Tank-Mounted Hydraulic Pump Modules for Low-Loss Fluid Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic pump systems in working vehicles are inefficient due to energy losses in long piping and require complex maintenance, especially when driven by internal combustion engines, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic pump system with self-contained pump modules mounted directly to a housing within a tank, reducing piping length and allowing for independent control of each pump module via electric motors, which can be easily installed, removed, and maintained, and are designed for compactness and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the hydraulic pump is provided separate from the tank with long piping connecting them, then the pump can be independently positioned, but energy losses increase along the piping length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy losses in pipingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is merged with the tank by mounting the pump directly to the tank wall, eliminating the need for separate piping connections. This integration reduces energy losses along piping length while maintaining independent pump positioning capability through the mounting bracket assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the hydraulic pump is driven by an internal combustion engine, then the pump operates whenever the engine runs, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs when hydraulic fluid flow is not required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidhydraulic fluid output
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system transitions from static ICE-driven operation to dynamic electric motor control, where the pump operates only when hydraulic fluid flow is actually required. The electric motor can be controlled independently of the ICE, enabling on-demand operation that matches actual hydraulic system needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the pump is mounted separately from the tank, then installation and maintenance require disconnecting multiple components, but this increases maintenance time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump maintenanceVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is segmented into a modular unit with the pump, mounting bracket, and drive mechanism as an integrated assembly that can be installed or removed as a single component from the tank, significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity compared to separate component connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4056847B1Hydraulic pump system
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 J C BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD
  • EP4056847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4056847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hydraulic pump system comprising: a housing defining a tank for containing hydraulic fluid in use; one or more pump modules each comprising a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid from the tank to a hydraulic system; and a mounting arrangement; wherein the or each pump module is mounted to the housing by the mounting arrangement.