Development and Construction of an Instrumented Workbench for Characterization of Hydraulic Motors

This work addresses the design and construction of an instrumented workbench for characterization tests of hydraulic motors. The main objective is the workbench construction for future characterization of a gerotor hydraulic motor with proportional directional valve. The gerotor hydraulic motor has as advantage to work in a situation of low rotation and high torque. The workbench must be able to identify the characteristic parameters of the dynamic model, besides the elaboration of experimental curves involving flow, pressure, rotation and torque, depending on the variation of the applied load. The workbench basically consists of a gerotor hydraulic motor, proportional valves, valve amplifier, sensors and a hydraulic power unit. The mathematical modeling of hydraulic system involved in this motor drive provides valve spool dynamics, dead zone non-linearity, valve orifice flow, pressures dynamics, static and dynamic friction and angular movement dynamics. The mathematical modeling of dynamic systems is important in machine design, because it allows predicting problems and opportunities for optimization of constructive parameters through computational simulations, which, together with experimental laboratory practices, allow the validation of the behavior of its variables in machine and equipment prototypes in conditions similar to those found in the field. Considering the experimental data to be obtained from the workbench, simulating the real operating conditions and the dynamic modeling, it will allow us a systematic analysis of the rotation, torque and pressure behavior, which allows to properly size the input parameters, identify critical points of and propose solutions. This workbench will contribute to the research and development of innovative technologies for use in proportional hydraulic systems, facilitating rotation and torque control and optimizing energy use.