Design and Analysis of a Novel Hydraulic Energy Storage Component

The hydraulic energy storage component (HESC) is the core component of hydraulic energy regeneration (HER) technologies in construction equipment, directly influencing the overall energy efficiency of the system. However, under complex practical operating conditions, the performance of traditional HESCs has become a critical factor limiting the broader application of HER technologies. This paper proposes a novel hydraulic energy storage component (NHESC) that integrates hybrid energy storage through the use of compressed air and electric energy. The system configuration of the NHESC is first designed, followed by the modeling of key components and analysis of working states. Second, based on the working state of energy absorption and release in the NHESC, a corresponding determination strategy is formulated. Third, a simulation model of the boom potential energy regeneration (PER) system based on the NHESC is developed, with partial experimental validation to verify its reliability. Finally, the recovery, reuse, and regeneration efficiencies in state pair B-E of the NHESC mode and the accumulator mode are compared, followed by an analysis of energy losses in the hydraulic components. The analysis results, based on simulation, indicate that the regeneration efficiency of the NHESC is 55.1%, which is better than the 41.1% of the traditional hydraulic accumulator. The NHESC combines the advantages of compressed gas energy storage and electric energy storage, effectively resolving issues of passive operation and uncontrollability while demonstrating superior energy regeneration capabilities.