DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLED SUPPLY OF HIGH-PRESSURE FLUID

Abstract

A device for controlled supply of high-pressure fluid includes a pressure generator with an electric linear motor having a stator and a forcer to drive the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder, and the electric linear motor(s) is (are) connected to a control unit. Associated methods for supplying high-pressure fluid to an apparatus are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for controlled supply of high-pressure fluid by means of at least one pressure generator that has a fluid supply and a fluid intake in a high-pressure cylinder, which has a high-pressure plunger that can be moved therein by a drive, with which a high-pressure fluid is supplied to a high-pressure line, which may contain a pulsation damper, which has a pressure sensor for controlling the drive, and possibly contains a pressure release valve that can be opened and closed, wherein the at least one pressure generator has comprises an electric linear motor with a stator and a forcer for operating the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder, and the electric linear motor is connected with an control unit comprising an electrical power supply, a servo converter for the electric linear a programmable computer, and at least one sensor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure generator further comprises a high-pressure cylinder, and wherein the high-pressure plunger is configured for movement by the electric linear motor from any position in the high-pressure cylinder, which has a fluid intake connected thereto, such that it can be positioned for a programmed and controllable high-pressure stroke.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising at least a second pressure generator having a second electric linear motor, wherein the at least two pressure generators are each connected to the high-pressure line, and both electric linear motors are connected to the electrical control unit for coordinated operation.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure generator further comprises two separate, opposing high-pressure cylinders with high-pressure plungers, and wherein the electric linear motor is connected between these high-pressure cylinders, and force-transferring connections or plunger fasteners are connected to the forcer in the electric linear motor at opposing ends thereof in order to move the force-transferring connections or plunger fasteners.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein two apparatuses are connected to the high-pressure fluid line and the electric linear motors can be powered by the control unit in offset phases.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second pressure generator having a second electric linear motors and wherein both electric linear motors are regulated by the control unit.

7. A method for supplying high-pressure fluid within variable parameters to an apparatus through the use of pressure generators that have a high-pressure cylinder and a high-pressure plunger that moves therein, characterized in that the high-pressure cylinder is moved by an electric linear motor, wherein the method parameters are regulated by an control unit, which control unit comprises a power supply, a servo converter for the electric linear motor, and a programmable computer having measurement inputs for at least a fluid pressure and a position of the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder and configured to control the servo converter.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the high-pressure plunger sends a signal to the control unit when high-pressure plunger reaches a specified position in the high-pressure cylinder, and the servo converter is regulated such that the forcer in the electric liner motor moves the high-pressure plunger at a high speed to a new position in the high-pressure cylinder, in particular a starting position for a maximum compression stroke.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein two or more pressure generators feed into a high-pressure fluid line, under the condition that the control unit operates the electric linear motors in different phases with the servo converter, i.e. following a pressure phase or conveyance phase in a first pressure generator, while at least one other pressure generator conveys high-pressure fluid, the high-pressure cylinder is filled and pressure is built up in the fluid in the first pressure generator such that at the end of the pressure phase in the other pressure generators, the first pressure generator conveys fluid, and a pressure drop in the high-pressure fluid line is prevented.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein two or more devices are formed that have separate, opposing high-pressure cylinders with high-pressure plungers, and there are linear motors therebetween, which move the high-pressure plungers under the condition that control unit the control unit synchronizes the linear motor movements in the individual devices with a servo converter and regulates them in accordance with an actual pressure reading in the high-pressure fluid and the pressure specifications.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0034] The present disclosure shall be explained in greater detail below in reference to the schematic drawings and illustrations, which each show just one of numerous possible embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a high-pressure pump with a pressure generator and an electric linear motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 1A shows a high-pressure curve obtained with the pump in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a high-pressure pump with a multi-phase pressure generator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 2A shows the high-pressure curves obtained with the pump in FIG. 2;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a high-pressure pump with two separate and opposing pressure generators with an electric linear motor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 3A shows the high-pressure curves obtained with the pump in FIG. 3;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a high-pressure pump with synchronized pressure generators according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a high-pressure pump coupled to a linear motor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a high-pressure pump coupled longitudinally to a linear motor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a high-pressure pump with a two-step pressure increase according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. The following definitions and non-limiting guidelines must be considered in reviewing the description of the technology set forth herein.

