Fluid power pack

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fluid power pack, comprising: a manifold block comprising at least one fluid port; a first housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a first tank configured to hold a liquid; an electric motor mounted on the manifold block and disposed within the first tank so that the electric motor is configured to be submerged in a liquid held within the first tank for cooling the electric motor; a second housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a second tank configured to hold a liquid; and a hydraulic pump mounted on the manifold block and drivingly engaged with the electric motor, the hydraulic pump comprising a low pressure port and a high pressure port. The high pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the fluid port of the manifold block and the low pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the second tank. The present disclosure further relates to a hydraulic system including the fluid power pack and a hydraulic load fluidly connected with the fluid power pack.

Claims

1. A fluid power pack, comprising: a manifold block comprising one or more fluid ports; a first housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a first tank configured to hold a liquid; an electric motor mounted on the manifold block and disposed within the first tank so that the electric motor is configured to be submerged in a liquid held within the first tank for cooling the electric motor; a second housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a second tank configured to hold a liquid; and a hydraulic pump mounted on the manifold block and drivingly engaged with the electric motor, the hydraulic pump comprising a low pressure port and a high pressure port, wherein the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with a fluid port of the manifold block and the low pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the second tank.

2. The fluid power pack of claim 1, further comprising a support structure supporting the electric motor and mounted on the manifold block so that the electric motor is mounted on the manifold block via the support structure.

3. The fluid power pack of claim 2, wherein the first housing is detachably mounted on the manifold block and wherein the electric motor is mounted on the manifold block via the support structure in such a way that the support structure supports the electric motor both when the first housing is mounted on the manifold block and when the first housing is detached from the manifold block.

4. The fluid power pack of claim 3, further comprising at least one first bearing mounted on the support structure and rotationally supporting a motor shaft drivingly connected with a rotor of the electric motor.

5. The fluid power pack of claim 4, further comprising a second bearing mounted on the manifold block and rotationally supporting the motor shaft.

6. The fluid power pack of claim 1, further comprising one of a relief valve mounted on the manifold block and a relief valve integrated in the manifold block, the relief valve being configured to fluidly connect the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump with the second tank when a pressure at the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump exceeds a threshold pressure.

7. The fluid power pack of claim 1, further comprising one of a check valve mounted on the manifold block and a check valve integrated in the manifold block, the check valve being configured to allow a liquid flow from the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump toward a fluid outlet of the manifold block via the check valve, and the check valve configured to block a liquid flow toward the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump via the check valve.

8. The fluid power pack of claim 7, wherein the check valve is further configured to block a liquid flow from a fluid inlet of the manifold block toward the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump through the check valve.

9. The fluid power pack of claim 1, wherein a liquid storage capacity V1 of the first tank and a liquid storage capacity V2 of the second tank fulfill one or more of the following relations: V2V2≥V1, V2≥2.Math.V1, V2≥5.Math.V1, and V2≥10.Math.V1.

10. The fluid power pack of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic pump is disposed within the second tank.

11. The fluid power pack of claim 1, wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the second tank.

12. The fluid power pack of claim 11, wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the second tank via the manifold block.

13. The fluid power pack of claim 1, wherein a motor shaft drivingly connecting a rotor of the electric motor with the hydraulic pump reaches through the manifold block.

14. The fluid power pack of claim 1, wherein the manifold block is a die-cast manifold block made of metal.

15. The fluid power pack of claim 14, wherein the manifold block is made of aluminum.

16. A hydraulic system, comprising: a fluid power pack, comprising: a manifold block comprising one or more fluid ports; a first housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a first tank configured to hold a liquid; an electric motor mounted on the manifold block and disposed within the first tank so that the electric motor is configured to be submerged in a liquid held within the first tank for cooling the electric motor; a second housing mounted on the manifold block and enclosing a second tank configured to hold a liquid; and a hydraulic pump mounted on the manifold block and drivingly engaged with the electric motor, the hydraulic pump comprising a low pressure port and a high pressure port, wherein the high pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with a fluid port of the manifold block and the low pressure port of the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the second tank; and a hydraulic load fluidly connected with the fluid power pack via the fluid port of the manifold block.

17. The hydraulic system of claim 16, wherein the hydraulic load includes one of: a hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) An embodiment of the presently proposed fluid power pack and hydraulic system is described in the following detailed description and is depicted in the accompanying drawing in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid power pack;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the fluid power pack of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a hydraulic system including the fluid power pack of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a detail of the fluid power pack of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIGS. 1 and 2 each depict an embodiment of a fluid power pack 1. FIG. 1 shows the fluid power pack 1 in an assembled state, and FIG. 2 shows the fluid power pack 1 in an exploded view. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of a hydraulic system 100 including the fluid power pack 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and further including a hydraulic cylinder 200 fluidly connected with the fluid power pack 1. FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the fluid power pack 1. Features recurring in different figures are designated with the same reference signs throughout.

