Patent Application
20240010039
Disclosed embodiments may be related to methods and systems for the mitigation of pressure fluctuations in hydraulic systems. Some embodiments may be directed to differential buffers for hydraulic pumping devices.
Hydraulic systems, which take advantage of fluids to store, convert, and/or transmit power, are utilized across a variety of industries and applications, from large scale industrial plants to motor vehicles. Such hydraulic systems may generally include a variety of components, such as, for example, hydraulic pumps, valves, various reservoirs or accumulators, tanks, fluid chambers, filters, membranes, other hydraulic components, and the flow passages extending between these components. The flow of hydraulic fluid through and/or between these various components and connections may result in fluid pressure and/or flow fluctuations that may produce vibrations of the components and/or acoustic noise.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a hydraulic system that includes a hydraulic device, a hydraulic load, and a differential buffer, includes operating the hydraulic device as a pump to produce an operational differential pressure and a fluctuating differential pressure between a first port and a second port of the hydraulic device, where the fluctuating differential pressure is superimposed on the operational differential pressure. The method also includes applying a total differential pressure across a barrier of the differential buffer exposed to a first fluid volume fluidly connected to the first port and a second fluid volume fluidly connected to the second port, where the total differential pressure is less than or equal to a sum of the operational differential pressure and the fluctuating differential pressure, and displacing at least a portion of the barrier to at least partially mitigate the fluctuating differential pressure that is transmitted to the hydraulic load.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer for a hydraulic system includes a first internal volume, a second internal volume, a first flow passage fluidly connected to the first internal volume, where the first flow passage is configured to fluidly connect to a hydraulic device, and a second flow passage fluidly connected to the second internal volume. The second flow passage is configured to fluidly connect to the hydraulic device, and the first flow passage and the second flow passage are configured to maintain a phase relationship of pressure fluctuations in the first flow passage and the second flow passage. In some embodiments, the inertance and/or the impedance of the first flow passage is effectively equal to the inertance and/or the impedance the second flow passage. The differential buffer also includes at least one barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume, where the barrier is configured to move based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and the second internal volume, and where the barrier may be biased toward a neutral position.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a differential buffer includes receiving fluid at a first pressure in a first flow passage fluidly connected to a first internal volume of the differential buffer, where the fluid in the first flow passage includes first pressure fluctuations having a first phase, and receiving fluid at a second pressure in a second flow passage fluidly connected to a second internal volume of the differential buffer, where the fluid in the second flow passage includes second pressure fluctuations having a second phase different from the first phase. The method also includes maintaining a phase relationship between the first phase and the second phase from a hydraulic device to the differential buffer, biasing a barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of second internal volume toward a neutral position, and moving the barrier based on a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer for a hydraulic system includes a first internal volume, a second internal volume, a first flow passage fluidly connected to the first internal volume, where the first flow passage has a first inertance, and a second flow passage fluidly connected to the second internal volume, where the second flow passage has a second inertance within 50% of the first inertance. The differential buffer also includes a barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume, where the barrier is configured to move based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and the second internal volume, and where the barrier may be biased toward a neutral position.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a differential buffer includes receiving fluid at a first pressure in a first flow passage fluidly connected to a first internal volume of the differential buffer, where the first flow passage has a first inertance, and receiving fluid at a second pressure in a second flow passage fluidly connected to a second internal volume of the differential buffer, where the second flow passage has a second inertance within 50% of the first inertance. The method also includes biasing a barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of second internal volume toward a neutral position, and moving the barrier based on a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer for a hydraulic system includes a first internal volume, a second internal volume, and at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume, where the at least one diaphragm is configured to deform (e.g. elastically), in at least one operating condition, based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and the second internal volume.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a differential buffer includes receiving fluid at a first pressure in a first internal volume of the differential buffer, receiving fluid at a second pressure in a second internal volume of the differential buffer, and deforming (e.g. elastically) at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume based on a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
In some embodiments, a hydraulic system includes a hydraulic device with a first hydraulic device port and a second hydraulic device port, a hydraulic actuator with a first actuator port and a second actuator port, and a differential buffer. The differential includes a first internal volume hydraulically connected to the first hydraulic device port and to the first actuator port, a second internal volume hydraulically connected to the second hydraulic device port and to the second actuator port, and at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume, where the at least one diaphragm is configured to deform (e.g. elastically) based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and the second internal volume.
It should be recognized that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
In some cases, hydraulic pumps in a hydraulic system, such as positive displacement pumps, may induce flow and/or pressure fluctuations, which may also be referred to as ripple, at both the intake and discharge ports. These fluctuations may be transmitted to various points throughout a hydraulic circuit. The fluctuations may result in the generation of excessive noise, accelerated wear and tear on one or more components of the hydraulic system, and/or reduced system performance in some frequency ranges. The fluctuations may also result in increased noise and/or vibration of the hydraulic system. Compliant reservoirs (e.g., accumulators) are conventionally used to accommodate flow and pressure variations and may partially mitigate the transmission of flow and/or pressure fluctuations to various portions of a hydraulic circuit. However, the inventors have recognized that use of accumulators may result in a need for greater pump capacity in order to establish a desired pressure differential across the pump when accounting for the increased volume. Additionally, as an accumulator is compressed, the compliance of the accumulator may decrease in certain types of accumulators (e.g., the reservoir may become stiffer) and in some cases the compliance may change in a non-linear manner (e.g., in the case of a gas accumulator). Furthermore, accumulators employing a compressible fluid may experience a change in performance based on environmental conditions (e.g., temperature), creating variability in the accumulator's ability to mitigate or cancel fluctuations in a hydraulic system. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized that conventional hydraulic accumulators have certain drawbacks when employed to reduce the effects of pressure or flow fluctuations in a hydraulic system.
In view of the above, the inventors have recognized the benefits of a differential buffer for a hydraulic system configured to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations generated by a hydraulic pump. The differential buffer may employ a phase difference present in flow and/or pressure fluctuations present at locations along different flow passages connected to separate ports of a hydraulic pump to reduce a magnitude of the flow and/or pressure fluctuations that propagate to other portions of a hydraulic system.
