Digital hydraulic multi-pressure actuator – the concept, simulation study and first experimental results

Authors

  • Mikko Huova Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6384-7688
  • Arttu Aalto Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland
  • Matti Linjama Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4861-5624
  • Kalevi Huhtala Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4055-0392
  • Tapio Lantela Department of Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
  • Matti Pietola Department of Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/14399776.2017.1302775

Keywords:

integrated actuator, hybrid actuator, Digital hydraulics

Abstract

The decentralisation of hydraulic systems is a recent trend in industrial hydraulics. Speed variable drive is one concept where an actuator is driven by an integrated pump, thus removing the need for control valves or complex centralised variable displacement hydraulic units and long pipelines. The motivation for the development is the need to improve the energy efficiency and flexibility of drives. A similar solution to mobile hydraulics is not currently available. This paper studies a digital hydraulic approach, which includes a local hydraulic energy storage located together with the actuator, the means to convert efficiently energy from the storage to mechanical work and a small start-/stop-type pump unit sized according to mean power. The simulation results and first experimental results show that the approach has remarkable energy saving potential compared to traditional valve controlled systems, but further research is needed to improve the controllability.

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Author Biographies

Mikko Huova, Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland

Mikko Huova received a DSc degree at Tampere University of Technology, Finland, in 2015. The topic of his thesis is related to energy-efficient digital hydraulic systems and he is continuing the work on this subject as a postdoctoral researcher at TUT. The areas of interest include control design, modelling, simulation and energy-efficient systems.

Arttu Aalto, Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland

Arttu Aalto received his MSc from Tampere University of Technology, Finland in 2016. The topic of his master’s thesis is related to energy-efficient digital hydraulic multi-pressure actuator.

Matti Linjama, Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland

Matti Linjama obtained a D Tech degree at Tampere University of Technology, Finland in 1998. Currently, he is an adjunct professor at the Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT). He started the study of digital hydraulics in 2000 and has focused on the topic since then. Currently, he is leader of the digital hydraulics research group in AUT and his professional interests include the study of hydraulic systems with high energy efficiency. He is also teaching digital hydraulics at AUT.

Kalevi Huhtala, Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT ), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Tampere, Finland

Matti Linjama obtained a D Tech degree at Tampere University of Technology, Finland in 1998. Currently, he is an adjunct professor at the Laboratory of Automation and Hydraulic Engineering (AUT). He started the study of digital hydraulics in 2000 and has focused on the topic since then. Currently, he is leader of the digital hydraulics research group in AUT and his professional interests include the study of hydraulic systems with high energy efficiency. He is also teaching digital hydraulics at AUT.

Tapio Lantela, Department of Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

Tapio Lantela is a doctoral student at Aalto University School of Engineering. He received his MSc from Aalto University in 2012. The topic of his master’s thesis was developing a pilot-operated miniature on/off valve and the topic of his doctoral studies is to create a digital valve system consisting of a number of these miniature valves. The areas on interest include fast switching valves, electromagnetic actuators and valve electronics.

Matti Pietola, Department of Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

Matti Pietola received his DSc in 1989 at Helsinki University of Technology (later Aalto University) and has been a professor of Mechatronics (Fluid Power Systems) there since 1997.

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Published

2017-11-01

How to Cite

Huova, M., Aalto, A., Linjama, M., Huhtala, K., Lantela, T., & Pietola, M. (2017). Digital hydraulic multi-pressure actuator – the concept, simulation study and first experimental results. International Journal of Fluid Power, 18(3), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/14399776.2017.1302775

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