Patents Assigned to Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5836335
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns electronically controlled valves for use in electro-hydraulically controlled transmissions. The valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by tank ports 52, clutch ports 54, and by pump ports 56. The pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid at a pressure that is proportional to an electrical control signal applied to a coil 252 of the valve 20. The tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank. Located in the cage 42 is a main spool 112 that moves laterally relative to the cage 42 for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between the clutch ports 54 and either the pump ports 56 or the tank ports 52. An electro-magnetically operated pilot valve regulates a control pressure of fluid applied to a control pressure surface 138 at one end of the main spool 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 5598794
    Abstract: A control system for a mobile planting apparatus which permits discrete plant spacing to be determined and maintained independent of any wheel rotation on the planting apparatus or towing apparatus is disclosed, having: (1) a ground speed sensor wherein the rate of movement relative to the ground is determined independent of wheel rotation of the planting apparatus or towing apparatus; (2) an input/display device for inputting desired linear plant spacing; (3) a variable speed motor for mechanically driving seed metering devices on the planting apparatus at varying rates independent of any wheel rotation of the planting apparatus or towing apparatus, wherein the motor changes speeds in response to an electronic signal; (4) a programmable control circuit communicating electronically with the input/display device and ground speed sensor, wherein the programmable control circuit: (a) determines the number of seeds to be dispensed per linear unit of distance traveled based upon the desired spacing received from t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Richard Rosenbrock
  • Patent number: 5593215
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system far providing a hydraulic control pressure for operating the brake system of a brake type traction control system for a vehicle develops the control pressure between a pair of orifices in conjunction with a pulse width modulated hydraulic control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Rong Shaw, Allen L. Filo
  • Patent number: 5564676
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly, subject to high vibration and shock induced loading, providing both axial and radial motion restraint of critical valve structures as economical means for achieving structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Nickolas Goloff, Joseph Reilly, Ronald E. Trost, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 5461903
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a leak in a closed, fluid transfer system, specifically a hydraulic system, by comparing the actual rate of fluid level change in the fluid reservoir to the rate of fluid level change computed from the rate of flow and capacity of the system wherein an actual rate of level change in excess of the computed change indicates leakage from the system. An apparatus for determining direction of flow through a conduit and method using the apparatus in which a magnet on a piston slidably engaged inside a valve body is caused to move thereby causing a variance in a measured inductance indicating the direction the piston has moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Fluid Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis C. Harms