Device and method for controlled supply of high-pressure fluid

Abstract

A device for controlled supply of high-pressure fluid includes a pressure generator with an electric linear motor having a stator and a forcer to drive the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder, and the electric linear motor(s) is (are) connected to a control unit. Associated methods for supplying high-pressure fluid to an apparatus are also disclosed.

1 . A device for controlled supply of high-pressure fluid by means of at least one pressure generator that has a fluid supply and a fluid intake in a high-pressure cylinder, which has a high-pressure plunger that can be moved therein by a drive, with which a high-pressure fluid is supplied to a high-pressure line, which may contain a pulsation damper, which has a pressure sensor for controlling the drive, and possibly contains a pressure release valve that can be opened and closed, wherein the at least one pressure generator has comprises an electric linear motor with a stator and a forcer for operating the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder, and the electric linear motor is connected with an control unit comprising an electrical power supply, a servo converter for the electric linear a programmable computer, and at least one sensor. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator further comprises a high-pressure cylinder, and wherein the high-pressure plunger is configured for movement by the electric linear motor from any position in the high-pressure cylinder, which has a fluid intake connected thereto, such that it can be positioned for a programmed and controllable high-pressure stroke. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least a second pressure generator having a second electric linear motor, wherein the at least two pressure generators are each connected to the high-pressure line, and both electric linear motors are connected to the electrical control unit for coordinated operation. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator further comprises two separate, opposing high-pressure cylinders with high-pressure plungers, and wherein the electric linear motor is connected between these high-pressure cylinders, and force-transferring connections or plunger fasteners are connected to the forcer in the electric linear motor at opposing ends thereof in order to move the force-transferring connections or plunger fasteners. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein two apparatuses are connected to the high-pressure fluid line and the electric linear motors can be powered by the control unit in offset phases. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second pressure generator having a second electric linear motors and wherein both electric linear motors are regulated by the control unit. 
     
     
         7 . A method for supplying high-pressure fluid within variable parameters to an apparatus through the use of pressure generators that have a high-pressure cylinder and a high-pressure plunger that moves therein, characterized in that the high-pressure cylinder is moved by an electric linear motor, wherein the method parameters are regulated by an control unit, which control unit comprises a power supply, a servo converter for the electric linear motor, and a programmable computer having measurement inputs for at least a fluid pressure and a position of the high-pressure plunger in the high-pressure cylinder and configured to control the servo converter. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the high-pressure plunger sends a signal to the control unit when high-pressure plunger reaches a specified position in the high-pressure cylinder, and the servo converter is regulated such that the forcer in the electric liner motor moves the high-pressure plunger at a high speed to a new position in the high-pressure cylinder, in particular a starting position for a maximum compression stroke. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein two or more pressure generators feed into a high-pressure fluid line, under the condition that the control unit operates the electric linear motors in different phases with the servo converter, i.e. following a pressure phase or conveyance phase in a first pressure generator, while at least one other pressure generator conveys high-pressure fluid, the high-pressure cylinder is filled and pressure is built up in the fluid in the first pressure generator such that at the end of the pressure phase in the other pressure generators, the first pressure generator conveys fluid, and a pressure drop in the high-pressure fluid line is prevented. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein two or more devices are formed that have separate, opposing high-pressure cylinders with high-pressure plungers, and there are linear motors therebetween, which move the high-pressure plungers under the condition that control unit the control unit synchronizes the linear motor movements in the individual devices with a servo converter and regulates them in accordance with an actual pressure reading in the high-pressure fluid and the pressure specifications.