Abstract: Shown is a direction control valve (16) for use in a hydraulic control system having a source of hydraulic pressure (P) and a return passageway (50). The control valve includes a first hydraulic flow pathway (140, 142) and a second hydraulic flow pathway (144, 146). A two-position valve (38) includes four ports (48, 58, 64, 74). First and second pilot-operated poppets (88, 90) each have a pilot chamber (84, 86). When the valve (38) is in its first position, the source of hydraulic pressure (P) is provided to the pilot chamber (86) of the first poppet (88) and the pilot chamber (84) of the second poppet (90) is connected to the return pathway (50). As a result, one hydraulic flow pathway (140, 142) is open and the other hydraulic flow pathway (144, 146) is closed.

Abstract: A detachable floor unit (12) and power drive unit (14) for a reciprocating floor conveyor. The detachable floor unit includes a guide mechanism (30, 32) for supporting and guiding transverse drive beams (22, 23, 24). The power drive unit (14) includes drive assemblies (72, 73, 74) that have piston cylinder motors that are angled upwardly to bias the assemblies into engagement with the transverse drive beams.

Abstract: A replaceable wear plate assembly for a reciprocating floor conveyor that includes a plurality of elongated slat members (12) mounted adjacent each other in a common plane. A replaceable wear plate (42) is provided for each slat member (12) of the reciprocating floor conveyor. The slat members are formed with a ridge (28, 30) and inwardly projecting lip (32, 34) extending along the side edges of each slat member. The ridge and lip portion form a slot (36, 38) along the side edges of the slat members for receiving the side edges of the replaceable wear plates. The ridge and lip portion and the edges of the wear plates form a tongue and groove arrangement whereby the movement of the wear plate is restricted sideways and in a vertical direction. A connector (48) is provided to secure each wear plate to its slat member in order to restrict movement of the wear plate longitudinally along its length.

Abstract: The ball end (16) of the piston rod (14) of a linear motor (6) is mounted in a ball block (52). The block (52) has mating housing portions (54, 56) that abut along mating surfaces (64) that are substantially parallel to, but slope relative to, the motor axis (X). One housing portion includes an integral rear wall (70) through which the axis (X) extends and which defines a portion of a socket (58) that receives the ball end (16). The other housing portion has a flange (78) that projects into a space between the socket (58) and a sloping extension (74) of the wall (70). The outer surface (76) of the wall (70) is secured to a fixed support (84). The wall (70) transmits loads carried by operation of the motor (6) from the ball end (16) directly to the support (84) and minimizes loads on the fasteners (68) securing the housing portions (54, 56) together. The housing portion that includes the wall (70) is made from a material with a high load carrying capability.

Abstract: The ball end (16) of the piston rod (14) of a linear motor (6) is mounted in a ball block (52). The block (52) has mating housing portions (54, 56) that abut along mating surfaces (64) that are substantially parallel to, but slope relative to, the motor axis (X). One housing portion includes an integral rear wall (70) through which the axis (X) extends and which defines a portion of a socket (58) that receives the ball end (16). The other housing portion has a flange (78) that projects into a space between the socket (58) and a sloping extension (74) of the wall (70). The outer surface (76) of the wall (70) is secured to a fixed support (84). The wall (70) transmits loads carried by operation of the motor (6) from the ball end (16) directly to the support (84) and minimizes loads on the fasteners (68) securing the housing portions (54, 56) together. The housing portion that includes the wall (70) is made from a material with a high load carrying capability.

Abstract: An internal check valve for use in a linear hydraulic motor in the form of a piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder body (38) reciprocally slidable on a piston component (40). The piston component (40) includes a tubular piston rod (52) and a piston head (60) defining first and second working chambers (136, 140) within the cylinder body (38). The tubular piston rod (52) includes a center tube (102) located within the piston rod (52). The center tube (102) provides a fluid passageway (134) through its center which communicates with a first working chamber (136). An annular second passageway (142) is formed by and radially between the piston rod (52) and the center tube (102). A spring biased check valve (116) is positioned within the piston rod (52, 54) and is operatively connected with one of the passageways (134, 126, 130). The check valve (116) has a valve member displaceable from a valve seat (120) by hydraulic pressure to overcome the spring bias (122, 124) and allow flow in one direction.