Specifically, the differential buffer may be employed to partially or fully cancel fluctuations in pressure differential that may be superimposed on an operational pressure differential between the two internal volumes. In some hydraulic systems, a hydraulic device that may be used as a pump may produce flow ripple at both an intake port and a discharge port. If the hydraulic device is reversible, the same port may alternately act as an intake port or a discharge port. In some embodiments of a hydraulic system, the hydraulic device may produce an operational flow (which may be constant, e.g., zero flow, or variable) at a constant or varying operational pressure differential. The hydraulic device may also produce flow ripple that is superimposed on the operational flow. This ripple may include excess flow or deficit flow relative to the operational flow. In some embodiments, the flow ripple, as a function of time, at one port may be an inverse or mirror image of the flow ripple wave form at the second port. In some embodiments of a hydraulic system, the displacement of at least a portion of one or more barriers in a differential buffer may be used to fully or to partially compensate for flow excess or flow deficit at one or more ports of the hydraulic device. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may be used to passively mitigate, fully or partially, flow ripple excess or flow ripple deficit from reaching the hydraulic device. In some embodiments, this mitigation may be implemented before flow ripple, or the resulting pressure ripple, reach the actuator.
The operational pressure differential may be constant or variable. In some embodiments, the pressure differential between the two internal volumes associated with the flow and/or pressure fluctuations may be used to induce a commensurate change in the instantaneous volume associated with each internal volume to mitigate or eliminate the flow and/or pressure fluctuations. The opposing volume changes of the internal volumes may mitigate the flow and/or pressure fluctuations by destructive interference due to a phase difference between the flow and/or pressure fluctuations in the two internal volumes. Specific embodiments are elaborated on further below including embodiments in which the disclosed differential buffers are used in hydraulic circuits including various types of reservoirs and accumulators as the disclosure is not limited to any specific type of hydraulic circuits that the differential buffers are incorporated into.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a barrier separating at least a portion of a first internal volume and at least a portion of a second internal volume. The barrier may be configured to move to accommodate an increase and/or decrease in pressure and/or flow in the first internal volume and second internal volume. In particular, the barrier may move in response to pressure and/or flow fluctuations. The barrier may be exposed to a pressure of fluid in the first internal volume and the second internal volume. Accordingly, a pressure differential between the first internal volume and second internal volume may cause the barrier to shift position or change shape to accommodate an increase in flow or pressure in the first internal volume and a decrease in flow or pressure in the second flow channel. As discussed above, flow and/or pressure fluctuations may have a shifted or inverse phase between the first channel and second channel, such that the movement of the barrier may mitigate or eliminate the flow and/or pressure fluctuations by destructive interference. Instantaneous changes in pressure and/or flow may be accommodated by a change in volume of the first internal volume and second internal volume based on the movement or changes in the shape of the barrier. In some embodiments, the movement of the barrier may cause an increase in the volume of one of the first internal volume and second internal volume, and a corresponding decrease in the volume of the other of the first internal volume and second internal volume that at least partially mitigates the flow and/or pressure fluctuations in the first and second internal volumes.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer may include a plurality of barriers disposed between multiple internal volumes. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of barriers may be disposed between a first internal volume and a second internal volume. The first internal volume may include a plurality of branches, chambers, and/or paths which are separated from corresponding branches, chambers, and/or paths of the second internal volume by the plurality of barriers. In some embodiments, each barrier of a plurality of barriers may be associated with a portion of the first internal volume and corresponding portion of the second internal volume. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a plurality of internal volumes, where each pair of internal volumes includes at least one barrier which separates at least a portion of the respective pair of internal volumes.
In some embodiments, a barrier separating the first internal volume and second internal volume may form a flexible wall of the first internal volume and second internal volume that is disposed between the two internal volumes and is capable of being deformed to correspondingly alter the volume of each internal volume as elaborated on below. For example, the barrier may be a diaphragm configured to elastically, or plastically, deform based on the pressure difference between the first internal volume and second internal volume. In such an embodiment, the diaphragm may form at least a portion of a shared wall of the first internal volume and second internal volume. In some embodiments, the diaphragm may be configured as a plate of appropriate cross-section and shape.
In other embodiments, a barrier separating a first internal volume from a second internal volume may be at least one piston movably (e.g., slidably) disposed in one or more corresponding cylinders. In some embodiments, a first side of a piston is exposed to the first internal volume and a second opposing side of the piston is exposed to the second internal volume. According to this embodiment, a piston may move in the cylinder based on a pressure difference between the first internal volume and second internal volume.
While several specific types of barriers are described herein, it should be understood that any suitable barrier configured to move based on a pressure differential between two internal volumes may be employed in the various embodiments disclosed herein as the present disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, any suitable number of barriers of any type may be employed in a differential buffer, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, the inventors have recognized the benefits of a differential buffer arranged to maintain a desired phase relationship between pressure and/or flow fluctuations in multiple flow passages to facilitate mitigation of such pressure and/or flow fluctuations by destructive interference. That is, the first flow passage and second flow passage, associated with a differential buffer, connected to ports of a hydraulic device (e.g., a hydraulic motor, or a pump) may have symmetry in one or more characteristics of the two flow passages such that pressure and/or flow fluctuations generated at the hydraulic device retain a desired phase relationship at the barrier of the differential buffer. The inventors have recognized that without such symmetry in the differential buffer and/or the associated flow passages between the hydraulic device and the differential buffer, the effectiveness of the differential buffer may be reduced because the desired destructive interference may not be present in the desired frequency ranges. For example, in some cases, phase shift caused by a lack of symmetry in the differential buffer may result in constructive interference of pressure and/or flow fluctuations, increasing the associated negative effects of wear and noise. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized several arrangements which may provide symmetry for a differential buffer, which may be used alone or in any combination. In particular, the inventors have recognized a differential buffer including a barrier which may be biased toward a neutral position, first and second flow passages having equal or effectively equal inertances and/or impedances between various connection points in a hydraulic system, a barrier having equal or effectively equal pressure areas exposed to two associated internal volumes, combinations of the forgoing, and/or other constructions as elaborated on further below.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer includes at least one barrier that may be biased toward a neutral position where an effectively zero pressure differential is applied across the barrier. The biasing of the at least one barrier may allow the barrier to adjust dynamically to an operational pressure difference between fluid in a first internal volume and a second internal volume while responding to fluctuations in the operational pressure difference. As used herein, an “operational pressure difference” or an “operational pressure differential” may refer to a pressure differential generated by a hydraulic device (e.g., a pump) that is employed to operate a hydraulic actuator. The operational pressure difference may either be variable over time or constant depending on the specific application and/or mode of operation. Any flow fluctuations, and pressure fluctuations that may be induced by those flow fluctuations, as described herein may change the operational pressure difference or operational pressure differential. That is, the pressure fluctuations that result from flow fluctuations may be superimposed on the operational pressure difference. In some embodiments, the at least one barrier may be biased to a neutral position by one or more biasing members. For example, in some embodiments, the at least one barrier may be biased to a neutral position by one or more springs. In some such embodiments, the differential buffer may include a single spring engaged with a single side of a barrier configured to bias the barrier toward the neutral position, a first spring engaged with a first side of the barrier and a second spring engaged with a second side of the barrier configured to apply force to the barrier in a direction toward the neutral position, a plurality of first springs engaged with a first side of the barrier and a plurality of second springs engaged with a second side of the barrier, or any other suitable construction. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a first set of springs engaged with a first side of a barrier and a second set of springs engaged with a second side of the barrier configured to apply force on the barrier in a direction toward the neutral position. A biasing member may include, but is not limited to, a compression spring, an extension spring, a gas spring, or any other suitable biasing structure. In some embodiments, a barrier may be biased toward a neutral position by material elasticity of the barrier. That is, the barrier may extend across an interface between two internal volumes such that it elastically deforms based on a pressure difference between the internal volumes. The barrier may be biased toward the neutral position by the elastic material properties of the barrier itself. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the barrier may be biased toward a neutral position without the use of any external biasing members.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer may be fluidly connected to a hydraulic device with a first flow passage and a second flow passage which have similar, equivalent, or identical inertances and/or impedances, such that the magnitude and the phase difference of pressure and/or flow fluctuations generated across the hydraulic device are partially or fully replicated across the barrier in the differential buffer. In some embodiments, a first flow passage has a first inertance and/or impedance and a second flow passage has a second inertance and/or impedance. In some embodiments, the inertance and/or impedance of a flow passage may refer to an inertance and/or impedance of an entire flow passage extending between at least one port of the differential buffer and one port of a hydraulic device. In some embodiments, the first inertance and/or impedance may be within 50% of the second inertance and/or impedance. In some embodiments, the first inertance and/or impedance may be within 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or 2% of the second inertance and/or impedance. In some embodiments, the first inertance and/or impedance may be substantially equal or equal to the second inertance and/or impedance. Of course, other suitable relationships of the inertance and/or impedance values for the first flow passage and second flow passage may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer may be configured to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations by, for example, destructive interference. The differential buffer may be configured to maintain a phase difference and, in some embodiments, a magnitude relationship between differential pressure and/or flow fluctuations in two flow passages extending between a hydraulic device and two internal volumes of the differential buffer. As used herein, the term “differential pressure fluctuations” refers to oscillations in differential pressure between points in two flow passages (e.g., at the ports of a hydraulic device) that are superimposed on a steady or varying operational pressure. As used herein, the term “differential flow fluctuations” refers to oscillations in differential flow at points in two flow passages (e.g., at the ports of a hydraulic device) that are superimposed on a steady or varying operational flow.
In some embodiments, the phase difference between the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in two or more internal volumes located on opposing sides of one or more barriers in the differential buffer is equal or approximately equal to 180 degrees (e.g., between 170 and 190 degrees), which may correspond to an inverse phase relationship between the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the two internal volumes. The phase difference of approximately 180 degrees may allow for a maximum of destructive interference in the differential buffer. The phase difference of approximately 180 degrees may be present in a hydraulic system where an inertance of two flow passages between a hydraulic device (e.g., a pump) and a differential buffer are equal, effectively equal, or substantially equal to one another. In some embodiments, the phase difference between the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in two or more associated internal volumes in the differential buffer is between or equal to 30 degrees and 330 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees±150 degrees), 60 degrees and 300 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees±120 degrees), 90 degrees and 270 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees±90 degrees), between 135 degrees and 225 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees±45 degrees), and between 150 degrees and 210 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees±30 degrees). Phase differences in these ranges may provide for at least some level of destructive interference between the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the two or more internal volumes. For instance, in some embodiments a phase difference between or equal to 60 degrees and 300 degrees may provide at least a 50% mitigation of the pressure and/or flow ripple and a phase difference between or equal to 90 degrees and 270 degrees may provide at least a 70% mitigation of the pressure and/or flow ripple. In some embodiments, the phase relationship between pressure and/or flow fluctuations on opposing sides of a barrier may be maintained while the total phase difference changes. For example, in some embodiments, the phase of pressure and/or flow fluctuations in either of two internal volumes may be changed by any multiple of 360 degrees (e.g., 360 degrees, 720 degrees, etc.), such that an effective inverse phase relationship is maintained in the two volumes and these variations are intended to be included in the overall noted phase differences. For the purposes of this disclosure, these ranges offset by multiples of 360 degrees should be understood to fall within the above noted ranges. As discussed above, one or more flow passages