Switchable Pressure Booster for On-Demand Hydraulic Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic systems often require a pressure booster to amplify pressure, but this is not always necessary, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption when the booster is active all the time.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic system with an inactivating means, such as a valve, that connects a signal line to both the booster input and output, allowing the pressure booster to be activated only when needed, using a differential piston for amplification and an auxiliary pump for additional pressure when required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If the pressure booster is permanently active to amplify pressure, then the output pressure is sufficient for high-demand hydraulic consumers, but the energy consumption increases and the system operates inefficiently during normal operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput pressureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure booster is designed to be dynamically switchable between active and inactive states through a control valve. The valve can redirect hydraulic fluid to either activate the booster (when high pressure is needed) or bypass it (during normal operations), making the system adaptable to varying pressure demands and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure booster operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when the control valve detects that high pressure is required. This on-demand operation pattern reduces energy consumption while ensuring sufficient pressure is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the pressure booster is always active to ensure sufficient pressure, then the hydraulic consumer can always operate at required pressure levels, but the system cannot operate efficiently with lower pressure during normal conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sufficiencyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure booster's operational state based on real-time pressure demands. The control valve monitors system requirements and switches the booster between active and inactive modes, ensuring reliable pressure supply when needed while maintaining operational efficiency during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve automatically determines when the pressure booster should be activated or deactivated based on system pressure requirements, enabling the system to self-regulate and optimize its operation without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If the pressure booster is inactivated to reduce energy consumption, then the system operates efficiently with lower pressure, but the hydraulic consumer cannot receive elevated pressure when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidoutput pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor system pressure requirements and automatically activate the pressure booster when elevated pressure is detected as necessary. This feedback loop ensures that the booster is activated only when needed, maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring pressure sufficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If a valve is added to control the pressure booster activation, then the system gains pressure on demand capability, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure source and the pressure booster. This valve acts as a simple switching mechanism that directs hydraulic fluid flow to activate or deactivate the booster, adding minimal complexity while enabling flexible pressure control and on-demand operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables 'pressure on demand' by allowing the system to operate with lower energy consumption and variable pressure levels, extending operational possibilities without overloading the system with higher pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a differential piston having a larger face which is loaded by the pressure of the pressure source, and an opposite smaller face generating the higher pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3904699B1Hydraulic system
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 MINIBOOSTER HYDRAULICS
  • EP3904699B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3904699B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A hydraulic system (1) is provided comprising a pressure source (2), an output (3), and a pressure booster (6) arranged between the pressure source (2) and the output (3). The operational possibilities of such a system should be extended. To this end inactivating means (7) are provided inactivating or activating said pressure booster (6).