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:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 03, 2000
Robert L. Fix, Hagerstown, MD (US);
Ingersoll-Rand Company, Woodcliff Lake, NJ (US);
Abstract
A control system for an industrial vehicle having an articulated frame with front and rear movably connected frame halves. The control system includes a steering mechanism disposed between the frame halves and is configured to pivot the rear frame half about the front frame half. A first hydraulic actuator is operably connected with the steering mechanism. An offset mechanism is disposed between the frame halves and is configured to displace the rear frame half with respect to the front frame half in a direction generally toward one of the lateral sides of the vehicle. A second hydraulic actuator is operably connected with the offset mechanism. A hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic fluid source and a selector valve device connected with the fluid source and with each of the first and second actuators. The selector valve is configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to the first actuator to operate the steering mechanism and alternatively to the second actuator to operate the offset mechanism. An operator controller device is connected with the hydraulic circuit and is configured to adjust hydraulic flow between the fluid source and the selector valve device so as to control extent and direction of movement of the rear frame half by the selectively operated steering mechanism or offset mechanism. Furthermore, an operator input device is connected with the selector valve device and is configured to operate the selector valve to selectively direct fluid to one of the two actuators.