Patents Assigned to Sun Hydraulics, LLC
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10774968
    Abstract: An example wire ring is configured as a partial polygon. The partial polygon has a plurality of curved sections interposed between a plurality of straight sections. The wire ring is configured to contact a base of an annular groove of an external component of a valve at multiple contact points. The wire ring is also configured to contact a respective base of a respective annular groove of an internal component of the valve disposed, at least partially, within the external component at multiple respective contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Newman
  • Patent number: 10774849
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a piston movable between a neutral position and an actuated position; a check poppet configured to be coupled to the piston, wherein in the neutral position, the check poppet is seated on a seat formed on an interior peripheral surface of the housing and blocks fluid at the first port; a solenoid actuator sleeve movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein in the actuated state, the solenoid actuator sleeve allows pilot fluid to apply a fluid force on the piston in a distal direction; and a feedback spring that applies a biasing force in a proximal direction on the piston against the fluid force, wherein the piston and the check poppet are configured to move axially to the actuated position based on a relationship between the fluid force and the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10775812
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a pilot seat member comprising: a channel that is fluidly coupled to a first port of the valve, a pilot seat, and one or more cross-holes fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve; a pilot check member configured to be subjected to a fluid force of fluid in the channel of the pilot seat member acting on the pilot check member in a proximal direction; a solenoid actuator sleeve comprising a chamber; a first setting spring disposed in the chamber and configured to bias the solenoid actuator sleeve in a distal direction; and a second setting spring configured to bias the pilot check member in the distal direction, such that the first setting spring and the second setting spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in the distal direction on the pilot check member toward the pilot seat against the fluid force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10774853
    Abstract: An example valve includes: (i) a pilot seat member comprising a first channel and a second channel, a pilot seat, and a pilot sleeve portion comprising a pilot chamber and a cross-hole; (ii) a pilot check member disposed in the pilot chamber and subjected to a biasing force of a setting spring, wherein the pilot check member is configured to be subjected to a fluid force of fluid in the second channel; and (iii) a solenoid actuator sleeve slidably accommodated about the pilot sleeve portion, wherein the solenoid actuator sleeve comprises a cross-hole and an annular groove, wherein the cross-hole of the solenoid actuator sleeve is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve, and the annular groove is configured to selectively fluidly couple the first channel to the second channel based on a position of the solenoid actuator sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10753488
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a housing having a first longitudinal cavity therein; a sleeve disposed, at least partially, in the first longitudinal cavity, where the sleeve has a second longitudinal cavity therein, and includes a first seat formed as a protrusion from an interior peripheral surface of the sleeve; a poppet mounted within the second longitudinal cavity and configured to move axially therein; and a bushing mounted, at least partially, in the second longitudinal cavity, such that the bushing is floating and is allowed to move axially in the second longitudinal cavity, where the bushing is hollow and defines a first port at a distal end of the bushing and defines a second seat at a proximal end of the bushing, and where the sleeve defines a second port and a third port disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Chad Lampton
  • Patent number: 10683879
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a main piston comprising: a channel that is fluidly coupled to a first port of the valve, a pilot seat, and one or more cross-holes fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve; a pilot check member configured to be subjected to a fluid force of fluid in the channel of the main piston acting on the pilot check member in a proximal direction; a solenoid actuator sleeve comprising a chamber; a first setting spring disposed in the chamber and configured to bias the solenoid actuator sleeve in a distal direction; and a second setting spring configured to bias the pilot check member in the distal direction, such that the first setting spring and the second setting spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in the distal direction on the pilot check member toward the pilot seat against the fluid force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10662979
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a piston movable between a neutral position and an actuated position, wherein in the neutral position: a second port of the valve is fluidly coupled to a first port, and a third port is fluidly decoupled from the second port; a solenoid actuator sleeve movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein in the actuated state, the solenoid actuator sleeve allows pilot fluid to apply a fluid force on a piston in a distal direction; a first feedback spring; and a second feedback spring disposed in series with the first feedback spring, wherein the first feedback spring and the second feedback spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in a proximal direction on the piston against the fluid force, wherein the piston is configured to move to the actuated position based on a relationship between the fluid force and the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10663066
