New Submerged HPUs Increase Reliability of Boat Lifts, Trailers

OEMs have sought ways to improve hydraulic systems that operate in harsh ocean environments.

In recreational boating, Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs) provide the "muscle" behind critical operating machinery used to transport, launch or secure small craft including lifts, trailers and jacks.

For boat lifts alone, OEMs produce a variety of configurations including bottom standing, piling mount, floating and shore mounted. All rely on hydraulic systems to function properly but given the harsh ocean environment, the salt spray and other corrosion-causing factors can wreak havoc on the hydraulic component parts.

For decades, there has been little variation in the basic component configuration of HPUs, which convert electrical power to hydraulic energy. Highly complex hydraulic systems consist of many components including manifolds, directional valves, heat exchangers, pressure gauges and the system's motor and pump, which are mounted to the top of the oil reservoir.

To provide more flexibility in design, a Submerged HPU like one from KTI Hydraulics is offered with a variety of common and customizable hydraulic circuits.KTI Hydraulics Inc.

Additional components such as filters, pressure gauges and heat exchangers may also be needed to meet application requirements.

While the design is technically sufficient, OEMs have long sought ways to improve the overall reliability of hydraulic systems that must operate in harsh ocean environments. One challenge is that high-value components like the motor and pump are also the most likely to require repair or replacement in many cases. Yet current HPU design involves mounting the motor and pump to the reservoir, which exposes the components to the environment and potential corrosion damage.

Even if the HPU is in a toolbox with the vehicle battery, it is regularly exposed to moisture from weather, washdowns or the ocean environment. Accelerated corrosion only leads to premature service, repair and replacement.

Since critical equipment and machinery cannot function without a sound hydraulic system, downtime and lost revenue can result as well. When this occurs, OEMs receive service calls and complaints from customers that are having problems with the unit. This can reflect poorly on the brand, lead to negative online reviews and even a loss of future sales.

In addition, while not a concern in all applications, smaller, more compact HPUs are generally preferred where space is limited.

To significantly increase HPU reliability and provide greater design flexibility, a leading hydraulic parts manufacturer, KTI Hydraulics Inc., redesigned these vital components to create the industry's first "Submerged DC HPU." Founded in 1998, the Santa Ana, CA-based company provides Hydraulic Power Units and components for use in commercial and industrial hydraulic equipment.

In the patented design, the motor and gear pump are protectively submerged in the reservoir fluid, rather than the typical configuration of mounting the motor/gear pump and manifold to the top of the reservoir.

Protecting the motor and gear pump in this manner has many benefits. When the motor and gear pump are submerged, the high-value parts require substantially less maintenance and replacement. The new units are particularly ideal for equipment and machinery operated in harsh, corrosive environments. The oil also functions as coolant, resulting in a longer duty cycle.

KTI Hydraulics Inc. offers the Submerged HPU with a 1.8 KW 12V and 24V DC motor with superior ingress protection (IP) ratings (a measure of an enclosure's resistance to dust or liquid intrusion). The HPU includes a pressure-loaded gear pump, potted solenoid and a reservoir with five quarts of usable volume. Several optional add-ons are available as well.

The Submerged HPU allows the OEM to change the manifold to work with a multitude of different standard or custom circuits.KTI Hydraulics Inc.

The new, innovative HPU configuration also enables a more compact design (15 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 8"), which is ideal for OEMs looking to minimize the space required for hydraulic components.

To provide more flexibility in design for OEMs, the Submerged HPU is offered with a variety of common hydraulic circuits. Custom circuits can be designed upon request. This configurable approach allows for one base unit to utilize multiple circuits.

The Submerged HPU allows the OEM to change the manifold to work with a multitude of different standard or custom circuits. This contrasts with current HPU designs that lock the OEM into either a single-acting or double-acting configuration.

For hydraulic equipment distributors, the capability eliminates the need to stock four different types of HPUs, conserving inventory space and capital. With the submerged HPU, the distributor can purchase a single SKU item to hold in inventory and then the needed manifolds.

Given the critical importance of Hydraulic Power Units in the boating industry, Submerged HPUs are bound to appeal to OEMs experiencing excessive service calls. By ensuring the motor and gear pump are protected within the oil reservoir from the harsh ocean environment, the result will be fewer repairs and greater equipment reliability.

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