Having Distinct Cooling Or Lubricating Structure Patents (Class 60/456)
  • Patent number: 7107767
    Abstract: A hydraulic energy storage system for vehicles to provide higher efficiency, smaller package size, lower weight, unitary construction, durability and enhanced reliability while maintaining the capability to efficiently store and restore energy at high power levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Shep Limited
    Inventors: Hugh Ivo Frazer, William Raymond Evans, Peter Russell Mattin
  • Patent number: 7086241
    Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for a refrigeration system. According to one aspect of the invention, the power unit is provided for driving the refrigeration system of a truck having an engine for propelling the truck and a power take off from the engine. The refrigeration system has a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and an evaporator which is cooled by the compressed refrigerant. The power unit comprises a pump, a compressor motor, and a hydraulic circuit. The pump is adapted for pumping hydraulic fluid and for connection to the power take off for driving the pump. The compressor motor is adapted for driving the compressor in response to receiving hydraulic fluid from the pump. The hydraulic circuit is adapted for conducting the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the compressor motor and for conducting the hydraulic fluid from the compressor motor back to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: HydraCool, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Holt
  • Patent number: 7082759
    Abstract: A hydraulic driving vehicle comprises front and rear transaxles incorporating respective hydraulic motors, and a pump unit separated from the front and rear transaxles. The pump unit incorporates a hydraulic pump having a pump shaft. A hydraulic circuit is formed by piping between the pump unit and the front and rear transaxles so as to circulate hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motors. A reservoir tank of the hydraulic fluid is connected to the hydraulic circuit by piping. A first cooling fan blowing air away from the pump unit and a second cooling fan blowing air toward the pump unit are disposed oppositely to each other with respect to the pump unit and drivingly connected to the pump shaft. At least a pipe for the piping of the hydraulic circuit and the reservoir tank passes an area blown by each of the first and second cooling fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hideaki Okada
  • Patent number: 7028472
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pump unit including at least one hydraulic pump with inlet and outlet ports, a pump case for accommodating the hydraulic pump having an opening through which the hydraulic pump is insertable, and a lid, called a center section, closing the pump case. The center section forms a pair of inlet/outlet passages communicating an end with the inlet and outlet ports of the hydraulic pump and an end opening through a pump case abutting surface of the center section, and a first charging passage by which hydraulic fluid is fed through the pump case abutting surface of the center section. At least one of the pump case and the center section communicates the first charging passage with the pair of inlet/outlet passages via a first hydraulic fluid feeding valve preventing the reverse flow into said first charging passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 6981850
    Abstract: A cryogenic stream is pumped by a cryopump and then vaporized in a vaporizer to produce the pressurized vapor stream. The cryopump is driven by a transmission that is in turn driven by a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid flows within a hydraulic fluid circuit having first and second hydraulic fluid flow paths. The first of the flow paths is used to drive the hydraulic transmission. The second of the flow paths is dedicated to raising heat. Hydraulic fluid is circulated within the flow path by hydraulic fluid pumps and the amount of heat generated is controlled by adjustable back pressure valves. The adjustable back pressure valves in both fluid flow paths can be adjusted to control the degree to which heat is added to the vaporizer and therefore the pressurized vapor stream. The hydraulic fluid pumps can be driven by diesel engines. Heat may also be recovered from the diesel engines and gear oil used in pumps and the cryopump to also help vaporize the pressurized liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignees: Praxair Technology, Inc., Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Norman Maltbie, Norman Henry White
  • Patent number: 6918248
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Steven T. Ufheil
  • Patent number: 6865980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for returning the oil drained from a working pressure space of a hydraulic motor into a motor casing to an oil line, which is connected to the motor and which is in communication via a divider with intra-motor flow channels which are in communication with the working pressure spaces. The oil seeping into the casing is conveyed by means of pressure variations internal of the hydraulic motor, pulsating consistently with rotating motion, into the oil line presently at a lower pressure and connected to the motor by way of said divider. Therefor, the casing space is connected by a return conduit through a one-way valve to at least one flow channel, which lies between the divider of the motor and the working pressure space of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ideachip Oy
    Inventor: Markku Jonninen
  • Patent number: 6848255
    Abstract: A fan drive system includes a pump, at least one implement arrangement in fluid communication with the pump and a fan drive unit driveably connected to the pump. The fan drive unit is in fluid communication with the pump through a modulation valve. A signal operator is structured and arranged to receive at least one implement signal and a fan drive signal and generate a load signal output, wherein the pump is adapted to modify an output flow of the pump in response to the load signal. A control valve is urged to respond under the influence of a sensed condition and is in fluid communication with the modulation valve and the signal operator through a signal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Michael P. Chiaramonte
  • Patent number: 6845614
    Abstract: A valve manifold controls hydraulic flow in a hydraulic system for an air compressor unit. The manifold includes a pressure relief valve, a cold oil bypass valve, a proportional flow valve, and an anti-cavitation valve. The pressure relief valve diverts flow away from a fan motor when the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is above a predetermined level. The cold oil bypass valve diverts flow away from a hydraulic cooler when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The proportional flow valve diverts flow away from the fan motor when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The anti-cavitation valve prevents pressure build up within the hydraulic system when the air compressor unit is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: David B. Stahlman
  • Patent number: 6834499
    Abstract: Flow way structure of pneumatic tool, including: a main body; a connector rotatably disposed on the main body; an air inlet, a water inlet and at least one air outlet concentrically arranged on the connector, inner end of each air outlet communicating with an air chamber of the main body; an air inlet switch and a water inlet switch mounted in the main body for controlling the flow of the fluid; an air way for conducting the air into the main body and communicating with a pneumatic cylinder disposed in the main body; and a water way for conducting the water into the main body. Two ends of the air way and water way are concentrically respectively connected with the air inlet and water inlet. When the connector rotates on the main body, the air inlet and the water inlet respectively still keep communicating with the air way and water way. In use, the air and water are respectively conducted from the air way and water way into the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Gison Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Freddy Lin
  • Publication number: 20040221573
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pump unit that includes at least one hydraulic pump with inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a pump case for accommodating the at least one hydraulic pump, the pump case having an opening through which the at least one hydraulic pump is insertable into the pump case, and a center section connected to the pump case in such a manner as to close the opening of the pump case. The center section forms a pair of inlet/outlet passages having first ends respectively communicating with the inlet and outlet ports of the at least one hydraulic pump and second ends opening to the outside of the center section through a pump case abutting surface of the center section, and a first charging passage having a first end through which working hydraulic fluid is fed into the center section and a second end opening to the outside of the center section through the pump case abutting surface of the center section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 6796121
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle axle assembly for a vehicle has the housing formed by three housing members, two of which are preferably separable on a parting plane coincident with the longitudinal axes of the axle shafts. One of the housing members is provided with an opening to allow a portion of one of the other housing members to extend through, and the extending housing member contains within its interior a number of internal fluid passages for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Thoma Limited
    Inventors: Christian Helmut Thoma, George Duncan McRae Arnold
  • Patent number: 6775975
    Abstract: A power-steering pump for a motor vehicle is used to pump fluid to an additional fluid-driven device such as a hydraulic motor of a ventilation fan. The pump has a flow-regulating valve and an injector device, where a jet of excess fluid streaming off the flow-regulating valve generates a suction effect that pulls return fluid from a suction pipe or a reservoir tank into the intake area of the pump. A fluid stream returning from the additional fluid-driven device enters the intake area through one or more fluid return channels that are separate from the injector channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Waldemar Hebisch, Van Doan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6769252
    Abstract: A fluid control system includes a pressure supply and a valve arrangement having an inlet and an outlet and being in fluid communication with the pressure supply. The valve arrangement includes a relief operator configured to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the valve arrangement in response to a predetermined pressure condition at said inlet. The valve arrangement is configured to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the valve arrangement in response to an outlet pressure being greater than an inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: David P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6718763
