Hydrostatic Torque Converter with Vane Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary couplings and torque converters face inefficiencies in torque transmission and energy management, particularly in applications requiring selective disengagement of rotating machines and high torque handling, leading to energy wastage and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A hydrostatic torque converter system that uses a hydraulically controllable coupling with a vane pump or motor, allowing for efficient torque transmission by switching between fluid-working and non-fluid-working modes, enabling independent rotation of input and output shafts and adjustable torque control through a relief valve and remote pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional rotary couplings are used for torque transmission, then torque can be transmitted between rotating components, but energy loss increases and transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical rotary couplings with a hydrostatic torque converter system that uses hydraulic fluid to transmit torque. The vane pump and vane motor convert mechanical energy to hydraulic energy and back to mechanical energy, eliminating direct mechanical contact and reducing friction losses. This substitution of mechanical system with hydraulic system resolves the contradiction by significantly reducing energy loss while maintaining torque transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles through the use of vane pump and vane motor connected by hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid transmits power between the input and output shafts, allowing torque transmission with minimal energy loss. The hydraulic system enables efficient energy transfer by utilizing fluid pressure and flow characteristics, directly addressing the energy loss problem in conventional mechanical couplings.
2Reliability
If conventional torque converters are used, then torque transmission is possible, but selective disengagement of rotating machines is difficult and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically controllable hydrostatic torque converter system where the vane pump and vane motor can be independently controlled. By adjusting the hydraulic fluid flow and pressure, the system can smoothly engage and disengage rotating machines without sudden mechanical impacts. This dynamic control capability allows selective disengagement while reducing mechanical stress, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary between the input and output shafts, allowing torque transmission without direct mechanical coupling. This intermediary fluid medium enables smooth engagement and disengagement of rotating machines, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connection and reducing mechanical stress. The hydraulic system provides a buffer that protects against shock loads while maintaining ease of selective disengagement.
3Productivity
If hydrostatic torque converter with vane pump is used, then torque transmission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vane pump and vane motor into a single integrated hydrostatic torque converter unit. By combining these two components and sharing common elements such as the housing, shafts, and hydraulic fluid circuit, the system achieves high torque transmission efficiency while reducing overall structural complexity. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate pump and motor assemblies, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrostatic torque converter system performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: torque transmission, speed conversion, and selective engagement/disengagement of rotating machines. The vane pump and vane motor share common components and hydraulic circuits, allowing the system to achieve high efficiency while maintaining relatively simple structure through multi-functionality.
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 system achieves high efficiency in torque transmission with minimal energy loss, allows for selective disengagement of rotating components, and reduces mechanical stress, thereby improving the performance and reliability of vehicle and industrial drive systems.
Implementation Method 1
the pump works hydraulic fluid between the rotating group and the body to transmit torque from the input to the output
Implementation Method 2
The relief valve is to allow the fluid to escape when the discharge pressure of the couple exceeds a threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
An example includes a hydraulically controllable coupling to couple a rotating input and to an output to rotate, or to decouple the input and the output, with coupling and decoupling modes selected by switching a hydraulic device such as a vane pump between a pumping mode and a mode in which it does not pump. In an example, the system cooperates with a transmission to increase the number of possible gear ratios in some examples.