Variable Pressure Relief Valve for Hydraulic Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems face challenges in efficiently managing varying pressure requirements across different hydraulic actuators, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple pressure relief valves, which are often bulky and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a variable relief pressure setpoint module that includes pilot valves and a control valve, allowing for the adjustment of pressure setpoints based on the control valve's position, enabling efficient fluid flow and pressure control using a single relief valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure relief valves are used to address different pressure requirements of hydraulic actuators, then each actuator can have its own pressure control, but the system becomes expensive, bulky, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
A single relief valve is designed to perform multiple pressure control functions by switching between different pressure setpoints based on the operational mode detected from the control valve's position signals, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated relief valves for different actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pressure relief functions into one integrated relief valve assembly that can serve different hydraulic actuators with varying pressure requirements by dynamically adjusting its setpoint based on system operational mode
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure relief valves are used to address different pressure requirements, then each actuator can have its own pressure control, but the system becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single relief valve is designed to perform multiple pressure control functions by switching between different pressure setpoints based on the operational mode detected from the control valve's position signals, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated relief valves for different actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pressure relief functions into one integrated relief valve assembly that can serve different hydraulic actuators with varying pressure requirements by dynamically adjusting its setpoint based on system operational mode
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure relief valves are used to address different pressure requirements, then each actuator can have its own pressure control, but the system becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
A single relief valve is designed to perform multiple pressure control functions by switching between different pressure setpoints based on the operational mode detected from the control valve's position signals, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated relief valves for different actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pressure relief functions into one integrated relief valve assembly that can serve different hydraulic actuators with varying pressure requirements by dynamically adjusting its setpoint based on system operational mode
4Device complexity
If a single relief valve is used with fixed pressure setpoint, then the system is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying pressure requirements of different hydraulic actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve's pressure setpoint is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between different pressure levels based on real-time detection of control valve position signals that indicate different operational modes of hydraulic actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from control valve position signals to automatically adjust the relief valve's pressure setpoint, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that adapts to varying pressure requirements without manual intervention
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
This solution allows for efficient management of varying pressure requirements across hydraulic actuators, reducing system size, improving reliability, and decreasing costs by enabling a wider range of pressure setpoint variations, including ratios up to 5:1, while maintaining system performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
effecting a first pressure drop across a control orifice by flowing a first portion of hydraulic fluid from the control orifice to a reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system and method of controlling hydraulic pressure are disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a pump fluidly coupled to a reservoir that contains hydraulic fluid, a control valve fluidly coupled to the pump, the control valve being selectively movable between at least two positions, a relief valve fluidly coupled to the pump via a relief conduit, the relief valve operable to flow hydraulic fluid from an outlet of the pump to the reservoir, and a variable pressure setpoint module fluidly coupled to the relief valve and the control valve. The variable pressure setpoint module being operable to open the relief valve in response to at least two pressure setpoints depending on a position of the control valve.