Pump Membrane Switch
Problem statement
Enerpac ZU4 hydraulic pumps are used to operate lift cylinders, torque wrenches, and a variety of other tools. They are operated with a pendant control connected to the pump base via a detachable cable. If this pendant were lost or damaged, it would result in the expensive $4000 to $5000 pump being rendered inoperable until a replacement pendant could be acquired. This creates safety concerns for workers using the pump to operate heavy equipment. If control of the pump were lost mid-operation, it could leave equipment in an unsafe state with no way to alleviate the situation, potentially leading to significant injury for equipment operators. Further, inoperable equipment has the potential to stop work and cause significant downtime on any job site. Downtime is a major financial drain on any project as well as on workers who will often be sent home without pay when there is no work that can be completed. Our group will design and build a redundant control on the pump body to ensure the pump is still safely operable should anything happen to the pendant control.
Team members
Joshua Truchon – leader
Tommy Bredemus – communicator
John Reed – accountant
John Reed – admin
Client
Michael Zimmer, Enerpac