Case Corporation

Guy T Stoever

Craig R Eike

Kevin Douglas McKee

Ian MacLeod

Richard J Lech

Dennis J Heyne

Eric Sharkness

David Edward Susag

David W Swaim

Yanming Hou

Jimmie Clifford

Gerard Restaino, Iii

Jimmie D Clifford

The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.

Hydraulic system for suppressing oscillation in heavy equipment

A computer calibration method and apparatus for calibrating one or more auxiliary hydraulic valves on a work vehicle includes the steps of selecting a first auxiliary hydraulic valve, applying a valve opening signal to that valve, measuring a pressure in a flow restricted signal circuit coupled to the valve, comparing the first pressure with a predetermined pressure to see if the valve is cracked open and if the valve is not cracked open, incrementing the signal to a second level and repeating the foregoing steps until the first valve cracks open. The final step is saving a value indicative of the signal at which the valve just cracked open.

Automatic calibration of remote hydraulic valve flow

The invention provides a method and system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms. The system includes a main body, a thermal element positioned within the main body, a pin positioned adjacent to the thermal element, and an orifice spool in communication with the pin. The thermal element expands to force the pin to reposition the orifice spool, and restrict fluid flow through the main body. The method includes expanding a thermal polymer when temperature increases, contracting the thermal polymer when the temperature decreases, and metering fluid flow based on the expanding and contracting of the thermal polymer.

Method and system for regulating hydraulic pressure in heavy equipment

The hydraulic coupler is used for connecting a valve to a tool used with a vehicle having a hydraulic pump and fluid communication with the valve through hydraulic plumbing. The hydraulic coupler comprises a coupler body having a base portion, a neck portion and a connector portion. The coupler body is two connector chambers in the connector portion which arc in fluid communication with two apertures, which when the hydraulic coupler is mounted on the valve, are in fluid communication with the valve. A connector assembly, typically of the quick-connect type, is mounted in each connector chamber and is configured to receive hydraulic plumbing to connect the valve to the tool. One embodiment provides that the coupler body is narrower than the valve on which it is mounted. Another embodiment provides before the connector portion to be offset from the neck portion thereby allowing the hydraulic couplers to be mounted immediately adjacent to each other but rotate at a 180&deg; in relation to the other hydraulic coupler. Such arrangement forms a nested stack of hydraulic couplers mounted on the work vehicle at convenient locations on the vehicle.

Nestable fluid coupler

A work vehicle configured for selectively applying power to a load and comprising a frame, a plurality of ground support devices movably secured to the frame, an engine supported by the frame, a source of hydraulic fluid at a pressure, a clutch for selectively coupling the engine to the load in response to a control signal, the clutch including a clutch actuator configured for engaging the clutch upon receipt of an actuating fluid at least a first predetermined pressure, the clutch configured to dissipate heat of engagement to a flow of a lube fluid; and a clutch control valve located intermediate the fluid source and the clutch and disposed in the path of the actuating fluid and the lube fluid. The control valve is configured to control flow of the lube fluid to the clutch to a first predetermined rate while the clutch is not engaged, to control flow of the lube fluid to the clutch to a second predetermined rate at least for a predetermined length of time prior to engagement of the clutch, and to control flow of the actuating fluid at a predetermined pressure to the clutch actuator after the flow rate of the lube fluid has been increased.

Clutch control valve

There is provided in accord with the present invention a work vehicle having a transmission and a clutch control system controlling the vehicle clutches, with the clutch control system including a flow restrictor assembly. The flow restrictor assembly comprises a modulator valve and an unloading valve in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the clutch control system. The unloading valve is selectively in fluid communication with the modulator valve through a modulator tank orifice and is responsive to fluid pressure changes acting on the modulator valve, as the clutch control system operates to control the length of time the modulator valve regulates the rate of flow of fluid to the clutch control system through the modulator tank orifice. In one embodiment the unloading valve spool is nested inside the modulator valve spool.

Flow restrictor assembly in transmission clutch control system

A simplified brake control system comprises a source of pressurized fluid, a spring-set brake with a hydraulic release mechanism and a control valve connected between the brake and the source. The control valve has a valve body and a flow control mechanism in the body and mounted for movement between a first (solenoid-energized) position and a second (solenoid-de-energized) position. A one-way check valve is built into the valve body. How the system operates depends upon two factors, namely, (a) whether the valve flow control mechanism is in its first or its second position, and (b) the relationship of the pressure of the source, i.e., the first pressure, and the second pressure in the release mechanism. When the flow control mechanism is in the first position, the release mechanism may be pressurized for brake release. And when such mechanism is in the second position, the release mechanism is vented to the reservoir through the brake port, the second passage and the drain port. A new method for controlling a brake is also disclosed.

Brake control system and related method

In a vehicle having a power shift transmission engageable in a plurality of forward gear ratios by engaging and disengaging first and second fluid clutches with a fluid from a fluid supply, a manifold apparatus for measuring a pressure of the fluid and simultaneously filling the first and second clutches with the fluid supply having a first clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the first clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the first clutch; a second clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the second clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the second clutch; a manifold fluidly coupled to the first and second clutch valves to conduct the fluid from the fluid supply to the first and second clutch valves; a first flow restrictor disposed between the manifold and the fluid supply to restrict the flow of the fluid from the fluid supply to the manifold; and a pressure transducer fluidly communicating with the manifold to generate a signal representative of the pressure of the fluid within the manifold, where the first and second clutches are not simultaneously engaged to provide any of the plurality of forward gear ratios.

Manifold apparatus for calibrating clutch fill times

This invention includes an apparatus for calibrating fluid clutch fill times including a valve, a clutch connected to the valve, a fluid supply connected to the valve, a pressure transducer connected between the fluid supply and the valve, and a processor adapted to control the valve, read the pressure transducer, and calculate the time required to fill the clutch. The invention further includes a method for adaptively controlling clutch engagement and disengagement in a clutch control system including signalling a first clutch valve to fill a clutch, measuring the time required to fill the clutch, signalling a second clutch valve to empty a second clutch, and saving the time value. The invention also includes a transmission system for a work vehicle that includes a transmission, two fluid clutches that engage the transmission in two gear ratios, respectively and a transmission controller that will calibrate the clutches and shift the transmission while the vehicle is in motion by engaging one clutch and disengaging another clutch while calculating the time required to fill the first clutch.

Method and apparatus for calibrating clutch fill rates

Disclosed is a modulating hydraulic circuit for controlling a clutch such as the clutch on a power takeoff (PTO) shaft. The circuit includes a throttling valve having (a) an inlet port for receiving hydraulic fluid from a source, and (b) a discharge port connected to the clutch. The discharge port is also connected to an accumulator which is at an accumulator pressure. The discharge port and the clutch are at a pressure generally proportional to the accumulator pressure. As accumlator pressure rises at a controlled rate, the clutch is progressively engaged. Optionally, the circuit includes a brake control valve for 'softly' disengaging a PTO shaft brake as the accumulator pressure rises. A method for controlling the clutch includes flowing hydraulic fluid through hydraulic lines to a throttling valve connected to an accumulator and to the clutch, increasing pressure in the lines and progressively engaging the clutch.

Auto-modulating hydraulic circuit and related method

A 2-position, 3-way directional control valve is described which prevents reverse flow from an actuator port to a pressure port in one position. In the preferred embodiment described, the valve is solenoid actuated and is spring biased to a drain position, wherein an extension central to a spool assembly penetrates through a check valve seat and lifts a check valve ball from its seat to permit flow from an actuator port to a drain port. In the actuated or energized position, an armature assembly is shifted by a solenoid, drawing the spool assembly within the valve body and establishing a fluid path between a pressure port and the actuator port. In this position the extension of the spool assembly is withdrawn from the check valve seat. The check valve can be unseated by pressure from the pressure port to permit flow from the pressure port, through the spool and the check valve assembly. In the event of loss of pressure from the pressure port, such as due to shifting of other valves coupled to a pressure source, the check valve reseats to prevent reverse flow from the actuator port to the pressure port. The valve assembly is preferably configured as a cartridge valve for use in pre-drilled manifolds.

Pressure holding directional control valve

A control apparatus for selectively operating any one of at least three fluid pressure operated devices at any given time. The control system includes first and second valves arranged in combination with each other and which are hydraulically interposed between a fluid pressure source and each of the fluid operated devices. Each valve is shiftable between first and second positions. Hydraulic logic circuitry selectively connects the first valve to the fluid operated devices and selectively connects the second valve to the first valve whereby, for any one position of the two valves, only one of the fluid operated devices is connected to the fluid pressure source while the remainder of the fluid operated devices are open to exhaust. First and second ON/OFF solenoid operated valves facilitate positioning of the first and second valves in response to electrical signals received by the ON/OFF valves.

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Guy T Stoever