Direct port commutator and manifold assembly

Abstract

A commutator/manifold assembly controls a flow of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid system. The assembly includes a commutator having an offset design including an inner portion eccentrically encompassed within an outer portion, and offset commutator porting to control the hydraulic flow. A manifold includes manifold ports having a straight configuration by which walls defining the manifold ports run substantially along a longitudinal axis through an entirety of the manifold. The commutator is configured to rotate to sequentially align the commutator porting with differing portions of the manifold ports to control the flow. The commutator porting includes inner ports and outer ports that are isolated from each other by a commutator seal. A commutator ring has a guiding surface that guides rotation of the commutator. The rotation of the commutator provides a timed flow through the manifold ports straight through the manifold and without any directional flow restriction.