Patents Assigned to Sun Hydraulics, LLC
  • Patent number: 11988185
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a seat member; a spool configured to be seated on the seat member to block fluid flow from a first port to a second port when the valve is in a closed state, wherein fluid at the first port applies a fluid force on the spool; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool toward the seat member, wherein as the fluid force overcomes the biasing force, the spool moves in the proximal direction off the seat member, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port through a flow area formed between the spool and the seat member; a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flowing through the flow area flows downstream across the turbine; and an electric generator coupled to the turbine, such that rotation of the turbine causes the electric generator to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Steven J. Meislahn, Hailee Morgan
  • Patent number: 11680589
    Abstract: An example valve includes a valve piston configured to block fluid flow from a first port of the valve to a second port of the valve when the valve is in a closed position; a forward flow spring applying a first biasing force on the valve piston in a distal direction; a reverse flow spring applying a second biasing force on the valve piston in a proximal direction; and a pressure setting spring applying a third biasing force on a check element in the distal direction, wherein fluid from the first port applies a fluid force on the check element in the proximal direction, and fluid from a pilot port applies a respective fluid force on the check element in the distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11680551
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a pressure compensation spool configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at a first port acting in a proximal direction; a pressure compensation spring disposed in a pressure compensation chamber and applying a biasing force on the pressure compensation spool in a distal direction; a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flows through the valve; and a flow area configured to throttle fluid flow from the first port to the pressure compensation chamber, wherein fluid in the pressure compensation chamber applies a second fluid force on the pressure compensation spool in the distal direction, such that the pressure compensation spool moves to a particular axial position based on force equilibrium between the first fluid force, the second fluid force, and the biasing force to throttle fluid flow from the pressure compensation chamber to a second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11598353
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port, a second port, and a load-sense port; a valve piston configured to block fluid flow from the first port to the second port when the valve piston is in a neutral position; a reverse flow spring applying a first biasing force on the valve piston in a proximal direction; and a pressure compensation spring disposed in a spring chamber and applying a second biasing force on the valve piston in a distal direction, wherein when pressure level of fluid at the second port is higher than pressure level of fluid at the load-sense port, fluid flows from the second port to the spring chamber and the load-sense port, and wherein when pressure level of fluid at the load-sense port is higher than pressure level of fluid at the second port, fluid of the load-sense port is provided to the spring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11384857
    Abstract: An example valve includes a seat element; an outer piston configured to be seated against the seat element at when the valve is in a closed position to block fluid flow from a first port of the valve to a second port of the valve; an inner piston disposed partially within the outer piston and configured to be seated against the outer piston when the valve is in the closed position to block fluid flow from the second port to the first port; and a setting spring applying a biasing force on the inner piston in a distal direction. The valve can operate in: (i) a first mode of operation wherein fluid is received at the first port and relieved to the second port, and (ii) a second mode of operation, wherein fluid is received at the second port and relieved to the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11353127
    Abstract: An example counterbalance valve includes: a poppet configured to be subjected to a fluid force by fluid received at a first port, and a fluid force by a pilot pressure fluid signal received at a pilot port; a first setting spring disposed in a first chamber and applying a first biasing force on the poppet; and a second setting spring disposed in a second chamber and applying a second biasing force on the poppet, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are vented to an external environment of the counterbalance valve, wherein the second setting spring is in parallel with the first setting spring such that an equivalent biasing force acting on the poppet in the distal direction comprises a sum of the first biasing force and the second biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11274752
    Abstract: An example valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid, a second port fluidly coupled to an actuator, a third port fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and a fourth port configured to export a load-sense (LS) fluid signal. The valve can operate in: a neutral state, wherein fluid is allowed to flow from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port are blocked; a first actuated state, wherein fluid flow is throttled from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port remain blocked; or a second actuated state, wherein fluid flow from the second port to the third port is blocked, while fluid flow is allowed from the first port to the second port and from the second port to the fourth port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11125339
    Abstract: An example valve includes: an external component having a longitudinal cavity therein, wherein the external component comprises a first annular groove disposed on an interior peripheral surface of the external component, and wherein the first annular groove is bounded by two annular surfaces; an internal component disposed, at least partially, in the longitudinal cavity of the external component, wherein the internal component comprises a second annular groove disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the internal component, wherein the second annular groove is bounded by two respective annular surfaces, wherein the second annular groove is aligned with the first annular groove, such that the first annular groove and the second annular groove form an annular space therebetween; and a retention O-ring disposed in the annular space formed between the first annular groove and the second annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Lampton, Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11125344
    Abstract: An example valve includes a housing having a first port at a distal end of the housing and a second port at a side of the housing, wherein the housing is configured to receive fluid flowing laterally to the second port at the side of the housing and discharge fluid longitudinally through the first port; and a spool slidably accommodated within the housing, wherein a distal end of the spool is configured to control fluid flow from the second port to the first port, and wherein the distal end of the spool comprises: (i) a metering edge, (ii) a protrusion that protrudes longitudinally outward in a distal direction, and (iii) an undercut laterally interposed between the metering edge and the protrusion, wherein the undercut recedes longitudinally inward relative to the metering edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Zachary Hunter