Abstract: The piston rods (10, 12, 14) of three linear hydraulic motors (M1, M2, M3) are stationary and include fluid pressure passageways (40, 52, 42, 54, 44, 56) which direct fluid pressure into and out from working chambers (16, 34, 18, 36, 20, 38) on opposite sides of piston heads (22, 24, 26). Movable cylinder barrels (16, 18, 20) are connected to a load, e.g. floor members (FM1, FM2, FM3) of a reciprocating floor conveyor (FIG. 18 ). The outer ends of the piston rods (10, 12, 14) include balls and the balls include ports (46, 58, 48, 60, 50, 62) through which fluid pressure is delivered or removed. Associated with each port is a limit valve LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4, LV5, LV6. Limit valves (LV1, LV2, LV3) are pushed into an open position by a retraction of the motors (M1, M2, M3). Limit valves (LV4, LV5, LV6) are pulled into an open position by extension of motors (M1, M2, M3). The limit valves (LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4, LV5, LV6) include springs biasing them into closed positions.

Abstract: An end of stroke cushion for a linear hydraulic motor. A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder body (42) reciprocally slidable on a piston rod (40) having a piston head (64) which defines working chambers (82, 84) within the cylinder body (42). The piston rod (62) is tubular and includes a plurality of sidewall ports (P1-P7). A radially-expandable annular valve ring (106) normally snugly surrounds the piston rod (62) and during axial movement of the cylinder body (42) relative to the piston rod (62), the valve ring (106) will move axially relative to the sidewall ports (P1-P7) in the piston rod (62). Pressure introduction to the working chamber (84) through the sidewall ports (P1-P7) of the piston rod (62) and against the valve ring (106) radially expands the valve ring (106).

Abstract: An elastomeric seal (10) including a split, V-shaped upper edge (16) including first and second branches (24, 26) that angle away from each other and toward opposed sides of adjacent floor members (32) of a reciprocating floor conveyor. The elastomeric seal includes a rounded base portion (14) including a channel (18) therein defining two side rims (20, 21) that are deflectable toward each other. The central portion (12) of the seal (10) is tapered from the V-shaped edge to the base portion.

Abstract: A primary valve orifice (26) divides a check valve cavity into first and second portions (4, 6). A valve member (34) closes the orifice (26) in response to higher pressure in the first portion (4) and is unseated to open orifice (26) in response to higher pressure in the second portion (6). An axial passageway (44) extends through the valve member (34). A control rod (50) extends into the cavity (4, 6) and through the passageway (44). The rod (50) carries a secondary valve plug (52) that is biased by a spring (60) to close one end of the passageway (44), and a pull block (78) that engages the opposite end of the valve member (34). A stem (40) extends from the valve plug portion (36) of the valve member (34) through the orifice (26) and is telescopically received in a sleeve (62). The control rod (50) is pulled to cause the secondary valve plug (52) to unseat and the pull block (78) to engage the sleeve (62). This opens the passageway (44) to equalize pressure on the two ends of the valve member (34).

Abstract: In a reciprocating floor conveyor, a plurality of longitudinal base sections (16) are connected together to form a support and guide structure for the floor members (10). The base structure comprises a plurality of guide beams (18 and 20, 22) which extend longitudinally of the conveyor, and liquid collection channels (14) between adjacent floor members (10). Each floor member (10) is supported on and by an adjacent pair of guide beams (18 and 20, 22). Snap-on bearings (76) are provided, which include cam portions for aiding their snap-on installation onto a top portion (24, 26, 28) of a guide beam (18). The bearings (76) include look flanges (86, 88) which serve to hold the floor members (10) in place. Each floor member (10) includes a pair of outside walls (112, 114) having inwardly directed lips (120, 122) which confront lower edge portions (102). Each floor member (10) also includes a pair of inside Walls (116, 118) having a two stage lock.

Abstract: A wide floor member (10) is supported by slide bearings (18) which are located on a pair of spaced apart guide beams (12). The floor member has opposite side portions each of which includes a top portion (38, 40). A liquid collecting channel (46) is located between the top portions (38, 40). Liquid in garbage or some other material which is supported by the floor drains into the channels (46). This liquid flows to a transverse collection trough (94) having an outlet (96). The liquid flows through the outlet (96) into a tank (88). A pump (98) may pump the liquid back onto the material within the container (74).

Abstract: The piston rods (10, 12, 14) of three linear hydraulic motors (M1, M2, M3) are stationary and include fluid pressure passageways (40, 52, 42, 54, 44, 56) which direct fluid pressure into and out from working chambers (16, 34, 18, 36, 20, 38) on opposite sides of piston heads (22, 24, 26). Movable cylinder barrels (16, 18, 20) are connected to a load, e.g. floor members (FM1, FM2, FM3) of a reciprocating floor conveyor (FIG. 18). The outer ends of the piston rods (10, 12, 14) include balls and the balls include ports (46, 58, 48, 60, 50, 62) through which fluid pressure is delivered or removed. Associated with each port is a limit valve LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4, LV5, LV6. Limit valves (LV1, LV2, LV3) are pushed into an open position by a retraction of the motors (M1, M2, M3). Limit valves (LV4, LV 5, LV6) are pulled into an open position by extension of motors (M1, M2, M3). The limit valves (LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4, LV5, LV6) includes springs biasing them into closed positions.

