Interconnected Double Valve Fluid Logic for Clutch Brake Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control valve systems for operating multiple actuators in fluid power machinery fail to quickly deactuate a second valve when the first valve faults, leading to potential damage or unsafe conditions due to simultaneous actuation of the clutch and brake, requiring additional components or degrading timing performance.
Innovation Solution
Interconnecting double valves such that operation of each pilot valve depends on receiving pressurized fluid from the other valve, ensuring that if one double valve faults, the other quickly deactuates by using crossover passages fluidically coupled with pilot valves, preventing simultaneous actuation of the clutch and brake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional control valve systems are used without interconnection, then each valve can operate independently, but the second valve continues to operate when the first valve faults, causing simultaneous actuation of clutch and brake which damages the press
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control logic of two independent double valves by interconnecting their pilot valves through fluid passages. The first pilot valve and second pilot valve are connected such that the operation of one depends on the state of the other, creating a unified fail-safe control system that prevents simultaneous clutch and brake actuation without requiring additional external monitoring components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid interconnection passages as an intermediary mechanism between the two double valves. These passages transmit fluid pressure signals between the pilot valves, enabling automatic deactuation of the second valve when the first valve faults, without requiring direct electronic monitoring or additional control components
2Reliability
If additional monitoring components are added to detect valve faults, then the system can identify when a valve faults, but the system complexity increases and requires additional components beyond the double valves themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-monitoring system where the double valves automatically detect faults in each other through their interconnected pilot valves. When one valve faults, the fluid interconnection automatically signals the other valve to deactuate, eliminating the need for separate electronic sensors, pressure switches, or monitoring circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The fault detection and automatic response functions are merged into the existing double valve structure itself. The pilot valves serve dual purposes: normal operation control and fault detection/signaling, eliminating the need for separate monitoring components by combining multiple functions into the primary control elements
3Speed
If flow control valves or quick dump valves are added for timing control, then the actuation timing can be controlled, but the device complexity increases and timing performance may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The timing control function is merged into the existing double valve structure through the fluid interconnection of pilot valves. The automatic deactuation timing is achieved through the inherent fluid dynamics of the interconnected pilot system, eliminating the need for separate flow control valves or quick dump valves that would add complexity and potentially degrade timing performance
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 prevents simultaneous actuation of the clutch and brake by ensuring that one double valve deactuates when the other faults, avoiding damage and unsafe conditions without requiring additional components or degrading timing performance.
Implementation Method 1
couples pressurized fluid to first and second actuators using first and second double valves
Implementation Method 2
A first valve element of the first double valve has a first inlet poppet and a first flow restrictor
Implementation Method 3
a first crossover passage fluidically coupling the first flow restrictor to the second inlet poppet and a second crossover passage coupling the second flow restrictor to the first inlet poppet
Implementation Method 4
A first pilot is fluidically coupled to the first valve element and has a first pilot fluid inlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A control valve apparatus couples pressurized fluid to first and second actuators using first and second double valves (30,31). The first double valve (30) includes first and second crossover passages (70,71) and first and second pilots (34,36). The second double valve (31) includes third and fourth crossover passages (72,73) and third and fourth pilots (67,50). A first interconnection (55) couples the first crossover passage (70) with the third pilot fluid inlet (47). A second interconnection (56) couples the second crossover passage (71) with the fourth pilot fluid inlet (50). A third interconnection (57) couples the third crossover passage (72) with the first pilot fluid inlet (34). A fourth interconnection (58) couples the fourth crossover passage (73) with the second pilot fluid inlet (36). Thus, operation of each pilot depends upon receiving pressurized fluid from the other double valve which is only present when the other double valve is not in a fault condition.