Having Plural Energy Outputs (e.g., Plural Motors, Etc.) Patents (Class 60/484)
  • Patent number: 7406911
    Abstract: An expander (M) employing steam as a working medium is formed from a first radially inner group of axial piston cylinders (49) arranged annularly on a rotor (27) so as to surround the axis (L) of an output shaft (28), and a second radially outer group of axial piston cylinders (57) arranged annularly so as to surround the first group of axial piston cylinders (49). The first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are driven by a common swash plate (39), and the first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are arranged with circumferentially displaced pitches. High-temperature, high-pressure steam firstly operates the first group of axial piston cylinders (49), then operates the second group of axial piston cylinders (57), and the outputs from the two are combined to drive the output shaft (28). This achieves a further reduction in the size and a further increase in the output of the axial type expander (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Uda, Hiroyuki Makino, Kouhei Ohsono
  • Publication number: 20080178587
    Abstract: An improved anti-cavitation hydraulic manifold for hydraulically coupling the hydraulic input and output of two, drive coupled, reversible hydraulic motors and a reversible source of hydraulic power for winding and unwinding systems is described wherein a stop confines a shuttle ball within each of two input/output (I/O) chambers receiving driving hydraulic input liquid from the reversible source of hydraulic power between an annular valve seat around a bypass passage communicating between the bases of the input/output (I/O) chambers and any ports penetrating into the respective input/output (I/O) chambers supplying high pressure or driving hydraulic input from the reversible source of hydraulic power where, responsive to supplied high pressure or driving hydraulic input to a particular I/O chamber, the shuttle ball in the chamber seats upon the particular annular valve seat translating a shuttle rod in the bypass passage unseating the particular shuttle ball from the annular valve seat around the passageway
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Harry J Last
  • Patent number: 7392654
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and a main input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing. A power take off unit may also be mounted to the common housing and driven by the main input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Publication number: 20080141670
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a hydraulic pump, two control valve assemblies, and two pairs of hydraulic drive assemblies. The control valve assemblies are hydraulically connected in parallel, and in an operational condition hydraulic fluid is pumped through the control valve assemblies by the pump to drive the hydraulic drive assemblies, and wherein each control valve assembly proportionately distributes hydraulic fluid to a respective pair of the hydraulic drive assemblies in response to the hydraulic loads of the respective hydraulic drive assemblies of the respective pairs of hydraulic drive assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Norman John Smith
  • Patent number: 7377105
    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 and driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is drivingly coupled to a main input shaft, which drives the hydraulic pumps. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the main drive shaft and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The power take off unit may be driven by a power take off unit output drive shaft, on which a cooling fan may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Hauser Raymond
  • Patent number: 7377106
    Abstract: There is provided a pump system including; a base unit which has an input portion operatively connected to a driving source on a first end face and has a plurality of output portions capable of outputting a power transmitted from the input portion on a second end face at the opposite side of the first end face, the first end face capable of being directly or indirectly mounted on a support member; a pump unit which has a plurality of pump shafts driven by each of the plurality of output portions, a plurality of hydraulic pump bodies driven by each of the plurality of pump shafts, and a pump case surrounding the plurality of hydraulic pump bodies, the pump case being detachably connected to the second end face of the base unit; and a PTO unit which has a PTO shaft driven by the power transmitted from the input portion and is accommodated in the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Sakikawa, Tomoyuki Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20080115488
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus includes a first housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the first housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the first housing. The axle driving apparatus also includes a second housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the second housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the second housing. A connecting means, such as a bar and/or plate connects the first and second housings. The plurality of cooling fins on the first housing has a different configuration that the plurality of cooling fins on the second housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Masaru Iida, Fumitoshi Ishino, Manabu Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7371055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem pump unit that includes: a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump respectively having a first pump shaft and a second pump shaft respectively having adjacent ends connected together so that the first and second pump shafts are coaxially aligned and non-rotatably connected in tandem; a common housing for accommodating the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump; and a first center section and a second center section that respectively support the first and second hydraulic pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7361000
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem pump unit that includes: a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump respectively having a first pump shaft and a second pump shaft respectively having adjacent ends connected together so that the first and second pump shafts are coaxially aligned and non-rotatably connected in tandem; a common housing for accommodating the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump; and a first center section and a second center section that respectively support the first and second hydraulic pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7353652