    Abstract: A balance of force acting on a pool 21 of a control valve 20 is expressed by (P1−P3)·A=F+f When it is assumed that a pressure difference P1−P2 before and after a throttle 42 is &Dgr;P12 to modify the above expression, an expression &Dgr;P12·A+(P2−P3)·A=f+F is obtained. According to the present invention, the force &Dgr;P12·A corresponding to the pressure difference &Dgr;P12 before and after the second throttle 42 of the first term of the left-hand side is applied to the control valve 20 as a force capable of canceling the flow force f at the first term of the right-hand side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maruta, Nobumi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040060290
    Abstract: A valve manifold controls hydraulic flow in a hydraulic system for an air compressor unit. The manifold includes a pressure relief valve, a cold oil bypass valve, a proportional flow valve, and an anti-cavitation valve. The pressure relief valve diverts flow away from a fan motor when the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is above a predetermined level. The cold oil bypass valve diverts flow away from a hydraulic cooler when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The proportional flow valve diverts flow away from the fan motor when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The anti-cavitation valve prevents pressure build up within the hydraulic system when the air compressor unit is shut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: David B. Stahlman
  • Patent number: 6681568
    Abstract: A fluid system having a common source of pressurized fluid is provided to selectively control the speed and/or pressure of a first hydraulic circuit while also providing flow/pressure priority to a second hydraulic circuit. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first electrically controlled proportional relief valve connected between the source of pressurized fluid and a first fluid actuator and a second electrically controlled proportional relief valve connected between the reservoir and a point downstream of the first electrically controlled proportional relief valve. The second hydraulic circuit is connected to the source of pressurized fluid in parallel with the first hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: David P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6672843
    Abstract: A dual pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps are mounted, having by at least one charge pump mounted on an end cap, and the trunnion arms for controlling the hydraulic pumps extending out of opposite sides of the housing. A cooling fan may be mounted on the primary or secondary input shaft on the opposite side of the pulley used to engage the prime mover. An auxiliary pump may also be mounted on the primary input shaft and may be located either at the input end thereof adjacent to the pulley, or on the opposite side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Lonnie E. Holder, Michael Todd, Robert E. Trimble
  • Patent number: 6672056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling at least one component by hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic pump, at least one user of hydraulic energy, and a reservoir. The component is connected into the hydraulic circuit between a heat exchanger and the intake side of the pump. The component is connected into a suction line that connects the reservoir with the pump. Between the component and the pump there is a control valve connected on the output side to a bypass suction line connected with the reservoir. In a first position of the control valve, the suction line is closed and the bypass suction line is open. In a second position of the control valve, the suction line is at least partly open. The heat exchanger can be connected into the suction line or into the return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Roth, Franz Fleckenstein
  • Publication number: 20030024241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling at least one component by hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic pump, at least one user of hydraulic energy, and a reservoir. The component is connected into the hydraulic circuit between a heat exchanger and the intake side of the pump. The component is connected into a suction line that connects the reservoir with the pump. Between the component and the pump there is a control valve connected on the output side to a bypass suction line connected with the reservoir. In a first position of the control valve, the suction line is closed and the bypass suction line is open. In a second position of the control valve, the suction line is at least partly open. The heat exchanger can be connected into the suction line or into the return line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jurgen Roth, Franz Fleckenstein
  • Publication number: 20030005692
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device for a convertible top assembly of a motor vehicle. The actuating device comprises a hydraulic pump with an associated electric pump motor and one or more hydraulic actuators, each for driving an associated movable part of the convertible top assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Laurentius Andreas Gerardus Mentink, Johnny Antonius Jacobus Wiggemans
  • Publication number: 20030000209
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial installation that comprises a certain number of installation components (2, 4, 6), a cooling circuit (8, 9, 10) as a reservoir for the thermal energy afforded during a process and a container (14) for operational equipment which is provided with an electric device (52) for operating the installation components (2, 4, 6). The container (14) for operational equipment is air-conditioned by an air-conditioning system (16) that is connected to the cooling circuit (8, 9, 10) The invention provides an installation that keeps the power requirement for the air-conditioning system (16) at a minimum by utilizing the energy present in the cooling circuit (8, 9, 10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Madl
