Mining Boom Hydraulic Meter-Out Control for Independent Actuator Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for controlling actuators in mining machines offer limited control over movement direction, speed, and force, restricting the range of functionality and productivity of these machines.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a control valve and counterbalance valves controlled by solenoid valves, allowing independent control of movement direction, speed, and force of hydraulic actuators, utilizing a meter-out control system to manage hydraulic fluid flow and pressure, enabling versatile and accurate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hydraulic control system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the control capability over movement direction, speed, and force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control system is segmented into independent control paths: a control valve for flow/direction control and counterbalance valves for pressure/force control. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific control functions, achieving versatile control capability while maintaining reasonable system structure through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve serves multiple functions by controlling both movement direction and speed through flow regulation. The counterbalance valves provide pressure control for force management. This multi-functionality approach enhances control capability without proportionally increasing system complexity
2Productivity
If independent control of force and speed is implemented, then productivity and control accuracy increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Counterbalance valves act as intermediary components between the hydraulic pump and the actuator, providing independent force control through pressure regulation. The control valve serves as an intermediary for flow control, enabling independent speed control. These intermediary components achieve high control accuracy without requiring complex integrated control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles with counterbalance valves that utilize pressure differential control to regulate force independently of speed. The meter-out control configuration uses hydraulic flow control to achieve independent speed regulation. This hydraulic approach enables independent control of force and speed while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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 provides more effective and accurate control of hydraulic actuators, enhancing productivity and user-friendliness by allowing independent control of movement direction, speed, and force, while being reliable and inexpensive, suitable for various mining operations including tunneling.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic pump is configured to generate hydraulic pressure and flow to a hydraulic actuator
Implementation Method 2
A control valve is configured to control flow of the hydraulic fluid directed to the actuator and thereby control movement direction and speed of the actuator
Implementation Method 3
First and second counterbalance valves are configured to control hydraulic pressure in first and second working spaces of the actuator, wherein opening pressures of the first and second counterbalance valves are adjustable
Implementation Method 4
First and second solenoid valves are configured to adjust opening pressures of the first and second counterbalance valves
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 5
AI summary
A hydraulic system, mining machine and method of controlling a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system (HS) is provided with a control valve (23) for controlling movement direction and speed of a hydraulic actuator (HA) connected to the system. Generated force of the hydraulic actuator is controlled independently relative to the control valve by means of counterbalance valves (Cb1, Cb2) and servo valves (Sv1, Sv2) controlling their opening pressure. The counterbalance valves and the servo valves operate as a meter-out control assembly which controls flow of hydraulic fluid discharged from working pressure spaces (16a, 16b) of the hydraulic actuator. The disclosed system may be implemented to control a mining boom (3) of a mining machine (1).