Nathan Harding

Hybrid hydraulic-electric power unit for field and service robots

Energetic autonomy of a hydraulic-based mobile field robot requires a power source capable of both electrical and hydraulic power generation. While the hydraulic power is used for locomotion, the electric power is used for the computer, sensors and other peripherals. An internal combustion engine was used as the prime mover due to the high energy density of gasoline. The primary specification for this hybrid hydraulic-electric power unit (HEPU) is that it must output constant pressure hydraulic power and constant voltage electric power. An on-board computer uses a pressure sensor and a speed sensor to regulate the pressure and voltage by modulating a hydraulic solenoid valve and an engine throttle. The speed regulation also results in a system noise with predictable frequency band which allows for optimal muffler design. A novel characteristic of this power source is its cooling system in which hydraulic fluid is used to cool the engine cylinders. Several hydraulic-electric power units were built and successfully demonstrated on the Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX) shown on bleex.me.berkeley.edu/bleex.htm. A prototype power unit weighs 27 Kg, outputs 2.3 kW (3.0 hp) hydraulic power at 6.9 MPa (1000 psi), and 220 W of electric power at 15 VDC.

Development of hybrid hydraulic-electric power units for field and service robots

Energetic autonomy of a hydraulic-based mobile robot requires a power source capable of both hydraulic and electrical power generation. The hydraulic power is used for locomotion, and the electric power is used for the control computer, sensors and other peripherals. In addition, the power source must be lightweight and quiet. This study presents several designs of internal combustion engine-based power units. Each power unit is evaluated with a Ragone plot which shows its performance over a wide range of operation times. Several hydraulic–electric power units (HEPUs) were built and successfully demonstrated on the Berkeley lower extremity exoskeleton (BLEEX). The best-performing design of the HEPUs, based upon the Ragone plot analysis, is described in detail. This HEPU produces constant pressure hydraulic power and constant voltage electric power. The pressure and voltage are controlled on board the power unit by a computer. A novel characteristic of this power unit is its cooling system in which hydraulic fluid is used to cool the engine cylinders. The prototype power unit weighs 27 kg and produces 2.3 kW (3.0 hp) hydraulic power at 6.9 MPa (1000 p.s.i.) and 220 W of electric power at 15 V DC.