[0046] In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. For example, the present disclosure is not limited in scope to the particular type of industry application depicted in the figures. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

[0047] The headings and sub-headings used herein are intended only for general organization of topics within the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. In particular, subject matter disclosed in the Background may include novel technology and may not constitute a recitation of prior art. Subject matter disclosed in the Summary is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiments thereof. Classification or discussion of a material within a section of this specification as having a particular utility is made for convenience, and no inference should be drawn that the material must necessarily or solely function in accordance with its classification herein when it is used in any given composition.

[0048] The citation of references herein does not constitute an admission that those references are prior art or have any relevance to the patentability of the technology disclosed herein. All references cited in the Detailed Description section of this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0049] The following list of reference symbols is intended to simplify identification of the parts and components in the schematic drawings and illustrations: [0050] D, D, D, D pressure generator [0051] L, L, L electric linear motor [0052] p.sub.1, p.sub.2 generator pressure [0053] [p] pressure in high-pressure fluid [0054] [t] time [0055] 1 fluid intake [0056] 2 check valve [0057] 3 pressure regulator [0058] 4 booster pump [0059] 5 filter unit [0060] 6 baseplate [0061] 7 guide rail [0062] 8 guide carriage [0063] 9 stator [0064] 10 forcer [0065] 11 control line [0066] 12 electric control unit [0067] 13 suction valve [0068] 14 pressure valve [0069] 15 high-pressure cylinder [0070] 16 connecting flange [0071] 17 high-pressure plunger [0072] 18 plunger fastener [0073] 19 connecting plate [0074] 20 pulsation damper [0075] 21 pressure sensor [0076] 22 high-pressure connection [0077] 23 pressure release valve [0078] 24 bleed-off connection

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a high-pressure pump that has a fluid intake 1, a pressure generator D, an electric linear motor L, and a high-pressure connection 22.

[0080] Although the high-pressure pumps shown in the drawings (FIG. 1 to FIG. 7) can also be advantageously used as high-pressure pumps for water jet cutters, the fluid supply is depicted schematically as a conventional water supply.

[0081] Therein, 2 indicates a check valve for the fluid, 3 indicates a pressure regulator (if necessary), 4 indicates a booster pump for quickly filling the high-pressure cylinder 15 in the pressure generator D, 5 indicates a filter for cleaning the fluid, and 13 indicates a return suction valve.

[0082] It is also expressly held that the high-pressure pumps can be used effectively with all types of fluids.

[0083] According to FIG. 1, a pressure generator D that has a high-pressure cylinder 15 and a high-pressure plunger 17 is attached to a baseplate 6 with a connecting flange 16. The high-pressure plunger 17 is moved in the axial direction by a forcer 10 in an electric linear motor L connected thereto by a plunger fastener 18, and a stator 9 is connected to the baseplate 6.

[0084] The terms, forcer, and stator, refer to the moving part and stationary part in the present description of an electric linear motor, regardless of the specific form of each part. It is also possible for the stator to be the moving part and the forcer to be the stationary part.

[0085] The electric linear motor L is connected to an electric control unit 12, which comprises at least one electric power supply, a servo converter for the electric linear motor L, a programmable computer, and a means for acquiring measurement values.

[0086] An electric control unit 12 controls the direction in which the forcer moves and a direct force applied to the high-pressure plunger 17 in a high-pressure cylinder 15 in a pressure generator D, for which there is also a return suction valve 13 in the fluid intake and another check valve 14 for conveying high-pressure fluid.

[0087] A pulsation damper 20 is used to keep fluctuations to a minimum at the connection 22 for high-pressure fluids.

[0088] A pressure sensor 21 sends fluid pressure measurements to the control unit 12, which can be used to regulate the movement of the linear motor.

[0089] A pressure relief valve 23 with a bleed-off connection 24 can be incorporated in the high-pressure fluid line 20.

[0090] FIG. 1A shows a graph of the pressure [p] in the high-pressure line 22 in the device shown in FIG. 1, plotted over time [t].

