Patents by Inventor Eric P. Hamkins
Eric P. Hamkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11549525Abstract: A load sense pressure regulating system is provided. The load sense pressure regulating system can be operable between a flow regulation mode and a pressure limiting mode. When the load sense pressure control system is in the flow regulation mode, flow between a load sense inlet and a pilot vent are metered by a main poppet. The load sense pressure regulating system can also include a control valve downstream from the pilot vent that is configured to control a relief setting of a relief valve to regulate the load sense pressure within a desired operating range.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilling, Eric P. Hamkins, Kyle Ballweg, Jace Birschbach
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Publication number: 20210231135Abstract: A load sense pressure regulating system is provided. The load sense pressure regulating system can be operable between a flow regulation mode and a pressure limiting mode. When the load sense pressure control system is in the flow regulation mode, flow between a load sense inlet and a pilot vent are metered by a main poppet. The load sense pressure regulating system can also include a control valve downstream from the pilot vent that is configured to control a relief setting of a relief valve to regulate the load sense pressure within a desired operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Michael Gilling, Eric P. Hamkins, Kyle Ballweg, Jace Birschbach
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Patent number: 10072679Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for using the same are provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, a first actuator having a first head chamber and a first rod chamber, and a second actuator having a second head chamber and a second rod chamber. The hydraulic system further includes a first control valve and a second control valve. The second control valve to selectively provide regeneration fluid flow from the first rod chamber to the first head chamber in response to a first function command is less than a first function command limit, a second function command is greater than a second function command limit, and a second function load is greater than a second function load limit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Eric P Hamkins, Jacob Ballweg, Joseph Pfaff, Mark Elton
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Publication number: 20180252243Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control valve assembly arranged between a main control valve and a hydraulic function on a mobile machine. The control valve assembly includes a fluid source, a first supply valve, a first return valve, a second supply valve, and a second return valve. The control valve assembly further includes a controller configured to determine if an actual motion parameter of the hydraulic function is different than a desired motion parameter based on the determination of a motion sensor. The controller configured to selectively move at least one of the first supply valve, the first return valve, the second supply valve, and the second return valve to adjust the actual motion parameter of the hydraulic function and compensate for a difference between the actual motion parameter and the desired motion parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Benjamin D. Holter, Eric P. Hamkins
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Patent number: 9752597Abstract: A hydraulic control valve assembly to be integrated into a pressure compensated load sensing system including a fluid source is provided. The hydraulic control valve assembly includes a first working unit to control a first hydraulic function of a machine. The first working unit includes a first directional and return flow control in the form of a first spool, a first function flow control to selectively communicate a working pressure of the first function to the fluid source, and a first downstream flow control. The hydraulic control valve assembly further includes a second working unit arranged downstream of the first working unit. The second working unit to control a second hydraulic function of the machine. The first downstream flow control to selectively restrict a flow a fluid from the fluid source to the second working unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Casey Buschkopf, Darrell Hesse, Joseph L Pfaff, Jacob Ballweg, Eric P Hamkins
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Publication number: 20170074293Abstract: A hydraulic control valve assembly to be integrated into a pressure compensated load sensing system including a fluid source is provided. The hydraulic control valve assembly includes a first working unit to control a first hydraulic function of a machine. The first working unit includes a first directional and return flow control in the form of a first spool, a first function flow control to selectively communicate a working pressure of the first function to the fluid source, and a first downstream flow control. The hydraulic control valve assembly further includes a second working unit arranged downstream of the first working unit. The second working unit to control a second hydraulic function of the machine. The first downstream flow control to selectively restrict a flow a fluid from the fluid source to the second working unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: CASEY BUSCHKOPF, DARRELL HESSE, JOSEPH L PFAFF, JACOB BALLWEG, ERIC P HAMKINS
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Publication number: 20160160884Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for using the same are provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, a first actuator having a first head chamber and a first rod chamber, and a second actuator having a second head chamber and a second rod chamber. The hydraulic system further includes a first control valve and a second control valve. The second control valve to selectively provide regeneration fluid flow from the first rod chamber to the first head chamber in response to a first function command is less than a first function command limit, a second function command is greater than a second function command limit, and a second function load is greater than a second function load limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: ERIC P. HAMKINS, JACOB BALLWEG, JOSEPH PFAFF, MARK ELTON