extending between a hydraulic device and the differential buffer may be configured to maintain a phase relationship between the pressure and/or flow fluctuations produced at the ports of the hydraulic device. Of course, any suitable phase difference and/or phase relationship may be employed in a hydraulic system, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer includes a barrier having a first pressure area exposed to fluid in a first internal volume, and a second pressure area exposed to fluid in the second internal volume. The first pressure area and second pressure area are deformable areas of the plate, piston, or other structure exposed to pressurized fluid. Depending on the relative size of the first pressure area and the second pressure area, the barrier may move differently under the effect of a pressure differential between the first internal volume and the second internal volume. Accordingly, to effectively cancel pressure and/or flow fluctuations by e.g., destructive interference, the first pressure area and second pressure area may be effectively equal to one another. In some embodiments, the first pressure area may be within 50% of the second pressure area. In some embodiments, the first pressure area may be within 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or 2% of the second pressure area. In some embodiments, the first pressure area may be substantially equal or equal to the second pressure area. Of course, other suitable pressure areas for the barrier may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a differential buffer includes receiving fluid at a first pressure in a first flow passage fluidly connected to the differential buffer, where the first flow passage has a first inertance and/or impedance and receiving fluid at a second pressure in a second flow passage fluidly connected to the differential buffer, where the second flow channel has a second inertance and/or impedance within 50%, or other appropriate percentage as noted above, of the first inertance and/or impedance. In some embodiments, the method also includes biasing a barrier separating at least a portion of a first internal volume fluidly connected to the first flow passage and at least a portion of a second internal volume fluidly connected to the second flow passage toward a neutral position. The method also includes moving the barrier based on a operational pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, as well as a pressure difference caused by pressure and/or flow fluctuations. The movement of the barrier may cancel or otherwise mitigate the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the first internal volume and the second internal volume by destructive interference.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce leakage from the high pressure portion to the low pressure portion of a hydraulic circuit to promote pump efficiency. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized the benefits of using diaphragm as a barrier, instead of a piston in a cylinder, in a differential buffer for a hydraulic system, where the diaphragm is configured to accommodate pressure fluctuations with little to no leakage across the diaphragm. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a first internal volume, and second internal volume, and at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of the first internal volume from at least a portion of the second internal volume. In some embodiments, the at least one diaphragm may form at least a portion of a common shared wall between the first internal volume and second internal volume. The at least one diaphragm may be configured to move or change shape based on a pressure differential between the first internal volume and the second internal volume. For example, in some embodiments, the at least one diaphragm may be configured to deform (e.g., elastically deform) based on the pressure differential that the at least one diaphragm is exposed to. The deformation of the at least one diaphragm may cause an increase in the volume of the first internal volume while causing a corresponding (e.g., commensurate) decrease in volume in the second internal volume. In this manner, the changes in volume resulting from the deflection of the at least one diaphragm may be used to simultaneously cancel pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the first internal volume and second internal volume. In some embodiments, the at least one diaphragm may be configured cancel or otherwise mitigate the pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the first internal volume and second internal volume by, for example, full or partial destructive interference at the differential buffer.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a differential buffer includes receiving fluid at a first pressure in a first internal volume of the differential buffer, receiving fluid at a second pressure in a second internal volume of the differential buffer, and deforming (e.g., elastically) at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume based on a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. In some embodiments, the deformation or deflection of the at least one diaphragm may partially or fully cancel pressure fluctuations in the first internal volume and the second internal volume by, e.g., destructive interference. In some embodiments, the method may include deforming or deflecting a plurality of diaphragms.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer may include at least one diaphragm separating at least a portion of a first internal volume and a second internal volume. The inventors have recognized that the size, shape and material properties of a diaphragm affects the response of the diaphragm to various pressure differentials in various applications. For example, a multi-diaphragm buffer may have a larger compliance (e.g., lower stiffness) than a single diaphragm differential buffer where the diaphragms are of the same size, shape and construction. As an alternative example, a multi-diaphragm buffer may have a lesser compliance (e.g., higher stiffness) than a single diaphragm buffer where the multiple diaphragms and single diaphragm have the same total pressure area. Additionally, the inventors have recognized that a diaphragm may have a certain range of elastic deformation prior to the onset of plastic deformation and/or contacting another portion of the differential buffer such that the diaphragm's movement bottoms out. Thus, the inventors have recognized that providing additional diaphragms may allow for a desired stiffness of the differential buffer which may effectively mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations without bottoming out the diaphragms, though embodiments in which one or more diaphragms contact an adjacent structure, such as another diaphragm, during normal operation are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the range of diaphragm travel during operation may be selected to avoid contacting adjacent diaphragms. However, embodiments in which one or more diaphragms contact adjacent diaphragms during normal operation are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the at least one diaphragm may include a plurality of diaphragms. In some embodiments, the plurality of diaphragms may include at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 diaphragms. Correspondingly, the plurality of diaphragms may include less than 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, or 3 diaphragms. Ranges of the number of diaphragms are contemplated, including, but not limited to, a number of diaphragms between 2 and 12, 6 and 12, 8 and 12, 2 and 6, and/or any other appropriate range. Of course, any suitable number of diaphragms may be employed, including a single diaphragm, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a diaphragm of a differential buffer may be configured to elastically deform in normal operation based on a pressure difference between a first internal volume and a second internal volume. It should be understood that in some embodiments, an initial amount of plastic deformation may occur either when conditioning the buffer and/or during initial operation of the system. However, after this initial conditioning of the system, in some embodiments, further deformation of the diaphragm may be substantially elastic recoverable deformation. In some embodiments, a diaphragm may be positioned and supported within a differential buffer with at least one spacer disposed on one side of the diaphragm. In some instances, two spacers disposed on either side of the diaphragm such that the diaphragm is disposed between the spacers to secure the diaphragm therebetween. That is, two spacers may clamp the diaphragm to secure the position of the diaphragm between the two spacers. In either case, the at least one spacer may be configured to rigidly secure a periphery, circumference, or other edge of the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm disposed radially inward from the spacer may deform or deflect in response to the operational differential pressure as well as differential pressure fluctuations across the diaphragm. In some embodiments, the at least one spacer may be configured as ring (e.g., having an annular shape) and a corresponding diaphragm may be shaped in the form of a circular disk (e.g., cylindrical) or otherwise shaped as a flat plate. In such an embodiment, the deflected portion of the diaphragm may assume the shape of a semi-sphere or other curved geometry. In some embodiments, a diaphragm may have a curvature when there is not a differential pressure across the diaphragm. Of course, a diaphragm and/or spacer may have any suitable shape, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the portions of the surface of a secured diaphragm that is exposed to a differential pressure across the diaphragm may be allowed to deflect while the shape of the secured portions of the diaphragm remain constant. For example, in some embodiments, if the slope of an unstressed diaphragm is zero (e.g., relative to a housing of a differential buffer), the slope at the secured regions of the diaphragm may remain at zero while the remainder of the diaphragm surface deflects when that surface is exposed to a differential pressure (e.g., a clamped edge constraint).
