Modelling of the hydraulic scheme for loading the sowing sections of sowing machines for energy recovery

Abstract

One of the most promising areas for improving the energy efficiency of machines is the use of energy recovery from its source. The study aims to develop a basic hydraulic scheme of the clamping mechanism of the sowing section, which would allow to recovery of the energy of the oscillatory movement of the sowing section relative to the sowing frame. The paper considers the scheme of using hydraulic loading of sowing sections using a single-acting hydraulic cylinder. To collect the energy of the sowing section of the seeder, it is proposed to install a hydraulic motor in the existing hydraulic loading circuit to convert the hydraulic energy of the system into the mechanical energy of rotation of its output shaft and a system of check valves to redirect the working fluid in the system and ensure that the hydraulic motor shaft rotates in one specified direction. The input parameters of this system are unevenness of the soil, design features of the sowing section of the seeder, and forward speed of the seeder. The influence of the main parameters of the hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic accumulator and hydraulic motor of the system on the rotational speed and torque on the hydraulic motor shaft is investigated. The research shows that under certain external conditions, when modelling the system in the MATLAB Simulink software, the forced reciprocating motion of the hydraulic cylinder piston is converted into the rotational motion of the hydraulic motor output shaft, which, under certain system parameters under study, can rotate at a speed of 6-86 rpm, developing a theoretical torque of up to 22 N∙m. The size of the hydraulic cylinder piston has the greatest influence on the output characteristics of the system. The hydraulic accumulator provides smoothing of pulsations, the magnitude of which, like the total pressure in the system, depends on the pressure of its pre-charging. The results of this study can be applied in agriculture to optimise energy use during the sowing process by developing efficient energy recovery systems for sowing machines, which will reduce fuel consumption and negative environmental impact