  • Patent number: 6488129
    Abstract: A cooling device for a drive fluid of a lifting device which drives a car of a hydraulic elevator. A fan is present in order to cool the drive fluid. The fan is arranged on the car so that it can ventilate the interior of the car and at least part of the lifting device. The cooling device can be used as a main cooling system and as an auxiliary cooling system. It is suitable in particular for hydraulic elevator systems which do not have a hole in the earth to receive the lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Inteventio AG
    Inventor: Miles P. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6474954
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oilless air compressor having a cooling system with a drive unit operating a crankshaft disposed within a crankcase and to which is attached a pair of pistons movable within corresponding compression cylinders. A blower wheel is concentrically mounted to the crankshaft adjacent the exterior of the crankcase. Each compression cylinder includes a thermally conductive cylinder insert which a bore in which the corresponding piston rides. A thermally conductive heat sink having a plurality of annular cooling fins is cast integrally to the outer diameter of each cylinder insert and connected to the crankcase such that the compression cylinders and the crankcase are completely enclosed. Each cylinder insert is made of an aluminum alloy, preferably having a low silicon content and a high melting point so that it can be insert cast within the cooling fin and anodized without degrading the surface finish of its inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Bell, Brian M. Steurer
  • Patent number: 6427442
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle axle assembly for a vehicle such as a grass mowing lawn or garden tractor comprising a housing for an internally disposed hydrostatic transmission having a variable-displacement hydraulic pump fluidly connected to a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor being connected by differential gearing to axle shafts supported in the housing. The housing is formed by three housing members, two of which are preferably separable on a parting plane coincident with the longitudinal axes of the axle shafts. One of the housing members being provided with an opening to allow a portion of one of the other housing members to extend through, and where the extending housing member contains within its interior a number of internal fluid passages for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro-Thoma Limited
    Inventors: Christian Helmut Thoma, George Duncan McRae Arnold
  • Patent number: 6397593
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving the cooler efficiency of a hydraulic drive system in a self-propelled agricultural machine includes a constantly running hydraulic pump which is driven by an internal combustion engine and a diverting device. The hydraulic pump creates a constant circulating stream of hydraulic fluid that circulates separately from the working stream of hydraulic fluid of the system. The diverting device draws a partial stream of hydraulic fluid from the working stream to the cooler. The diverting device adjusts the size of the partial flow depending on the temperature of the constant circulating stream of fluid in order to allow the cooler to work continuously at optimum efficiency without exceeding the maximum permissible pressure in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Dückinghaus
  • Patent number: 6330799
    Abstract: An adaptive cooling system control system for controlling fluid delivery from a pump to a fan motor comprises an inlet, an outlet and a speed control structure. The inlet receives fluid from a pump. The outlet delivers the fluid to a fan motor. The speed control structure controls the speed of the fan motor, and comprises a valve including a first passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a bypass passage selectively communicable with the inlet, the bypass passage being placed in communication with the inlet upon receiving fluid from a pump in excess of a predetermined desired quantity of such fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Probir Chatterjea
  • Patent number: 6325170
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle drive, particularly for mobile hoisting platforms, has a first pair of wheels drivable by first wheel motors in dependence of a first control valve and a second pair of wheels provided with second hydraulic motors. A switching arrangement short-circuits the second hydraulic motors in the driving-free state and for cooling supplies them with a flushing flow. In the driven state a second control valve, in dependence of which the second hydraulic motors are drivable, is activated, and if required connected with the first control valve. Thus, optionally, the first wheel pair can be driven alone or together with a certain driving output from the second wheel pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Danfoss Fluid Power A/S
    Inventors: Jens S. Christensen, Svend Erik Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6314729
