" SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR UNCOUPLING HYDRAULIC PLANTS"

Description Technical Field

The present invention concerns the technical sector relative to the techniques for controlling hydraulic plants with the aim to move parts of different types of machineries.

In particular, the present invention aims at solving certain problems that, especially nowadays, affect the sector of generation and control of the hydraulic motion. Background Art

The known advantages of the hydraulics compared with other techniques of generation and control of energy are constituted by the maximum concentration of power compared with other solutions, by the good control on movement and by the relative transfer of heat leaks from the unit causing them to the rest of the plant and to the tank, where they can be easily disposed of. Other techniques of control of the motion (above all electromagnetic) have taken advantages from grater steps forward compared to the oleo-dynamics in the last years, especially thanks to the miniaturization and to the reduction of the costs of the microelectronic components, whereas the hydraulics has developed a bit less, since it had the opportunity to make use of these new possibilities just for a better integration of the control components (servovalves, etc..) with the communication networks . Together with an inevitable image of "dirty" technology, the limited technological progress is constantly reducing the hydraulics from omnipresent low-cost technique to niche application to be used only in situations when it's strictly necessary, promoting, wherever possible, more advanced, silent and clean technologies. The greater attention of current society to the environment requires the hydraulics to take steps forward in order to reduce its environmental

impact, in particular improving the conditions of discharge of polluting substances (leaks of hydraulic fluid) , reducing energy consumptions and diminishing the trouble created in working areas (noise) . A further characteristic particularly appreciated by the users of hydraulic components is a greater compactness of the entire system, possibly realized as "black box" to be directly installed into the machinery and interfaced only with the mechanical power points and the electrical controls.

Hydraulic plants can be divided into two large categories according to the technique they use to control the movement of the actuators: pressure control or flow control.

In the past, due to the greater simplicity of realization of the components, the plants in fact have been always controlled by pressure, generating the maximum pressure to the pump and dropping it to the required value by means of regulating valves acting as variable bottlenecks; for reasons of technological continuity, also the current plants are constructed by the same control technique, except for cases extremely specialized. Nevertheless, this design method is very inefficient in energy terms, because it carries out the control generating energy and discharging the one in excess as heat. Recently, particular systems (called "load sensing") have been created for this purpose, as they are capable of increasing the energy efficacy but, despite that, the technique of "pressure" control keeps on being the least effective in the direction of the movement of hydraulic plants. In contrast, the technique of flow control is much less used: it consists of the direct connection between pump and actuator, without interposition of control valves and/or redirection of the flow.

Even if this technique entails a substantial increase in energy efficacy, as the pump processes just the volume necessary for the movement required by the actuator and for the pressure corresponding to the load, nowadays it involves problems with the use of the common oleo-dynamic actuators. As a matter of fact, the most widespread type of actuator in the oleo-dynamic

field, double effect and single stem, does not present symmetry between the extension chamber and the retraction chamber; consequently, its motion involves a variation of the total quantity of fluid in the plant that must be compensated by a collecting/discharging element and avoids the direct connection of the two doors of the actuator with the corresponding doors of the pump. This problem does not occur in the case of symmetrical actuators (double stem of equal diameter), but the application of this type of actuators involves problems of tie and bulk, as well as a rise of costs due to a double quantity of seals on the stem, which permits their use only in niche sectors.

The present invention aims at avoiding this and other drawbacks, supplying a compact system that can be easily inserted in any hydraulic circuit and that can be easily applied, with the technique of the flow control, to the common asymmetrical oleo-dynamic actuators, thus getting an exact, simple and economical control of the movement, with the standard components currently on the market.

The advantages resulting from the present invention essentially consist of the fact that it's possible to move loads in the two directions, regardless of their direction; that it's possible to regulate exactly the motion of a hydraulic actuator by the simple insertion of a device - object of the invention - between pump and actuator, connected to a compensating tank; that this system permits to control actively the movement of the actuator, so as to correlate it in every moment to the movement of the pump; that this system permits to uncouple pump and actuator, so making the motion possible, motion otherwise prevented by the lack of fluid or by the excess of pressure in the entire plant; that it permits a design of a simple, economical and compact plant, increasing considerably the efficacy of the plant, as the pump processes only the fluid necessary for the movement required by the actuator and for the pressure required by the load, whereas the pump remains still every time the load must not be moved; that it permits to use, in all the concerned plants, standard commercial oleo-dynamic actuators; that it

permits the direct control of asymmetrical actuators simply interposing the same invention between pump and actuator, connecting the invention with a suitable tank of hydraulic fluid; that the device relative to this system, according to the design requirements, has however a compact aspect and a minimal bulk, and does not need any particular assembly of the hydraulic circuit but simply standard connections. Disclosure of invention

This invention permits the direct flow control between pump and asymmetrical actuator (STD) , such as a piston or other, simply by interposing a device between them, with the aid of a suitable tank of hydraulic fluid that, compensating the difference in volume of the chambers, makes the final movement possible, involving all the evident advantages in efficacy and constructive simplicity of the same plant. This system interposes a compact device between pump and actuator that, with the aid in circuit of a supplementary accumulator/tank, directs the flow between the two components. By the term "tank" hereinafter we mean accumulator, i.e. an element that can be pressurized.

Said system and device permit to carry out the following main functions for controlling the movement on the action of the pump: they regulate the outflow required by the chambers of the actuator in the same quantity as provided by the pump, even in case of loads directionally correspondent to the same movement (not possible to control by the simple regulation of the inflow) , which allows the system to certainly stop the plant without the need that the pump actively resists the motion, condition absolutely necessary for the practical use of this invention, as it guarantees the safety of the plant in case of lack of energy in the first engine; they compensate the different volume capacities of the two chambers of the actuator, given by the presence of the piston stem, uncoupling the relation between pump and actuator thanks to this device indeed connected to the tank from which the fluid is required (or given) according to the needs. In this way the hydraulic system is used symmetrically compared to the movement of

the pump, permitting a flow regulation of the movement, without complicating the circuit, so using all the standard actuators already on the market. This invention carries out also function of dynamic normalization of the pressure, so that the pump has not to resist the motion in case of dragging loads .

The general working principle is depicted in the hydraulic scheme of Fig. 1 that, even if effective when translated in practice with the assembly of the various components, since obviously it takes care of the relation between drives and elements chosen as points for measuring the pressure for the primer and regulating them, actually does not result convenient because of its operational complexity and bulk that on the one hand respect the advantageous principle of result, but on the other hand they deny the principle of simple and economical application. Then a practical solution is depicted in a scheme representing the invention as compact hydraulic component (Figs, from 7 to 10), that can be simply interposed between pump, actuator and compensating tank, capable of dynamically representing on a plane the functions of this invention in all the different application solutions. However we must specify that, also this representation, which works in theory, is realized mainly for illustrative purposes, as the engineering of the commercial product necessarily entails a more compact result, therefore arranging the depicted elements in three-dimensional configuration (Fig. 12) rather than flat, and giving the object a more rational shape for its insertion in any hydraulic circuit. This invention will be better understood reading the following description and referring to the enclosed drawings .

This invention relates to a system for uncoupling hydraulic plants made of at least one bi-directional pump (P) , at least one standard oleo-dynamic actuator (STD) , characterized in that they are connected by a device that, only on the basis of the measures on the circulating flow, controls the motion of the actuator so that it follows the movement of the pump.

System to control the movement of a hydraulic actuator by the compensation of the volume of the circulating fluid between at least one pump and at least one actuator, wherein said fluid is given or required, in variable quantity, to a tank or accumulator (T) , on the basis of measures on the circulating fluid. By the above system it's possible to carry out an active control on the movement of the actuator so that it corresponds in every moment to the inflow of the pump. Said system wherein the control is carried out by measures of the pressure of the circulating fluid. Said system wherein the control on the motion of the actuator is carried out in both possible directions of movement for the pump and for the actuator. The dynamic activation of a tank connected with at least one part of the circuit permits, according to the cases, to absorb the fluid in excess or to supply the fluid that lacks. Conveniently, the measure of the pressure (Ml, M2) on the inflow of the pump involves the opening of at least one communication channel (VTl, VT2) between the intake line of the pump and the tank (T), in order to compensate any lack or excess of hydraulic fluid coming out from the actuator. Conveniently, at the same time, said pressure measure involves the regulation of a load leak on the outflow of the actuator, in order to keep always a minimum pressure value, not void, on the inflow, said measure can guarantee the control on the motion of the actuator in case of dragging loads, as well as the block of the actuator when the pump is at rest. Conveniently, said system repeats the inflow, directing the whole flow- supplied by the pump to the actuator, thanks to its driving force, in positive or negative direction.