The inventors have also recognized that in certain embodiments one or more differential buffer spacers may be configured to secure a diaphragm while avoiding stress risers during deformation of the diaphragm. In particular, the inventors have recognized the benefits of a spacer that includes a curved edge abutting a diaphragm. The curved edge may curve away from the diaphragm such that no sharp (e.g., angular) so that the diaphragm does not interact with a sharp corner when it deflects during operation. The curved edge may have any suitable radius of curvature, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, a spacer may form a seal with a diaphragm. In some embodiments, the seal may be a metal-to-metal seal. In some embodiments, the seal may include a projection and groove. In some embodiments, the seal may include a sealing gasket. In other embodiments, the seal may be achieved through an adhesive bonding the plates and spacer together. In other embodiments, the seal and attachment of the plates can be achieved through the use of a brazing or melting and flowing of a filler metal into the spaces between the plates and spacers. Of course, any suitable sealing arrangement may be employed, including elastomeric sealing options, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a spacer may be secured to a diaphragm with one or more fasteners. For example, in some embodiments, a spacer may be secured to a diaphragm with one or more bolts. Of course, any suitable fastener may be employed, including screws, bolts, rivets, etc., as well as other types of connections including welds may be used as the present disclosure is not so limited
As noted above, a diaphragm of a differential buffer may be configured to deform or deflect based on a pressure differential between two internal volumes. The diaphragm may be formed of a material that exhibit sufficient elasticity to permit the diaphragm to elastically deform over a desired operating range in response to a pressure difference between a first internal volume and a second internal volume. In some embodiments, the diaphragm may be formed as a plate. The plate may be formed of a material such as steel, heat-treated alloy steel, carbon spring steel, stainless steel, aluminum, rubber, bulk metallic glass, plastic, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, a diaphragm may be formed as a constant thickness circular plate. However, in other embodiments, a diaphragm may have a thickness that is not constant, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, certain characteristics of one or more diaphragms may be selected to determine their response to a design pressure differential in a hydraulic system. These characteristics may include, but are not limited to, elongation limit (e.g., a measure of the deformation that occurs before the diaphragm permanently deforms under an applied load), yield strength (e.g., stress at which additional stress moves into the plastic region of a stress-strain curve), tensile strength (e.g., stress at which the material starts to elongate), hardness (e.g., resistance to localized plastic deformation), Young's modulus, and a fatigue strength (e.g., where damage starts to accumulate with cyclic loading). In some embodiments, an elongation limit of a plate may be between 2% and 7%, 2% and 10%, and/or any other appropriate range. In some embodiments, the elongation limit is measured in terms of a ratio of change in length to original length (i.e., AL/L×100). In some embodiments, a yield strength of a plate may be between 1000 MPa and 1500 MPa. In some embodiments, a tensile strength of a plate may be between 1200 and 2100 MPa or between 1300 and 2100 MPa. In some embodiments, a hardness of a plate may be between 40 and 52 HRC. In some embodiments, a Young's modulus of a plate may be between 200 and 210 GPa. In some embodiments, a fatigue strength may be between 650 and 1050 MPa. Of course, any suitable material characteristics may be employed alone or in any combination that fall inside or outside of these exemplary ranges, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a diaphragm may have a surface finish and/or may be ball cleaned, shot peened, or subjected to other treatments to increase a fatigue resistance of the diaphragm. Of course, while exemplary ranges are provided above for materials that may be employed in exemplary embodiments described herein, any appropriate materials having any appropriate material properties may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, material properties from the above ranges may be employed alone or in any combination for a diaphragm material, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a spacer of a differential buffer may be configured to secure a diaphragm that deforms or deflects based on a pressure differential between two internal volumes. The spacer may be configured to retain the diaphragm and resist forces associated with the elastic deformation. In some embodiments, the spacer may be formed of metal such as steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, ceramic or any other suitable material. A spacer may have material characteristics suitable for securing a diaphragm and cyclical loading in a hydraulic system. These characteristics may include, but are not limited to, yield strength (e.g., stress at which additional stress moves into the plastic region of a stress-strain curve), tensile strength (e.g., stress at which the material starts to elongate), and hardness (e.g., resistance to localized plastic deformation). In some embodiments, a yield strength of a spacer may be between 370 and 675 MPa. In some embodiments, a tensile strength of a spacer may be between 440 and 1020 MPa. In some embodiments, a hardness of a spacer may be between 71 HRB and 32 HRC. Of course, any suitable material characteristics may be employed for a spacer alone or in any combination that fall inside or outside of these exemplary ranges, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, a hydraulic system may be space constrained (e.g., inside of a vehicle), such that it may be beneficial to reduce a size of a differential buffer while retaining the desired characteristics. Accordingly, the inventors have also recognized that the benefits of a differential buffer employing a stacked configuration include a relatively small package compared to a non-stacked differential buffer. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a plurality of diaphragms in a stacked configuration. In some embodiments, the plurality of diaphragms may be arranged in parallel along a differential buffer longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the each of the plurality of diaphragms may separate a portion of a first internal volume and a second internal volume. In some embodiments, a spacer may be disposed between each of the plurality of diaphragms to secure the diaphragms and provide space between each of the plurality of diaphragms. Each pair of diaphragms may define a chamber therebetween which may form part of the first internal volume or second internal volume The flow chambers may alternate between pairs of diaphragms, such that each chamber associated with the first internal volume is adjacent to a flow chamber associated with the second internal volume. Such an arrangement allows diaphragms to be added to a differential buffer as desired to achieve a desired stiffness of the differential buffer so that a particular range of pressure and/or flow fluctuations may be mitigated.