    Abstract: A specific type of hydraulic fan drive system is provided for engine drive machines, such as on road and off road machines, such as buses, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and so on. The hydraulic fan drive systems turn a cooling fan (39) which provides airflow to cool the engine on such machines. This system uses a proportional pressure reducing valve (34) (or combination of valves providing a pressure reducing function) between the pump (12) and the fan motor (38). This valve (34) or (combination of valves) controls the pressure drop across the fan motor (38) based on a control signal from an electronic controller (50). The valve allows as little or as much flow to pass as is required to maintain this pressure drop at the load (the fan motor (38)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley W. Crull, Mark A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6311488
    Abstract: A target fan rotational speed (R.P.M.) corresponding to a temperature detected by a temperature detector is determined according to a set correlation and the capacity of a variable-capacity hydraulic pump is varied so that the rotational speed of a cooling fan becomes that determined target fan rotational speed. It thereby becomes possible to precisely control the blowing air volume (R.P.M.) of the cooling fan, and, when the cooling fan is driven with a hydraulic source, to construct a hydraulic circuit with fewer parts. Moreover, in cases where the torque absorbed by the fan-drive hydraulic motor fluctuates, control is effected to suppress fluctuations in the cooling fan rotational speed and stabilize the rotation. Furthermore, in cases where the load on the fan-drive hydraulic motor fluctuates, control is effected to suppress fluctuations in the cooling fan rotational speed and stabilize the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maruta, Nobumi Yoshida, Teruo Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6286308
    Abstract: A discharged pressurized fluid of a primary hydraulic pump 2 driven by an engine 1 is supplied to an actuator 5 through an operating valve 4. A first hydraulic rotary machine 8 for rotating a cooling fan 7 is driven to rotate by a returning pressurized fluid of the actuator 5. A second hydraulic rotary machine 9 for rotating the cooling fan 7 is driven to rotate by the discharged pressurized fluid of an auxiliary hydraulic pump 3 which is driven by the engine 1. By utilizing the returning pressurized fluid of the actuator 5, the air blowing ability of the cooling fan is made high and the wasting of engine horse power is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobumi Yoshida, Hiroshi Endo
  • Patent number: 6237332
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle axle assembly for a vehicle such as a grass mowing lawn or garden tractor comprising a housing for an internally disposed hydrostatic transmission having a variable-displacement hydraulic pump fluidly connected to a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor being connected by differential gearing to axle shafts supported in the housing. The housing is formed by three housing members, two of which are preferably separable on a parting plane coincident with the longitudinal axes of the axle shafts. One of the housing members being provided with an opening to allow a portion of one of the other housing members to extend through, and where the extending housing member contains within its interior a number of internal fluid passages for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventors: Christian Helmut Thoma, George Duncan McRae Arnold
  • Patent number: 6233929
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission (HST) including a hydraulic pump is contained in a housing having upper and lower housings. An input shaft of the hydraulic pump projects outward from the upper housing. A cooling fan is provided on an upper end of the input shaft. A conduit is disposed within an area between the fan and the upper housing. The conduit extends between first and second couplings and is in communication with an oil sump formed in the housing. A pumping device, which rotates with the input shaft, is disposed within the second coupling for forcedly circulating oil between the conduit and the sump. Alternatively, a reservoir is disposed on an outer wall of the housing forming a second oil sump. A level of oil in the second oil sump is lower than a level of oil in the oil sump formed in the housing. The second oil sump communicates with the atmosphere whereas the oil sump formed in the housing is separated from the atmosphere. A siphon communicates both sumps with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Norihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 6233930
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus integrally comprises an electric motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a controlling device which is disposed between the electric motor and hydraulic pump and which controls the electric motor, in which steering is assisted by oil pressure generated by the hydraulic pump, wherein a radiating body for radiating a heat generated by the controlling device is disposed between the controlling device and hydraulic pump, so that the heat generated by the controlling device is radiated to the hydraulic pump. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently radiate a heat generated inside the controlling device, the heat radiation can be designed without being influenced by ambient condition, and it is possible to be replaced by, member having a low heat-resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Matsuoka, Yoshihiro Goto, Yoshiaki Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 6206660