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for operating six hydraulic valves from two different positions. The control apparatus is particularly suitable for operating the hydraulic controls of a six function trash loader. First and second three-function joysticks are mounted at the first position, and third and fourth three-function joysticks are mounted at the second position. A first set of three rotatable rods extends between the first and third joysticks, and a second set of three rotatable rods extends between the second and fourth joysticks. Each joystick includes a handle which is movable along a first axis for rotating a first rod of one of the sets, along a second axis for rotating a second rod of the set, and about a third axis for rotating a third rod of the set. A crank arm on each of the six rods is connected to one of the six hydraulic valves so that rotation of each of the rods operates one of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Petersen Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Osburn
  • Patent number: 7347047
    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 and driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is drivingly coupled to a main input shaft, which drives the hydraulic pumps. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the main drive shaft and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The power take off unit may be driven by a power take off unit output drive shaft, on which a cooling fan may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7337563
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a traveling vehicle, a backhoe having a base frame detachably connected to a rear portion of the traveling vehicle and an excavator detachably attached to a rear portion of the base frame. The base frame includes a pair of upper and lower base plates and a partitioning wall disposed at a fore-and-aft intermediate portion of the base plates for connecting the two base plates with each other and partitioning a space delimited between the plates relative to a fore and aft direction. A control box is mounted on the base frame. At least one swing cylinder is mounted to the base frame through the partitioning wall for pivoting the excavator. A control valve unit is attached to the partitioning wall downwardly of the control box for controlling a working fluid for driving the swing cylinder and the excavator. At least one swing hose is extended through the partitioning wall for hydraulically connecting the control valve unit to the swing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20080041048
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission apparatus has a housing, a hydraulic pump disposed in the housing so as to be driven by a prime mover and a first hydraulic motor disposed in the housing. A first port is provided on the housing and opens outward from the housing. A first fluid passage is disposed in the housing and interposed between the hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic motor. A second port is provided on the housing and opens outward from the housing. A second fluid passage is disposed in the housing and extended from the hydraulic pump to the first port, wherein the first and second ports are adapted to be fluidly connected to a second hydraulic motor disposed outside of the housing so as to constitute a closed fluid circuit fluidly connecting the first and second hydraulic motors in series to the hydraulic pump. A third fluid passage is disposed in the housing and extends from the first hydraulic motor to the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Hideki Kanenobu, Shinya Sakakura
  • Publication number: 20080034748
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a construction machine is disclosed, which can prevent an energy loss of a hydraulic system by automatically reducing revolution of an engine when a working device such as a boom is not driven. The hydraulic circuit includes first to third hydraulic pumps, a first switching valve, a second switching valve, a third switching valve, a confluence switching valve, a first shuttle valve selecting any one of a pressure of a first signal line in which a signal pressure is formed when the third switching valve for working devices connected to the third hydraulic pump is shifted and a pressure of a second signal line in which a signal pressure is formed when a switching valve for traveling devices is shifted, and a second shuttle valve selecting any one of the pressure selected by the first shuttle valve and a pressure of a third signal line in which a signal pressure is formed when switching valves for the working devices connected to the first and second hydraulic pumps are shifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Bon Seok Koo
  • Patent number: 7328576
    Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt
  • Patent number: 7290390
    Abstract: A travel control device enables a crawler type hydraulic excavator to start slowly regardless of the preset speed ratio whenever the manipulation amount of a manual travel control device is small. The travel control device includes left and right travel motors respectively provided with speed changing mechanisms, a high speed shifting valve provided on a high speed signal line for cutting off or transmitting a high speed signal pressure to the speed changing mechanisms, a travel signal detection means for detecting a travel control signal pressure outputted from manual travel control devices. A shutoff valve is provided on the high speed signal line for closing or opening the high speed signal line to keep the speed changing mechanisms in a low speed condition or a high speed condition depending on the magnitude of the travel control signal pressure supplied from the travel signal detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7275370
    Abstract: Disclosed are a control arrangement for actuation of at least two hydraulic consumers, and a method for actuation of these consumers. The latter are supplied with pressure medium through the intermediary of a pump, wherein a respective meter-in orifice and a pressure compensator arranged downstream from the latter are provided between the consumers and the pump. In accordance with the invention, adjustment of the pump is performed in dependence on the target values to which the meter-in orifices are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Horst Hesse, Gerhard F. J. Keuper, Neinrich Loedige
  • Patent number: 7240771
