Intelligent Pump with Angle Sensor

iHydrostatics has shared hydraulic fan drive solutions in the previous posts: N1,N2, N3, N4 and N5 (History information can be reached by replying N# in Wechat iHydrostatics). Rexroth A1VO, Danfoss S45 EPC and Eaton X20 IPPC solutions have been detailedly discussed in separate post. If you have any questions, feel free to leave your comments in iHydrostatics QQ Group: 426372753.

As the development of hydrostatics, intelligent control is one of the most important trends currently. Displacement is the key parameter of the pump during operation, how to precisely control the pump displacement is the way to achieve intelligent control target. In this post, iHydrostatics will share the overview of intelligent control solutions from different suppliers to investigate what they know about intelligent control.

1What Is Angle Sensor

Overview

Variable pump control is to change the pump displacement as system desires eventually. So in order to achieve precise control, real-time displacement should be monitored. Angle sensor is developed for swash plate angle acquisition; this signal will be sent to ECU for kinds of control strategy. Remote diagnosis can also benefit from this new feature. The following picture shows the VT-SWA series 1X angle sensor used on Rexroth pump.

Structure View

The main pump suppliers like Rexroth, Danfoss, Eaton, Parker and Casappa all have the capability to provide this kind of solution, while the design is different from each other. On Bauma 2014, all the five suppliers above had also shown their intelligent pump with angle sensor feature (Except Danfoss S45).

Rexroth with A10VO

Danfoss with S45

Danfoss has launched this new angle sensor solution on its website, but this was not shown on Bauma 2014.

Eaton with X20

Parker with P1/PD

Casappa with MVPD

2How Is Angle Sensor

Angle sensor option allows users to measure the angle of pump displacement. The angle sensor is an electronic sensor mounted to the housing of the pump, which reads the pump stroke angle based on the swashplate position. Normally interfacing with the angle sensor is achieved through a plug attached to a flexible connection cable. The sensor is mounted to the pump within an aluminum housing to prevent magnetic interference.
In order to capture the real-time angle of swashplate, a magnetic holder is fixed on the swashplate, it rotates the same as swashplate does, reflecting the real-time position. Meanwhile, the sensor with integrated electronics in the housing will read the position information by contactless measurement method – Hall Effect, this signal will then be sent to ECU.

3 More about Angle Sensor

Swashplate angle sensor is just a sensor if no control strategy is defined. This new feature – angle sensor is intended for kinds of functionalities such as electronic torque control limiting, duty cycle measurement, troubleshooting, etc. Fully potential capabilities of angle sensor can be unlocked by using with ECU unit, control strategy can be easily and simply programmed in ECU, the pump control structure will be greatly simplified.

In the next post, iHydrostatics will show you the power of this new feature together with Danfoss PLUS+1. By cooperation with PLUS+1, Danfoss S45 angle sensor perfectly performs ideal torque control.