Patents by Inventor Jiao Zhang

Jiao Zhang 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).

  • Publication number: 20170130744
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a fluid reservoir, a pump motor and an accumulator. The pump motor is configured to provide pressurized fluid and to receive fluid to provide a power output. The hydraulic control system further includes a hydraulic actuator having a first and a second chamber, a first valve, a regenerative valve, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the first valve and the regenerative valve to selectively actuate the regenerative valve to allow flow of a first portion of the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The controller is further configured to selectively actuate the first valve to allow flow of a second portion of the fluid from the first chamber through the pump motor to provide the power output to a shaft of a power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Dayao Chen, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael L. Knussman
  • Patent number: 9556591
    Abstract: Swing kinetic and boom potential energy may be recovered in a machine having a movable work tool, a swing motor for rotating the work tool, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the work tool, a pump selectively connected to the swing motor and the hydraulic cylinder, and a power source outputting power to drive the pump. The machine may further include a first accumulator, a swing charge valve having a charge set pressure, and a boom charge valve. The swing charge valve selectively fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator, and open to fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator when a swing motor fluid pressure is greater than a charge set pressure of the swing charge valve. The boom charge valve may selectively fluidly connect a head-end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to the first accumulator when the work tool is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tonglin Shang, Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Dayao Chen
  • Patent number: 9458604
    Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus and a method of operating the hydraulic apparatus are disclosed. The hydraulic apparatus includes a flow control module, a first pump fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a first conduit, a first rotating group fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a second conduit, a first actuator fluidly coupled to the flow control module, a second actuator fluidly coupled to a second pump, a first accumulator, and a controller operatively coupled to the flow control module, the first charge valve, and the discharge valve. The first rotating group is configured to perform a pumping function and a motor function. The first accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the first actuator via a third conduit and a first charge valve, the second actuator via a fourth conduit and the first charge valve, and the first rotating group via a discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Michael Schwab, Pengfei Ma
  • Publication number: 20160281330
    Abstract: Swing kinetic and boom potential energy may be recovered in a machine having a movable work tool, a swing motor for rotating the work tool, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the work tool, a pump selectively connected to the swing motor and the hydraulic cylinder, and a power source outputting power to drive the pump. The machine may further include a first accumulator, a swing charge valve having a charge set pressure, and a boom charge valve. The swing charge valve selectively fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator, and open to fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator when a swing motor fluid pressure is greater than a charge set pressure of the swing charge valve. The boom charge valve may selectively fluidly connect a head-end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to the first accumulator when the work tool is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tonglin Shang, Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Dayao Chen
  • Patent number: 9388828
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, a swing motor, and at least one control. The hydraulic control system may further have an accumulator configured to receive fluid from and supply fluid to the swing motor, a charge valve movable to allow fluid flow from the swing motor into the accumulator, and a discharge valve movable to allow fluid flow from the accumulator to the swing motor. The hydraulic control system may additionally have a controller in communication with the at least one control valve, the charge valve, and the discharge valve. The controller may be configured to detect an acceleration of the swing motor, selectively cause the discharge valve to assist the acceleration, and selectively move the charge valve to an open position to recover energy associated with pressure spikes occurring during the acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Hillman, Jiao Zhang, Lawrence C. Tognetti, Peter Spring, Rustu Cesur, Tonglin Shang
  • Patent number: 9388829
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed for use in a machine. The hydraulic control system may have a work tool, a motor configured to swing the work tool, a tank, a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid, and a control valve operable to control fluid flow from the pump to the motor and from the motor to the tank via first and second chamber passages to affect motion of the motor. The hydraulic control system may also have an accumulator, and an accumulator circuit configured to selectively direct fluid discharged from the motor to the accumulator for storage and to direct stored fluid from the accumulator to the motor to assist the motor. The hydraulic control system may further have a selector valve configured to selectively connect a higher pressure one of the first and second chamber passages with the accumulator, and a single pressure relief valve disposed within the accumulator circuit and configured to relief pressure from opposing sides of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Lawrence J. Tognetti, Pengfei Ma, Dayao Chen, John Ferraz, Jr., Tetsuya Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20160138619
