This paper presents an analysis of a multi-pump solution for a hydraulic cylinder for application in mobile machinery with electric prime movers. The flexibility provided by using electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine allows for the design of alternative hydraulic architectures that remove the need for a centralized pumping system and support more direct control of individual components. This allows them to operate at a higher efficiency region to improve overall vehicle efficiency, leading to smaller batteries and shorter or less frequent recharge periods. To evaluate the capabilities of this proposal, this paper focuses on a backward calculation analysis of a single actuator operating with multiple pump/motors connected to each chamber. A series of hydraulic machines with fixed displacement and identical sizes are connected to the actuator chambers through on/off directional valves. The system controls the flow by using the required pumps and selecting their optimal speeds to minimize energy consumption or maximize energy recovery. The results show how the number of pumps affects the system’s performance and provide insights regarding the selection of operating machines according to the actuator speed and force.
Funding Agencies|Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) [50181-1]