A method for designing digital hydraulic pumps with variable angular speed

Recent researches on digital hydraulics have shown the potential of this technology for designing hydraulic systems with improved energy efficiency compared to conventional hydraulic systems. While most studies have concentrated on proposing novel architectures for digital hydraulic systems and assessing their performance in specific applications, the development of comprehensive guidelines for component sizing and system configuration remains an important task as the technology advances. In this context, this paper presents an approach for designing Variable Speed Digital Hydraulic Pumps that addresses key challenges in determining the optimal number of pump units and selecting the most suitable combinations according to the operating points. By employing an optimization algorithm, the proposed method configures different digital hydraulic pumps designs by defining the number of pump units and allocating volumetric displacements based on pre-defined numerical patterns. These digital hydraulic pumps are then evaluated to identify the pump design that best meets the system requirements. Experimental results demonstrate that the method effectively identifies the optimal combination of pump units, prioritizing overall efficiency. Consequently, the proposed approach provides a significant contribution to the design of digital hydraulic pumps powered by variable-speed electric motors. Furthermore, the method is versatile, as it is independent of the pump units’ construction principles and the type of electrical prime mover, ensuring broad applicability.