[0091] The high-pressure plunger 17 is pushed into the high-pressure cylinder 15 by a movement of the forcer 10 in the electric linear motor L controlled by the control unit 12, in which the fluid pressure [p] in the high-pressure line 20 increases to a predefined pressure p.sub.1 in the regions indicated by a.

[0092] Following a phase b in which fluid is conveyed, the high-pressure plunger 17 is retracted by the forcer 10 in the electric linear motor L, in which this return movement can take place quickly, at a speed controlled by the electric control unit 12.

[0093] The pressure valve 14 closes, and the fluid pressure in the pump system decreases at g to the ambient pressure, as shown in FIG. 1A. High-pressure fluid is then resupplied to the system by a pulsation damper 20 in the high-pressure line, such that a pressure drop p.sub.2 is delayed at d.

[0094] When the high-pressure plunger 17 reaches the starting position in the high-pressure cylinder 15, the forcer 10 begins another pressure phase with which the pressure drop p.sub.2 at the din the graph is reversed and the predefined conveyance pressure p.sub.1 is restored.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a high-pressure pump with a multi-phase pressure generator D, i.e. that is operated in phases.

[0096] The individual pressure generators D, D, D are identical to that shown in FIG. 1, and their dedicated electric linear motors L, L, L are connected to a control unit 12 that regulates the movements of the high-pressure plungers 17, 17, 17 over time. This coordinates the conveyance of fluid to the high-pressure line 20 such that pressure fluctuation is minimized, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0097] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a high-pressure pump that has two opposing pressure generators D and D on either side of an electric linear motor. This configuration of pressure generators D, D is known per se, but by placing an electric linear motor L with a control unit 12 between them, decisive advantages are obtained with regard to the system and the process that also solve economic problems in the prior art.

[0098] In detail, the forcer 10 in an electric linear motor L is connected by plunger fasteners 18, 18 to the respective opposing high-pressure plungers 17, 17 in the two high-pressure cylinders 15, 15 in the pressure generators D, D to obtain a very advantageous, compact, light unit without play.

[0099] When high-pressure fluid is obtained through a connection 22, the electric control unit 12 directly controls the functioning of the electric linear motor L. A linear movement of the forcer 10 in one direction results in fluid being conveyed by a pressure generator D, while the high-pressure cylinder 17 in the other pressure generator D is simultaneously filled.

[0100] FIG. 3A shows the pressure [p] over time [t] in the high-pressure pump in FIG. 3 when in operation.

[0101] A substantially constant conveyance pressure Pi with limited pressure drops is obtained in the high-pressure fluid by the two alternating high-pressure cylinders 15, 15 through an alternating action of the two pressure generators D, D.

[0102] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a high-pressure pump with synchronized pressure generators.

[0103] This type of fluid-conveying device, which displays the lowest pressure fluctuations at the high-pressure connection 22, contains four synchronized pressure generators D, D, D, D, D, which form two devices, each of which has two opposing pressure generators.

[0104] With the high-pressure pump shown in FIG. 4, the electric linear motors L, L are controlled synchronously by the electric control unit 12 such that at least one pressure generator D conveys high-pressure fluid at any given time under the conditions determined by the electric control unit 12.

[0105] The pressure forces acting on the high-pressure cylinder 17 by the pressure generator D through the electric linear motors coupled thereto shall be explained in greater detail below in reference to the schematic illustrations in the drawings.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a high-pressure pump that has two opposing pressure generators D, D, in which parallel electric linear motors L are placed between the hydraulic pressure generators D, D, in order to increase the translatory forces.

[0107] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a serial configuration of electric linear motors L, L between the hydraulic pressure generators D, D.

[0108] A high-pressure pump is shown in FIG. 7 in which the pressure increase is doubled by two pumps powered by electric linear motors L, L. The first pressure increase in the fluid from the pressure at the intake 1 to a high-pressure range is obtained with a first linear motor pump system. The pressure in the high-pressure fluid is then further increased by a second linear motor pump system. The control unit 12 controls and coordinates the two electric linear motors L, L for the two pumps.

[0109] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described above to explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure. However, as various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings, including all materials expressly incorporated by reference herein, shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.