efficient fluid power control - university of bath · efficient fluid power control motivation in...
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The Centre for
Power Transmission
and Motion Control
Centre for PTMC Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
Contact the Centre for further information: Telephone: +44 (0) 1225 38-6371 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.bath.ac.uk/ptmc/
Research Project
EFFICIENT FLUID POWER CONTROL
Motivation
In most hydraulic fluid power systems, valves are used to throttle the flow and reduce the hydraulic pressure. This is a simple but extremely inefficient method as the excess energy is lost as heat, and it is common for more than 50% of the input power to be wasted in this way. The potential for improvement is huge.
We are investigating novel methods of increasing the efficiency of hydraulic systems whilst maintaining performance, cost-effectiveness, reliability and low noise. Reducing power consumption will contribute to the UK Government's commitment to cutting carbon dioxide emissions. However there are significant challenges.
Areas of Research
Digital hydraulic control, using high speed switching valves
A new device for controlling the flow and pressure of a hydraulic supply consists of a high-speed switching valve and an 'inertance tube'. Acting as a transformer, the device is able to boost the pressure or flow.
Electrohydrostatic actuators Here a variable speed electric motor drives a fixed displacement pump which delivers flow directly to a linear actuator. This provides major efficiency improvements compared to conventional valve controlled systems.
Multi-chamber hydraulic actuators Power saving performance of a four-chamber cylinder under individual metering control is being investigated.
Model-based electro-hydraulic load sensing Integration of model-based digital control and pump speed control can provide major efficiency improvements
Active control of fluid-borne noise Noise is a major problem with these efficient hydraulic systems. Active fluid-borne noise cancellation techniques are being developed.
EPSRC grant EP/H024190/1, 2010-2014, in collaboration with Instron, Parker and JCB.
Researchers: Academic staff:
Can Du Dr Sylwester Kudzma Min Pan Nathan Sell Dr Pengfei Wang Prof Qingjun Yang (visitor)
Dr Nigel Johnston Dr Andrew Plummer Dr Andy Hillis