    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: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Lampton, Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10648488
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a piston movable between a neutral position and an actuated position, wherein in the neutral position: a second port of the valve is fluidly coupled to a first port, and a third port is fluidly decoupled from the second port; a solenoid actuator sleeve movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein in the actuated state, the solenoid actuator sleeve allows pilot fluid to apply a fluid force on a piston in a distal direction; a first feedback spring; and a second feedback spring disposed in series with the first feedback spring, wherein the first feedback spring and the second feedback spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in a proximal direction on the piston against the fluid force, wherein the piston is configured to move to the actuated position based on a relationship between the fluid force and the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10626892
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a piston movable between a neutral position and an actuated position, wherein in the neutral position: a second port of the valve is fluidly coupled to a first port, and a third port is fluidly decoupled from the second port; a solenoid actuator sleeve movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein in the actuated state, the solenoid actuator sleeve allows pilot fluid to apply a fluid force on a piston in a distal direction; a first feedback spring; and a second feedback spring disposed in series with the first feedback spring, wherein the first feedback spring and the second feedback spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in a proximal direction on the piston against the fluid force, wherein the piston is configured to move to the actuated position based on a balance between the fluid force and the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10570932
    Abstract: An example valve includes: (i) a pilot seat member comprising a first channel and a second channel, a pilot seat, and a pilot sleeve portion comprising a pilot chamber and a cross-hole; (ii) a pilot check member disposed in the pilot chamber and subjected to a biasing force of a setting spring, wherein the pilot check member is configured to be subjected to fluid force of fluid in the second channel; and (iii) a solenoid actuator sleeve slidably accommodated about the pilot sleeve portion, wherein the solenoid actuator sleeve comprises a cross-hole and an annular groove, wherein the cross-hole of the solenoid actuator sleeve is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve, and the annular groove is configured to selectively fluidly couple the first channel to the second channel based on a position of the solenoid actuator sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10557483
    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, wherein the solenoid actuator sleeve includes a first cross-hole disposed in an exterior peripheral surface of the solenoid actuator sleeve and a second cross-hole disposed in the exterior peripheral surface of the solenoid actuator sleeve axially spaced from the first cross-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zahe
  • Patent number: 10533584
    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: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10527069
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a sleeve; a first poppet configured to be seated on a first seat defined on an interior surface of the sleeve when the valve is in a closed state, and where the first poppet is configured to move axially within the sleeve; a second poppet disposed, at least partially, in the first poppet, where the second poppet is configured to be seated on a second seat defined on an interior surface of the first poppet, and where the second poppet is configured to move axially within the first poppet; a first spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a first force on the second poppet in a distal direction toward the second seat; and a second spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a second force on the second poppet in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 10495117
    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: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Pena, Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10487978
    Abstract: An example rail mounted assembly includes a controller housing having a locking post extending from a base of the controller housing and multiple mounting guides extending from the base and each mounting guide includes a guiding slot, and a rail having two side portions and a center portion therebetween. Each side portion is coupled to a particular side of the center portion and forms an L-shaped edge and each side portion is configured to slide into the guiding slot of a particular mounting guide of the controller housing for coupling the rail to the controller housing. The center portion includes a flexible cutout tab with a hole for sliding over and engaging with the locking post when coupling the rail to the controller housing to lock the rail to the controller housing. Example methods of securing and releasing components of the rail mounted assembly are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Cole, Curt Rainbolt, Jake Holloway, Lowell Bonner
  • Patent number: D872231
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Lampton, Andy Borja, Bernd Zähe, Ryan Schroder
  • Patent number: D877613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Surry McFaul, David Lizotte