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Patent number: 9091281Abstract: A valve assembly has a flow summation node coupled to a displacement control port of the first pump. Each valve in the assembly has a variable metering orifice controlling flow from an inlet to a hydraulic actuator and has a variable source orifice conveying fluid from a supply conduit to a flow summation node. The source orifice enlarges as the metering orifice shrinks. Each valve includes a variable bypass orifice and the bypass orifices of all the control valves are connected in series forming a bypass passage between a bypass node and a tank. The bypass node is coupled to the flow summation node and receives fluid from a second pump. At each valve, a source check valve conveys fluid from the supply conduit to the inlet and a bypass supply check valve conveys fluid from the bypass passage to the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Corey K. Quinnell, Joseph L. Pfaff, Jonathan M. Starkey, Eric P. Hamkins
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Patent number: 9032724Abstract: Fluid from two pumps is allocated to a plurality of hydraulic actuators based on a plurality of flow commands, each specifying a desired amount of flow to be applied to a different hydraulic actuator. For a given hydraulic actuator, the allocation involves (1) determining an apportionment of the desired amount of flow, if no other hydraulic actuator is active, and (2) altering the apportionment in response to all the plurality of flow commands, and (3) using the altered apportionment to determine a first amount of the flow for one pump to provide and a second amount of the flow for the other pump to provide. The process is repeated for all the hydraulic actuators. Supply valves for each hydraulic actuator are controlled by the associated first and second amounts and each pump is controlled in response to either the first or second amounts for all the hydraulic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: HUSCO International Inc.Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Eric P. Hamkins, Corey K. Quinnell
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Patent number: 8899034Abstract: A system has a variable displacement pump that supplies pressurized fluid to power a plurality of hydraulic functions. Each hydraulic function has a control valve with a variable source orifice controlling fluid flow between the pump and a flow summation node, and a variable metering orifice controlling fluid flow between the flow summation node and a hydraulic actuator. Variable bypass orifices in the control valves are connected in series between the flow summation node and a tank. As the metering orifice in a control valve enlarges, the source orifice enlarges and the bypass orifice shrinks. This alters pressure at the flow summation node, which is used to control the output of the pump. Components are provided to give selected hydraulic functions different levels of priority with respect to consuming fluid flow from the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Jacob Ballweg, Gary J. Pieper, Corey K. Quinnell, Jonathan M. Starkey, Eric P. Hamkins
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Publication number: 20140060032Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a first pump and a plurality of valves that control fluid flow from the first pump to several actuators. Variable source orifices in the control valves are connected in parallel between the first pump and a node, and variable bypass orifices in the control valves are connected in series between the node and a tank. Pressure at the node controls displacement of the first pump. Each control valve also has a metering orifice for varying fluid flow between the node and one of the actuators. A hydrostatic pump-motor, coupled between two ports of a given actuator, is driven in a motoring mode by fluid exiting one of those ports. In a pumping mode, the hydrostatic pump-motor forces lower pressure fluid exhausting from one port into the other port of the given actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: HUSCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Eric P. Hamkins
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Publication number: 20130160443Abstract: A system has a variable displacement pump that supplies pressurized fluid to power a plurality of hydraulic functions. Each hydraulic function has a control valve with a variable source orifice controlling fluid flow between the pump and a flow summation node, and a variable metering orifice controlling fluid flow between the flow summation node and a hydraulic actuator. Variable bypass orifices in the control valves are connected in series between the flow summation node and a tank. As the metering orifice in a control valve enlarges, the source orifice enlarges and the bypass orifice shrinks. This alters pressure at the flow summation node, which is used to control the output of the pump. Components are provided to give selected hydraulic functions different levels of priority with respect to consuming fluid flow from the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Jacob Ballweg, Gary J. Pieper, Corey K. Quinnell, Jonathan M. Starkey, Eric P. Hamkins
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Publication number: 20120233996Abstract: A valve assembly has a flow summation node coupled to a displacement control port of the first pump. Each valve in the assembly has a variable metering orifice controlling flow from an inlet to a hydraulic actuator and has a variable source orifice conveying fluid from a supply conduit to a flow summation node. The source orifice enlarges as the metering orifice shrinks. Each valve includes a variable bypass orifice and the bypass orifices of all the control valves are connected in series forming a bypass passage between a bypass node and a tank. The bypass node is coupled to the flow summation node and receives fluid from a second pump. At each valve, a source check valve conveys fluid from the supply conduit to the inlet and a bypass supply check valve conveys fluid from the bypass passage to the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Corey K. Quinnell, Joseph L. Pfaff, Jonathan M. Starkey, Eric P. Hamkins
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Patent number: 8215107Abstract: A valve assembly couples a plurality of hydraulic actuators to a variable displacement pump and to a tank. A separate valve is associated with each hydraulic actuator and comprises a variable flow source orifice between the supply conduit and a summation node coupled to a pump control port, a variable metering orifice between the summation node and the associated hydraulic actuator, and a variable bypass orifice between the summation node and the tank. As a valve operates to enlarge the metering orifice, the flow source orifice also enlarges, and the bypass orifice shrinks. When the valve operates to shrink the metering orifice, the flow source orifice also shrinks and the bypass orifice enlarges. Those operations vary fluid flow in and out of the summation node, which alters pressure applied to the pump control, thereby causing the pump output to vary as required to drive the associated hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Eric P. Hamkins
