Nested Piston Hydraulic Pump With Locking-Based Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current axial piston pump designs face mechanical complications, operational inefficiencies, and issues with vibration/noise due to dynamic torque changes in hydraulic systems, leading to higher maintenance costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement hydraulic device with a housing, multiple pistons, and a locking mechanism that inhibits reciprocal motion of pistons to adjust fluid flow in response to changing torque conditions, allowing for decoupling of pistons from actuators to manage fluid output effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable angle rotating drive plates (wobble plate) are used to dynamically change fluid flow in response to changing torque conditions, then the hydraulic device can adapt to dynamic flow requirements, but mechanical complications arise leading to higher maintenance costs and operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wobble plate component from the axial piston pump design. Instead of using a variable angle rotating drive plate to achieve dynamic flow adjustment, the invention employs a different mechanical arrangement that eliminates this problematic component while maintaining the ability to adapt to changing torque conditions and adjust fluid flow dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a wobble plate to convert rotational motion into reciprocating motion through angular variation, the patent inverts the approach by using a conventional crank mechanism or direct reciprocating arrangement. This reversal of the motion conversion method eliminates the mechanical complications associated with variable angle drive plates while achieving the same functional outcome of dynamic flow adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable angle rotating drive plates (wobble plate) are used to dynamically change fluid flow, then the hydraulic device can respond to changing torque conditions, but operational inefficiencies and vibration/noise issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the wobble plate from the design, the patent eliminates the source of vibration and noise associated with its variable angle rotation. The alternative mechanism used in the invention provides a smoother operation that maintains the ability to respond to changing torque conditions without generating harmful vibrations and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of complex mechanical arrangements into benefit by selecting a simpler mechanism that inherently produces less vibration and noise. The alternative drive mechanism, while mechanically different, provides smoother operation and reduced harmful factors while maintaining adaptive response to torque variations.
3Reliability
If conventional axial piston pump designs are used, then the device can provide hydraulic actuation, but maintenance costs increase due to mechanical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wobble plate and associated complex mechanical components from the axial piston pump design. This simplification reduces the number of parts that can fail and require maintenance, while the core hydraulic actuation capability is preserved through an alternative, more reliable mechanical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the approach to motion conversion and eliminating the wobble plate mechanism, the patent creates a design with fewer moving parts and simpler mechanics. This inverted design philosophy directly reduces maintenance requirements and costs while maintaining full hydraulic actuation 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 solution reduces maintenance costs and operational inefficiencies by dynamically adjusting fluid flow, minimizing vibration and noise, and enhancing the hydraulic device's ability to handle changing torque requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism for inhibiting the first reciprocal motion of the first piston; wherein when engaged the locking mechanism inhibits the first portion of said outputting of the hydraulic fluid by decoupling the first piston from the actuator
Implementation Method 2
a first cylinder positioned in the housing along the reciprocation axis, the first cylinder having a first input for receiving the hydraulic fluid on a first intake stroke and a first output for ejecting the hydraulic fluid on a first exhaust stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A variable displacement hydraulic device comprising: a housing having an inlet for receiving hydraulic fluid and an outlet for outputting the hydraulic fluid, the housing having a reciprocation axis; a first cylinder positioned in the housing along the reciprocation axis, the first cylinder having a first input for receiving the hydraulic fluid on a first intake stroke and a first output for ejecting the hydraulic fluid on a first exhaust stroke; a first piston positioned for a first reciprocal motion within the first cylinder, the first piston having a first main end exposed to the hydraulic fluid and a second main end coupled to an actuator, the actuator for driving the second main end when coupled to the actuator for causing the first reciprocal motion to induce a first portion of said outputting of the hydraulic fluid; a second cylinder positioned in the first piston along the reciprocation axis, the second cylinder having a second input for receiving the hydraulic fluid on a second intake stroke and a second output for ejecting the hydraulic fluid on a second exhaust stroke; a second piston positioned for a second reciprocal motion within the second cylinder, the second piston having a first secondary end exposed to the hydraulic fluid and a second secondary end coupled to the actuator, the actuator for driving the second secondary end when coupled to the actuator for causing the second reciprocal motion to induce a second portion of said outputting of the hydraulic fluid; and a locking mechanism for inhibiting the first reciprocal motion of the first piston; wherein when engaged the locking mechanism inhibits the first portion of said outputting of the hydraulic fluid by decoupling the first piston from the actuator while continued operation of the actuator provides the second portion of said outputting of the hydraulic fluid by the second piston.