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling gas temperature during compression or expansion. The apparatus comprises a chamber for containing gas, a piston for changing the volume of gas in the chamber, a plurality of atomisers for spraying liquid into the chamber and means for delivering liquid to the atomisers. Each atomiser comprises a spray aperture and means defining a flow path for imparting rotary motion to the flow of liquid about the axis of the aperture so that on leaving the aperture the liquid divides into a conical spray. Spray apertures are positioned adjacent one another and the axes of adjacent spray apertures are oriented such that their respective sprays intersect at a position proximate at least one of the respective adjacent spray apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: National Power PLC
    Inventors: Michael W. E. Coney, Richard A. Huxley
  • Patent number: 6195990
    Abstract: A hydraulic machine of the gerotor type. The machine uses two gerotors which are preferably coplanar, and positioned nearly concentric to each other. This dual arrangement approximately doubles the displacement of hydraulic fluid per revolution, compared with a single gerotor, and thus doubles power transfer. Yet the housing containing the gerotors need only be large enough to contain the larger gerotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry A. Machesney, John S. Hill, Michael J. Mientus
  • Patent number: 6182588
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit having a boost pump in series with a primary (tractor) hydraulic source provides additional fluid power to operate an aircart fan in an air seeding system for which a tractor hydraulic system does not have enough fluid power capacity. The boost pump raises the pressure of the flow delivered to the fan motor up from that pressure delivered from the tractor to a higher pressure. Tractor pressure is supplied to the boost pump inlet, the boost pump is driven by ground engaging wheels of the aircart, and the resulting flow to the aircart fan motor is increased in pressure by the boost pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Cameron D. Bodie, Danick J. Bardi, Blake R. Neudorf
  • Patent number: 6158216
    Abstract: A hydraulically powered fan system for the cooling system of a vehicle. Two hydraulic motors, powered by a hydraulic pump, drive a common fan which cools a radiator. When hydraulic flow in excess of that required to power a single motor is present, a second motor is placed in parallel with the single motor, thereby reducing system pressure, and reducing the power consumed by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Buschur, John S. Hill
  • Patent number: 6145311
    Abstract: In order to maintain high efficiency close, to isothermy despite high frequencies in a pneumo-hydraulic converter with reciprocating pistons, pipe cluster-heat exchange pipes (38) are provided in the gas working chambers of the converter and the exchange fluid in the pipes is kept at approximately ambient temperature. For this the gas working chambers must be arranged axially next to one another and, in order to eliminate dead space, connected in pairs by conical exchange valves (12a/12b) which take in the entire wall thickness of the valve flange (5a/5b) dividing the air chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Ivan Cyphelly
  • Patent number: 6074177
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air compressor which includes an air drier filled with a drying agent and having a first passage for supplying compressed air to one air supplied part while absorbing moisture from the compressed air by passing the compressed air through the drying agent (27) and a second passage (28a) for supplying the compressed air to another air supplied part without passing the compressed air through the drying agent. The air supplied through the first passage returns through the same passage to dry the drying agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan Kobayashi, Takashi Onuma
  • Patent number: 6073443
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission (HST) including a hydraulic pump is contained in a housing having upper and lower housings. An input shaft of the hydraulic pump projects outward from the upper housing. A cooling fan is provided on an upper end of the input shaft. A conduit is disposed within an area between the fan and the upper housing. The conduit extends between first and second couplings and is in communication with an oil sump formed in the housing. A pumping device, which rotates with the input shaft, is disposed within the second coupling for forcedly circulating oil between the conduit and the sump. Alternatively, a reservoir is disposed on an outer wall of the housing forming a second oil sump. A level of oil in the second oil sump is lower than a level of oil in the oil sump formed in the housing. The second oil sump communicates with the atmosphere whereas the oil sump formed in the housing is separated from the atmosphere. A siphon communicates both sumps with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Norihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 6029445
    Abstract: A variable flow hydraulic system including a fixed displacement pump and a variable displacement pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid in a machine is disclosed herein. Along with the dual pumps, the system includes a reservoir, a flow sensitive unloading valve, and a conduit system for distributing fluid flow between the system components. The reservoir stores fluid for use in a work circuit with an actuator for performing work in response to applied fluid flow. The fixed and variable displacement pumps are driven by a power source (e.g., an engine) to provide a fixed and a variable fluid flow, respectively. The variable flow is applied to the work circuit. As for the fixed flow, the unloading valve switches the fixed flow to either bypass or be applied to the work circuit in response to a flow signal, which depends upon the fluid flow being applied to the work circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Lech