Conveniently, this system controls the movement of an actuator inward by the regulation of the outflow, so that the motion of the actuator always corresponds to the flow supplied by the pump and that inside the chamber of the actuator receiving the flow no void is created in case of dragging loads.

Conveniently, the system controls the motion of the actuator even in case of dragging loads on the actuator.

The regulation is effective also in case of dragging loads on the actuator, which are per se not possible to control by a simple action on the inflow, and in case of void flow by the pump, stopping the actuator. Said stop is not based on the capability of the pump to keep its two chambers hermetically sealed each other when not rotating, therefore it results completely effective also in case of drafts in the pump. Conveniently, this system comprises means to control the movement of the actuator (A) , regardless of the direction of the applied load, therefore also in case of dragging loads, by a series of drives of the outlet valve that, according to the pressure drop, contains the extension of the stem balancing the flow in the exit chamber. Said system wherein pump and actuator are uncoupled, compensating the rest of the total computation of hydraulic flows by means of a tank, as the flow from and towards the tank is variable according to the difference in area of the two chambers of the actuator, while the main flow of the plant remains in the section pump-actuator. Conveniently, this system comprises means to uncouple the circuit, so compensating the difference in volume given by the stem of the actuator, consisting of a complementary tank with sufficient capacity to this end, and of inlet and outlet valves, either spontaneous or driven by pressure, so that, according to the movement of the cylinder, give or receive flow that lacks or in excess. Said system wherein the control of the motion of the actuator is carried out even if the exit of the actuator and the relative entrance of the pump are uncoupled in terms of circulating volume.

This system comprises, connected to the pump (P) and to the actuator (A), a tank (T) or accumulator that absorbs or issues hydraulic fluid according to the needs of the system, so as to compensate the inflow and outflow in the actuator. Which permits to activate the pump only when we need to move the

actuator, because by the compensating or uncoupling system, the actuator moves simultaneously with the circulation of the fluid fixed by the pump.

The uncoupling of the backward line is carried out by the compensation of the volume of total fluid circulating in the pump and in the actuator, thanks to the access to a tank from which fluid is required or given according to the current needs .

The difference between the outflow from the actuator, following its movement, and the intake flow of the pump is compensated in every moment by the exchange with a tank or accumulator. Said system wherein the pressure of the fluid coming out from the actuator and sucked up by the pump is normalized on the basis of the pressure of the tank, so that it represents the dissipative element in case of dragging loads. Conveniently, this system can normalize the pressure to power the intake door of the pump, with all or part of the outflow from the actuator, reducing the pressure at a level not over the one of the tank. Said system wherein the motion of the actuator has irreversible features, both static and dynamic.

Said system characterized in that it is completely symmetrical, as there is no tie on connections, therefore the chamber of the actuator corresponding to the stem can be connected irrespectively on the branch 1 or 2 of this invention without any effect on its working.

Conveniently, this system prevents any transfer of energy from the actuator to the pump, realizing autonomously braking function.

In order to obtain said results this system, with reference to Pig. 1, provides the actuator, preferably a double effect actuator (A) , with a connection to a symmetrical circuit relative to the circuit in and out of the same actuator, comprising on one part:

D at least one element acting as back vent (VAl) driven according to the pressure measured in M2; D at least one further back vent (VTl) , driven again according to the pressure measured in M2;

Q at least one measure point (Ml) of the pressure of the outflow from the door (1) of the pump (P); and symmetrically, on the other part:

D at least one element acting as back vent (VA2) driven according to the pressure measured in Ml;

D at least one further back vent (VT2), driven again according to the pressure measured in Ml;

Q at least one measure point (M2) of the pressure of the outflow from the door (2) of the pump (P). Conveniently, VAl and VA2 are back vents that prevent the outflow from the corresponding chambers of the actuator, unless they receive pressure on the driving line respectively from the measure points M2 and Ml.