(7) The fluid power pack 1 comprises a die-cast aluminum manifold block 2, an electric motor 3, a support structure 4 for mounting the electric motor 3 on or for connecting the electric motor 3 to the manifold block 2, a hydraulic pump 5 drivingly engaged with the electric motor 3 so that the electric motor 3 may drive the hydraulic pump 5, a first housing 6 and a second housing 7. The electric motor 3 is configured as an AC motor. As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the electric motor 3 includes a stator 3a having a plurality of stator windings, a rotor 3b comprising a plurality of rotor windings, and a motor shaft 3c connected to the rotor 3b. The rotor 3b may rotate relative to the stator 3a with respect to a rotation axis 8 defining an axial direction. It is understood that in alternative embodiments the rotor may comprise one or more permanent magnets or a conducting squirrel cage, for example. The manifold block 2 includes a plurality of fluid ports such as a fluid inlet 9 and a fluid outlet 10 (see FIG. 2) for connecting the fluid power pack 1 to a hydraulic load such as the hydraulic cylinder 200 depicted in FIG. 3, and a plurality of fluid passages integrated in the manifold block 2.

(8) In the embodiment of the fluid power pack 1 depicted in the figures, the support structure 4 includes a flange portion 4a connected to the manifold block 2, an end portion 4b and a plurality of rods 4c connecting the end portion 4b with the flange portion 4a, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. For instance, the flange portion 4a may be connected or fixed to the manifold block 2 by means of a plurality of first connecting members 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of first connecting members may include a plurality of screws, for example. The manifold block 2 may then include threaded bores for accommodating the first connecting members 11 in the manifold block 2. However, it is understood that in alternative embodiments the first connecting members 11 may include connecting members other than screws. Here, the flange portion 4a, the end portion 4b and the rods 4c are made of metal. However, it is understood that the support structure 4 may be made of or may comprise other materials. The electric motor 3 is received in the support structure 4. The support structure 4 fixes the electric motor 3 relative to the manifold block 2 and connects the electric motor 3 to the manifold block 2. In particular, the stator 3a is clamped or fixed in between the flange portion 4a and the end portion 4b of the support structure 4 along the axial direction of rotation axis 8. The motor shaft 3c is mounted on a bearing 12a and a bearing 12b. The bearings 12a, 12b rotationally support the motor shaft 3c. The bearings 12a, 12b may be configured as roller bearings, for example. The bearing 12a is mounted on or fixed to the flange portion 4a of the support structure 4 or the manifold block 2. The bearing 12b is mounted on or fixed to the end portion 4b of the support structure 4.

(9) In the embodiment of the fluid power pack 1 depicted in the figures the hydraulic pump 5 is configured as or comprises a gear pump, for example an external gear pump. However, it is understood that in alternative embodiments the hydraulic pump 5 may be configured as or may comprise a piston pump such as an axial piston pump or a radial piston pump, a rotary vane pump, a screw pump, or another type of hydraulic pump known in the art. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the electric motor 3 and the hydraulic pump 5 are mounted on the manifold block 2 on axially opposing sides of the manifold block 2. Here, the hydraulic pump 5 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2 by means of a plurality of second connecting members 13. The plurality of second connecting members may include a plurality of screws, for example. The manifold block 2 may then include threaded bores for accommodating the second connecting members 13 in the manifold block 2. However, it is understood that in alternative embodiments the second connecting members 13 may include connecting members other than screws. The hydraulic pump 5 is drivingly engaged with the rotor 3b of the electric motor 3 through a drive member 14 which is drivingly connected with the motor shaft 3c. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the drive member 14 reaches through the manifold block 2 along the axial direction of rotation axis 8. It is understood that in alternative embodiments the hydraulic pump 5 may be directly connected with the motor shaft 3c.

(10) The first housing 6 is detachably mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2 by means of a plurality of third connecting members 15. The plurality of third connecting members 15 may include a plurality of screws, for example. The manifold block 2 may then include threaded bores for accommodating the third connecting members 15 in the manifold block 2. However, it is understood that in alternative embodiments the third connecting members 15 may include connecting members other than screws. The support structure 4 is designed such that it fixes the electric motor 3 to the manifold block 2 both when the first housing 6 is mounted on the manifold block 2 and when the first housing 6 is detached from the manifold block 2.

(11) The first housing 6 encloses a first tank 19 which is configured to hold a liquid such as oil. For example, the first housing 6 may have the form of a cylinder which is open on one side, in particular on a side of the first housing 6 facing the manifold block 2. When the first housing 6 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2, the first tank 19 is open toward the manifold block 2 and the electric motor 3 projects into the first tank 19 so that the electric motor 3 is disposed or received within the first tank 19. A first sealing member 16 may be disposed between the first housing 6 and the manifold block 2 or between the first housing 6 and the flange portion 4a of the support structure 4 for sealing the first tank 19 when the first housing 6 is mounted on the manifold block 2 and the electric motor is disposed or received within the first tank 19 enclosed by the first housing 6. A second sealing member 17 may be disposed in between the flange portion 4a of the support structure 4 and the manifold block 2.