In one exemplary embodiment of a differential buffer having a stacked configuration, the differential buffer may include a first internal volume, a second internal volume, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm. The first internal volume may include a first chamber disposed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. The second internal volume may include a second chamber disposed on an opposite side of the first diaphragm from the first chamber. The second internal volume may also include a third chamber disposed on an opposite side of the second diaphragm from the first chamber. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the differential buffer includes chambers arranged in a stacked sequence of second internal volume, first internal volume, and second internal volume. When the first internal volume is at a higher pressure than the second internal volume, the volume of first chamber may expand as the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are forced to deform toward the second chamber and third chamber by the pressure in the first chamber. Conversely, when the second internal volume is at a higher pressure than the first internal volume, the volume of the first chamber may contract as the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are forced to deform toward one another by the pressure in the second chamber and the third chamber. In some embodiments, the first chamber, second chamber, and third chamber may be formed by a first spacer, second spacer, and third spacer, respectively, securing peripheries of the first diaphragm and second diaphragm. In some embodiments, the structure of alternating internal volume chambers between diaphragms may be repeated in a stacked configuration to provide a differential buffer with a desired stiffness for mitigating a desired range of pressure and/or flow fluctuations. For example, 6-12 diaphragms may be employed with a corresponding 7-13 chambers.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a first internal volume and a second internal volume of a differential buffer may be at least partially formed through a spacer and diaphragm (e.g., through one or more channels). Such an arrangement may simplify manufacturing and also provide a compact arrangement for a stacked differential buffer. In some embodiments, a portion of the first internal volume and a portion of the second internal volume may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of a differential buffer. According to such an embodiment, the portion of the first internal volume and portion of the second internal volume may run parallel to a direction in which a diaphragm deforms based on a pressure differential between the internal volumes. In some embodiments, the portion of the first internal volume and the portion of the second internal volume may be formed in the spacer and a periphery of the diaphragm engaged with the spacer. One or more spacers may include one or more openings configured to connect one or more chambers of the internal volume. In this manner the diaphragms and/or spacers may be stamped or otherwise manufactured as flat plates that may be stacked to form a portion of a differential buffer. The first internal volume and second internal volume may be formed by properly aligned adjacent holes, cutouts, or openings formed in the spacers and diaphragms of the differential buffer.
In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a first internal volume, second internal volume, and a barrier configured as a piston separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and the second internal volume. The differential buffer may also include one or more springs configured to bias the piston toward a neutral position. The inventors have recognized that the spring constants of the one or more springs affects the ability to the differential buffer to respond to pressure differentials and also mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations in a hydraulic system. In some embodiments, the spring constants may affect the susceptibility of the springs to fatigue stresses under cyclic loading and the ability of the springs to mitigate smaller pressure and/or flow fluctuations. In some embodiments, a spring constant for the differential buffer may be between 1500 and 3000 N/mm. In some cases, a differential buffer including a diaphragm may have spring rate between 1500 and 3000 N/mm in a direction oriented perpendicular to a surface of the diaphragm exposed to the hydraulic fluid as the diaphragm deforms from a neutral position. Of course, spring constants greater than or less than this range are contemplated, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a plurality of springs that are configured to provide an overall combined spring constant for the differential buffer. In some embodiments, a differential buffer may include a number of springs greater than or equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Correspondingly, a differential buffer may include a number of springs less than or equal to 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2. Of course, any suitable number of springs may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a first spring may be disposed on a first side of the piston, and a second spring may be disposed on a second opposing side of the piston. In some embodiments, two sets of springs may be disposed on opposing sides of the piston. According to these embodiments, the opposing springs may act in compression or tension only as desired, rather than acting in both tension and compression depending on the position of the piston. In some embodiments, an individual spring in a set of springs may have a spring constant between 3000 and 8000 N/mm. In some embodiments, a spring disposed on a first side of the piston may have a different spring constant that a spring disposed on a second side of the piston. Such an arrangement may bias the piston to a desired neutral position to effectively accommodate pressure and/or flow fluctuations.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer including a barrier arranged as a piston may include a cylinder allowing a length of travel of the piston between end stops. The length of travel may allow for a range of motion of the piston such that an operational pressure differential between a first internal volume and a second internal volume does not cause the piston to reach either end stop. If the piston is disposed at an end stop due to a given operational pressure differential, more minor changes in pressure differential due to pressure and/or flow fluctuations may not cause the piston to move, thereby inhibiting the ability of the piston to cancel the pressure and/or flow fluctuations. A suitable length of travel may be based at least in part on spring constant and an expected pressure differential in the hydraulic system. In some embodiments, the length of the cylinder may be between 50 mm and 100 mm. Of course, any suitable length of cylinder may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, where a piston is employed as a barrier in a differential buffer, the piston may be susceptible to leakage across the piston based on a pressure differential, the tolerance of the piston in a cylinder, and the seals used. In some cases, some leakage across the piston may be beneficial since it may help to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations between a first internal volume and a second internal volume. For example, volumes of fluid flowing across the piston may reduce the effect of a positive increase in pressure and/or flow caused by a pressure and/or flow fluctuation. However, the inventors have also recognized that such leakage may negatively impact the efficiency of a hydraulic system and may affect a pumping capacity for a hydraulic device. In some embodiment, a piston of a differential buffer may have a leakage within 10% of the leakage of the hydraulic device in the system. In some embodiments, a piston of a differential buffer may have a leakage between 1% and 5% of the hydraulic device leakage. Of course, any suitable leakage for a piston may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, a hydraulic system may include a hydraulic device, a hydraulic actuator, and a differential buffer. The hydraulic device may be a pump, a hydraulic motor operated as a pump in at least one mode of operation, or other hydraulic power pack configured to actively pump the fluid in at least some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the hydraulic device may be a gerotor pump, gear pump, piston pump, swash plate pump, or another suitable hydraulic pump. The hydraulic device may include a hydraulic first hydraulic device port and a second hydraulic device port. The hydraulic actuator may be a hydraulic motor, servo-valve, hydraulic cylinder, or other hydraulic power pack configured to convert hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic device into force, torque, and/or motion. The hydraulic actuator may include a first actuator port and a second actuator port. The differential buffer may include a first internal volume and a second internal volume. The first hydraulic device port may be hydraulically connected to the first actuator port via the first internal volume, and the second hydraulic device port may be hydraulically connected to the second actuator port via the second internal volume. The differential buffer may also include a barrier (e.g., at least one diaphragm or piston) separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and a portion of the second internal volume. The barrier may be configured to move (e.g., change position relative to a housing) or deflect (e.g., change shape in a given position relative to a housing) in response to an operational pressure differential and/or a pressure fluctuations or ripple between the first internal volume and the second internal volume. The differential buffer may function according to exemplary embodiments described herein to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations generated by the hydraulic device.