Pilot Conduit Pressure Control for Hydraulic Flow Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles face inefficiencies in hydraulic fluid flow control, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced fuel economy due to pressure drops in hydraulic systems, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a pump, flow control valve, compensator valve, pilot conduit, and computing system to adjust pilot pressure and bleed flow, reducing energy consumption by controlling the operation of pilot and load sense valves based on flow and pressure data from sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump discharges hydraulic fluid at high pressure to compensate for pressure drops in the hydraulic system, then the hydraulic load can be operated reliably, but the energy consumption of the work vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pump discharge pressure based on real-time hydraulic load requirements and actual pressure conditions in the system. The controller continuously monitors pressure sensor data and modulates the pump operation to maintain only the necessary pressure margin above load requirements, rather than maintaining a fixed high pressure throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter dynamically by adjusting the pump discharge pressure according to actual system needs. The controller modifies the pressure setting based on feedback from pressure sensors and hydraulic load demands, optimizing the pressure margin to minimize energy consumption while ensuring reliable operation.
2Reliability
If the pump operates at high pressure to maintain system performance, then hydraulic loads can be actuated reliably, but the fuel economy of the work vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where pressure sensors continuously monitor the actual pressure conditions downstream of the flow control valve, and the controller uses this feedback information to adjust the pump discharge pressure. This closed-loop control ensures the pump maintains only the necessary pressure above load requirements, reducing unnecessary energy loss and improving fuel economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional purely mechanical pressure compensation system with an electronically controlled system that uses sensors and a controller to intelligently adjust pump pressure. This substitution allows for more precise and adaptive pressure management, reducing energy losses compared to fixed mechanical compensation 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
This solution reduces energy consumption and enhances fuel economy by optimizing hydraulic fluid flow, specifically by adjusting pressure drops across flow control valves and pump operation, thereby improving the efficiency of work vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the pilot conduit valve configured to adjust the pressure of the pilot flow within the pilot conduit
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic load via a fluid supply conduit
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor configured to capture data indicative of a pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the fluid supply conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling hydraulic fluid flow within a work vehicle includes a pilot conduit fluidly configured to receive a pilot flow of the hydraulic fluid from a fluid supply conduit such that an operation of a compensator valve is controlled based on a pressure of the pilot flow. Furthermore, the system includes a pilot conduit valve configured to adjust the pressure of the pilot flow within the pilot conduit. A computing system is configured to determine the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the fluid supply conduit downstream of the flow control valve based on the data captured by a pressure sensor. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control an operation of the pilot conduit valve to selectively adjust the pressure of the pilot flow within the pilot conduit based on the determined pressure.