The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 12, 1996
Stephen P Amborski, Peoria, IL (US);
Marc D Gibson, Greenville, SC (US);
Michael E Green, Cary, NC (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In machines having a bucket that is capable of carrying a load of material, it is well known that when the machine encounters a bump or other obstacle that the effects thereof may result in machine bounce or the operator is subjected to a jolt due to the sudden change in forces acting on the lift actuator of the lift mechanism. Accumulators have been connected to the loaded end of the actuator to provide a cushion or damping of the sudden changes in the forces. When the machine is being used without the accumulator connected to the loaded end of the actuator, the accumulator is normally connected to the loaded end of the actuator through an orifice in order to maintain a pre-charge in the accumulator equal to the pressure in the loaded end of the actuator. In order to ensure that the pressure in the accumulator is always equal to the pressure in the actuator, the accumulator is selectively connected to an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid. Likewise, in order to ensure that the machine is not subjected to sudden 'jerks' or 'jolts' when the accumulator is connected to the actuator for ride control, the connection therebetween is interrupted whenever a tilt actuator for the bucket is extended or retracted towards one of its extreme positions. Additionally, when the machine is being operated below a predetermined ground speed, the connection of the accumulator to the lift actuator is interrupted.