    Abstract: A multistage mast assembly for use on a lift truck and method of operation for staging first and second mast sections of the multistage mast assembly. Each mast section has a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus includes a mast staging hydraulic circuit which diverts hydraulic fluid from the second mast section actuator to the first mast section actuator using a multi-position valve having an open position and a restricted flow position. In the restricted flow position, hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic line supplying the second mast section increases to divert hydraulic fluid to the first mast section actuator before the second mast section reaches its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Gerard T. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7229256
    Abstract: A dual pump apparatus having two pumps mounted in a housing, where the housing comprises two elements mounted on opposite sides of a hydraulic mounting member or center section. The pumps are mounted on one side of the hydraulic mounting member in a pump cavity, and the center section and second housing element form a gear cavity in which gears to connect the two pump input shafts are located. Various charge pumps or auxiliary pump configurations are disclosed, including one embodiment where the input shaft gears themselves may act as a charge pump for the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Patent number: 7228685
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises: a common housing; a pair of coaxial axles disposed in the housing; a common input shaft for receiving power from a prime mover, the common input shaft being extended perpendicular to the axles in the housing and passed through a gap between the axles; and a pair of stepless transmissions sharing power from the common input shaft, and transmitting power to the respective axles. The pair of stepless transmissions are arranged in the housing symmetrically centered on an axis of the common input shaft. The axle driving apparatus further comprises: a PTO shaft disposed coaxially to the common input shaft; a clutch disposed in the housing and interposed between the common input shaft and the PTO shaft; and a brake which is applied simultaneously to disengagement of said clutch so as to prevent inertial rotation of said PTO shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7225617
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having a center section located in a housing includes a hydraulic pump and motor disposed thereon and in fluid communication with a hydraulic porting system in the center section. The pump is driven by an input shaft extending out of the housing and the motor drives an output shaft that is generally perpendicular to the input shaft. A bypass actuator extends into the center section perpendicular to both the input shaft and the output shaft. Rotation of the bypass actuator acts to lift the hydraulic motor from the center section to break the hydraulic interface between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic porting system. The center section may include a second pump and motor with a second hydraulic porting system and a second bypass actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7222484
    Abstract: A hydraulic system has at least one primary hydraulic functions and a plurality of secondary hydraulic functions all of which are connected in parallel to a supply conduit and a return conduit. A first pressure relief valve prevents pressure in the supply conduit from exceeding a first limit and second pressure relief valve prevents the pressure at the secondary hydraulic functions from exceeding the lower second pressure limit. Novel pressure relief circuits are provided which enable only two pressure relief valves to provide one of two pressure limits at more than two hydraulic functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Dornbach
  • Patent number: 7197872
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit includes a control valve that controls flow of pressure oil from a hydraulic source to work hydraulic cylinders, an operating device that issues a command for drive of the control valve, valve devices each comprising a check valve, each provided in correspondence to one of the plurality of work hydraulic cylinders to allow and prohibit outflow of pressure oil from a work hydraulic cylinder, a commanding device that outputs a command allowing or a command prohibiting extension/contraction for each of the work hydraulic cylinders and a control device that controls each of the valve devices to allow outflow of pressure oil from the work hydraulic cylinder by invalidating a check valve function in response to the command for allowing extension/contraction and to prohibit outflow of pressure oil from the work hydraulic cylinder with the check valve in response to the command for prohibiting extension/contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Satake, Hiroshi Tsukui, Kazuhiro Ichimura, Hiroshi Onoue
  • Patent number: 7185577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem pump unit that includes: a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump respectively having a first pump shaft and a second pump shaft respectively having adjacent ends connected together so that the first and second pump shafts are coaxially aligned and non-rotatably connected in tandem; a common housing for accommodating the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump; and a first center section and a second center section that respectively support the first and second hydraulic pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7174711
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of the present invention comprising control valves for controlling the direction and flow rate of pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump, hydraulic actuators which the pressure oil is fed to and controlled by the control valves, the hydraulic actuators including hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic motor, and a first return passage provided as a passage for returning return oil present at the head side of one of the hydraulic cylinders to the tank, the first return passage being in communication with the tank, and a second return passage for returning return oil from each of the other hydraulic actuators including the hydraulic motor except for the hydraulic cylinders to the tank, the second return passage having a back pressure check valve and a replenishing passage, the replenishing passage being configured so as to provide a back pressure developed by the back pressure check valve to the low pressure side of each of the other hydraulic actuators to prevent cavitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Nanjo, Naoki Sugano, Etsujiro Imanishi, Yutaka Toji, Hidekazu Oka
  • Patent number: 7162870
    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 and driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is drivingly coupled to a main input shaft, which drives the hydraulic pumps. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the main drive shaft and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The power take off unit may be driven by a power take off unit output drive shaft, on which a cooling fan may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7134278
