Variable-Speed Hydraulic Pumping for Fluctuating Pressure Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
High pressure fluid systems face inefficiencies due to fluctuating demand for pressurized working fluid, leading to wasted energy and unnecessary wear when pumps operate at constant speeds, regardless of demand variations in applications like fluid jet cutting systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pressurization system that includes a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston, a pump, and a motor, with sensors to detect changes in fluid flow rates and a controller to adjust the motor's rotational speed in response, allowing the system to adapt to fluctuating demand by varying the speed of the pump and angle of the swash plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump operates at constant speed, then the system maintains stable pressure output, but energy is wasted and equipment wear increases when demand fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump speed variable rather than constant. The motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time demand conditions detected by sensors, allowing the system to adapt to fluctuating pressure requirements while maintaining reliable operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both stability (when needed) and energy efficiency (when demand is low).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pump system by varying motor speed and flow rate according to actual demand. The controller modifies these parameters in response to sensor feedback, allowing the system to operate efficiently across different load conditions rather than maintaining fixed parameters that cause energy waste during low-demand periods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pump operates at constant speed, then the system maintains consistent flow rate, but equipment lifespan decreases due to unnecessary wear during low demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump speed based on actual flow demand, preventing unnecessary operation at high speeds during low-demand periods. This reduces wear on mechanical components while maintaining consistent flow rate when required, thereby extending equipment lifespan without sacrificing operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where sensors detect actual flow conditions and provide signals to the controller, which then adjusts motor speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the pump operates only as hard as needed, reducing unnecessary wear while maintaining consistent flow output when demand requires it.
3Loss of energy
If the pump speed is reduced to match low demand, then energy efficiency improves, but the system loses ability to respond quickly to sudden increases in demand
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors demand conditions and immediately responds to changes. When demand suddenly increases, the sensor detects the change and signals the controller to increase motor speed, enabling the system to quickly transition from energy-saving mode to full-power operation, thus maintaining both efficiency and responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring and adjustment of pump speed based on demand conditions. Rather than operating at a fixed low speed, the controller periodically assesses demand and adjusts speed accordingly, allowing the system to maintain energy efficiency during low-demand periods while being ready to rapidly respond when demand increases.
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 improves efficiency by reducing energy waste and extending equipment lifespan by matching pump speed and flow rate with actual demand, optimizing performance in fluid jet cutting systems and similar applications.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (162) that varies a rotational speed
Implementation Method 2
a pump (160) that conveys a hydraulic fluid into a portion of the interior cavity of the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 3
entry of the hydraulic fluid into the portion of the interior cavity moves the piston within the interior cavity
Implementation Method 4
pressurizing the working fluid within the pressure chamber to generate the pressurized working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An energy efficient fluid pressurization system includes a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston positioned within an interior cavity of the hydraulic pressure chamber, and a pump that conveys a hydraulic fluid into a portion of the interior cavity of the pressure chamber thereby moving the piston within the interior cavity. Movement of the piston results in compression of a working fluid within a pressure vessel. A motor coupled to the pump drives the pump resulting in conveyance of the hydraulic fluid. The system may detect a change in one or more parameters, caused by a fluctuation in demand for the pressurized working fluid, and vary a speed of the pump in response to the detected change. The one or more parameters include: flow rate of the hydraulic fluid; flow rate of the working fluid; angle of a swash plate of the pump; or any combination thereof.