Tandem Phasing Hydraulic Assembly for Motor Graders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earth-moving equipment with double action fluid-powered drive cylinders is prone to failure due to numerous moving parts that wear out and is susceptible to uneven loading, leading to costly repairs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A tandem phasing hydraulic assembly with independently operating fluid-powered cylinder members, each comprising a master and slave area, reduces the number of moving parts and maintains precise elevation and slope control even under heavy, one-sided material loading, using hydraulic fluid communication to adjust to grade changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional double action fluid-powered drive cylinders are used, then elevation and cross-slope control can be achieved, but the system is prone to failure due to numerous moving parts that wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate flow divider component from the hydraulic system, directly connecting the hydraulic pump to each cylinder. This extraction of the flow divider eliminates the moving parts in that component while maintaining the ability to control multiple cylinders, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each cylinder independently controllable through direct hydraulic connection, allowing each cylinder to perform multiple functions (elevation control, cross-slope control, and self-leveling) without requiring a complex flow divider system. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
2Reliability
If conventional double action fluid-powered drive cylinders are used, then control functions can be provided, but the system is susceptible to uneven loading leading to costly repairs and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic control system into independent direct-connection circuits for each cylinder, allowing each cylinder to handle uneven loading independently without affecting the entire system. This segmentation prevents uneven loading from causing system-wide failures and reduces downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the hydraulic system with direct pump-to-cylinder connections that can accommodate uneven loading conditions from the outset, providing built-in protection against the harmful effects of uneven distribution of earth material before they can cause damage to moving parts.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional flow divider is used to split fluid flow, then fluid distribution can be controlled, but the fluid split deviates from desired proportion under uneven loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flow divider component entirely, replacing it with direct hydraulic connections from the pump to each cylinder. This extraction eliminates the source of flow distribution errors under uneven loading while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow to each cylinder independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flow divider system with a direct hydraulic connection system controlled by the machine control system, substituting a mechanical flow-splitting mechanism with a more adaptable hydraulic control approach that maintains precision under varying load conditions.
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
The solution provides a durable and efficient earth-moving system with reduced maintenance needs, capable of maintaining precise elevation and slope demands, and can handle heavy loads without losing material, outperforming conventional dozers and graders in terms of operational efficiency and material handling.
Implementation Method 1
tandem phasing hydraulic assembly with independently operating fluid-powered cylinder members, each comprising a master and slave area, reduces the number of moving parts and maintains precise elevation and slope control even under heavy, one-sided material loading, using hydraulic fluid communication to adjust to grade changes
Data Source
AI summary
A tandem system having multiple fluid-powered cylinders for operation of motor graders and other earth-moving equipment that is capable of interfacing with and being controlled by conventional two dimensional (“2-D”) and three dimensional (“3-D”) grade control systems, responds to encountered grade changes and adjusts elevation and a cross-slope to match predetermined project design specifications. Each cylinder member has at least one master area and at least one slave area.