  • Patent number: 11105433
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: (i) a first port, (ii) a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and (iii) a third port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a spool slidably accommodated in a sleeve; an annular chamber formed between the spool and the sleeve, wherein the annular chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port, and wherein a first flow area is formed between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the annular chamber to the second port via the first flow area; and a solenoid coil, wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, a solenoid force the spool, thereby causing the spool to move, forming a second flow area between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the third port to the annular chamber via the second flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 11047401
    Abstract: An example valve includes: (i) a pilot seat member comprising: (a) one or more channels fluidly coupled to a first port of the valve, (b) a pilot seat, and (c) a pilot sleeve portion comprising a pilot chamber and a cross-hole disposed in an exterior peripheral surface of the pilot sleeve portion; (ii) a pilot check member disposed in the pilot chamber and subjected to a biasing force of a setting spring disposed in the pilot chamber to seat the pilot check member at the pilot seat; and (iii) a solenoid actuator sleeve slidably accommodated about the exterior peripheral surface of the pilot sleeve portion of the pilot seat member, wherein the solenoid actuator sleeve includes a cross-hole disposed in an exterior peripheral surface of the solenoid actuator sleeve, wherein the cross-hole of the solenoid actuator sleeve is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 11009896
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port fluidly coupled to a chamber of an actuator; a second port fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a main poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port acting on the main poppet in a proximal direction to cause the main poppet to be seated at a main poppet seat to block fluid flow to and from the first port; a piston configured to move axially to contact the main poppet; and a spool that is axially movable between a first position and a second position to operate the valve in either a pilot-operated check valve mode of operation or a proportional flow control mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 10969033
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a pressure compensation spool configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at an inlet port of the valve; a sleeve having a cavity and at least one throttling cross-hole; a throttling spool disposed in the cavity of the sleeve and configured to be axially movable therein, wherein the throttling spool blocks the at least one throttling cross-hole when the valve is unactuated; and a pressure compensation chamber, wherein when the valve is actuated, the throttling spool moves in the proximal direction to form a throttling flow area between a distal end face of the throttling spool and an edge of the at least one throttling cross-hole, allowing fluid flow from the inlet port to the pressure compensation chamber, thereby causing a second fluid force to be applied on the pressure compensation spool, allowing flow to an outlet port of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Chad Lampton
  • Patent number: 10969801
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port configured to be fluidly coupled to an actuator; a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a pilot poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port and configured to be subjected to a second fluid force of the input pilot fluid signal; a solenoid actuator sleeve that is axially movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state; and at least one setting spring configured to apply a biasing force on the pilot poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10969800
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port configured to be fluidly coupled to an actuator; a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a pilot poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port; a pilot piston interfacing with the pilot poppet and configured to be subjected to a second fluid force of the input pilot fluid signal; a solenoid actuator sleeve that is axially movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state; and at least one setting spring configured to apply a biasing force on the pilot piston and the pilot poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10920799
    Abstract: An example valve assembly includes a meter-in valve configured to be fluidly coupled to a first source of pressurized fluid and control fluid flow from the first source of pressurized fluid into a first chamber of an actuator; a counterbalance valve including configured to open and control fluid flow from a second chamber of the actuator to a tank in response to a pilot pressure fluid signal received at a pilot port of the counterbalance valve; and a pressure reducing valve configured to be fluidly coupled to a second source of pressurized fluid and to be fluidly coupled to the pilot port of the counterbalance valve, where the pressure reducing valve is configured to receive pressurized fluid from the second source of pressurized fluid and, when actuated, provide the pilot pressure fluid signal to the pilot port of the counterbalance valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Bianchi, Steven T. Weber
  • Patent number: 10914324
    Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Pena, Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10794510
    Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Pena, Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10781934
    Abstract: An example solenoid tube of a solenoid actuator for a valve includes: (i) a cylindrical body includes: a first threaded region formed on an exterior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and a second threaded region formed on an interior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body; and (ii) a pole piece formed as a protrusion from the interior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and configured to divide a hollow interior of the cylindrical body into a first chamber and a second chamber, where the pole piece defines a channel therethrough, such that the channel fluidly couples the first chamber to the second chamber, where the first chamber is configured to receive an armature of the solenoid actuator therein, and where the second chamber is configured to a component such as a sensor or a manual actuator therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10781937
    Abstract: An example actuator assembly includes a valve body having a body locating shoulder as a protrusion from an interior peripheral surface of the valve body, and an actuator having an end that is inserted into the valve body. The end has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, and the second portion includes a threaded region. A locating shoulder is between the first portion and the second portion of the end of the actuator arranged at a position where the first diameter changes to the second diameter. The locating shoulder mates with the body locating shoulder of the valve body when the actuator is inserted and screwed into the valve body to enable alignment of the valve body and the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Borja