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer may be arranged in a flow-through configuration or in a branched configuration. In a flow-through configuration, the differential buffer may include a first port and a second port associated with a first internal volume, and a third port and a fourth portion associated with a second internal volume. The first port and third port of the differential buffer may be fluidly connected to a hydraulic device (e.g., via flow passages), where the second port and fourth port are fluidly connected to a hydraulic actuator (e.g., via flow passages). In this manner, fluid flowing from the hydraulic device to the hydraulic actuator flows through the internal volumes differential buffer. In an alternative embodiment where the differential buffer has a branched configuration, the differential buffer may include a first port associated with a first internal volume, and a second port associated with a second internal volume. The first port may be connected to a first flow passage between a hydraulic device and a hydraulic actuator (e.g., via a first branched connection), and the second port may be connected to a second flow passage between the hydraulic device and the hydraulic actuator (e.g., via a second branched connection). In this embodiment, fluid may flow between the hydraulic device and the hydraulic actuator without flowing through the differential buffer, such that the flow passage to the differential buffer branches off of the first flow passage and second flow passage. In some cases, with a branched configuration the differential buffer branch may block access to the differential buffer from pressure fluctuations above a threshold frequency. Depending on desired packaging and a frequency of pressure and/or flow fluctuations intended to be mitigated, a flow-through or branched configuration may be employed, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a hydraulic system may operate at an operating pressure difference between two internal volumes of a differential buffer. That is, an operational pressure difference (e.g., a pressure difference that does not include pressure fluctuations) may be present in a hydraulic system. In some embodiments, a pressure difference between the first internal volume and second internal volume may be between 0 and 3000 psi (e.g., 0 and 21 MPa). In some embodiments, a pressure difference between the first internal volume and second internal volume may be between 0 and 1000 psi (e.g., 0 and 7 MPa). Pressure fluctuations generated by a hydraulic device are less than an operational pressure difference generated between the first internal volume and the second internal volume. For example, in some embodiments, a fluctuating pressure difference caused by pressure fluctuations may be between 0 and 500 psi (e.g., 0 and 3.5 MPa), between 0 and 1450 psi (e.g., 0 and 10 MPa), and/or any other appropriate pressure range. In some embodiments, a fluctuating pressure difference caused by pressure fluctuations may be between 0.01 and 50 psi (e.g., between 0.00007 and 0.345 MPa). According to these embodiments, the fluctuating pressure differences may be superimposed on an operational pressure difference and may be either positive or negative (e.g., ±0-3.5 MPa, ±0-10 MPa, or ±0.00007-0.345 MPa). The fluctuating pressure differences may be smaller than an operational pressure difference. Accordingly, a differential buffer may be configured to mitigate the pressure fluctuations at lower relative fluctuating pressure differences than an operational pressure difference of a hydraulic system. To this end, a differential buffer may be configured to accommodate an operational pressure differential plus any pressure differential caused by pressure fluctuations without bottoming out. As used herein, “bottoming out” may indicate a position where a barrier of a differential buffer is unable to move in one direction in response to the fluctuating pressure difference (e.g., from contacting another barrier, contacting another portion of the differential buffer, reaching an end of travel, etc.). Of course, any suitable operational pressure difference may be employed, and any desired pressure difference from pressure fluctuations may be mitigated, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic system may be at a frequency or a range of frequencies which a differential buffer is configured to mitigate. In some embodiments, a pressure fluctuation may be at a frequency between 0 and 2000 Hz. In some embodiments, a pressure fluctuation may have a frequency between 0 and 400 Hz. Of course, any relevant frequencies of pressure fluctuations generated by a hydraulic device may be mitigated by a differential buffer, as the present disclosure is not so limited. Mitigating of pressure and/or flow fluctuations in a particular frequency range means that pressure and/or flow fluctuations may be mitigated uniformly at every frequency in the frequency range or a subset of the frequency range may be targeted for mitigation, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments of hydraulic actuators (e.g., hydraulic active suspension system actuators), an operating parameter is the bandwidth of the force that may be produced. In some embodiments of high bandwidth hydraulic actuators, a significant portion of the flow from the actuator body may pass through the associated hydraulic device. In some embodiments, the rotational inertia, of one or more rotating hydraulic device components, may limit the bandwidth of the system. In some embodiments, the displacement of the hydraulic device may also determine how much the hydraulic device component may need to rotate for a given flow generated at the actuator. In some embodiments, an internal gear pump may be used with a rotational inertia to displacement ratio within a range of 20-40 kg/m. However, hydraulic devices with rotational inertia to displacement ratios both above and below this range are contemplated, as the disclosure is not so limited.
In some embodiments, hydraulic devices (e.g., gerotor pumps, gear pumps, piston pumps, swash plate pumps, etc.) may produce pressure and/or flow fluctuations even when the hydraulic device is operating at a constant angular speed (e.g. constant operating flow). Such flow may be caused by, for example, variation in: (i) hydraulic device displacement and/or (ii) leakage, as a function of angular position of a component of the hydraulic device. For example, in the case of a gerotor pump, the variation in hydraulic device displacement as a function of angular position, of an inner or outer rotor, may be an inherent characteristic of the hydraulic device and/or due to, for example, manufacturing tolerances or imperfections. Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, the variation in leakage in the hydraulic device may be due to the path length between the high and low pressures within the hydraulic device. Such path lengths may vary as a function of the angular position of a component of the hydraulic device.
In some embodiments of hydraulic systems, the flow passages on either side of a hydraulic device remain independent or separate from each other until the hydraulic load (e.g., an actuator or a servo-valve) is activated. Under some operating conditions in some embodiments, both sides of the hydraulic device may produce flow volume ripple which may in turn induce acoustic noise. As used herein, the term “flow passage” or “fluid flow passage” refers to a conduit, channel, tube, passage, passageway, or any other type of flow path for conveying liquid or hydraulic fluid from one point to another in a hydraulic system.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a differential buffer may be employed in any hydraulic system that may be susceptible to pressure and/or flow fluctuations. For example, a differential buffer may be employed in hydraulic systems in marine systems (e.g., boats, submarines, etc.), automotive systems (e.g., cars, trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, tractor trailers), construction systems (e.g., excavators, bulldozers, etc.), airborne systems (e.g., planes, helicopters, etc.), suspension systems (e.g., active suspension systems, semi-active suspension systems, etc.) or any other suitable system, as the present disclosure is not so limited.
