Direct control variable displacement metering pumps
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsRyan Shook, Ryan Prescott Susca
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a variable displacement pump (VDP) in fluid communication with an inlet line and with an outlet line. The VDP includes a variable displacement mechanism configured to vary pressure to the outlet line. An electromechanical actuator (EMA) is operatively connected to actuate the variable displacement mechanism. A flow sensing valve (FSV) connected in the outlet line. The FSV includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of flow out of the outlet line. A controller is operatively connected to the EMA to control the variable displacement mechanism based on the sensor data to support flow demands from one or more downstream systems.
Claims14
A system comprising:
- a variable displacement pump (VDP) in fluid communication with an inlet line and with an outlet line, wherein the VDP includes a variable displacement mechanism;
- an electromechanical actuator (EMA) operatively connected to actuate the variable displacement mechanism;
- a flow sensing valve (FSV) connected in the outlet line, wherein the FSV includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of flow out of the outlet line;
- a controller operatively connected to the EMA to control the variable displacement mechanism based on the sensor data to support flow demands from one or more downstream systems;
- a minimum pressure shutoff valve (MPSOV) fluidically connected to the outlet line;
- a first MPSOV line connecting the MPSOV in fluid communication with the inlet line, wherein the first MPSOV line includes a first fixed throttle;
- a second MPSOV line connecting the MPSOV to the outlet line for fluid communication;
- an MPSOV control line that connects the MPSOV in fluid communication with the inlet line through a second fixed throttle;
- and
- a solenoid valve (SOL) connected in fluid communication with the outlet line and with the MPSOV control line for actuating the MPSOV between first and second states, wherein the MPSOV includes an MPSOV valve member with a first position in the MPSOV that connects the first and second MPSOV lines in fluid communication and allows flow though the outlet line, and a second position that disconnects the first and second MPSOV lines from being in fluid communication and blocks flow through the outlet line.
A method comprising:
- directly controlling a variable displacement pump (VDP) by actuating a variable displacement mechanism of the VDP with an electromechanical actuator (EMA);
- receiving sensor feedback from a flow sensing valve (FSV) indicative of flow supplied to a downstream system supplied from an outlet line of the VDP;
- controlling a minimum pressure shutoff valve (MPSOV) to open the outlet line of the VDP downstream of the FSV, wherein the MPSOV is in fluid communication with the FSV, the outlet line of the VDP, and a solenoid valve (SOL), wherein controlling the MPSOV to open the outlet line of the VDP comprises:
- signaling, by an electronic controller, the SOL to move to a closed position that fluidically disconnects a MPSOV control cavity from the outlet of the VDP;
- moving a MPSOV valve member to a first state by draining the MPSOV control cavity via a first fixed throttle fluidically connected to an inlet of the VDP and by pressure from the outlet line of the VDP acting on the MPSOV valve member, wherein the outlet line of the VDP is open downstream of the FSV when the MPSOV valve member is in the first state;
- and
- fluidically connecting, by a window of the MPSOV valve member, a first MPSOV line and a second fixed throttle, wherein the first MPSOV line fluidically connects the window to the outlet line of the VDP wherein the second fixed throttle fluidically connects the window to the inlet of the VDP.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.