(12) When the first housing 6 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2 and the first tank 19 is filled or at least partially filled with a liquid such as oil, the electric motor 3 disposed or received within the first tank 19 is submerged or at least partially submerged in the liquid held within the first tank 19. In this way, a liquid held within the first tank 19 may cool the electric motor 3 when the electric motor 3 is running. For instance, the first housing 6 may include an opening 6a for filling or draining the first tank 19 enclosed by the first housing 6 via the opening 6a. The first housing 6 may then further include a fastener 6b for opening and closing the opening 6a.

(13) For example, the electric motor 3 and the first tank 19 enclosed by the first housing 6 may be configured such that when the first housing 6 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2, a liquid held within the first tank 19 may contact the stator 3a on an outer surface of the stator 3a extending along the axial direction, optionally on all sides. Also, the electric motor 3 may be configured such that a liquid held within the first tank 19 may enter a gap in between the stator 3a and the rotor 3b of the electric motor 3 so that the liquid held within the first tank 19 may cool both the stator 3a and the rotor 3b.

(14) The second housing 7 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2, for example by means of a plurality of fourth connecting members such as screws (not shown). The second housing 7 encloses a second tank 20 which is configured to hold a liquid such as oil. For example, the second housing 7 may have the form of a cylinder which is open on one side, in particular on a side of the second housing 7 facing the manifold block 2. When the second housing 7 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2, the second tank 20 is open toward the manifold block 2 and the hydraulic pump 5 projects into the second tank 20 so that the hydraulic pump 5 is disposed or received within the second tank 20. A fourth sealing member 18 may be disposed between the second housing 7 and the manifold block 2 for sealing the second tank 20. The second housing 7 may include an opening 7a for filling or draining the second tank 20 enclosed by the second housing 7 via the opening 7a. The second housing 7 may then further include a fastener 7b for opening and closing the opening 7a. A liquid storage capacity V2 of the second tank 20 may be larger than a liquid storage capacity V1 of the first tank 19. For example, the liquid storage capacity V2 of the second tank 20 may be at least two times, at least five times or at least ten times the storage capacity V1 of the first tank 19.

(15) When the second housing 7 is mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2 so that the hydraulic pump 5 is disposed within or projects into the second tank 20, a low pressure port 5a of the hydraulic pump 5 is in fluid communication with the second tank 20, for example via a filter 21 configured to filter a liquid entering the low pressure port 5a, see FIG. 3, for example. Further, a high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5 is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet 10 of the manifold block 2 so that the hydraulic pump 5 driven by the electric motor 3 may pump liquid from the second tank 20 toward the fluid outlet 10 of the manifold block 2. From the fluid outlet 10 the high pressure liquid may be delivered to a hydraulic load such as the hydraulic cylinder 200 for pressurizing the hydraulic load. A low pressure port of the hydraulic load may be fluidly connected with the fluid inlet 9 of the manifold block, for example (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 3, both the fluid inlet 9 and the fluid outlet 10 of the manifold block 2 may be in fluid communication with the second tank 20, here via a solenoid valve 22.

(16) The fluid power pack 1 may further include a relief valve 23, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The pressure relief valve 23 may be mounted on or integrated in the manifold block 2. In the schematic depicted in FIG. 3, the relief valve 23 may fluidly connect the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5 with the second tank 20 when a pressure at the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump exceeds a threshold pressure. In this manner, the relief valve 23 may protect a hydraulic load such as the hydraulic cylinder 200 from an excess pressure at the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5.

(17) The fluid power pack 1 may also include a check valve 24, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. The check valve 24 may be mounted on or integrated in the manifold block 2. The check valve 24 depicted in FIG. 3 is configured to allow a liquid flow from the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5 toward the fluid outlet 10 of the manifold block 2 via the check valve 24, and to block a liquid flow toward the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5 via the check valve 24. The check valve 24 may further be configured to block a liquid flow from the fluid inlet 9 of the manifold block 2 toward the high pressure port 5b of the hydraulic pump 5 through the check valve 24.

(18) Advantageously, the manifold block 2 may include at least one fluid passage 25 providing fluid communication between the first tank 19 and the second tank 20 when both the first housing 6 and the second housing 7 are mounted on or fixed to the manifold block 2. For example, the fluid passage 25 may be formed in between the manifold block 2 and the drive member 14 reaching through a through opening in the manifold block 2 and drivingly connecting the rotor 3b of the electric motor 3 with the hydraulic pump 5. However, it is understood that the manifold block 2 may include other or additional fluid passages providing fluid communication between the two tanks 19, 20. By means of a fluid passage between the tanks 19, 20 such as the fluid passage 25 liquid held within the first tank 19 may be exchanged for liquid held within the second tank 20. As the liquid held within the first tank 19 typically heats up during operation of the electric motor 3, the fluid passage 25 providing fluid communication between the tanks 19, 20 may increase the cooling capacity of the fluid power pack 1 as heat from the electric motor 3 may additionally be given off to the liquid held within the second tank 20 and/or to the liquid circulated between the hydraulic pump 5 and a hydraulic load connected to the fluid power pack 1 such as the hydraulic cylinder 200 depicted in FIG. 3.