PFI:AIR - TT: High Efficiency Hydraulic Pump-Motors Employing Partial Stroke Piston Pressurization

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译一项关于如何以简单有效的方式改变液压泵和马达的功率的发现，以满足各种应用中对高效液压的需求。这项新技术被称为“部分行程活塞增压（PSPP）”。液压泵和马达通常以其最大功率的一小部分运行，并且当运行在该工作点时，它们通常非常低效。PSPP非常重要，因为它可以在低功率运行时节省能源，从而减少全球能源消耗。在使用液压的各种应用中，将节省电力，包括：越野车辆（例如，建筑设备），固定设备（例如，液压升降机和工业压力机）和飞机（例如，起落架和机翼铰接）。此外，泵和电机的功耗降低，可以大幅节省系统级成本；例如，发动机和冷却系统也可以缩小。该项目还将通过扩大液压提供最佳解决方案的产品领域来产生经济影响；例如，PSPP泵和马达可以使液压混合动力公路车辆与电动混合动力汽车竞争，它们可以促进可再生能源（如风能和波浪能）的捕获和储存。该项目将产生一个PSPP泵的工作原型，并在滑动导向装载机上进行演示。该项目开发的泵和电机在利用液压机械旋转阀实现PSPP方面是独一无二的。它们在内部控制回路中专门利用液压动力方面也是独一无二的；例如，不需要电气控制或机械凸轮。这些特性提供了更高的耐用性、更长的正常运行时间、更低的总成本和生命周期成本，并且与该市场领域的领先竞争技术相比，更易于维护。从研究发现到商业应用，该项目解决了以下技术差距：首先，通过开发改进的阀门系统制造方法，分析预测的效率提高将在现有的第一个原型上进行实验验证。其次，通过应用严格的分析驱动设计方法来优化阀门系统，效率将进一步提高。第三，通过应用先进的制造策略，降低PSPP泵和电机的成本。此外，参与该项目的研究生和本科生将通过与工业制造商合作，展示PSPP泵在滑向装载机上的优势，获得技术翻译经验。该项目与KoMotion Technologies， LTD合作，指导这项技术从研究发现到商业现实的商业化方面的工作。KoMotion在引领新型液压泵和马达技术方面拥有丰富的实践经验，从概念开发，到生产投产，再到大规模的全球商业化。该项目由工业创新与伙伴关系司和工程教育司共同资助；反映了这个项目与两个部门的各自目标及其计划的一致性。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating a discovery on how to vary the power of hydraulic pumps and motors in a simple and effective manner to fill the need for high efficiency hydraulics in a variety of applications. The new technology is called "partial stroke piston pressurization (PSPP)". Hydraulic pumps and motors are often run at a small fraction of their maximum power, and they are typically very inefficient when run at that operating point. PSPP is important because it saves energy at low power operation, which occurs frequently, thereby reducing global energy consumption. Power will be saved in a large variety of applications where hydraulics are employed including: off-road vehicles (e.g., construction equipment), stationary equipment (e.g., hydraulic elevators and industrial presses), and aircraft (e.g., landing gear and wing articulation). Furthermore, reduced power consumption by pumps and motors enables dramatic systems-level savings; for example, engines and cooling systems can also be down-sized. The project will also have economic impact by expanding the domain of products where hydraulics provide optimal solutions; for example, PSPP pumps and motors may make hydraulic hybrid on-road vehicles competitive with electric hybrids, and they may facilitate the capture and storage of renewable energies, such as wind and wave energy. The project will result in a working prototype of a PSPP pump to be demonstrated on a skid-steer loader. The pumps and motors developed in this project are unique in utilizing hydro-mechanical rotary valves to implement PSPP. They are also unique in utilizing hydraulic power exclusively in internal control circuits; e.g., no electric controls nor mechanical cams are needed. These features provide higher durability, increased up-time, lower total and life-cycle costs, and increased ease of maintenance when compared to the leading competing technology in this market space, which instead utilizes electro-hydraulic valving.This project addresses the following technology gap(s) as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: First, analytically projected efficiency gains will be experimentally demonstrated on an existing first prototype by developing improved manufacturing methods for the valving systems. Second, efficiency will be further increased by applying a rigorous analysis-driven design methodology to optimize the valving systems. Third, the cost of PSPP pumps and motors will be reduced through the application of advanced manufacturing strategies. In addition, graduate and undergraduate students involved with the project will receive technology translation experiences by working with industrial manufacturers to demonstrate the advantages of PSPP pumps on skid-steer loaders.The project engages KoMotion Technologies, LTD, to guide commercialization aspects in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality. KoMotion has extensive practical experience in leading new hydraulic pump and motor technology from concept development, through production launch, and into large scale global commercialization.This project is jointly funded by the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships and the Division of Engineering Education; reflecting the alignment of this project with the respective goals of the two divisions and their programs.