Abstract: A lightweight reciprocating floor conveyor characterized by a plurality of elongated floor members which are divided into sets and groups. Each set comprises at least two floor members in a common order and each group comprises one member from each set. The groups extend side-by-side across the conveyor. The floor members are supported on a conveyor frame, each for longitudinal back and forth movement, and a drive mechanism is provided for the floor members. Separate linear hydraulic drive motors are provided for each set of floor members. Each drive motor has a stationary portion and a movable portion, the stationary portion being connected to a stationary frame member and the movable portion being connected to a floor member of its set. A plurality of transverse drive beams are provided, one for each set of floor members. The drive beams are spaced longitudinally of the conveyor from the motors. All of the floor members of each set are connected to the drive beam for the set.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor (12) is provided at the bottom (22) of a container (10). The conveyor (12) may slope rearwardly from a front end to a rear end. A transverse liquid collection trough (30, 32) is provided at the rear end of the conveyor. Liquid in garbage or other material placed in the container (10) settles down onto the conveyor (12). This liquid is directed rearwardly along the conveyor to the trough (30, 32). It flows in the trough to an outlet (34, 34') which delivers it into a collection and holding tank (24). The tank (24) may include a plastic receptacle into which the liquid is collected.

Abstract: A wide floor member (10) is supported by slide bearings (18) which are located on a pair of spaced apart guide beams (12). The floor member has opposite side portions, each of which includes a top portion (38, 40). A liquid collecting channel (46) is located between the top portions (38, 40). Liquid in garbage or some other material which is supported by the floor drains into the channels (46). This liquid flows to a transverse collection trough (94) having an outlet (96). The liquid flows through the outlet (96) into a tank (88). A pump (98) may pump the liquid back onto the material within the container (74).

Abstract: Three piston-cylinders units (66, 68, 70) are located in a drive assembly compartment (26) forwardly of a material receiving compartment (12) in a trailer box (TB). Drive rods (262, 264, 266) extend rearwardly from transverse drive beam portions (60, 62, 64) of the drive units (66, 68, 70) through bushings (B) carried by a vertical portion (32) of a bulkhead (24) between the two compartments (26, 12). The rear ends of the drive rods (262, 264, 266) are connected to forward ends of floor members (30) within the material compartment (12).

Abstract: In a housing, there is formed, in series, a first end cavity, a first cylinder cavity, a pressure cavity, a second cylinder cavity and a second end cavity. The cavities are separated by walls which include orifices. Two identical valve members are located in the housing. The first valve member has a piston and a valve plug in the first end cavity and a valve plug in the pressure cavity. The second valve member has a piston and a valve plug in the second end cavity and a valve plug in the pressure cavity. Pressure in the pressure cavity acts on the confronting ends of the two valve members. A two position control rod, in a first position, connects pressure to the piston in the first end chamber and connects the second end chamber to return. The piston has a larger area than the second end of the valve member, creating a force differential which moves the first valve member endwise inwardly. Pressure acting on the second end of the second valve member moves it endwise outwardly.

Abstract: Three piston-cylinders units (66, 68, 70) are located in a drive assembly compartment (26) forwardly of a material receiving compartment (12) in a trailer box (TB). Drive rods (262, 264, 266) extend rearwardly from transverse drive beam portions (60, 62, 64) of the drive units (66, 68, 70) through bushings (B) carried by a vertical portion (32) of a bulkhead (24) between the two compartments (26, 12). The rear ends of the drive rods (262, 264, 266) are connected to forward ends of floor members (30) within the material compartment (12).

Abstract: Disclosed is a reciprocating floor conveyor having a separable floor unit and power drive unit (24). The floor unit includes a bottom frame (38, 40, 42, 44) and at least three sets of elongated reciprocatable floor members (26, 28, 30) which are supported on the bottom frame for independent longitudinal reciprocation in a single plane between start and advanced positions. A separate transverse drive beam (32, 34, 36) for each set of floor members (26, 28, 30) is connected to the underside of its respective set of floor members (26, 28, 30). The power drive unit includes a separate drive leg (54, 56, 58) for each set of floor members (26, 28, 30). Each drive leg is detachably connectable to a separate transverse drive beam (32, 34, 36) to reciprocatably drive it and its set of floor member (26, 28, 30). Each drive leg (54, 56, 58) is mounted to swing forwardly and rearwardly about a pivot point (60, 62, 64).