  • Patent number: 6021641
    Abstract: A hydraulically powered fan system for the cooling system of a vehicle. Two hydraulic motors, powered by a hydraulic pump, drive a common fan which cools a radiator. When hydraulic flow in excess of that required to power a single motor is present, a second motor is placed in parallel with the single motor, thereby reducing system pressure, and reducing the power consumed by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Buschur, John S. Hill
  • Patent number: 6016657
    Abstract: A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Buschur
  • Patent number: 6003313
    Abstract: A boom and drive train hydraulic system is described having a pressure source, preferably a pump operated by a motor, said pressure source providing hydraulic fluid at a high pressure to a first set of valves used to operate the drive train of the system. The first set of valves is equipped with a power beyond for allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow from the first set of valves to a second set of valves. At the second set of valves a pressure control is provided to reduce the pressure to a desired lower pressure. The second set of valves provides the hydraulic fluid at this reduced pressure to the boom portion of the system. The differential of the pressures is approximately 5,000 psi for the track system and approximately 2,500 psi for the boom system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Johnny Farrar
  • Patent number: 5992696
    Abstract: A manifold for a double acting metering cylinder having a fluid tight reciprocal piston forming a pair of expandable and retractable chambers, the manifold having a housing with passageways therein and directional valves to selectively deliver fluid material to the first chamber while delivering fluid material away from the second chamber during a forward stroke of the piston and delivering fluid material to the second chamber while delivering fluid material away from the first chamber during a return stroke of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolo S. Schultz, William C. Paetow
  • Patent number: 5975257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic fluid tank assembly for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake cooling circuit and a hydraulic steering circuit. The hydraulic tank assembly includes a hydraulic tank that has a brake cooling section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic brake cooling circuit of a vehicle and a steering section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic steering circuit of a vehicle. The steering section further is fluidically coupled to the brake cooling section such that hydraulic fluid may flow between the brake cooling section and the steering section of the hydraulic tank. A barrier plate disposed in the tank separates the brake cooling section from the steering section. The barrier plate has a through hole that fluidically couples the brake cooling section with the steering section; and a hydraulic fluid strainer is disposed in the through hole of the barrier plate in order to strain hydraulic fluid that flows between the brake cooling section and the steering section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Mining Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Gray Roach
  • Patent number: 5960628
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in an automotive vehicle. A source of hydraulic pressure selectively operates in two modes. In one mode, it feeds a radiator cooling fan and a power steering system in parallel when a system pressure or flow exceeds a predetermined pressure rate. In another mode, it feeds the radiator cooling fan and the power steering system in series when the system pressure or flow is less than the predetermined pressure or flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry A. Machesney, Jeffrey J. Buschur
  • Patent number: 5953913
    Abstract: A system for an electro-hydraulic pressure supply for a power-assist device in a motor vehicle in which, by a pump which is arranged in an oil-filled container and driven by an electric motor, the oil is conducted through an outlet opening to the power-assist device and returned from the power-assist device via a return opening into the container. A shaft of the electric motor is coupled with a shaft of the pump. In order to provide an arrangement for an electro-hydraulic pressure supply for power-assist devices which can be used also in small structural units, the shaft of the electric motor and the shaft of the pump are coupled in a central bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Schroder
  • Patent number: 5946911
    Abstract: A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid, and a supply line for receiving the supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system further includes a fan control circuit in fluid communication with the supply line, wherein the fan control circuit includes (1) a hydraulic motor and a bypass valve, and (2) the hydraulic motor is positioned in parallel with the bypass valve. The system also includes a steering control circuit in fluid communication with the fan control circuit, wherein (1) the steering control circuit requires a first predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid from the fan control circuit for proper operation thereof, and (2) the bypass valve and the hydraulic motor cooperate so as to create a second predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid. Moreover, the system includes a sensor for detecting operational pressure within the fluid supply line and generating pressure status signals in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Buschur, Robert V. Eyink