In the various embodiments described herein, a phase difference of the flow and/or pressure fluctuations described herein may be measured in any appropriate manner. For example, in some instances, the fluctuations may be measured using flow and/or pressure sensors located at the noted locations within the hydraulic system. Alternatively, a fluid dynamics simulation software, such as a computational fluid dynamics analysis tool, may be used to determine the phase relationships and/or magnitudes of the flow and/or pressure fluctuations within the various locations of the hydraulic system.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein an inertance and/or impedance of a flow passage in a hydraulic system may be measured via computational fluid dynamics simulations of the hydraulic system. In some embodiments, such a computational simulation may be employed to determine if a desired phase relationship between pressure and/or flow fluctuations in a hydraulic system is maintained as desired to allow the pressure and/or flow fluctuations to be attenuated. In some embodiments, a matching inertance and/or impedance calculated from a computational fluid dynamics simulation may be indicative of a hydraulic system configured to maintain a desired phase relationship and/or phase difference of flow ripple between two sides of the hydraulic system. Of course, any suitable inertance for a fluid passage, e.g., 1×106 MPa/(m3/s2) to 1×10 7 MPa/(m3/s2), or 3×10 6 MPa/(m3/s2), in a hydraulic system may be employed as the present disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, inertance and/or impedance of a fluid passage may be determined in any empirical and/or computational method appropriate manner, as the present disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, the occurrence of a desired phase relationship as disclosed herein between two fluid volumes located on opposing sides of a barrier of a differential buffer may be indicative of the inertances and/or impedances of the flow paths connecting the differential buffer to a hydraulic device having a desired matched relationship, e.g. effective equivalence, to provide the desired pressure and/or flow ripple mitigation as described herein.
According to exemplary embodiments described herein, “canceling”, “mitigation”, or “attenuation” is what occurs when pressure and/or flow fluctuations on two sides of a barrier of a differential buffer of a hydraulic system maintain a desired phase relationship such that a magnitude and/or effect of volume fluctuations between the two portions of the hydraulic system (e.g. separate flow paths connected to the two opposing ports of a hydraulic device) may be reduced, or effectively eliminated. Specifically, movement of the barrier induced by the pressure and/or flow ripple may at least partially compensate for these pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the separate portions of the hydraulic system to reduce a magnitude and/or effect of the corresponding volume fluctuations in the different portions of the hydraulic system, e.g., at a load. Thus, a differential buffer according to exemplary embodiments described herein may diminish the negative affects associated with pressure and/or flow ripple, as described above.
Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and/or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.
In view of the above description, and given the relationship between these terms, flow ripple and pressure ripple may be related and may be used interchangeably in the current disclosure.
In the embodiment illustrated in
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In some modes of operation, the differential buffer 302 may be exposed to constant and/or variable operational differential pressures produced by the hydraulic device 310 when driving the hydraulic actuator 312 (e.g., in an active suspension system). Such a differential buffer may also simultaneously absorb or mitigate flow volume ripple on one or both sides of a hydraulic device, while providing an appropriate degree of compliance on one or both sides of the hydraulic device. In some embodiments, a differential buffer like that of
In some embodiments, a differential buffer according to exemplary embodiments herein may be exposed to operational differential pressures in the range of 0 psi to 1000 psi (e.g., 0 to 7 MPa), or one or more sub-ranges of this range of operational differential pressure, as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a differential buffer according to exemplary embodiments herein may be configured to mitigate (e.g., damp) pressure ripple in the range of 0.01 to 50 psi (e.g., between 0.00007 and 0.345 MPa) or one or more sub-ranges of this range of pressure ripple, as the disclosure is not so limited. Various combinations of the above ranges are contemplated including, for example, operational pressure ranges between or equal to about 100 psi to 600 psi (e.g., 0.69 to 4.1 MPa) and pressure ripple in the range of 0.1 to 20 psi (e.g., 0.0007 to 0.138 MPa), and/or any other appropriate combination of ranges, as the disclosure is not so limited. Mitigating of pressure ripple or flow ripple in a particular pressure range does not necessarily indicate that pressure ripple is mitigated uniformly throughout that range or even at each pressure in that range.
In one example of the differential buffer 302 illustrated in
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In some modes of operation of a hydraulic system like that of exemplary
Depending on the amount of deflection of the diaphragms of an exemplary differential buffer, such as the flexure plates 502, 504, 506, and 508 in the differential buffer 500 of
The inventors have recognized that, in selecting a diaphragm thickness for a differential buffer including at least one diaphragm, there may be a trade-off between diaphragm thickness and stiffness nonlinearity, maximum stress, and total overall packaging volume. A thicker diaphragm may deflect less for the same pressure area and pressure differential. A thicker diaphragm may also exhibit lower maximum stress but may require a larger overall packaging volume. A thicker diaphragm will have a larger stressed area, thereby lowering stress and deflection in the diaphragm for a given pressure differential across the diaphragm but will also increase the size of the diaphragm relative to a thinner diaphragm. For example, a plate with a thickness of 1.06 mm that has a circular pressure area (e.g., a deformable area of the plate exposed to pressurized fluid) with 60 mm diameter may deflect a maximum of 1.2 mm at 3.5 MPa. A differential buffer with 10 such plates may achieve a stiffness between 150-250 Pa/mm3 and occupy approximately 100 cc of total volume. A thicker plate of 1.4 mm with the same pressure area may deflect 0.76 mm at 3.5 MPa and with 18 plates achieve the same overall volumetric stiffness target (as the differential buffer with 1.06 mm plates) may require approximately 150 cc of total volume. The thinner plates may have a stiffness nonlinearity of approximately 2× and a max stress of 1600 MPa whereas the thicker plates may have a stiffness nonlinearity of 1.25× and a max stress of 1200 MPa. Expected deflections of these plates are illustrated in the figures described below.
As discussed above, in some embodiments, a differential buffer including a plurality of clamped flexure plates may be configured as a four-port flow-through device. In some embodiments, the clamping region of the plates located radially outwards from the deflectable portions of a diaphragm (e.g., a pressure area) may include cutouts that may be employed for routing one or more flow channels of a differential buffer internal volume including, for example, a first flow channel and a second flow channel.
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It should be noted that while the flow chart of exemplary
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While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/072,470, filed Aug. 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/048420 | 8/31/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63072470 | Aug 2020 | US |