Conveniently, when there is driving pressure, the above ^' cited back vents acts, for the outflow from the chambers of the actuator, as variable load leak having an intensity inversely proportional to the driving pressure, whereas they do not prevent the free entrance of the inflow.

Conveniently, VTl and VT2 are back vents that prevent the flow from the plant to the tank (T), unless they receive driving pressure respectively from M2 and Ml. In the direction from tank (T) to plant, they do not prevent the circulation of the fluid, so fulfilling the important function of anti- cavitation.

Conveniently, Ml and M2 are the points that register the pressure of their relative doors of the pump and send it back to the vents VT and VA in order to define their dynamics. Conveniently, this system uses a tank for fluid compensation.

Therefore the system works as following described, where "branch" 1 (or 2) of the system indicates the portion of device placed between the door 1 (or 2) of the pump and the valve VAl (or VA2) but not including this. The rotation of the pump sends fluid in one of the two branches of the system (e.g. branch 1) and the relative valve on the actuator (e.g. VAl)

spontaneously opens to receive the fluid in the corresponding chamber of the actuator; at first the actuator does not move because the valve on the opposite branch (e.g. VA2) remains closed. The pump keeps on rotating and thus causing the pressurization of the branch where the fluid is transferred (e.g. branch 1) until the outlet valve of the actuator reaches the driving pressure and gradually opens, so making the actuator move.

As the driving pressure on the outlet valve is constantly required, this system implies a closed retroaction ring that keeps the driving pressure constant (in case of constant load, otherwise at an intensity proportional to the instantaneous value of the load) ; this condition is possible only if the speed of increase in volume of the chamber connected to the inflow branch (e.g. branch 1) corresponds exactly, in every moment, to the outflow from the pump. The final effect of this system is that the motion of the actuator exactly repeats the rotation of the pump, no matter the intensity and time variation of the applied load. The outflow of the actuator is controlled so as to send back directly to the pump the greatest possible quantity of fluid, integrating and removing the remaining flow due to the different areas of the two chambers of the actuator. The above system differently works in the specific case of extension cylinder with opposite load (Fig. 2) and dragging load (Fig. 3) .

In the enclosed drawings that represent the working of the system, V+ indicates the direction of movement of the extension cylinder, whereas F positive or negative indicates the applied load respectively opposed to the motion (Fig.2 and Fig. 5), or dragging (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4), in this case the system will have to reduce the further control of the motion resisting in the discharge to the force exerted on the cylinder by the same load. In the first case, depicted in Fig. 2, (V+/F+) , the pump (P) rotates giving the fluid a clockwise movement inside the depicted circuit. This movement, due to the volume asymmetry of the chambers (Al and A2) caused by the bulk of the stem, requires fluid from the tank (T) to the hydraulic plant.

This is made possible thanks to the increase in pressure in the point Ml, causing the drive when the valve VT2 opens, which permits the circulation in the circuit of the fluid that lacks in chamber Al and comes from the tank (T) . The same pressure Ml driving simultaneously VA2, guarantees the opening towards the chamber of the cylinder that must be emptied (A2) .

Even in absence of driving pressure, the valve VT2 would however spontaneously open, since it is placed in anti-cavitation function. Fig. 3 shows the working of the circuit still with the extension cylinder (A), but this time with a dragging load (V+/F-) , i.e. moving in the same direction as the motion.

Like in the previous situation, the indicators representing the directions of the fluid are similar, but since it's necessary an outflow regulation on the chamber (2), the pressures exert in opposite way to the extension of the cylinder that will so result controlled on the basis of the movement of the pump .

