Design and Energy Efficiency Research of an Integrated Electro-hydraulic Actuator for Excavator Boom

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.18.396

Abstract

Abstract: Hydraulic excavator mainly adopts the centralized drive mode of single power source for multi-actuator, which has the problems of large throttle loss and low utilization rate of potential energy, resulting in low average efficiency. The distributed electro-hydraulic system adopts independent variable speed control, eliminates the throttle loss and recovers the energy under assistive conditions, which is an effective solution to improve the efficiency. Therefore, a self-contained electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) is designed to offer high power, high speed and four-quadrant operation capabilities, which is integrated into the 6t excavator boom to conduct a comprehensive performance test and analyze the energy efficiency and loss distribution. During the cycle of boom raising and lowing, the driving efficiency of EHA is up to 61.2% and the energy recuperation efficiency of EHA is up to 53.3%. In terms of loss distribution, the loss of motor-pump accounts for more than 80% of the total loss of EHA, and the efficiency optimization of motor-pump is very important. This study realizes the application of the EHA in the excavator, and provides an effective solution to improve the energy efficiency of the electro-hydraulic control system of the mobile machinery.

Key words: excavator, electro-hydraulic actuator, integrated design, energy efficiency, energy recuperation

CLC Number:

TH137

HUANG Weidi, GUO Yitao, WANG Feng, ZONG Huaizhi, ZHANG Junhui, NI Xiaohao, XU Bing. Design and Energy Efficiency Research of an Integrated Electro-hydraulic Actuator for Excavator Boom[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(18): 396-405.

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