems for regeneration and main valve functions
Solution Approach 2:
The main control valve serves multiple functions: it controls both the primary fluid flow to the cylinder and the regeneration circuit activation. The regeneration control valve also provides multi-functionality by working with different actuation methods (solenoid or manual) and integrating with various valve body configurations, making the system adaptable to different application requirements
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
Enables the hydraulic cylinder to transition between faster movement with lower thrust in regenerative mode and slower movement with greater thrust in non-regenerative mode, enhancing operational productivity by adapting to changing load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure control valve is in fluid pressure communication with the return work port, and is configured to activate at a predetermined pressure setpoint
Implementation Method 2
a valve body having fluid passages forming a fluid flow path, the fluid passages including: an inlet passage for fluidly connecting to a source of pressurized fluid; a work port supply passage fluidly connected to a supply work port for supplying pressurized fluid to the fluid operated device
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic valve assembly having a regeneration circuit, where the hydraulic valve assembly is switchable between a regenerative mode and a non-regenerative mode as the valve assembly supplies fluid to operate a hydraulic device. The hydraulic valve assembly may be automatically switchable between the regenerative mode and the non-regenerative mode, such as by utilizing a pressure control valve in the hydraulic circuit that is activatable at a predetermined pressure setpoint, or by utilizing a variable pressure reducing valve that actuates a spool in the hydraulic circuit. In other embodiments, the hydraulic valve assembly may be manually switchable between the regenerative mode and non-regenerative mode by utilizing a valve member operatively coupled to a solenoid in cooperation with one or more check valves in the regeneration circuit.