Wattmeter-Based Hydraulic Flow Rate Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate flow rate readings in hydraulic pump units are difficult to obtain due to the high pressures involved, hindering the determination of hydraulic fluid parameters and diagnostics in these systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hydraulic pump unit, a wattmeter to measure electric power consumption, and a controller that uses these measurements to determine power delivered and volumetric flow rate, enabling improved diagnostics by comparing instantaneous electric power to a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high pressure hydraulic fluid is used to transmit forces, then power transmission capability is improved, but measurement precision of flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using electrical power measurements as a mediator to infer hydraulic flow rate. Instead of directly measuring flow rate in the high-pressure hydraulic system, the system measures electrical power consumption of the motor driving the pump and uses this as an indirect indicator of hydraulic fluid flow rate, thereby solving the measurement difficulty caused by high pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical flow rate measurement in the hydraulic system with electrical measurement of motor power consumption. By substituting the mechanical measurement approach with an electrical measurement approach, the system achieves accurate flow rate determination without the measurement difficulties associated with high-pressure hydraulic environments
2Device complexity
If accurate flow rate readings are not obtained, then system complexity is reduced, but loss of information regarding hydraulic fluid parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrical power measurement system serve multiple functions: it simultaneously provides motor performance monitoring, hydraulic flow rate determination, and diagnostic information about the hydraulic system. This multi-functionality allows accurate hydraulic fluid parameter information to be obtained without adding complex dedicated measurement devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing motor and its electrical power consumption characteristics to provide self-service diagnostic capabilities. The motor's electrical power measurement automatically provides information about hydraulic flow rate and system performance without requiring separate measurement systems, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining simplicity
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 approach facilitates enhanced diagnostics of hydraulic pump units and fluid consuming devices, reducing troubleshooting time and increasing their operational availability by providing remote or on-site diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a wattmeter that measures the electric power consumption by the hydraulic pump unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a wattmeter (150) to determine hydraulic fluid parameters. In one aspect, a controller (155) uses the electric power measured by the wattmeter (150) to determine the power delivered to hydraulic fluid delivered by a hydraulic pump unit (105) to a hydraulic fluid consuming device (200) and the volumetric flow rate of the hydraulic fluid delivered to the hydraulic fluid consuming device (200) by the hydraulic pump unit (105).