Electrohydraulic Valve Actuation With Decoupled Spring Pretensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrohydraulic systems for valves require high energy input for activation and pretensioning, as the restoring mechanism is coupled with the valve adjustment, making them inefficient and requiring continuous activation of the pretensioning device.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrohydraulic system where the pretensioning mechanism is decoupled from the hydraulic piston, allowing independent rotation of the output shaft and pretensioning of the spring, regardless of the valve's position, using a hydraulic piston and pretensioning mechanism with a shut-off valve to manage energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the restoring mechanism is coupled with the valve adjustment, then the valve can be adjusted, but the energy input is significantly higher than required to activate just the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent hydraulic circuits: one for valve activation (hydraulic piston connected to output shaft) and one for pretensioning (hydraulic cylinder connected to pretensioning mechanism). This segmentation allows each function to be controlled separately, enabling the valve to be activated without necessarily activating the pretensioning mechanism, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining fail-safe capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pretensioning mechanism can be activated in advance to store energy in the elastic element before a fault occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the fail-safe function is ready when needed, without requiring continuous energy input during normal valve operation. The shut-off valve allows the pretensioning circuit to be activated independently and maintained in a ready state.
2Reliability
If the pretensioning device is activated each time the valve is activated, then the valve can be adjusted, but the system requires continuous activation of the pretensioning mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two independent circuits with separate control valves. The first shut-off valve controls the pretensioning circuit while the second shut-off valve controls the activation circuit. This allows the pretensioning mechanism to be activated only when needed for position securing, rather than continuously with every valve activation, improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic control of the pretensioning mechanism through the shut-off valve, which can be opened or closed based on operational requirements. The pretensioning mechanism is activated dynamically only when position securing is needed, rather than being continuously engaged, allowing the system to adapt to different operational states and improve productivity.
3Device complexity
If the hydraulic piston is coupled with the restoring mechanism, then both functions can be integrated, but the system cannot effect valve movement independently of the restoring mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two separate hydraulic components: a hydraulic piston for valve activation and a hydraulic cylinder for pretensioning. These are connected to the output shaft through different mechanical paths (teeth engagement for piston, direct connection for cylinder). This segmentation allows independent operation of each function while maintaining overall system integration, resolving the contradiction between integration and independent operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The output shaft serves as an intermediary element that receives motion from both the hydraulic piston (through teeth engagement) and transmits motion to the valve. The shut-off valves act as intermediaries in the hydraulic circuits, allowing independent control of each function. This intermediary structure enables both integration and independent operation capability.
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 a fail-safe emergency closure with reduced energy consumption and separate steps for activation and pretensioning, improving the system's efficiency and stability by allowing independent operation of the valve and pretensioning mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic piston (20) which is configured to be activated by a pressure medium and which is arranged so as to rotate the output shaft
Implementation Method 2
a pretensioning mechanism (30) which is configured to store energy generated by pretensioning an elastic element (31) and to transmit said energy to the output shaft (10) in the event of a fault
Implementation Method 3
the pretensioning mechanism (30) is pretensioned by at least one hydraulic cylinder (37)
Data Source
AI summary
An electrohydraulic system includes an output shaft, a hydraulic piston, and a preload device. The output shaft rotationally drives the valve and extends along a first axis. The hydraulic piston extends along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, is actuated by a pressure medium, and rotates the output shaft. The preload device stores energy via preloading of an elastic element, which extends along a third axis, by a hydraulic cylinder and to transmit the energy to the output shaft in the event of a fault. The hydraulic piston is guided into first and second cylinder housings, and at least one of the cylinder housings is connected to the hydraulic cylinder. A check valve is arranged between the cylinder housing and the hydraulic cylinder, and is configured to decouple the preload device from the hydraulic piston, the blocking direction going from the hydraulic cylinder to the cylinder housing.