DESIGNING HYDRAULICS
DESIGNING HYDRAULICS MORE EFFICIENTLY CONSIDERABLE POTENTIALS The reduction of energy consumption is a declared aim of the European Union: The EU Member States want to reduce their primary energy usage by 20 % by the year 2020. In addition in 2011 the international standard ISO 50001 was introduced, the first standard valid worldwide for the certification of energy management systems. Pumps are amongst the largest industrial users of electrical energy. With reference to a pump’s life-cycle, the costs of energy are on average around 45 % of overall costs. And so at this point a considerable potential for savings exists, if we can reduce power consumption. REDUCTION OF UP TO 70 % The overwhelming majority of hydraulic power units in use today are operated by a motor and pump running at a constant speed. Pressure and volume flow rate are regulated in this case via hydraulic valves. This basic solution has been tried and tested in the market place and is convenient by way of comparison in procurement – on the other hand however this has relatively high energy costs. For a relatively small investment, variable-speed pump drives quickly make high savings in energy costs possible for hydraulic power units. In practice, a reduction in energy consumption of up to 70 per cent has already been achieved. DRIVE TECHNOLOGY About Eaton Eaton is a power management company with 2015 sales of USD 20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help its customers to manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton employs around 96,000 people and supplies customers in over 175 countries. MDA Technologies 3/2016
EXPLOITING A NEW BUSINESS MODEL In addition a suitably equipped hydraulic power unit offers the opportunity via gateway modules to connect to fieldbus systems, such as Profibus, Profinet, CANopen, Modbus-TCP, Ethernet/IP, Powerlink or Ethercat, as well as to the Internet. If control devices are used with an OPC UA interface, all data – down to device level – can, for instance, be supplied for cloudbased power management software. This makes the system ‘IoT ready’ and thus opens up new opportunities for machine and system builders to generate additional revenue streams in their business models through the worldwide availability of energy data as well as operational data. to connect to fieldbus systems, such as Profibus, Profinet, CANopen, Modbus- TCP, Ethernet/IP, Powerlink or Ethercat, as well as to the Internet. If control devices are used with an OPC UA interface, all data – down to device level – can, for instance, be supplied for cloud-based power management software. This makes the system ‘IoT ready’ and thus opens up new opportunities for machine and system builders to generate additional revenue streams in their business models through the worldwide availability of energy data as well as operational data. TOTAL ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SOLUTIONS In cooperation with its Lean Solution Partners, Eaton offers complete electro-hydraulic solutions for simpler, more compact and more cost-effective machines. The network includes specialists in electrical, hydraulic and pump applications who provide comprehensive service,from selecting the right components and developing the best solution to implementation and after-sales services. Further information on the energy-efficient design of hydraulic solutions is available on the Eaton website. On the following website homepage you will find the link to the extensive white paper „Planning and operating hydraulic power units to provide greater energy efficiency“, which can be downloaded free of charge following registration. www.eaton.eu/moem-ee MDA Technologies 3/2016
