Radial Fluid Device Counteracting Elliptical Cams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial fluid devices face challenges in varying fluid flow without increasing piston stroke displacement distance or energy consumption, particularly due to high load requirements and inefficient cam configurations, which limit their efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a radial fluid device with counteracting elliptical cams and a mechanical linkage system that adjusts cam positions to change piston stroke timing, reducing energy needs and allowing for flexible fluid flow management without altering displacement distance, and enabling fluid flow reversal and increased shaft speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radial fluid device uses a single circular cam to vary piston displacement, then fluid flow can be adjusted, but the load required to move the cam becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The single circular cam is segmented into multiple separate cams (at least two cams). Each cam independently controls a subset of pistons, allowing the total piston load to be distributed across multiple cam structures rather than concentrated on a single cam, thereby reducing the force required to move each individual cam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions cams and pistons to create counterbalancing forces. By strategically arranging pistons around the cam and positioning cam lobes appropriately, the inertial forces and hydraulic forces from opposing pistons counterbalance each other, significantly reducing the net force required to move the cam during operation.
2Force
If piston diameter is increased to handle higher loads, then force capacity improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fewer, larger-diameter pistons, the patent divides the load handling among multiple smaller-diameter pistons. Each piston handles a portion of the total load, allowing the use of standard-sized, easier-to-manufacture pistons while maintaining overall load capacity through the combined effect of multiple pistons working in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pistons are combined to work together on a single cam or set of cams. The individual piston forces are merged to achieve the required total load handling capacity, distributing the mechanical stress across multiple components rather than concentrating it in a single large piston.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cam offset is increased to vary displacement, then fluid flow control improves, but the force required to move the cam increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement control function is segmented across multiple cams rather than requiring a single cam with large offset. Each cam can have a moderate, optimized offset that is sufficient for its controlled pistons, and the combined effect of multiple cams achieves the desired overall displacement variation without any single cam experiencing excessive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple cams that can rotate independently or with different phase relationships, allowing dynamic adjustment of piston displacement patterns. This dynamic configuration enables flexible fluid flow control while maintaining optimal force characteristics throughout the operating range, as the cam system can adapt its configuration rather than relying on fixed large offsets.
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 allows for adjustable fluid flow with minimal energy input, reduced vibration, and lower hydraulic pressure pulses, while enabling the connection of multiple devices on a common drive shaft, enhancing overall system efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam and a second cam, each cam having a different configuration than the other cam. Each cam has a different configuration than the other cam.
Implementation Method 2
counteracting elliptical cams and a mechanical linkage system that adjusts cam positions
Implementation Method 3
The load required to move cam 230 is relatively high because the configuration has a high piston diameter to stroke ratio compared to axial designs and there are no forces available to counterbalance the piston loads acting on the cam.
Implementation Method 4
Variable radial fluid device with counteracting cams
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device comprises a cylinder block, a first plurality of pistons, a second plurality of pistons, a first cam, a second cam, and a cam rotation device. Each of the first plurality of pistons are slidably received within a different one of a first plurality of radially extending cylinders. Each of the second plurality of pistons are slidably received within a different one of a second plurality of radially extending cylinders. The first cam is disposed about the first plurality of radially extending cylinders. The second cam is disposed about the second plurality of radially extending cylinders. The cam rotation device is coupled to the first cam and the second cam. The cam rotation device is operable to rotate the first cam in a first direction and the second cam in a second direction.