Smart Flow Sharing System for Hydraulic Controllability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art open center hydraulic valve systems face controllability issues when operating multiple hydraulically demanding functions simultaneously, requiring complex and costly solutions like load sensing anti-saturation systems, which are difficult to maintain and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The smart flow sharing system employs two fixed displacement pumps and an additional spool to prioritize hydraulic fluid flow automatically, ensuring each demanding function receives dedicated fluid flow, eliminating the need for complex metering and costly components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fixed displacement pump is used in an open center hydraulic valve system, then the system structure remains simple, but controllability deteriorates when operating multiple hydraulically demanding functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump system is segmented into two separate fixed displacement pumps, each capable of independently supplying hydraulic fluid to different functions. This segmentation allows each pump to dedicate flow to specific hydraulic functions, improving controllability when multiple demanding functions operate simultaneously while maintaining relatively simple system structure through the use of standard off-the-shelf pump components
2Ease of operation
If load sensing anti-saturation systems are used to improve controllability, then precision control is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the inherent characteristics of fixed displacement pumps and simple spool valves to automatically prioritize and allocate hydraulic flow without requiring complex load sensing electronics or anti-saturation control systems. The spool valves naturally direct flow based on operator input, and the dual pump configuration automatically provides sufficient flow to active functions, achieving precision control through passive hydraulic design rather than active electronic control
3Productivity
If complex metering systems are implemented to manage hydraulic fluid flow, then flow distribution is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex, expensive metering systems with simple, readily available spool valves and off-the-shelf fixed displacement pumps. These standard components are inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and simple to maintain, while still achieving effective flow distribution through the dual pump configuration and basic valve spool mechanics
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 provides precise control and faster equipment speed, even for less experienced operators, while maintaining a cost-effective and maintenance-friendly hydraulic system, superior to prior art options.
Implementation Method 1
a first fixed displacement pump and a second fixed displacement pump in a smart flow sharing system
Implementation Method 2
an additional spool, which directs hydraulic fluid flow/pressure in a manner such that if more than one of the more demanding hydraulic functions are simultaneously activated
Implementation Method 3
hydraulic valve systems are utilized, for example, to cause pistons to lower, lift, extend, retract, lock, unlock, or angle a fork
Data Source
AI summary
A smart flow sharing system, useful in hydraulic systems having more than one hydraulically demanding equipment function wherein more than one of the hydraulically demanding functions are sometimes activated at the same time, has modified hydraulic passages and at least two fixed displacement pumps. The system automatically prioritizes hydraulic fluid flow so that when only one of two hydraulically demanding functions is activated by an operator, it receives the hydraulic fluid flow from both fixed displacement pumps, but when both hydraulically demanding functions are activated, one of the functions receives hydraulic fluid flow from the first fixed displacement pump, and the other function separately receives hydraulic fluid flow from the second fixed displacement pump. The smart flow sharing system accomplishes the foregoing without resorting to complex hydraulics or expensive additional components. An equipment operator advantageously achieves superior controllability and quicker movement of equipment functions using the invention.