Sod Harvester Hydraulic Bypass Circulation for Precise Actuation Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sod harvesters face inefficiencies and inconsistencies due to temperature variations in hydraulic fluid, leading to downtime and poor harvesting performance, especially in cold environments, as the timing of component actuation is affected by the fluid's temperature, causing variations that impact the precision and rate of sod harvesting.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic system configuration that maintains the temperature of hydraulic fluid both during and after harvesting by using a pump, actuators, control valves, and a bypass valve to allow continuous circulation of hydraulic fluid, reducing the time to reach a steady operational temperature and minimizing variations in actuation timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the hydraulic fluid temperature is allowed to vary during operation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the actuation timing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic system complexityVSAvoidactuation timing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve is pre-configured to enable continuous circulation of hydraulic fluid through the system, maintaining thermal equilibrium before actuation is needed. This preliminary thermal conditioning ensures that when actuation commands are issued, the hydraulic fluid is already at the optimal temperature for precise timing, eliminating the need for complex active temperature control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass valve maintains continuous circulation of hydraulic fluid even during idle periods, ensuring that the fluid remains at a steady temperature. This continuous thermal conditioning allows the system to maintain precise actuation timing without requiring complex temperature management, as the fluid is constantly being conditioned through circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If the harvester operates at high rates, then the productivity increases, but the timing consistency of component actuation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesod harvesting rateVSAvoidtiming consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve ensures continuous circulation of hydraulic fluid, maintaining thermal equilibrium even during high-rate harvesting operations. This continuous thermal conditioning prevents temperature fluctuations that would otherwise cause timing variations in actuation, enabling the system to maintain both high productivity and consistent timing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the hydraulic fluid is allowed to cool during pauses, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the time required to reach operational temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic system energy consumptionVSAvoidwarm-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve maintains continuous circulation of hydraulic fluid during pauses in harvesting, preventing the fluid from cooling down. This continuous circulation uses minimal energy compared to active heating systems while ensuring that the hydraulic fluid remains at operational temperature, thereby eliminating warm-up time delays without significant energy penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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 configuration enables consistent and precise actuation of sod harvester components, allowing for efficient and high-rate sod harvesting with reduced downtime and improved pallet formation, even in cold conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a bypass valve coupled between the first and second hydraulic lines to thereby allow hydraulic fluid to flow between the first and second hydraulic lines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid circulation:

Implementation Method 2

The hydraulic system of a sod harvester can be configured to maintain the temperature of hydraulic fluid both during harvesting and while harvesting is paused

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature stabilization:

Data Source

PatentUS11357177B2Sod harvester hydraulic system for actuating components with precise timing

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 FIREFLY AUTOMATIX

AI summary

Sod harvesters can have hydraulic systems that are configured to actuate components with precise timing. The hydraulic system of a sod harvester can be configured to maintain the temperature of hydraulic fluid both during harvesting and while harvesting is paused to thereby eliminate or minimize the occurrence of periods of variation in the timing of actuation of the components that the hydraulic fluid drives. As a result, these components can be consistently actuated with precise timing even after harvesting has been paused. Additionally, such configurations can minimize the amount of time required to warm the hydraulic fluid to a steady operational temperature.