Piston Accumulator Radar Sensing for Separator Position Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic accumulators face issues with accurate position monitoring of the separating element due to moisture, condensate, contamination, and heat streaks, which impair optical measurements, and require significant installation space for transmitter and receiver devices.
Innovation Solution
A radar unit is used as a displacement measuring device, emitting and receiving radar signals to determine the position of the separating element without contact, allowing for accurate monitoring without being affected by interference factors and saving installation space by combining the transmitter and receiver in a structural unit on the accumulator housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical displacement measuring devices are used to monitor the position of the separating element, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to moisture, condensate, contamination, and heat streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical displacement measuring devices with a radar-based measuring device. The radar device emits electromagnetic waves that penetrate through moisture, condensate, and contamination without being affected by these harmful factors, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy in the harsh environment inside the accumulator housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from optical waves to radar waves (electromagnetic waves). This parameter change allows the measurement system to operate reliably in the presence of moisture, condensate, and heat streaks that would otherwise interfere with optical measurements.
2Reliability
If separate transmitter and receiver devices are used for displacement measurement, then measurement function is provided, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitter and receiver devices into a single integrated radar measuring device mounted on the cover side of the accumulator housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate transmitter and receiver installations, significantly reducing the required installation space while maintaining full measurement 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 radar unit provides reliable and accurate position monitoring of the separating element, ensuring safe operation and energy storage capacity, while being resistant to contamination and environmental conditions, and can be easily integrated into existing hydraulic accumulator systems.
Implementation Method 1
A radar unit is used as a displacement measuring device, emitting and receiving radar signals to determine the position of the separating element without contact
Data Source
AI summary
2. A hydraulic accumulator, in particular a piston accumulator, comprising a separation element (16) which is movably arranged in an accumulator housing (10) and which separates two media chambers (24, 26) from each other, and comprising a distance measuring device for monitoring the position of the separation element (16), is characterized in that the distance measuring device is in the form of a radar device (32) that includes a transmitter (42) emitting a primary signal which upon at least partial reflection off the separation element (16), generates a secondary signal which, upon reception by a receiver (46), allows a position of the separation element (16) in the accumulator housing (10) to be determined.