Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the motor output speed of a variable displacement hydraulic motor are disclosed. The method may include determining a value indicative of a motor output speed, determining a value indicative of a desired motor output speed, determining a desired position of a control valve using a nonlinear feedback control law, and, controlling the motor output speed as a function of the control valve position, wherein the nonlinear feedback control creates a first order system response.
Abstract:
A control system for an aircraft's electrically driven hydraulic pump. An electronic motor controller having closed loop feedback is utilized to directly control the prime mover speed in response to pump loading.
Abstract:
An apparatus for limiting the power output of a hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump has a movable swashplate and is driven by a source of motive power. The apparatus includes a memory device for storing a set of power modes. Each power mode has a predetermined power level associated with the hydraulic system and is defined by a plurality of set points. Each set point corresponds to a predetermined flow rate and discharge pressure of the pump. A device senses the speed of the source of motive power and producing a signal representative of the actual speed in response to the sensed speed. A device senses the pressure of the variable displacement pump and produces a signal representative of the actual pressure in response to the sensed pressure. A device senses the swashplate angle of the variable displacement pump and delivers a signal representative of the actual swashplate angle in response to the sensed swashplate angle. A device receives a desired power mode signal having a desired power level. The desired power level is different from the predetermined power levels associated with the set of power modes. A control device receives the actual speed, pressure and swashplate angle signals, and responsively determines a desired flow limit of the pump. The desired flow limit corresponds to the desired power level.
Abstract:
An electric-motor hydraulic pump includes a housing having a stationary internal shaft. A pair of cylinder blocks are rotatably carried by the shaft within the housing, and an array of pistons are slidably disposed with each cylinder block. A yoke plate is mounted within the housing and engages the pistons for determining displacement of the pistons within the cylinder blocks. Fluid inlet and outlet ports are provided in the housing and are coupled to the cylinder blocks. An induction motor includes a rotor carried by the cylinder block for corotation therewith, and a stator mounted within the housing surrounding the rotor. An electronic controller for controlling outlet fluid pressure and flow from the pump includes a plurality of sensors mounted on the housing for sensing operating characteristics of the pump and motor to provide electronic sensor signals as functions thereof. Control electronics are responsive to the sensor signals for controlling fluid pressure and flow from the pump by varying effective displacement of the pump, and by varying the electrical power (current and frequency) applied to the motor.
Abstract:
A rotary hydraulic machine which includes a housing having a shaft mounted for rotation within the housing about a shaft axis. A cylinder block is coupled to the shaft for co-rotation with the shaft within the housing and includes a plurality of cylinders disposed in a circumferential array parallel to and surrounding the shaft axis. A piston is disposed to reciprocate within each of the cylinders and is coupled to a yoke for determining displacement of the pistons within the cylinders. A valve plate is mounted on a valve block and includes kidney-shaped slots for registering with the cylinders as the cylinder block rotates, and thereby connecting the cylinders to pump input and output ports. A microprocessor-based controller is externally mounted on the pump valve block and includes internal memory having various remotely-selectable control programs prestored therein. Sensors responsive to pump operating conditions are connected to the pump control electronics, and include a first sensor responsive to yoke position, a pressure sensor responsive to pump output pressure and a speed sensor responsive to angular velocity of shaft rotation. All of the electronic components are mounted on the valve block.
Abstract:
A variable capacity wobble plate compressor of the type that a wobble plate mounted on a drive shaft is swung axially of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates, and pistons connected to the wobble plate make reciprocating motions in response to swinging of the wobble plate, wherein a change in the angularity of the wobble plate causes a change in stroke of the reciprocating motions of the pistons whereby the capacity of the compressor is varied. A sensing element arranged on the wobble plate is moved along a predetermined orbital path together with swinging of the wobble plate. A sensor arranged on a compressor housing generates an electric signal when the sensing element passes by the sensor as the wobble plate swings. A control unit determines the rotational speed of the compressor and the angularity of the wobble plate on the basis of the electric signal from the sensor. The sensor is so located as to align with a predetermined location between an axial center of the predetermined orbital path of swinging of the sensing element and an extreme possible point toward the pistons, when the wobble plate assumes the minimum angularity.
Abstract:
An electronic closed loop piston pump servo control system including a swash plate within the pump housing which controls pump output as a function of its position about a rotational axis, means for altering the position of said swash plate, means for producing electric signals representative of the desired and actual swash plate angular positions, and means for comparing these signals and producing a control or error signal to the means for altering the swash plate position as a function of these signal differences. The means for producing electric signals representative of the actual swash plate position includes a rotary potentiometer mounted in the pump housing and directly connected to the swash plate along a common axis of rotation. This potentiometer produces a d.c. signal indicating the angular position of the swash plate on this common axis. A failsafe circuit is provided in the comparator means which prevents the error signal from affecting the swash plate angular position if the feedback signal falls below a predetermined reference level. The potentiometer rotates through a relatively small arc such that when the sliding resistive contacts thereon are worn, the potentiometer contacts may be rotated to respond along a fresh arc.
Abstract:
An adjusting arrangement for a hydraulic pump with a variable flow quantity, having an operating cylinder located in a neutral position through the intermediary of a positively-acting resetting device, the piston of which is adjustable dependent upon the actual discharge pressure and dependent upon a parameter proportional to the actual discharge flow quantity into a position corresponding to the rated discharge flow quantity with consideration being given to the limiting value for maximum power output, maximum discharge pressure, maximum discharge flow quantity and, as required, the flow direction. An electronic control arrangement receives electrical signals corresponding to the rated discharge flow quantity and the actual discharge flow quantity and the actual pressure, which processes these signals under calculation of the actual power output and the actual pressure, and generates corresponding setting signals for the adjustment of the operating cylinder.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a swashplate angle sensor (10) for a variable displacement hydraulic unit (1). The hydraulic unit (1) comprising a housing (2), within which a swashplate (3) with a rod shaped feedback-link (12) fixedly attached to the swashplate (3) is arranged pivotable around a swashplate axis (7). The angle sensor (10) comprising a magnet (16) mounted rotatable on a magnet carrier (13), and a sensor (15) for sensing the orientation of the magnet (16). The magnet carrier (13) is located in a control block (14) attached to the housing (2) and is located parallel to the feedback-link (12). The magnet carrier (13) is rotatable around a sensor axis (18) being parallel to the swashplate axis (7). A linkage spring (11) provides a connection between the feedback-link (12) and the magnet carrier (13) such that a pivoting of the swashplate (3) with the feedback-link (12) causes a rotation of the magnet carrier (13).
Abstract:
A pump control system, comprising: a motor (12) configured to drive a pump (14); a pressure relief valve (22) in fluid communication with the pump (14); a torque control valve (32) connected to a swashplate of the pump (14) and in fluid communication with the pressure relief valve (22); a swashplate angle sensor (36) connected to the swashplate (34); and a computer (40) connected to the swashplate angle sensor (36) and the pressure relief valve (22) wherein the computer (40) controls the pressure relief valve (22) based upon swashplate displacement to achieve maximum system pressure. The corresponding method of controlling is also disclosed.