Implement Hydraulic System with Oil Accumulator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements, such as seeding machines, face a challenge in hydraulic systems where the additional oil volume required to extend multiple large hydraulic cylinders exceeds the capacity of the prime mover's hydraulic system reservoir, leading to excessive oil demand and potential reservoir level fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an oil accumulator in the implement hydraulic system to store oil when cylinders are retracted and return it to the prime mover hydraulic system when extending, along with a flow divider to manage oil flow, ensuring a more balanced exchange and reducing the net change in the reservoir oil level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple large hydraulic cylinders are used to fold the frame, then the frame folding capability is improved, but the oil volume required exceeds the prime mover reservoir capacity
Solution Approach 1:
A flow divider is introduced as an intermediary device between the hydraulic system and the cylinders. It separates the incoming oil flow into two paths: one path supplies oil to extend the cylinder rods, while the other path directs oil to the accumulator. This mediator enables the system to handle larger oil volumes than the prime mover reservoir alone can provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of oil storage by utilizing an accumulator to store oil at high pressure. When cylinders need to extend, the accumulator releases stored oil to supplement the prime mover's supply. This parameter change in oil availability allows the system to support multiple large cylinders without requiring a proportionally larger prime mover reservoir.
2Ease of operation
If oil is supplied to extend cylinder rods, then the implement can be unfolded, but the reservoir oil level fluctuates excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator recovers and stores oil that would otherwise be discarded when cylinders extend. During retraction, oil from the rod end is captured and stored in the accumulator rather than being returned directly to the prime mover reservoir. This recovery mechanism stabilizes reservoir oil levels by decoupling the oil consumption of extending cylinders from the prime mover's reservoir.
3Productivity
If the prime mover hydraulic system supplies oil for multiple cylinders, then the cylinders can operate, but the hydraulic system experiences excessive strain
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator performs preliminary action by pre-storing oil at high pressure before it is needed. When cylinders need to extend, the accumulator immediately releases the pre-stored oil, reducing the demand on the prime mover's hydraulic pump and minimizing system strain. This preliminary preparation of oil supply allows continuous operation of multiple cylinders without overloading the prime mover.
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 solution allows for efficient operation of the implement's hydraulic system by minimizing the oil exchange with the prime mover, maintaining acceptable reservoir oil levels, and reducing the physical strain on the tractor's hydraulic system, thereby enhancing operational stability and compatibility with various tractors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one accumulator adapted to receive and hold oil from a prime mover hydraulic system when the active cylinders are operated to retract the rods and to release oil back to the prime mover hydraulic system when the implement hydraulic system is operated to extend the rods of the active cylinders
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An implement hydraulic system is disclosed. The implement hydraulic system is adapted to be selectively coupled to a prime mover hydraulic system with a pump, a reservoir and connectors to connect to the implement hydraulic system. The implement hydraulic system comprising: a plurality of active hydraulic cylinders (140, 150, 180, 256) each having an extendable rod; a hydraulic circuit controlling the flow of oil to and from the active cylinders (140, 150, 180, 256) to operate the cylinders (140, 150, 180, 256); and connectors to connect the implement hydraulic circuit to the prime mover hydraulic system. In order to reduce the oil flow from the prime mover hydraulic system when operating the cylinders, the implement hydraulic system comprises at least one accumulator (250) adapted to receive and hold oil from a prime mover hydraulic system when the active cylinders (140, 150, 180, 256) are operated to retract the rods and to release oil back to the prime mover hydraulic system when the implement hydraulic system is operated to extend the rods of the active cylinders (140, 150, 180, 256).