AU2010276482B2

AU2010276482B2 - Hydraulic power module

Info

Publication number: AU2010276482B2
Application number: AU2010276482A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark J. Brudevold; Michael A. Cryer; Todd A. Domer; Nicholas D. Long; Kevin A. Moore; William C. Scherer; Michael J. Sebion
Original assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc
Current assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc
Priority date: 2009-07-29
Filing date: 2010-07-27
Publication date: 2015-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-27
Also published as: US20120121439A1; AU2010276482A1; EP2459886A1; CN102472301B; JP5843290B2; KR20120051722A; IN2012DN01705A; WO2011014486A1; MX2012001217A; BR112012001418A2; JP2013501196A; RU2012105643A; CN102472301A

Abstract

The hydraulic power module 10 consists of 1) a hydraulic manifold 12 to route hydraulic fluid to the correct areas, 2) a hydraulic reservoir 14 that contains hydraulic fluid 16, 3) a hydraulic pump 18, 4) a DC servo motor 20, 5) a directional valve 22, 6) a cooling system 24 7) an integrated filter housing 26 and 8) electronics - motor control 28 for controlling the DC servo motor 20.

Description

- 1 HYDRAULIC POWER MODULE TECHNICAL FIELD 5 This application claims the benefit of US Application serial number 61/229,298, filed July 29, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND ART 10 Hydraulic power modules for controlling fluid dispensing and other apparatus are well known. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 15 It is an object of this invention to create a hydraulic power module that will drastically improve control, increase mechanical life, use a simplified design, reduce power consumption, reduce cooling requirements and reduce noise levels. 20 The present invention provides a hydraulic power module in combination with and for controlling at least one hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic module including a hydraulic manifold to route hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic reservoir for containing hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir; a DC servo motor for driving the hydraulic pump; a 25 directional valve for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to said at least one hydraulic cylinder; and a cooling system for cooling the hydraulic fluid; and a motor control for controlling motor torque, speed and position of said DC servo motor wherein said motor control is capable of controlling the DC servo motor to pump hydraulic fluid at a rate to control the velocity of a piston in said at least one 30 hydraulic cylinder, is capable of controlling the DC servo motor to hold pressure in said at least one hydraulic cylinder under conditions of no flow without rotation of said DC servo motor, and is capable of controlling the DC servo motor to hold a position of said piston against an opposing force. 21/04/15,dh-19686 - specipgI - cdm.docx,1 WO 2011/014486 PCT/US2010/043338 2 The hydraulic power module (HPM) works to supply hydraulic fluid to run a variety of configurations of hydraulic cylinder(s). The DC servo motor is directly coupled to the hydraulic pump via a hydraulic manifold. When the motor is spinning, the pump directs hydraulic fluid through the manifold, to the directional valve. The HPM signals the 5 directional valve to divert flow to either side of a hydraulic cylinder. The HPM, in conjunction with a sensor (example: flow meter in the fluid line, a linear transducer associated with the hydraulic cylinder, etc.), provides hydraulic fluid at such a rate to accurately control the velocity of a piston in a hydraulic cylinder. It can also hold the position of the hydraulic cylinder piston stationary against an opposing force. This results 10 in an accurate flow rate or constant dynamic and static pressures. There are a number of advantages to the system of the instant invention such as dramatic increases in control by using a DC servo motor and motor controller. Another result is improved system mechanical life in that when no flow is required, all parts stop moving which can result in less wear. 15 The invention reduces hydraulic cooling requirements by allowing flow to stop when no flow is required. The invention results in a simplified mechanical design compared to traditional AC power pack systems. The dynamic response of the HPM eliminates the need for accumulators. 20 The HPM control allows for full torque output at zero speed. This allows the system to respond almost instantly to requests for flow (no delay while pressure builds.) WO 2011/014486 PCT/US2010/043338 3 The dynamic response of the HPM allows for compensation of system variations allowing the hydraulic power module to produce a more constant pressure and/or flow than traditional AC technology. The HPM control allows for changes in pressure and flow without any mechanical adjustment (pressure compensated pumps, dump valves, etc.) The 5 HPM controls the motor torque, speed and position where a typical AC power pack only controls speed resulting in improved control. Noise levels are lower than traditional AC power pack designs. The design and control lend itself to reduced power consumption. The system will only use energy on an as needed basis. Closed loop flow control based on a linear transducer provides equivalent 10 control at a lower cost point. The algorithm will work with any hydraulic pump. When new pressure and/or flow are required, simply replace the pump. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several 15 views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a front view of the HPM of the instant invention. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the HPM of the instant invention. 20 Figure 3 shows a view with the reservoir removed showing the pump of the HPM of the instant invention.

WO 2011/014486 PCT/US2010/043338 4 Figure 4 is a schematic view of the HPM of the instant invention. Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the fluid circuit of the HPM of the instant invention. 5 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The hydraulic power module 10 of the instant invention consists of 1) a hydraulic manifold 12 to route hydraulic fluid to the correct areas, 2) a hydraulic reservoir 14 that contains hydraulic fluid 16, 3) a hydraulic pump 18, 4) a DC servo motor 20, 5) a directional valve 22, 6) a cooling system 24 7) an integrated filter housing 26 and 8) 10 electronics - motor control 28 for controlling the DC servo motor 20. The hydraulic power module (HPM) 10 works to supply hydraulic fluid 16 to run a variety of configurations of hydraulic cylinder(s) 30. The DC servo motor 20 is directly coupled to the hydraulic pump 18 via a hydraulic manifold 12. When the motor 20 is spinning, the pump 18 directs hydraulic fluid 16 through the manifold 12, to the 15 directional valve 22. The HPM 10 signals the directional valve 22 to divert flow to either side of a hydraulic cylinder 30. The HPM 10, in conjunction with a sensor 32 (example: flow meter in the fluid line, a linear transducer 34 associated with the hydraulic cylinder, etc.), provides hydraulic fluid 16 at such a rate to accurately control the velocity of a piston in a hydraulic cylinder 30. It can also hold the position of the hydraulic cylinder 30 20 piston stationary against an opposing force. This results in an accurate flow rate or constant dynamic and static pressures.

WO 2011/014486 PCT/US2010/043338 5 It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the hydraulic power module without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hydraulic power module in combination with and for controlling at least one hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic module including: 5 a hydraulic manifold to route hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic reservoir for containing hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir; a DC servo motor for driving the hydraulic pump; 10 a directional valve for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to said at least one hydraulic cylinder; and a cooling system for cooling the hydraulic fluid; and a motor control for controlling motor torque, speed and position of said DC servo motor wherein said motor control is capable of controlling the DC servo motor 15 to pump hydraulic fluid at a rate to control the velocity of a piston in said at least one hydraulic cylinder, is capable of controlling the DC servo motor to hold pressure in said at least one hydraulic cylinder under conditions of no flow without rotation of said DC servo motor, and is capable of controlling the DC servo motor to hold a position of said piston against an opposing force. 20

2. The hydraulic power module of claim 1 and further including an integrated filter housing. 25 21/04/15,dh-19686 - claims - cdm.docx,6