Hydraulic Circuit for Mast Rotation Load Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems in mast drilling machines are prone to wear, fatigue, and malfunction due to high forces encountered during mast rotation, especially when drilling at angles beyond 90 degrees, leading to potential tipping and damage.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic circuit comprising a primary hydraulic cylinder, a secondary hydraulic cylinder, and a directional valve, with a relief valve, that maintains pressure on the cap end of the secondary cylinder greater than the rod end, reducing load on the primary cylinder by engaging the secondary cylinder as the mast moves through a second arc from 90 to 105 degrees, thereby minimizing wear and malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hydraulic cylinder is used to rotate the mast, then the device complexity is reduced, but the primary hydraulic cylinder is subject to significant forces causing wear, fatigue, and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The single hydraulic cylinder is divided into two separate cylinders: a primary hydraulic cylinder for general mast rotation and a secondary hydraulic cylinder specifically for supporting the mast at angles beyond 90 degrees. This segmentation allows each cylinder to operate within optimized force ranges, reducing wear and fatigue on individual components while maintaining system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mast is operated at angles beyond 90 degrees, then drilling versatility is improved, but the hydraulic cylinder is subjected to excessive forces leading to wear and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary hydraulic cylinder acts as an intermediary support mechanism that engages specifically when the mast is positioned at angles beyond 90 degrees. This intermediary component absorbs the excessive forces that would otherwise be placed on the primary hydraulic cylinder, enabling extended drilling angles while protecting the main hydraulic system from damage.
3Device complexity
If hydraulic pressure is not maintained on the secondary cylinder, then the system simplicity is improved, but the mast cannot be stabilized at angles beyond 90 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit is pre-configured with check valves and pressure maintenance mechanisms that automatically maintain pressure on the secondary hydraulic cylinder when engaged. This preliminary setup ensures that when the mast reaches angles beyond 90 degrees, the secondary cylinder is already pressurized and ready to provide immediate support, enabling stable positioning without requiring complex active control systems.
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 hydraulic circuit effectively reduces the load on the primary hydraulic cylinders, minimizing wear, fatigue, and malfunction by providing supplemental force through the secondary cylinder, ensuring stable mast operation across a range of angles without tipping, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a primary hydraulic cylinder coupled to the mast to rotate the mast about a pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a directional valve fluidly coupled between the primary hydraulic cylinder and secondary hydraulic cylinder to maintain pressure on the cap end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder greater than a pressure on the rod end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A mast assembly that includes a mast and a hydraulic circuit for moving the mast. The hydraulic circuit includes a primary hydraulic cylinder coupled to the mast to rotate the mast about a pivot axis and a secondary hydraulic cylinder extending from a rod end to a cap end that is fluidly coupled to the primary hydraulic cylinder. A directional valve is fluidly coupled between the primary hydraulic cylinder and secondary hydraulic cylinder to keep a pressure on the cap end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder greater than the pressure on the rod end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder during all operating conditions.