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises: a common housing; a pair of coaxial axles disposed in the housing; a common input shaft for receiving power from a prime mover, the common input shaft being extended perpendicular to the axles in the housing and passed through a gap between the axles; and a pair of stepless transmissions sharing power from the common input shaft, and transmitting power to the respective axles. The pair of stepless transmissions are arranged in the housing symmetrically centered on an axis of the common input shaft. The axle driving apparatus further comprises: a PTO shaft disposed coaxially to the common input shaft; a clutch disposed in the housing and interposed between the common input shaft and the PTO shaft; and a brake which is applied simultaneously to disengagement of said clutch so as to prevent inertial rotation of said PTO shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7131268
    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: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7121091
    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: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7111459
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a first hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor, a first axle shaft, a second hydraulic pump, a second hydraulic motor, a second axle shaft, a first bypass, a first linkage, a second bypass and a second linkage. The first hydraulic motor is connected to the first hydraulic pump by a first hydraulic porting. The first axle shaft is driven by the first hydraulic motor. The second hydraulic motor is connected to the second hydraulic pump by a second hydraulic porting. The second axle shaft is driven by the second hydraulic motor. The first bypass is associated with the first hydraulic porting. The first linkage is connected to the first bypass. The second bypass is associated with the second hydraulic porting. The second linkage is connected to the second bypass. The first bypass and the second bypass are actuated substantially simultaneously by a single actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Joseph L. Brookens, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 7082760
    Abstract: A drive system for a mobile vehicle has hydraulic motors (1, 2) arranged in a transmission housing (3), which drive a drive output shaft (22) via a totalizing transmission gearset, the totalizing transmission and the hydraulic motors (1, 2) being arranged within the transmission housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Legner, Wolfgang Rebholz
  • 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: 7056101
    Abstract: A dual tandem pump apparatus having a pair of coaxially arranged pump shafts and a separate input shaft that is not coaxial with the pump shafts. The trunnion arms for the two pumps may be mounted in different locations to increase application flexibility. Charge pumps may be mounted on end caps secured to the housing or may be driven directly by the input shaft. A coupler or bevel gear arrangement is used inside the pump housing to drive the pump shafts from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • 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: 7017679
    Abstract: The invention relates to steerable vibration plates that are set vibrating by rotating unbalanced masses. By twisting the unbalanced masses relative to one another the resulting forces and their direction of action can be changed, thereby influencing the travel speed of the vibrating plate and its direction of travel. The inventive vibration plate is characterized in that the unbalanced masses disposed on a common shaft can be adjusted independent of external forces and torques since the adjustment piston adjusting the unbalanced masses is braced in the adjustment cylinder to a much higher degree than would be possible with conventional coil springs. To this end, every adjustable unbalanced mass is associated with a double-action hydraulic cylinder that comprises two liquid chambers. The connection of said chambers to a storage and a pump can be locked in order to fix the piston which can be adjusted within the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Josef Sollinger, Norbert Jungwirth
  • Patent number: 6973783
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and an input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Patent number: 6971234
    Abstract: A pair of zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxles (HZTs) that may be joined to form an integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle. Each of the hydrostatic transaxles are further comprised of a casing carrying a hydraulic pump driven by an input shaft, a hydraulic motor driven by a the hydraulic pump through porting contained within a center section, and an axle shaft driven by the hydraulic motor. The hydrostatic transaxles are joined along an interface extending generally perpendicularly to the axle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski, Patricia J. Given, William H. Ward, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Patent number: 6962050
    Abstract: A hybrid machine with a hydraulic drive device having hydraulic actuators allowed to operate against and by external loads is provided. To this end, the hybrid machine comprises hydraulic cylinders (7), first hydraulic pumps (P1) connected, with closed circuits, to head side pressure receiving chambers (7S) and bottom side pressure receiving chambers (7L) of the hydraulic cylinders (7), and second hydraulic pumps (P2) connected, with open circuits, to the bottom side pressure receiving chambers (7L) and an external oil chamber (10), wherein the first and second hydraulic pumps (P1, P2) are connected to electric motors (M) so as to be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Koichiro Itow, Hiroaki Inoueo
  • Patent number: 6957531
    Abstract: A center section for a hydraulic pump and motor mounted in a transaxle casing. The center section has a protuberance formed thereon, a pair of flat surfaces separate from the protuberance and at least one fastener opening formed in the center section for receiving a fastener engaged to the casing. The protuberance is adapted to mate with a center section locator formed in the casing to establish an X-Y orientation for a central axis while the fastener provides a Z-axis locator for the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski
  • Patent number: 6953327