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a first pump to provided pressurized fluid to a first hydraulic circuit and a second pump to provide pressurized fluid to a second hydraulic circuit. When the hydraulic system is in an energy conservation mode, the output power of the first pump is reduced to less than the hydraulic power demand of the first hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Tonglin Shang, Santosh Ancha, Pengfei Ma
  • Patent number: 9328744
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, and a fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may further have an accumulator configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid discharged from the fluid actuator and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have a pressure sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of the accumulator, a charge valve, a discharge valve, and a controller in communication with the control valve, the charge valve, and the discharge valve. The controller may be configured to detect stall of the fluid actuator, to make a comparison of the pressure of the accumulator with a threshold pressure, and to selectively move the charge valve to charge the accumulator or move the discharge valve to discharge the accumulator during the stall based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rustu Cesur, Lawrence J. Tognetti, Pengfei Ma, Jiao Zhang, Tonglin Shang
  • Patent number: 9290912
    Abstract: An energy recovery system for a machine is disclosed. The energy recovery system may have a boom circuit with at least a one linear actuator configured to move a work tool, and a boom accumulator configured to selectively collect pressurized fluid from the at least one linear actuator and to discharge pressurized fluid back to the at least one linear actuator. The energy recovery system may also have a swing circuit with a swing motor configured to move the work tool, and a swing accumulator configured to selectively collect pressurized fluid from the swing motor and discharge pressurized fluid back to the swing motor. The energy recovery system may further have a common accumulator passage fluidly connecting the boom accumulator and the swing accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Victor Wen, Pengfei Ma, Jiao Zhang, Tonglin Shang
  • Patent number: 9290911
    Abstract: An energy recovery system is disclosed for use with a hydraulic machine. The energy recovery system may have a tank, a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid, an actuator, and an actuator control valve movable to direct pressurized fluid from the pump to the actuator and from the actuator to the tank to move the actuator. The energy recovery system may also have a motor mechanically connected to a rotary device and configured to selectively receive fluid discharged from the actuator, and at least one valve movable to selectively redirect fluid exiting the motor back to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Tonglin Shang, Jiao Zhang, Dayao Chen, Gang Victor Wen
  • Patent number: 9279236
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic actuator, a pump configured to supply fluid to the hydraulic actuator, and a first accumulator fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator. The first accumulator is configured to store fluid received from the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system also includes a motor drivingly connected to the pump and fluidly connected to the first accumulator. The motor is configured to receive the stored fluid from the first accumulator to drive the pump. The hydraulic system further includes a first discharge valve fluidly connected between the first accumulator and the hydraulic actuator. The first discharge valve is configured to supply the stored fluid from the first accumulator to the hydraulic actuator without the stored fluid from the first accumulator circulating through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Tonglin Shang, Gang Victor Wen, Bryan Edward Nelson, Dayao Chen
  • Patent number: 9261118
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and methods for conserving energy in such system is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic actuator having a head end, a rod end and a piston disposed therebetween. The system also includes a pump that pumps fluid to the actuator, a first valve disposed downstream of the rod end, and a second valve disposed between the pump and the head end of the actuator. When the system is in a load overrunning condition, the second valve is partially closed to restrict the flow of a combined fluid. The combined fluid including fluid received from the pump and fluid received from the rod end of the actuator. When the system is in the light resistive load condition, the second valve is open to allow the combined fluid to flow through the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Vickram Murugesan, Tonglin Shang, Bryan Jacob Hillman
  • Patent number: 9187878
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have an input device to generate a first signal indicative of a desired swing motor movement, and a control valve configured to selectively pass fluid to the swing motor and drain from the swing motor to drive the swing motor based on the first signal. The hydraulic control system may also have a pressure sensor to generate a second signal indicative of a swing motor pressure, a speed sensor configured to a third signal indicative of a swing motor speed, and a controller configured to make a comparison of at least one of the swing motor speed and the swing motor pressure with a threshold speed and a threshold pressure, and open the control valve to drain fluid from the swing motor to the tank based on the comparison when the input device is in a neutral condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tonglin Shang, Rustu Cesur, Bryan J. Hillman, Jiao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150300384