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Publication number: 20120085440Abstract: A valve assembly couples a plurality of hydraulic actuators to a variable displacement pump and to a tank. A separate valve is associated with each hydraulic actuator and comprises a variable flow source orifice between the supply conduit and a summation node coupled to a pump control port, a variable metering orifice between the summation node and the associated hydraulic actuator, and a variable bypass orifice between the summation node and the tank. As a valve operates to enlarge the metering orifice, the flow source orifice also enlarges, and the bypass orifice shrinks. When the valve operates to shrink the metering orifice, the flow source orifice also shrinks and the bypass orifice enlarges. Those operations vary fluid flow in and out of the summation node, which alters pressure applied to the pump control, thereby causing the pump output to vary as required to drive the associated hydraulic actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Eric P. Hamkins
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Publication number: 20110308242Abstract: Fluid from two pumps is allocated to a plurality of hydraulic actuators based on a plurality of flow commands, each specifying a desired amount of flow to be applied to a different hydraulic actuator. For a given hydraulic actuator, the allocation involves (1) determining an apportionment of the desired amount of flow, if no other hydraulic actuator is active, and (2) altering the apportionment in response to all the plurality of flow commands, and (3) using the altered apportionment to determine a first amount of the flow for one pump to provide and a second amount of the flow for the other pump to provide. The process is repeated for all the hydraulic actuators. Supply valves for each hydraulic actuator are controlled by the associated first and second amounts and each pump is controlled in response to either the first or second amounts for all the hydraulic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Eric P. Hamkins, Corey K. Quinnell
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Patent number: 7905088Abstract: A hydraulic system has a valve assembly with two workports coupled to chambers of first and second cylinders which are connected mechanically in parallel to a machine component. A separation control valve is connected between first chambers of both cylinders, and a shunt control valve is connected between the workports. A recovery control valve couples an accumulator to the first chamber of the second cylinder. Opening and closing the valves in different combinations routes fluid from one or both cylinders into the accumulator where the fluid is stored under pressure, and thereafter enables stored fluid to be used to power one or both cylinders. The shunt control valve is used to route fluid exhausting from one chamber of each cylinder to the other chambers of those cylinders. Thus the hydraulic system recovers and reuses energy in various manners.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: INCOVA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dwight B. Stephenson, Eric P. Hamkins, Joseph L. Pfaff, Keith A. Tabor
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Patent number: 7823379Abstract: A method provides several modes for recovering hydraulic energy produced by an overrunning load acting on cylinders connected in parallel to a machine component. In one mode, fluid from first chambers in both cylinders is routed into the accumulator, while other fluid is directed into second chambers of those cylinders. In a different mode, fluid is routed from the first chamber of only one cylinder into the accumulator, and fluid from the first chamber of the other cylinder goes into the second chambers of both cylinders. Yet another mode comprises routing fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders into the second chambers of both cylinders. In still another mode, fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders goes into the return conduit while the second chambers of both cylinders receive fluid from a supply conduit. Several modes of reusing the recovered energy are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Hamkins, Dwight B. Stephenson, Joseph L. Pfaff, Keith A. Tabor
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Publication number: 20080110165Abstract: A method provides several modes for recovering hydraulic energy produced by an overrunning load acting on cylinders connected in parallel to a machine component. In one mode, fluid from first chambers in both cylinders is routed into the accumulator, while other fluid is directed into second chambers of those cylinders. In a different mode, fluid is routed from the first chamber of only one cylinder into the accumulator, and fluid from the first chamber of the other cylinder goes into the second chambers of both cylinders. Yet another mode comprises routing fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders into the second chambers of both cylinders. In still another mode, fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders goes into the return conduit while the second chambers of both cylinders receive fluid from a supply conduit. Several modes of reusing the recovered energy are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Eric P. Hamkins, Dwight B. Stephenson, Joseph L. Pfaff, Keith A. Tabor
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Publication number: 20080110166Abstract: A hydraulic system has a valve assembly with two workports coupled to chambers of first and second cylinders which are connected mechanically in parallel to a machine component. A separation control valve is connected between first chambers of both cylinders, and a shunt control valve is connected between the workports. A recovery control valve couples an accumulator to the first chamber of the second cylinder. Opening and closing the valves in different combinations routes fluid from one or both cylinders into the accumulator where the fluid is stored under pressure, and thereafter enables stored fluid to be used to power one or both cylinders. The shunt control valve is used to route fluid exhausting from one chamber of each cylinder to the other chambers of those cylinders. Thus the hydraulic system recovers and reuses energy in various manners.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Dwight B. Stephenson, Eric P. Hamkins, Joseph L. Pfaff, Keith A. Tabor