Variable Displacement Power Control for Orifice-Free Fluid Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid power systems face inefficiencies due to excess energy being directed to actuators, leading to unwanted acceleration and energy loss as heat, particularly in systems using fixed displacement pumps and orifices for velocity control, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The Variable Displacement Power Controller (VDPC) reconfigures fluid energy by adjusting pressure and volume to match the specific energy requirements of actuators, using rotating members and cam mechanisms to distribute energy efficiently without reducing pressure, thereby minimizing energy loss and enhancing system flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed displacement pump is used to provide constant flow, then the pump structure is simple and cost is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates because excess energy must be dissipated through orifices when velocity control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed displacement pump with a variable displacement pump that can dynamically adjust its output flow rate to match the actual demand of actuators. This eliminates the need for energy-dissipating orifices while maintaining simple pump structure, as the pump adapts its displacement to provide exactly the required flow without excess energy that would need to be wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the displacement parameter of the pump to vary its flow output. By changing the pump's displacement parameter in response to actuator demands, the system achieves energy efficiency without requiring complex additional control components, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If orifices are used for velocity control, then the control mechanism is simple, but device complexity increases and energy efficiency deteriorates due to pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the orifices from the system entirely. Instead of using orifices to dissipate excess energy for velocity control, the variable displacement pump directly provides the precise flow rate needed by each actuator, eliminating the energy-loss-inducing components while maintaining simple velocity control through pump adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the variable displacement pump as an intermediary device between the power source and actuators. This mediator adjusts its output to match actuator demands precisely, replacing the function of orifices without their energy-dissipating side effects, thus reducing pressure losses while maintaining control simplicity.
3Loss of energy
If pressure compensated pumps are used to reduce flow, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a variable displacement pump that performs multiple functions: it provides velocity control, pressure regulation, and flow matching for multiple actuators through a single device. This multi-functional approach achieves energy efficiency without requiring separate control mechanisms for each function, thus avoiding the complexity increase associated with pressure compensated pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by implementing a variable displacement pump that can dynamically adjust its operating parameters based on real-time actuator demands. This dynamic adjustment capability consolidates multiple control functions into one adaptive device, achieving energy efficiency without the complex static control mechanisms required by pressure compensated pumps.
4Loss of energy
If load-sensing pumps are used to match power requirements, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating velocity control, pressure regulation, and flow management functions into a single variable displacement pump unit. This consolidation achieves energy efficiency by matching power requirements with actuator demands while reducing overall system complexity compared to load-sensing pumps that require separate control systems and multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are Variable Displacement Power Controllers and applications generally in the field of fluid powered systems that provide for increased efficiency and effectiveness over known fluid systems, where fluid power generally refers to hydraulic or pneumatic power systems.