Like in the previous situation, the pump rotates giving the fluid a clockwise circulation, but in this case, due to the nature of the load (traction on the stem), the chamber 1, before the activation of the pump (P), is not in pressure, therefore the first movement of the pump transfers the fluid without pressure on the branch 1 (Rl) . The pump however works thanks to the no-void pressure in the tank and to the spontaneous opening of the valve VT2 in anti-cavitation function, while the actuator is at rest thanks to the valve VA2, closed because of the pressure in the chamber A2 of the actuator, which activates its back function. On the branch (Rl), the valve VTl remains closed, as not differently driven, while the VAl opens for the normal flow towards the chamber 1 (Al) . The increase in pressure in the entrance chamber of the actuator, caused by the constant rotation of the pump (P) , at a certain level makes it over the pressure in the branch 2 (R2) and therefore in the tank (T) . This situation consequently involves, like in the previous case, the drive of the valve VA2 that, finally open, lets the fluid regularly come out from the chamber 2 of

the cylinder (A2) and then the movement starts, restoring the above described dynamics.

Nevertheless, if the extension movement, due to the dragging applied load (F-), involves a reduction of pressure in the chamber (Al), such a load leak, following the decrease in the driving pressure in VA2, would require a greater drop of pressure in exit, slowing down the movement and restoring a dynamic balance that produces and defines exactly an effect of direct control on the motion of the pump of the actuator. Figs. 4 and 5 respectively show the two opposite cases of motion of the actuator in direction .of retraction of the stem (V-) . In both cases the quantity of fluid to enter the chamber 2 (A2) will be of course minor, opposite course being equal, due to the volume taken by the stem. Therefore, in both cases, this system needs to discharge the fluid in excess in the tank (T) . Fig. 4 shows the dynamic solution with load having opposite direction to the motion: in this figure, the rotation of the pump (P) is opposite, causing the fluid circulate anti-clockwise compared with the scheme depicted in Figs. 2 and 3. Therefore the rotation exerts pressure on the branch 2 (R2) of the plant, directing the fluid into the chamber (A2) of the actuator and moving the piston in traction when the pressure of the plant is more than the pressure in the entrance chamber, because of the load (F-) . The pressure present in the drive VAl ensures its opening, making the actuator move, while pressure enters the point (M2) , causing also the drive of VTl. This condition connects the relative branch (Rl) with the tank (T), permitting to discharge the fluid in excess, in the same volume as the one at the end of the stem in chamber 2 (A2) . VT2, not driven, remains "normally closed".

Next Fig. 5, like in the previous dynamics, shows that this system, activating the cylinder in retraction, needs to discharge the fluid in excess in the tank (T) .

Nevertheless, this movement needs an active control because of the applied dragging load (F+) , in order to avoid an uncontrolled motion of the actuator (A) .

When the pump is at rest, the chamber (Al) of the actuator is pressurized by the applied load (F+) and the valve (VAl) is closed; the chamber A2 results having the same pressure as the line of the plant (and of the tank T) , pressure logically minor than the one present in Al, because of the load. Activating the pump (P) , with anticlockwise direction compared with the scheme, the fluid enters the branch 2 of the plant (R2), increasing its pressure, and thanks to the spontaneous opening of the valve (VA2) , the fluid enters the actuator (chamber A2) , increasing its pressure. The pressurization of the branch 2, and therefore also of the point M2, gradually reaches the pressure value sufficient to drive VAl, so permitting the outflow from the chamber (Al) and consequently moving the piston. Like in the previous case of dragging load, the load leak that occurs in VAl carries out the function of active control of the system, correlating therefore the motion of the piston to the quantity of the fluid entering the branch 2 (R2) ; in this way it realises a fixed relation between speed of the motion and start of the pump. The constant driving pressure in point M2, allows the valve VTl to remain open, so permitting the discharge in (T) of the surplus fluid.

As above stated, the practical realization of the invention would result conveniently effective assembling a circuit formed by the elements described in the previous schemes, taking care to realize the suitable relations between points to measure pressure, drives and consequent dimensions of all the components .

Nonetheless, this solution, despite all the advantages, would result complex and difficult to realize in practice, especially because of its bulk, such a complexity making this solution anti-economical and consequently much less convenient to use.

