Ring Gate Actuation Cylinder With Single-Pressure Closing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring gate control systems in the hydropower industry require multiple pressure levels, leading to complexity, high maintenance costs, and excessive force requirements due to the need for multiple hydraulic components and pressure tanks.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system that uses a single high-pressure level for both opening and closing the ring gate by employing a cylinder with a piston and two chambers, where the same fluid pressure is applied to both chambers through different ducts, utilizing an additional element in the second chamber to reduce the surface area and thus the force required, allowing for a simplified hydraulic circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two different pressure levels are used to operate the ring gate (high pressure for opening, low pressure for closing), then the ring gate can be operated safely without damaging parts, but the hydraulic system becomes complicated and costly requiring two pressure tanks and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the piston surface areas in the two chambers. Instead of using two different pressure levels, the invention uses a single pressure level but varies the effective surface area of the piston in each chamber to achieve different force outputs. This allows the same pressure to produce different forces for opening and closing operations, thereby simplifying the hydraulic system while maintaining safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a single hydraulic pressure source that serves both functions (opening and closing) that previously required two separate pressure sources. By copying the single-pressure approach to replace the dual-pressure system, the patent eliminates the need for two pressure tanks and associated control systems, reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If two pressure tanks are used to build two pressure levels, then the ring gate operation is reliable, but the cost and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate pressure tanks into a single hydraulic system. By combining the high-pressure and low-pressure functions into one pressure source with differentiated piston surface areas, the invention reduces the number of components, lowers manufacturing costs, and decreases maintenance requirements while preserving operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic pressure system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both the force needed for opening the ring gate and the controlled force for closing it. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pressure systems, reducing overall system cost and maintenance burden while maintaining reliable operation.
3Productivity
If high pressure is used for closing the ring gate, then the gate closes reliably, but excessive force may cause mechanical damage to parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of piston surface area to control the force output during closing operation. By using a smaller effective surface area in the second chamber, the same pressure produces a reduced force that is sufficient for reliable closing without causing excessive force that could damage mechanical parts.
4Force
If the piston surface area in the second chamber is reduced, then the force required for closing is decreased, but the pressure distribution becomes asymmetric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the piston surface area different in the two chambers. Instead of using a symmetric piston with equal surface areas, the invention creates an asymmetric piston where the second chamber has a smaller effective surface area. This local modification allows the same pressure to produce different forces in each chamber, optimizing the force required for closing while maintaining pressure distribution.
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 reduces the number of hydraulic components, decreases costs, and increases system robustness by allowing the ring gate to be operated with a single pressure level, minimizing the effort needed to control the ring gate's movement while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid with a predetermined pressure (P) is fed to said first chamber of said first actuation cylinder through said first duct to move said piston in said second direction and the same fluid with said same predetermined pressure (P) is fed to said second chamber of said first actuation cylinder through said second duct to move said piston in said first direction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This invention discloses in particular an actuation cylinder (10) for controlling the movement of a ring-gate (40) of a hydraulic machine, said actuation cylinder (10) comprising a body (18) forming a first chamber (22) provided with a first duct (26) and a second chamber (24) provided with a second duct (28) which are designed to receive an actuating fluid through said first duct (26) and said second duct (28), said chambers being separated from one another by a piston (20) connected to an actuating rod (14) and able to move in said body in a first direction in which the volume of the second chamber increases while the volume of the first chamber decreases, and in a second direction in which the volume of the second chamber decreases while the volume of the first chamber increases, said piston being provided with a rod (30) connected in said second chamber to an area (20b) of the piston turned toward said second chamber, said area (20b) having a surface less than an area (20a) of the piston turned toward the first chamber.