Valve Electrohydraulic Actuation With Decoupled Fail-Safe Preloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrohydraulic systems for rotary valves require significant energy for adjustment and do not allow independent operation of valve movement from the return mechanism, necessitating continuous actuation of the preloading device.
Innovation Solution
A decoupled hydraulic system where the preloading device is independent of the hydraulic piston, allowing separate steps for valve actuation and preloading, with a pretensioning device using an elastic element to secure a predetermined position during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the preloading device is coupled to the hydraulic piston for simultaneous valve adjustment and return, then the valve can be adjusted and returned, but significantly more energy is required and the valve movement cannot be operated independently of the return mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent hydraulic circuits: one for valve actuation (hydraulic piston) and one for preloading (pretensioning device). This segmentation allows independent operation of valve movement and preloading, eliminating the need for continuous preloading actuation and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic piston and the pretensioning device. This check valve allows the hydraulic piston to be decoupled from the preloading device, enabling independent operation while maintaining the necessary mechanical connections.
2Reliability
If the preloading device is continuously actuated to maintain readiness, then the system is prepared for emergency closure, but energy is wasted through continuous actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The pretensioning device is preloaded in advance through a separate hydraulic circuit, so that when an emergency occurs, the elastic element is already tensioned and ready to immediately rotate the output shaft to the predetermined position without requiring continuous actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element in the pretensioning device stores energy autonomously once preloaded, maintaining system readiness without requiring continuous external actuation. The stored energy in the elastic element automatically activates when needed, eliminating wasted energy from continuous operation.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact cylinder design is used where the piston engages the drive shaft, then the system is more compact, but the hydraulic connection and decoupling mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder housing serves dual functions: it acts as both the hydraulic pressure chamber and the mechanical guide for the piston rod that engages the drive shaft. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and achieves compactness without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it allows hydraulic pressure transmission during normal operation, enables decoupling during emergency closure, and maintains system integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
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 system achieves energy-efficient and compact operation of rotary valves, enabling independent valve actuation and secure positioning without continuous preloading, suitable for both open and closed states.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic piston (20) configured to be actuated by a pressure medium and arranged to rotate the output shaft (10)
Implementation Method 2
a pretensioning device (30) configured to store energy by pretensioning an elastic element (31) and to transfer the same to the output shaft (10) in the event of a fault
Implementation Method 3
a check valve (53, 54) arranged between one of the cylinder housings (22, 23) and the hydraulic cylinder (37), which is configured to decouple the preloading device from the hydraulic piston (20)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrohydraulic system (100) for a valve, which system is configured to rotatingly drive a valve, the system (100) comprising the following: an output shaft (10), which can be directly connected to the valve in order to rotatably drive the valve and extends along a first axis (Ax1); a hydraulic piston (20), which is configured to be actuated by means of a pressure medium and is arranged to rotate the output shaft (10), the hydraulic piston (20) extending along a second axis (Ax2), which is perpendicular to the first axis; a preload device (30), which is configured to store energy by means of the preloading of an elastic element (31) and to transmit said energy to the output shaft in the event of a fault such that a predefined position of the output shaft (10) can be ensured, the preload device (30) being preloaded by means of at least one hydraulic cylinder (37), the elastic element (31) extending along a third axis (Ax3), the hydraulic piston (20) being guided into a first cylinder housing (22) and into a second cylinder housing (23), at least one of the cylinder housings (22, 23) being connected to the hydraulic cylinder (37), a check valve (53, 54) being arranged between the one of the cylinder housings (22, 23) and the hydraulic cylinder (37), which check valve is configured to decouple the preload device (30) from the hydraulic piston, the blocking direction going from the hydraulic cylinder (37) to the one cylinder housing (22, 23).