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The system may have a pump and a motor driven by pressurized fluid from the pump. An accumulator is configured to receive fluid discharged from the motor and to discharge fluid to the motor. The system may include a first valve to selectively communicate the higher pressure of conduits coupled between the pump and motor to the accumulator. A second valve and a third valve can be used to facilitate charging and discharging of the accumulator. The system may include a controller configured to implement a plurality of modes of operation, which each mode of operation may include a different combination of motor deceleration and motor acceleration segments during which the accumulator receives and discharges fluid, respectively. An input may be used to determine the segment of the work cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Tonglin Shang, Peter Spring, Pengfei Ma, Randal Peterson, Rustu Cesur
  • Patent number: 9139982
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a pump configured to pressurize fluid, and a motor driven by a flow of pressurized fluid from the pump. The hydraulic control system may also have a first accumulator configured to receive pressurized fluid discharged from the motor and to selectively supply pressurized fluid to the motor, and a second accumulator configured to receive pressurized fluid discharged from the motor and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Jiao Zhang, Dayao Chen, Tonglin Shang
  • Publication number: 20150219126
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-function hydraulic hybrid swing circuit including a fluid source, swing circuit and swing supply circuit. The swing supply circuit includes at least one accumulator and a pump/motor operatively connected to a power source. The pump/motor is fluidly connected to the swing circuit, the accumulator, and the fluid source. The pump/motor is configured to provide both closed loop and open loop operation with the swing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Michael R. Schwab
  • Patent number: 9091286
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, an actuator, and a control valve configured to direct fluid from the pump to the actuator and from the actuator to the tank. The hydraulic control system may also have a pressure sensor to generate a first signal indicative of a pressure differential across the control valve, an operator input device to generate a second signal indicative of a desired movement of the actuator, and a controller. The controller may be configured to make a first determination of an opening amount of the control valve based on the second signal, and to make a second determination based on the first signal of whether the opening amount will result in overspeeding of the actuator. The controller may also be configured to reduce the opening amount based on the second determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rustu Cesur, Jiao Zhang, Tonglin Shang, Bryan J. Hillman, Peter Spring, Lawrence J. Tognetti, Pengfei Ma
  • Patent number: 9086081
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, a swing motor, and at least one control valve configured to control fluid flow between the pump, the swing motor, and the tank. The hydraulic system may also have an accumulator configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid discharged from the swing motor and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the swing motor, at least one accumulator valve, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive input indicative of a difference between desired and actual speeds of the swing motor, and determine if the swing motor is accelerating or decelerating based on the difference. The controller may also be configured to control the at least one accumulator valve to cause the accumulator to selectively receive or supply pressurized fluid only when the swing motor is accelerating or decelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Tonglin Shang, Rustu Cesur, Bryan J. Hillman, Peter Spring, Lawrence J. Tognetti, Randal N. Peterson, Dayao Chen
  • Patent number: 9086061
    Abstract: A method and system for accumulating and using recovered hydraulic energy that includes a hydraulic actuator and a pump configured to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator. An energy recovery system includes a hydraulic motor, a charge valve and an accumulator configured to store fluid from the hydraulic actuator. The charge valve is operatively connected between the hydraulic actuator and the accumulator and between the accumulator and the hydraulic motor and is configured to place the hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the accumulator and to place the accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor. A directional valve is operatively connected between the pump and the hydraulic actuator. The directional valve is configured to place the pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator and to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid exiting the hydraulic actuator to the charge valve in an energy recovery mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Gang Wen, Pengfei Ma, Tonglin Shang, Dayao Chen, Bryan J. Hillman, Vickram Murugesan
  • Publication number: 20150197915
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and methods for conserving energy in such system is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic actuator having a head end, a rod end and a piston disposed therebetween. The system also includes a pump that pumps fluid to the actuator, a first valve disposed downstream of the rod end, and a second valve disposed between the pump and the head end of the actuator. When the system is in a load overrunning condition, the second valve is partially closed to restrict the flow of a combined fluid. The combined fluid including fluid received from the pump and fluid received from the rod end of the actuator. When the system is in the light resistive load condition, the second valve is open to allow the combined fluid to flow through the second valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Vickram Murugesan, Tonglin Shang, Bryan Jacob Hillman