Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - MD-5

environments to operators. Noise levels
well below acceptable are achievable without
any expensive enclosures.
Reduced Cooling Requirement. As the demand-based
variable speed pump systems
match the machine's flow requirement,
far less energy is wasted. Traditional hydraulic
systems create heat when the output
flow exceeds the requirement of the
machine. Hydraulic oil coolers, using either
water or air as the cooling medium,
are often used to remove 30 percent or
more of the installed motor horsepower.
These new types of pump systems only
need to cool the motor itself, reducing
the water flow requirement.
Smaller Footprint. Traditionally, openloop
industrial hydraulic systems require a
3:1 ratio between reservoir size vs pump
flow. This rule-of-thumb design consideration
allows contamination to settle in the
reservoir, additional cooling by increasing
the surface area between the oil and the
reservoir, and fluid de-aeration. The higher
the pump flow, the larger the reservoir.
However, in demand-based variable speed
pump systems, the design can select a
smaller reservoir to meet the average flow
demand. A smaller reservoir reduces the
cost of fluid required for a particular application
and decreases the system's size by as
much as 50 percent.
Simpler Circuit Design. Many machines
require proportional or servo valves to
vary the speed and provide position control
of an actuator. This increases system
cost, as proportional or servo valves can be
expensive. If tight speed or position control
is not required, the variable speed
pump system can adjust the flow quickly to
suit the variable speed requirement of the
actuator. In some cases, proportional
valves are replaced with traditional on/off
valves at a lower cost and still meet the
machine's functional requirements.
Connectivity. Industry 4.0 or IIoTcompatible
devices are now frequently
implemented in the machine design
phase. IIoT components allow for real-time
monitoring and connection to
higher-level control systems. Connectivity
between demand-based variable speed
pump systems and machine control is
typically inherent in the software. This
connectivity confirms the pump system
meets the machine's demands and provides
information for proactive maintenance
purposes. Unscheduled hydraulic
pump failures are costly and directly
Motion Design, December 2023
impact productivity. However, constant
feedback on pump performance will
alert maintenance to potential failures
and allow scheduled downtime for repair
that will not hinder production.
Pump systems have advanced technically
over many years. The recent innovations in
demand-based variable speed hydraulic
pump systems are the next step in lowering
energy costs, reducing noise, and allowing
for proactive maintenance opportunities.
This article was written by Alan
Wheatley, Branch/Shop
Motion (Birmingham, AL). For more
information, visit Motion.com.
Manager,
What Does It Take
To Keep Your Automotive Plant
Alive?
LAPP connection technologies are the lifelines
of the automotive industry, reliably transmitting
power, signal and data with a high degree of
robustness, effi ciency and fl exibility.
Using our in-depth connectivity expertise,
we design powerful and robust solutions and
assemblies for servo motors-driving throughput
for your fast-paced automotive operation.
lapp.com/us
5
http://Motion.com http://info.hotims.com/84486-703
Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023

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