Radial Fluid Device Phase Angle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radial fluid devices face challenges in varying fluid flow without increasing piston stroke displacement distance or energy consumption, particularly requiring significant force to move cams and maintain efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radial fluid device with mechanically linked cams and cam gears that adjust the phase angle between cams to control fluid flow, allowing for reversible fluid flow and reduced energy consumption by balancing piston forces and minimizing vibration and pressure pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the displacement distance of each piston stroke is increased to vary fluid flow, then fluid flow control is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase angle parameter between pistons rather than altering piston displacement distance. By adjusting the phase angle of the cam mechanism, the fluid flow rate is controlled while keeping the piston stroke displacement constant, thereby avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic cam mechanism that can adjust the phase angle between pistons during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows fluid flow control without modifying the fundamental piston displacement geometry, maintaining structural simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cam mechanism is used to vary piston displacement, then fluid flow control is achieved, but significant force is required to move the cam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses counterbalancing mechanisms in the cam design where forces from multiple pistons acting on the cam are balanced against each other. This reduces the net force required to move the cam mechanism while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow through phase angle adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed so that the pivot axis is positioned to allow forces from pistons to counterbalance each other, creating an equipotential condition where minimal external force is needed to vary the cam position and control fluid flow
3Productivity
If multiple fluid devices are connected along a common drive shaft, then system efficiency is improved, but vibration and pressure pulses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric phase angle offsets between pistons in series configurations. By staggering the phase angles of adjacent pistons, the pressure pulses and vibrations generated by each piston are desynchronized, causing them to cancel each other out and reducing overall harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful pressure pulses and vibrations into beneficial effects by using phase-angle-staggered pistons where the disturbances from one piston are counterbalanced by opposing disturbances from other pistons, thereby reducing net vibration and pressure pulses while maintaining high system efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device (300) comprises a cylinder block (320), a first plurality of pistons (340a-340f), a second plurality of pistons (340a'-340f', a first cam (330), a second cam (330'), and a coupling device. Each of the first plurality of pistons (340a-340f) are slidably received within a different one of a first plurality of radially extending cylinders. Each of the second plurality of pistons (340a'-340f') are slidably received within a different one of a second plurality of radially extending cylinders. The first cam (330) is disposed about the first plurality of radially extending cylinders. The second cam (330') is disposed about the second plurality of radially extending cylinders. The coupling device is operable to couple the cylinder block to a cylinder block of a second radial fluid device.