Patents Assigned to HydraForce, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12234842
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve comprises a proportional piloted valve that controls pressure and includes means for restricting pilot flow through the pilot flow passage. The means for restricting pilot flow defines a restriction in the pilot flow passage when a movable spool disposed in an axial bore of the body of the valve is in a neutral position. The restriction varies as a function of spool movement such that flow of hydraulic fluid through the pilot flow passage is variably restricted as a function of the position of the spool over its range of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Cassaidy, Joel Mekkes, Matthew Meyer
  • Patent number: 12181055
    Abstract: A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, James Draffkorn, Barry German
  • Publication number: 20240337278
    Abstract: A hydraulic cartridge valve includes a movable member and a position monitoring mechanism configured to detect the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism is adapted to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism can be in the form of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, David Ruxton, Thomas Ptak, Scott Wickboldt
  • Publication number: 20240255008
    Abstract: A hydraulic control assembly includes means for holding pressure in a cylinder to inhibit boom or arm drop of a machine in the event that a hose between the cylinder and a main control valve (MCV) ruptures. The pressure holding means of the hydraulic control assembly include a hydraulic valve and a parts-in-body check assembly both configured for insertion into a valve cavity defined by a valve body. The hydraulic valve comprises a proportional piloted valve that controls pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, Valeriy Kazak, Brian Del Bene
  • Publication number: 20240240657
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve can be one type of a variable characteristic (e.g., coil voltage). A visual identification system is provided to permit the visual identification of the specific type of the variable characteristic that the control valve is to assist in the assembly of systems utilizing such control valves. The visual identification system includes first and second indicator bearing first and second indicia, respectively, configured to indicate a first value and a different second value of a variable characteristic, respectively. The first and second indicator members are configured to be separately removably mounted to the control valve via a mechanical connection substantially without adhesive such that the appropriate indicator member can be selected and mounted to the valve depending upon what type of valve it is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Casale, Scott Wickboldt, Aaron Winslow
  • Patent number: 12012978
    Abstract: A hydraulic cartridge valve includes a movable member and a position monitoring mechanism configured to detect the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism is adapted to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism can be in the form of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, David Ruxton, Thomas Ptak, Scott Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 11953031
    Abstract: A hydraulic control assembly includes means for holding pressure in a cylinder to inhibit boom or arm drop of a machine in the event that a hose between the cylinder and a main control valve (MCV) ruptures. The pressure holding means of the hydraulic control assembly include a hydraulic valve and a parts-in-body check assembly both configured for insertion into a valve cavity defined by a valve body. The hydraulic valve comprises a proportional piloted valve that controls pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, Valeriy Kazak, Brian Del Bene
  • Patent number: 11946496
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve can be one type of a variable characteristic (e.g., coil voltage). A visual identification system is provided to permit the visual identification of the specific type of the variable characteristic that the control valve is to assist in the assembly of systems utilizing such control valves. The visual identification system includes first and second indicator bearing first and second indicia, respectively, configured to indicate a first value and a different second value of a variable characteristic, respectively. The first and second indicator members are configured to be separately removably mounted to the control valve via a mechanical connection substantially without adhesive such that the appropriate indicator member can be selected and mounted to the valve depending upon what type of valve it is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Casale, Scott Wickboldt, Aaron Winslow
  • Publication number: 20230146852
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve comprises a proportional piloted valve that controls pressure and includes means for restricting pilot flow through the pilot flow passage. The means for restricting pilot flow defines a restriction in the pilot flow passage when a movable spool disposed in an axial bore of the body of the valve is in a neutral position. The restriction varies as a function of spool movement such that flow of hydraulic fluid through the pilot flow passage is variably restricted as a function of the position of the spool over its range of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Cassaidy, Joel Mekkes, Matthew Meyer
  • Publication number: 20220082171
    Abstract: A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, James Draffkorn, Barry German
  • Patent number: 11187330
    Abstract: A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, James Draffkorn, Barry German
  • Publication number: 20210254641