The further technological development designed to this end is directed to a single compact hydraulic component, which can be simply interposed by common connections in and out between pump (P), tank (T) and actuator [A), such a component comprising all the devices necessary to realize the cited functions of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a section showing a compatible solution to what above stated; it's a single metal block, therefore easy to insert in a hydraulic plant with small bulks, practical to install and capable of interposing between pump, tank and actuator in linear and immediate way. The described plant repeats the concept of the various dynamic possibilities previously listed with reference to the hydraulic schemes of Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The object, having paralleled shape, is depicted sectioned in middle, where the various devices have perpendicular and/or parallel axis, such devices connected as follows: the doors (Pl) and (P2) are respectively the exits in connection with the chambers of the pump (Pl) and (P2) ; Al and A2 are respectively in connection with the homonym chambers of the cylinder, Al and A2, while Tl and T2 are both connected to the compensating tank (T) . The elements indicated by letter (C "n°") are the movable parts of the valves specified as follows: the cursors Cl and C3 are the elements controlling the passage of the valves, respectively VAl and VA2; the pistons C5 and C7 are simultaneously the measure points and the elements activating the valves VAl and VA2. The springs M5 and M7, placed under the pistons C5 and Cl, have the task to produce a position proportional to the difference between the driving pressures and the pressures of the branches (1 and 2) of the plant, according to the dynamics to fulfil; the conical shape of the cursors Cl and C3 is designed to translate this position into a variable load leak; both the cursors (Cl and C3) are open with outflow from the valve to the actuator, whereas, when the respective activating pistons are at rest, spontaneously close to an inflow from the actuator (A) to the valve, so

carrying out all the functions required to the valves VAl and VA2 (even in phase of controlling the exit on dragging loads) .

If we exceed a certain delta P Max, defined in contrast by the rigidity of the springs M5 and M7, the relative pistons beat their end stops, so generating a complete opening of the elements controlling the flow, minimizing the energy waste due to the load leaks in case of rapid movements that require very intense flow through the invention.

The cursors C2 and C4 are the elements controlling the fluid in the driven back vents (respectively (Tl) and (T2) ) , while the pistons C6 and C8 are the relative measure points (M2 and Ml in the hydraulic schemes) and activating elements. Like in the case of the pistons C5 and C7, the springs M6 and M8 are designed to translate into shift a difference in pressure (delta P) between the branches of the plant (Rl and R2) and the part of the circuit with low pressure, while the cursors C2 and C4 are standard back vents that offer a minimum resistance of the springs M4 and M2.

The realization of this invention is completely symmetrical and does not require particular connections between the doors Al and A2 and the actuator: this system correctly works even if "connected in the opposite way to the one described in figure (Al on VA2 and A2 on VAl) . Considering the practical solution depicted in the above described figure, middle section of the object of the invention, Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively show the different dynamics in traction and extension, with loads in contrast to the motion or dragging, as the concept depicted with the previous hydraulic schemes. Finally, Fig. 11 shows the aspect the device (D) can take, materially realized on the section used to illustrate the different dynamics of Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Even if such a manufacturing solution is compact, it's preferable to improve the body of the device (D), as depicted in next Fig. 12, placing the elements and the relative described connections in three-dimensional shape rather than flat, making the device object of the invention further compact.

In practice, the manufacturing details may however equally vary as regards shape, size, position of elements, and type of materials used, but still remain within the range of the idea proposed as a solution and consequently within the limits of the protection granted by this patent for invention. Brief description of drawings

The cited advantages, purposes and characteristics of the present invention will be better understood by every expert in this field by referring to the enclosed schemes and drawings, given as practical examples of the invention but not to be considered restrictive. - Fig.l shows the hydraulic scheme representing the principle of working of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the invention in the specific cases of extension cylinder with opposite load, whereas Fig.3 shows the extension cylinder with dragging load. - Figs .4 and 5 show the dynamic solution with motion in retroaction.

Fig.6 shows a possible realization of what above described, made of a single metal block, therefore easy to insert in a hydraulic plant with small bulks.

Figs. 7 and 8 and Figs. 9 and 10 show the different dynamics in traction and extension, with opposite loads to the motion or dragging loads .

Fig.11 shows the aspect the device (D) should have materially realized on the section used to depict the different dynamics of Figs. 7/8/9/10.

Fig. 12 shows a different external shape of the device (D) .