Pilot Hydraulic Valve Damping for Lift Oscillation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic systems with hydraulically pilot-operated valves in lifting devices experience resonance phenomena and uncontrollable oscillations due to rapidly changing control inputs, particularly at higher temperatures, leading to operational interruptions and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic system incorporating a reducing element and a hydraulic pressure accumulator in the pilot line to control the switching position of the hydraulically pilot-operated valve, smoothing pressure changes and preventing sudden valve switching, thereby stabilizing the control behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a hydraulically pilot-operated valve is used to control hydraulic fluid supply, then the valve switching position can be changed by applying hydraulic fluid to a control input, but rapidly changing control inputs cause sudden pressure increases and drops leading to resonance phenomena and uncontrollable oscillations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve switching speedVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A reducing element is introduced as an intermediary component in the pilot line between the control element and the hydraulically pilot-operated valve. This reducing element has a flow resistance that differs from conventional hydraulic lines, thereby mediating the pressure changes and preventing sudden pressure increases and drops that cause valve switching instability and resonance phenomena

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow resistance parameter of the pilot line is changed by introducing a reducing element with specific flow resistance characteristics. This parameter change modifies the pressure transmission characteristics, smoothing out rapid pressure variations and preventing the resonance phenomena associated with sudden valve switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If vibration dampers are used for parts of the lifting device, then resonance phenomena can be reduced, but the dampers increase the loads on the lifting device's actuators by inhibiting mobility and their breakaway torque can also lead to resonance phenomena

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration suppressionVSAvoidactuator load
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical vibration damper system is replaced with a hydraulic control system modification. Instead of using mechanical dampers that physically resist motion, the invention modifies the hydraulic pilot control system to prevent resonance phenomena through controlled pressure management, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical dampers and their associated actuator loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If electronic detection and signal processing is used to prevent oscillation, then control signals can be processed electronically, but this increases device complexity and maintenance effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoscillation controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control system is replaced with a hydraulic control solution. The reducing element in the pilot line provides passive hydraulic damping and pressure smoothing, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, processors, and actuators while achieving the same oscillation control objective through hydraulic means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively reduces resonance and oscillations, ensuring stable operation over a wide temperature range with reduced maintenance efforts and costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one hydraulic pressure accumulator is fluidly connected to at least one pilot line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure accumulation: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

A reducing element can have a flow resistance for hydraulic fluid that differs from, and in particular is greater than, a conventional hydraulic line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow resistance: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP4105161B1Hydraulic system for a lifting device
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 EPSILON KRAN
  • EP4105161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4105161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4105161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Hydraulic system for a hydraulic lifting device (1) comprising: - at least one hydraulically piloted valve (2) for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to at least one hydraulic consumer (11) of the hydraulic lifting device (1), and - at least one control element (4) for hydraulically piloting the valve (2), wherein the control element (4) is fluidly connected to the hydraulically piloted valve (2) via at least one pilot line (5, 6), and the switching position of the at least one hydraulically piloted valve (2) can be controlled via the at least one pilot line (5, 6) by supplying hydraulic fluid through the control element (4), wherein - in the at least one pilot line (5, 6) between the control element (4) and the at least one hydraulically piloted valve (2) there is at least one reducing element (7) effective in at least one direction, preferably in two directions.8) is arranged and - at least one hydraulic pressure accumulator (9, 10) is fluid-conductingly connected to at least one pilot line (5, 6).