High efficiency pump & motor utilizing partial stroke piston pressurization

Applications

• Off-road equipment
• Water pumps
• Aerospace control valves
• Medical devices
• Soft robotics
• Industrial presses

Technology Overview

Hydraulic applications require varying the speed, torque or force of rotary and linear hydraulic actuators. Current available methods for achieving this are inefficiently, and often generate heat in the process. Thus, there is a critical need for alternative methods to improve the efficiency of variable displacement pumps. To address this issue, researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a method to produce very high efficiency variable displacement hydraulic pumps that are also simpler and more robust than current available designs. The novel design features pumps that are simple, fast, and repeatable, requiring only one control input, i.e., ON/OFF. In addition, this technology replaces the commonly used electronic controller with a simple hydro-mechanical controller, which reduces the cost and improves the reliability of the system.

Phase of Development

Desired Partnerships

• License
• Sponsored research
• Co-development

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Researchers

• Thomas Chase, PhD Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department
• Perry Li, PhD Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department