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:
Nov. 30, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 12, 1996
Dennis J Hausman, Peoria, IL (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 a shock or jolt being subjected to the machine due to the sudden change in forces acting on the actuator of the lift mechanism. In the subject invention, an accumulator arrangement is connected through a first valve mechanism to the loaded end of an actuator to provide a cushion or damping of the sudden changes in the forces. The first valve mechanism controls the magnitude of the damping in response to the rate of flow between the actuator and the accumulator arrangement. This is accomplished by sensing the pressure drop across a flow restriction mechanism located upstream of the first valve mechanism and controlling the degree of fluid communication between the actuator and the accumulator arrangement in response thereto.