    Abstract: A dual pump apparatus having two pumps mounted in a housing, where the housing comprises two elements mounted on opposite sides of a hydraulic mounting member or center section. The pumps are mounted on one side of the hydraulic mounting member in a pump cavity, and the center section and second housing element form a gear cavity in which gears to connect the two pump input shafts are located. Various charge pumps or auxiliary pump configurations are disclosed, including one embodiment where the input shaft gears themselves may act as a charge pump for the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 6945041
    Abstract: A bent axis hydrostatic module, comprising: a frame, a pair of parallel laterally spaced shafts rotatably supported by the frame and directed outwardly from the frame in the same direction. Two yokes are pivotally mounted about parallel axes on the frame. A hydrostatic power unit is swingably carried by each yoke, and each hydrostatic power unit being operatively connected to one of the shafts to rotate the same. A pair of system pressure conduits in the frame with each of the pressure conduits are fluidly connected to each of the cylinder blocks. A control system is provided for pivoting the yokes including means for independently pivoting the yokes about parallel axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignees: Sauer-Danfoss, Inc., Deere & Company
    Inventors: John Fleming, Scott Meyer, Doug Kardell, Christopher P. Masini, Jeffrey C. Marks
  • Patent number: 6938415
    Abstract: An invented fluidic (hydraulic/pneumatic) actuation system is described wherein bidirectional, hydraulic/pneumatically driven elements of multiple components in a common hydraulic/pneumatic circuit inherently provide increases in pressure upon reaching mechanical end points limiting, arresting or stopping further mechanical movement or travel of the driven element of any particular component that switches a sequencing valve system and/or electro-hydraulic/pneumatic pressure switches for directing hydraulic/pneumatic power to other hydraulically/pneumatically driven components in the hydraulic/pneumatic circuit in a timed, sequenced and velocity controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Harry L. Last
  • Patent number: 6922992
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive with a flow divider and a bypass wherein fluid can either be allowed to flow from a flow divider to hydraulic actuators in parallel or the fluid can be allowed to bypass the flow divider and flow directly to the hydraulic actuators in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: George H. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6880331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling hydraulic systems. The control apparatus (module) accepts a variety of input forms, and the output is user-configurable to control both sides of an attached coil. The master module is programmable via a graphical user interface defining states and conditions triggering transitions between states. The master module may be combined with slave modules on a connection bus to control many subsystems. Reprogramming of the master module may occur in the field by use of flash memory, and input/output characteristics may be adjusted during operation of the system, allowing adjustment of systems exhibiting nonlinear response characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: High Country Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Hulse, Bruce Rasmus, Brian Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 6874320
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises a housing containing a pair of coaxial axles and a pair of stepless transmissions drivingly connected to the respective axles. The pair of stepless transmissions are symmetrically centered on a central point on the axis of the axles. In one embodiment, the central point of the axis is located in a gap between the axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 6874319
    Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission device includes: a variable displacement type hydraulic pump; a variable displacement type first hydraulic motor operated by a hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump; a fixed displacement type second hydraulic motor operated by the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump; a parallel circuit for continuously connecting hydraulic oil input ports of the first and second hydraulic motors and continuously connecting oil drain ports of the first and second hydraulic motors; and an output confluence mechanism for allowing a rotational output of the first hydraulic motor and a rotational output of the second hydraulic motor to interflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunobu Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6814409
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive and fluid control system for a mechanism having at least two fluid actuated cylinder includes a bi-directional motor/gear pump. A monolithic block manifold has intersecting bores formed therein in which valving and control mechanism for the fluid circuit is mounted. The fluid control system includes a variety of elements for providing smooth action of the cylinders at start, stop, and intermediate operations. These include piston-style accumulators, self-actuating fluid flow rate control valves and cushion valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Warn Jackson
  • Patent number: 6799424
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit comprises a first and a second merging line capable of supplying pressure oil from a third pump for a third circuit to directional control valves in a first and a second circuit, respectively, and a merging valve for selectively communicating or cutting off the first and the second merging line with or from the third pump. The merging valve has a first shift position at which the third pump is connected to the second merging line, and a second shift position at which the third pump is connected to the first and the second merging line. The merging valve is shifted continuously between the shift positions. The hydraulic circuit can efficiently distribute pressure oil supplied from the third pump to the first and/or second circuit as well, and can prevent lowering of the operability of each of actuators connected to the first or second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Nabco, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Ioku, Hitoshi Segawa
  • Patent number: 6785596
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6775976
    Abstract: A pair of substantially mirror image, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxles (HZTs) that may be joined to form an integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle. The control arm and brake mechanism associated with the HZTs can be mounted on either the inboard or outboard side of the HZT casing. In one embodiment, an integrated, inboard brake mechanism is provided for the joined HZTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski, Patricia J. Given, William H. Ward, Lonnie E. Holder