Command based method for allocating fluid flow from a plurality of pumps to multiple hydraulic functions
First Claim
1. A method for allocating flow of fluid from first and second pumps to a plurality of hydraulic actuators, said method comprising steps of:
- (a) producing a plurality of flow commands, each of which specifies an amount of flow desired to be applied to a different one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators;
(b) calculating an allocation pump bias for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the allocation pump bias being calculated using a flow allocation gain for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators;
(c) for a given one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators;
(1) using the allocation pump bias to determine a first portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the first pump and to determine a second portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the second pump,(2) deriving a first flow level in response to the first portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator, and(3) deriving a second flow level in response to the second portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator;
(d) determining a maximum power level for a prime mover that drives the first and second pumps;
(e) defining a power limit flow function using at least a fluid flow level producible by the first pump and a fluid flow level producible by the second pump;
(f) determining if the plurality of flow commands exceeds the power limit flow function;
(g) operating the first pump in response to the first flow level; and
(h) operating the second pump in response to the second flow level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid from two pumps is allocated to a plurality of hydraulic actuators based on a plurality of flow commands, each specifying a desired amount of flow to be applied to a different hydraulic actuator. For a given hydraulic actuator, the allocation involves (1) determining an apportionment of the desired amount of flow, if no other hydraulic actuator is active, and (2) altering the apportionment in response to all the plurality of flow commands, and (3) using the altered apportionment to determine a first amount of the flow for one pump to provide and a second amount of the flow for the other pump to provide. The process is repeated for all the hydraulic actuators. Supply valves for each hydraulic actuator are controlled by the associated first and second amounts and each pump is controlled in response to either the first or second amounts for all the hydraulic actuators.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for allocating flow of fluid from first and second pumps to a plurality of hydraulic actuators, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) producing a plurality of flow commands, each of which specifies an amount of flow desired to be applied to a different one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (b) calculating an allocation pump bias for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the allocation pump bias being calculated using a flow allocation gain for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (c) for a given one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (1) using the allocation pump bias to determine a first portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the first pump and to determine a second portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the second pump, (2) deriving a first flow level in response to the first portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator, and (3) deriving a second flow level in response to the second portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator; (d) determining a maximum power level for a prime mover that drives the first and second pumps; (e) defining a power limit flow function using at least a fluid flow level producible by the first pump and a fluid flow level producible by the second pump; (f) determining if the plurality of flow commands exceeds the power limit flow function; (g) operating the first pump in response to the first flow level; and (h) operating the second pump in response to the second flow level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for allocating flow of fluid from first and second pumps to a plurality of hydraulic actuators, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) producing a plurality of flow commands, each of which specifies an amount of flow desired to be applied to a different one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (b) determining a portion of an aggregate maximum flow output of both the first and second pumps that is required to satisfy the amount of flow specified by the flow command for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (c) in response to the proportion of the aggregate maximum flow output, calculating an allocation pump bias for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the allocation pump bias being calculated using a flow allocation gain for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (d) for a given one the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (1) using the proportion of the aggregate maximum flow output to determine a first portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the first pump and a second portion of the amount of flow specified by the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator which is to be provided by the second pump, (2) altering the first portion and the second portion in response to the plurality flow commands, thereby producing an altered first portion and an altered second portion for the given hydraulic actuator, (3) deriving a first flow level in response to the altered first portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator, and deriving a second flow level in response to the altered second portion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator; (e) repeating step (d) for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (f) defining a power limit flow function using at least a maximum flow level producible by the first pump and a maximum flow level producible by the second pump; and (g) determining if an aggregate of flow commands exceeds the power limit flow function. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for allocating flow of fluid from first and second pumps to a plurality of hydraulic actuators, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) producing a plurality of flow commands, each of which specifies an amount of flow desired to be applied to a different one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (b) for a given one the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (1) determining a proportion of an aggregate maximum flow output of both the first and second pumps that is required to satisfy the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator, (2) in response to the proportion of the aggregate maximum flow output, deriving an initial pump bias value denoting an apportionment of flow from the first and second pumps to the given hydraulic actuator, if no other hydraulic actuator is active, (3) producing an allocation pump bias value by altering the initial pump bias value in response to the plurality flow commands for all the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the allocation pump bias value being calculated using a flow allocation gain for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the allocation pump bias value denoting an apportionment of flow from the first and second pump to the given hydraulic actuator, (4) in response to the allocation pump bias value, deriving a first proportion of the maximum flow output of the first pump to be applied to the given hydraulic actuator and deriving a second proportion of the maximum flow output of the second pump to be applied to the given hydraulic actuator; (c) repeating step (b) for each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators; (d) determining a maximum power level for a prime mover that drives the first and second pumps; (e) defining a power limit flow function using at least a maximum fluid flow level producible by the first pump and a maximum fluid flow level producible by the second pump; (f) determining if the plurality of flow commands exceeds the power limit flow function; and (g) operating one valve in response to the first proportion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator to control fluid flow from the first pump, and operating another valve in response to the second proportion and the flow command for the given hydraulic actuator for the given hydraulic actuator to control fluid flow from the second pump. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification