Caterpillar Inc.

Michael Anthony A'Hearn

Thomas J Hajek

Srikrishnan T Tolappa

Tony L Marcott

Michael D Hudson

Lawrence F Schexnayder

Larry W Lorimor

Daniel T Mather

Patrick Quinn

David J Carlson

Daniel J Mather

Srikrishnan Tirumalai Kumara Tolappa

Andy Hatcher

A fluid system is provided wherein two different fluid circuits are connected in parallel with a single source of pressurized fluid and the two fluid circuits can function together even when one of the loads is lighter than the other. This is accomplished by having the lightly loaded circuit having a directional control that when operated in one of its operative positions the flow from the rod end of the cylinder is directed through the directional control valve and combined with the supply flow being directed to the head end of the cylinder. With the other heavier loaded circuit also being actuated, the pressure of the fluid from the rod end of the fluid cylinder is equalized with the pressure of the heavier loaded circuit. Consequently, the speed of the heavier loaded circuit does not stall or slow down relative to the lightly loaded circuit. In the case of a machine having a bucket used for backdragging, the circuit needs a diverter system that provides protection from the cylinder rod of the fluid cylinderfrom buckling during backdragging while maintaining the ability for pressure equalization when not performing a backdragging operation.

Hydraulic circuit having pressure equalization during regeneration

A fluid system includes first and second control valves that control fluid communication with first and second actuators. The first control valve may combine fluid flow from a second end port of the first actuator with fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source when providing a supply of fluid to a first end port of the first actuator. The first and second control valves include first and second signal ports in fluid communication with the supply of fluid to the first and second actuators. A resolver outputs a resolved signal pressure equal to the greater of a first signal pressure output by the first signal port and a second signal pressure output by the second signal port. A compensator in fluid communication with the first control valve and the first actuator controls fluid flow from the first control valve to the first actuator based on the resolved signal pressure.

Pressure-compensated hydraulic circuit with regeneration

A hydraulic ride control system is disclosed and adapted to control the ride of a machine having a load. The ride control includes an accumulator arrangement that is selectively connected with the actuator that is carrying the load to provide a cushion ride during traveling and to enable the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be maintained substantially the same as the pressure in the actuator when raising the load and to permit the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be lowered to that of the pressure in the actuator in the event the load is lessened. The ride control system also provides an arrangement that permits the accumulator arrangement to be bled down whenever the machine becomes disabled or when the machine is shut off.

Hydraulic ride control system

A ride control system adapted for use in a fluid system of a machine to cushion the ride of the machine, the machine having a frame with an actuator arrangement disposed between the frame and a load to raise the load relative to the frame, the actuator arrangement having a raise port and being operative in a raise mode to raise the load to a desired height in response to pressurized fluid being directed to the raise port from a source of the pressurized fluid, the ride control system including an accumulator arrangement and a valve arrangement connected between the accumulator arrangement, the actuator arrangement, and the source of pressurized fluid, and operative to selectively connect the accumulator arrangement to the raise port of the actuator arrangement when in the raise mode while maintaining the load at the desired height.

Ride control

A fluid control system including a valve arrangement operable for selectively, controllably supplying pressurized fluid to a work element of the system from at least two pressurized fluid sources depending on load conditions on the pressurized fluid sources. The valve arrangement is operable for directing pressurized fluid from the first pressurized fluid source to the work element when a first or low load condition is present on the first pressurized fluid source and directing pressurized fluid from the second pressurized fluid source to the work element when a second or high load condition greater than the first load condition is present on the first pressurized fluid source and a low load condition is present on the second pressurized fluid source, such that operability of the work element and other work elements supplied by the pressurized fluid sources is maintained.

Fluid control system including a work element and a valve arrangement for selectively supplying pressurized fluid thereto from two pressurized fluid sources

A fluid control circuit providing a float capability for a double-acting actuator having first and second actuating chambers is provided. The fluid circuit includes signal controlled load check valves disposed between the actuating chambers and a directional control valve. The directional control valve is movable from a centered, neutral position towards first and second operative positions and a float position. The directional control valve and the load check valves are cooperatively operable in one operable position to allow fluid flow from the first actuating chamber to the exhaust port, and fluid flow from the pump port to the second actuating chamber. In the float position of the directional control valve, both of the signal controlled load check valves are opened to allow open fluid flow between the first and second actuating chambers thus allowing the tool attached to the actuator to float.

Fluid control system having float control

A fluid control system including a control valve providing a simple, easy to use regeneration capability in association with a pump, a tank, and a double acting actuator having a first actuating chamber and a second actuating chamber. The control valve has a first actuating chamber port connected to the first actuating chamber, a second actuating chamber port connected to the second actuating chamber, a tank port connected to the tank, a first pump port and a second pump port. The control valve includes a connecting passage connecting the first pump port and the second pump port to the pump, and is operable in a first position to allow fluid flow from the pump through the first pump port and the first actuating chamber port to the first actuating chamber and fluid flow from the second actuating chamber through the second actuating chamber port and the tank port to the tank. For regeneration, the control valve member is movable from the first position to a second position to allow the fluid flow from the second actuating chamber port to be diverted to the second pump port such that the fluid flow can pass through the connecting passage to the first pump port and through the first actuating chamber port to the first actuating chamber of the actuator.

Fluid control system with regeneration

An unloader valve is connected to a pump and has first and second ends, a priority flow port communicating with the first end and being connected to a first conduit connected to a first hydraulic circuit, an excess flow port communicating with a tank, and a spring disposed at the second end biasing the unloader valve to a priority flow position with a force sufficient to maintain the pressure in the priority flow port above a predetermined minimum level. The unloader valve is biased toward an unloading position in opposition to the spring force by pressure generated force acting on the second end. A check valve is disposed between the first conduit and a second conduit connected to a second hydraulic circuit. A valve device controls the pressure at the second end of the unloader valve in response to pressure in the second conduit so that pressure in the second conduit is maintained above a second higher predetermined level.

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Shorewood, IL, United States of America

Michael Anthony A'Hearn