Regenerative Circuits

for Mobile
and Industrial Applications

Mark Anderson
20 Nov 2013

Definition

Regeneration
Connecting the rod end to the base end of a single
rod cylinder during the extend cycle.
Fluid that exits the rod end is added (regend) to the
base end.
All regen circuits increase speed, and reduce force.

Toyota Prius

Hydraulic
Launch Assist

Definition

Standard

Regen

Definition

Regen

Simplified #1

Simplified #2

Definition

2:1 ratio

Double Rod

Regen

Definition

Pros
Good for Press circuits: when a large portion of the cycle is pushing air
Quicker cycle times with a smaller motor/pump/reservoir
Equal force and speed when used with a 2:1 cylinder
Cheaper, smaller, and fewer seals than a double rod cylinder

Cons
More complex plumbing and valving
More logic required when shifting from high speed to high force
Difficult to build exactly a 2:1 cylinder

Definition

High Ratio
(Large Rod)

Low Ratio
2:1 ratio

(Small Rod)

Examples

Power Steering

2:1 cylinder

Examples

Full Time Regen

Internal

External

Examples

Solenoid Switched Regen

Examples

Pressure Activated Regen

Externally piloted sequence valve

Examples

Pressure Sensitive Regen

Sun circuit with

counterbalance valve

Examples

Regen logic near cylinder

Examples

Regen with rotary flow divider

Examples

Regen with logic elements

Control Logic

Examples

Proportional Regen with internal switching

Parker Hannifin D91FB Z

Examples

Proportional Regen (5 position spool) with External plumbing

Eaton Vickers 133C spool

Examples

Proportional Regen (4 position spool) (internal)

Bosch Rexroth

Examples

Proportional Regen symbols

Traditional

Preferred

Examples

Definition of Efficiency

More

Energy
Level

Less

Efficiency = Work Out / Energy In

Meter In Control

Load

Meter Out Control

Examples

Servo valve vs. Proportional valve

High Delta P = High System Stiffness

You pay for Good Control (stiffness) with less efficiency
Max

Power
to Load
Min
0%

33%

67%

100%

System Delta P% across valve

Servo rated 70bar (1000psi)

Proportional rated 10bar (150psi)

Examples

Accuracy vs. Precision

Precise.
Not Accurate

Precise and Accurate

Accurate.
Not Precise

Examples

Proportional Regen two valve solution

2:1 ratio
Ext= 50
Ret=100

Ext=150
Ret=200

Q=100

Examples

Proportional Regen internals

P to B

Centered

P to A
Continental Hydraulics VED07M

Examples

Proportional Regen internals

P to A

B to P

Examples

Proportional Regen two valve solution

2:1 ratio
Ext= 50
Ret=100

Ext=150
Ret=200

Q=100