Differential Patents (Class 91/415)
  • Publication number: 20150059568
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control disconnecting valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Williamson, Michael Chiaramonte, Sean Johnson, Justin Ayers, Robert Stone, Brett J. Janson
  • Publication number: 20140137731
    Abstract: A differential cylinder for a hydromechanical drive for actuating an electrical switch, for example a high-voltage switch, is disclosed which includes a first pressure region for applying a working pressure, a second pressure region, and a piston which is capable of moving in a movement region and which is movable depending on a pressure difference between the first and second pressure region. A damping device is provided which, in the event of a movement of the piston in the direction of the second pressure region, provides damping with respect to the movement of the piston in a section of the movement region, wherein the damping is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas BRENNEIS, Matthias SCHMIDT, Henrik LOHRBERG, Frank FIEDLER, Bruno GEHLERT, Roland PALM
  • Patent number: 8371552
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a pressure dead band includes a first valve or sleeve slidably disposed within a valve body. A second valve is partially slidably disposed within the first valve and partially slidably disposed in the valve body. A plurality of fluid passages communicate with the valve assembly and provide a first flow of hydraulic fluid and a second flow of hydraulic fluid. A lower threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the combination of the first area of the first valve and the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve. An upper threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Bret M. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100269685
    Abstract: Hydraulic machine, in particular hydraulic motor, comprising a casing, a differential piston (4) having a region of large cross section and a region of smaller cross section, which can slide with a reciprocating movement respectively in the casing and in a housing coaxial to, and of smaller diameter than, the casing, the piston separating two chambers of the casing and being provided at the location of its large cross section and its small cross section with sealing lips (48, 49) which are oriented in opposite directions and which face one another. The sealing lips (48, 49) are provided on detachable circular rings (50, 51), and the piston (4) is moulded in one piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: DOSATRON INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Matthieu Darbois, Sébastien Furet, Philippe Duquennoy, Dominique Berton
  • Publication number: 20100199933
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator (1) comprising a body (2), in which a control arm (5) and a lift means (6) provided with a piston surface (22) are arranged, which lift means is arranged to follow the reference movement of the control arm (5), and an inlet port (3) and an outlet port (4) for hydraulic medium. The body (2) encloses a pressure chamber (10) delimited by the piston surface (22) of the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) provides a flow connection between the inlet port (3) and the pressure chamber (10) in order to move the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) in the opposite direction provides a flow connection between the pressure chamber (10) and the outlet port (4) in order to move the lift means (6) in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: WÄRSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Juha Alajoki, Pekka Hautala, Jyrki Kajaste, Jukka Kiijärvi, Petri Kuosmanen, Markus Niemi
  • Patent number: 7647858
    Abstract: A differential piston (1), designed as an annular piston, having pressure chambers (8, 9) with at least one of the pressure chambers (8, 9) being pressurized from radially inside the differential piston (1), via a hollow shaft (29) or another radially inner element (16), such as, part of a (cylinder) housing element (20) and a radial pressure medium-guiding channel (13) arranged directly within the differential piston (1), such that only a single additional sealing element (18) is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Sylva Rother, Michael Obergasser
  • Patent number: 7581486
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a reservoir for a hydraulic fluid, a pump, a high-pressure line network, a low-pressure line network and operating cylinders each of which can be connected to the high-pressure line network or to the low-pressure line network via control units, each operating cylinder is associated with a local compensation volume element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Grieser
  • Patent number: 7216577
    Abstract: A vacuum booster includes a housing defining a control volume in which a movable diaphragm separates the control volume into an apply chamber and a vacuum chamber. A power piston extends through and engages the diaphragm and has an axial bore containing a valve assembly that controls a diaphragm pressure differential across the diaphragm. The power piston drives an output rod in the forward direction. The output rod has a rearward portion exposed to pressure within the vacuum chamber and a forward face exposed to atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within vacuum chamber is less than atmospheric, a piston pressure differential across the power piston provides a return force in the rearward direction to the power piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Haerr, Gary C. Fulks
  • Patent number: 6817859
