Priority-Based Valve Sequencing for Hydraulic Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems with fixed displacement pumps face challenges in maintaining consistent pressure and flow due to internal leakage and varying load requirements, often necessitating pressure regulators and unloading valves to prevent over-pressurization.
Innovation Solution
The system employs digital control valves using pulse width modulation and accumulators to manage flow and pressure, with a controller adjusting duty cycles and sequencing control valves to optimize flow distribution and pressure management, potentially eliminating the need for pressure regulators by leveraging natural fluid compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed displacement pumps are used, then system cost and weight are reduced, but pressure consistency deteriorates due to internal leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements priority-based valve sequencing where control valves are actuated in a specific sequence based on load priority. The controller monitors system pressure and flow requirements, activating high-priority valves first while restricting low-priority valves. This feedback mechanism compensates for internal leakage by dynamically adjusting valve positions to maintain pressure consistency without requiring expensive variable displacement pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of control valves based on real-time pressure and flow conditions. Instead of static valve positions, the controller continuously modifies valve actuation sequences and durations to compensate for internal leakage variations, maintaining pressure consistency while using simple fixed displacement pumps.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure regulators are added to control pressure, then pressure consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure control function from traditional pressure regulators and implements it through the control sequence logic. By removing dedicated pressure regulating components and using intelligent valve sequencing instead, the system maintains pressure control capability while reducing overall device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valves serve multiple functions: flow distribution to different loads and pressure control through sequencing. By making the valves multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate pressure regulators, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective pressure control through the priority-based actuation sequence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control valves are used for flow distribution, then flow requirements of multiple loads are met, but pressure ripples increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control of multiple loads by assigning priority levels and implementing sequential valve actuation. Instead of all valves operating simultaneously which causes pressure ripples, the controller divides valve operation into time-separated sequences based on load priority, allowing each valve to operate more independently and reducing interactive pressure fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements periodic actuation sequences for multiple valves based on load priority. By rhythmically cycling through high-priority to low-priority valves in a structured sequence, the system maintains continuous flow supply while reducing pressure ripples through controlled periodic operation rather than simultaneous valve action.
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 approach enhances system efficiency by minimizing pressure ripples, reducing accumulator size, and improving response time, while maintaining stable flow and pressure delivery to hydraulic loads, thus optimizing hydraulic system performance.
Implementation Method 1
leveraging natural fluid compliance
Implementation Method 2
The system employs digital control valves using pulse width modulation
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary hydraulic system includes a plurality of digital valves, each valve fluidly connectable to a corresponding hydraulic load. The digitals valves are operable to fluidly connect the corresponding hydraulic load to a pressure source. The hydraulic system further includes a digital controller operably connected to the plurality of digital valves. The digital controller is configured to assign a priority level so that it is associated with each of a plurality of hydraulic loads, and to formulate a pulse width modulated control signal based on the assigned priority levels. The digital controller transmits the control signal to the plurality of digital valves for controlling the operation of the valves.