    Abstract: A hydraulic cartridge valve includes a movable member and a position monitoring mechanism configured to detect the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism is adapted to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the movable member. The position monitoring mechanism can be in the form of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, David Ruxton
  • Publication number: 20210254638
    Abstract: A hydraulic control assembly includes means for holding pressure in a cylinder to inhibit boom or arm drop of a machine in the event that a hose between the cylinder and a main control valve (MCV) ruptures. The pressure holding means of the hydraulic control assembly include a hydraulic valve and a parts-in-body check assembly both configured for insertion into a valve cavity defined by a valve body. The hydraulic valve comprises a proportional piloted valve that controls pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, Valeriy Kazak
  • Publication number: 20210123462
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator system includes a load sense assembly that is configured to transmit a load sense signal to a variable pump to vary a flow of pressurized fluid from the variable pump in response to the load sense signal to generate a desired flow to the actuator. The load sense assembly includes a load sense boost valve (LSBV) configured to dynamically boost the load-sense signal according to the desired margin pressure and the flow demand from the system. When flow demands are low, margin pressure will be above the set threshold of the adjustable LSBV, and no boosting occurs. When flow demands are high and pressure in the load sense line drops to the set threshold, or minimum margin pressure, the LSBV begins boosting the load sense signal pressure dynamically. The boosted load sense signal signals the variable pump to stroke and displace more fluid to increase flow to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Damien Bonenfant, Barry German, Travis Schmidt, David Ruxton
  • Patent number: 10641298
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve maintains the pressure at a control port at a desired percentage of the pressure at two other ports as the pressure at the two other ports varies. Upon the pressure at the control port reaching a predetermined pressure setting, a fourth port will open to maintain the control port at a second desired percentage of the two other ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, Scott Parker, Joel Mekkes
  • Patent number: 10626986
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor drive system controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid delivered to a motor by a variable pressure source to control the rotation of a high inertial load rotary member driven by the motor. The speed of the motor and/or rotary component is monitored and changes in the speed are controlled by changing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid delivered to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventor: David Ruxton
  • Publication number: 20200088222
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve can be one type of a variable characteristic (e.g., coil voltage). A visual identification system is provided to permit the visual identification of the specific type of the variable characteristic that the control valve is to assist in the assembly of systems utilizing such control valves. The visual identification system includes first and second indicator bearing first and second indicia, respectively, configured to indicate a first value and a different second value of a variable characteristic, respectively. The first and second indicator members are configured to be separately removably mounted to the control valve via a mechanical connection substantially without adhesive such that the appropriate indicator member can be selected and mounted to the valve depending upon what type of valve it is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Casale, Scott Wickboldt, Aaron Winslow
  • Publication number: 20190316692
    Abstract: A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schmidt, James Draffkorn, Barry German
  • Patent number: 10378559
    Abstract: A hydraulic suspension system includes a suspension cylinder, a pump, and a control valve therebetween. The control valve includes a spool reciprocally movable between a pump flow position and a tank flow position in which a control port of the control valve is in communication with a pump and a tank, respectively. A piloted logic element in fluid communication with and interposed between the control valve and the suspension cylinder is selectively movable between a through-flow position in which fluid can flow in either direction between a chamber of the suspension cylinder and the control port of the control valve and a blocked position in which fluid is prevented from flowing in or out of the chamber of the suspension cylinder. The logic element is biased to the blocking position, moving to the through-flow position when subjected to a crack pressure delivered from the control port of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Bissbort, Joel Mekkes, Damiano Roberti, Tomasz Slawinski
  • Patent number: 9964965
    Abstract: A proportional motion control valve includes an electro-mechanical actuator that provides an infinitely controlled pressure setting in response to an electric signal applied to the electro-mechanical actuator. In another aspect, a proportional motion control valve includes a pilot-operated valve disposed intermediately with respect to a cage and a valve body to fluidly isolate an internal cavity of the valve body from a bore of the cage. The pilot-operated valve is subjected to a hydraulic opening force of pilot fluid that is present in the bore of the cage. A spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the valve body and arranged to subject the pilot-operated valve to a closing spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dornbach, Anthony Casale, Tomasz Slawinski