    Abstract: A drive for a movable part, such as a mold closure platen, includes two hydraulic cylinder-and-piston units defining first and third pressure chambers in a first of the hydraulic units and defining fourth and fifth pressure chambers in a second of the hydraulic units, and wherein the piston of one of the hydraulic units is a stepped piston defining a second pressure chamber, thereby providing five pressure chambers. An arrangement of valves provides for selective coupling of hydraulic fluid among the pressure chambers whereby pressure medium is forced from one of the hydraulic units, during an advance of its piton, to the other of the hydraulic units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventor: Jörg Dantlgraber
  • Patent number: 6712587
    Abstract: A hydraulic amplifier system for an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system. The hydraulic amplifier system includes a hydraulic cylinder comprising a primary piston chamber in which a primary piston is disposed and a secondary piston chamber in which a secondary piston is disposed. The cross-sectional area of the primary piston is larger than the cross-sectional area of the secondary piston. The difference in the cross-sectional areas of the pistons creates an amplification of the pressure in the primary piston chamber and a reduction in flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Geoff C. Gerhardt, Bruce J. Compton
  • Patent number: 6269733
    Abstract: A hydraulic force servo system provides apparatus for compensating for unequal loading forces applied to an actuator piston, and for unequal areas on opposite faces of the piston. Asymmetric nonlinear differential hydraulic force feedback from the output side of a force servovalve is summed with the hydraulic control signal inputs to the output stage of the servovalve at hydraulic summing junctions. Impedances offered by orifices in the feedback lines determine the amount of feedback. Nonlinear characteristics of the feedback method serve to compensate for nonlinearities in the servo actuator and system. The impedance ratio of the orifices is selected as a function of the known or postulated asymmetry of the loading forces to be applied to the actuator piston, and the ratio of the areas of the opposing faces of the actuator piston. Hydraulic damping further improves linearity and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis K. Reust
  • Patent number: 5836400
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool having a ram or other working element propelled by pressurized fluid. The tool has a lever which is squeezed to develop fluid force in a pump. The fluid circuitry automatically operates the ram selectively at any one of three operating speeds and hence at three different magnitudes of force relative to the input speed of the lever as it is squeezed. The circuitry includes a principal supply subcircuit in which fluid flows directly from the pump to the ram, thereby establishing a normal speed mode of operation. A high speed subcircuit and a low speed subcircuit each operated by respective pressure responsive valves direct fluid ejected as the ram piston and pump piston advance to the respective rear sides of the ram piston and pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventors: Myron D. Tupper, William Gallentine
  • Patent number: 5662021
    Abstract: An improved control system for a movement actuator is disclosed for moving a member between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement actuator comprises a cylinder having a piston with a fluid supply providing pressure to a first and a second side of the piston. A control applies a first and a second fluid pressure on the first and second sides of the piston for moving the member from the retracted position toward the extended position with a force related to a difference between the first fluid pressure and second fluid pressure for reducing the possibility of damage to an unintended object in the path of the member. The control applies the first fluid pressure on the first side of the piston upon the member being in proximity to the extended position for moving the member into the extended position with a force related to the first fluid pressure for insuring proper positioning of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Farmer Mold & Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Farmer, Carl A. Rotenberger
  • Patent number: 5611259
    Abstract: The hydraulic circuit directional control valve 20 is provided in a line connected with a lower chamber 13 of the hydraulic cylinder 1 and the B-port of the servo valve 3. A check valve 22 permitting oil flowing into the P-port of the servo valve 3 from the lower chamber 13 is provided in the line in parallel with the hydraulic circuit directional control valve 20 and connected with the lower chamber 13 and the P-port of the servo valve 3. When making the ram 15 move downward with high speed, the hydraulic differential circuit is constituted by changing the hydraulic circuit directional control valve 20 such that the delivery oil exhausted from the lower chamber 13 returns to the P-port of the servo valve 3. The hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump 1 flows into the upper chamber 12 through the servo valve 3. The delivery oil exhausted from the lower chamber 13 returns to the suction side of the P-port of the servo valve 3 through the check valve 22, assisting the flow rate of the hydraulic pump 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nagata
  • Patent number: 5575150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stiffness enhanced electrohydrostatic actuator for aircraft flight controls which eliminates the requirement for a central hydraulic system. The actuator replicates the blocked port condition of the central hydraulic system to provide static and dynamic stiffness by the use of valves having a first sleeve and spool and a second sleeve and spool disposed on either side of a valve seat with the first spool biased towards the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt W. Vieten, Marvin V. Nordby, Sandor Dobos-Bubno
  • Patent number: 5542336
    Abstract: A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a pair of three-way solenoid valves respectively fluid connected to the two ends of the cylinder and energized in parallel with a continuous stream of pulse width modulated (PWM) pulses to create a mean effective fluid pressure balance at the cylinder ends that hold a desired position of a connected load and mean effective fluid pressure imbalances in the cylinder ends that produce variable rate load movement in either of two directions to a desired new position, all determined by the pulse duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Larkin
  • Patent number: 5540048
    Abstract: A controller for changing the ratio of a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission, as determined by the angular position of a swashplate, including an actuator having a cylinder slidingly receiving a piston to define a pair of chambers. A pair of solenoid valves, each configured to connect a respective chamber selectively to sump pump pressure or atmospheric pressure, are energized with a stream of pulses to create differential fluid pressures in the chambers, thereby producing movement of the piston; the piston movement being linked to the swashplate to produce a corresponding adjustment of the swashplate angular position. The rate of change of the swashplate angular position is controlled by pulse width modulating the pulse stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Larkin, William R. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5481959
    Abstract: An automatic air balancer system capable of maintaining various kinds of load at a predetermined position and then moving the load at a desired speed, or applying a desired mechanical force to various kinds of object. The system includes a device for controlling the pressure at one end side of a balance cylinder to a desired level by a first pressure control valve and for controlling the pressure at the other end side of the balance cylinder to a predetermined level by a second pressure control valve, and a device for obtaining a balance pressure signal for the balance cylinder. Another signal is added to or subtracted from the balance pressure signal, and the resulting signal is input to the first pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Watanabe, Nobuhiro Fujiwara, Kunihisa Kaneko, Kenji Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 5370037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve control apparatus for operating a working piston, comprising a main valve spool including a smaller piston face subjected to compressed air from a reservoir and a larger piston face facing a main control space, further comprising an auxiliary valve spool having a first effective area which can be connected by a trigger valve to atmosphere or to a compressed air reservoir to displace the main control spool into an open position, and having a second effective area which is connected to a piston stroke chamber for displacing the main valve spool into a closed position, wherein the auxiliary valve spool is returned when the pressure acting on its second effective area falls below a predetermined value, wherein this effective area is connected to a shift valve which communicates with atmosphere when the trigger is not actuated and which is closed when being actuated and wherein the trigger is provided to move a first length of travel and a second length of travel to actuate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventors: Joachim Bauer, Klaus Albrecht, Rolf Krahmer
  • Patent number: 5370038
    Abstract: Regeneration valves are useful in directing fluid expelled from a contracting chamber of a hydraulic actuator to its expanding chamber to increase the actuation speed of the actuator. The present remotely controlled regeneration circuit improves the controllability of the regeneration valve by positioning the regeneration valve between the pump and the control valve so that the fluid expelled from the contracting chamber and combined with the pump flow to the expanding chamber passes through and is controlled by the control valve. The regeneration valve is moved to its regeneration position by pressurized fluid from a solenoid valve which can be selectively energized by the operator manually closing a switch mounted to a control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Poppe, John P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5127315
    Abstract: A brake motor subassembly comprises a control piston (10) having an internal cavity delimited by a base wall (18) and, at the periphery, by a stepped bore (20, 22, 24) and having a mechanical actuating device acting on the control piston via an automatic compensation device formed by a screw-nut device (34) stressed towards the base wall, via a washer (26) and an axial thrust ball bearing (32), by a resilient member (28) supported on a ring (30) fixed at the end of the control piston axially opposite the base wall, and a pilot piston (44) having a first cylindrical peripheral surface of larger diameter (46) sealingly slideably cooperating with an end of reduced diameter (20) of the stepped bore and, in the vicinity of its end (50) axially opposite to the first peripheral surface (46) and cooperating with the washer (26), a second peripheral surface of reduced diameter (54) sealingly slideably cooperating with an annular seal (38) associated with a retaining washer (40) resting axially against a shoulder (42)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Bendix Europe Services Techniques
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Gerard, Gerard Le Deit
  • Patent number: 4958548
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive mechanism for a punching or an embossing tool, with a double-acting drive hydrocylinder with differently large piston areas, the rapid feed operation, the working feed operation, as well as the rapid retraction operation being controllable by the joint or alternative pressurization of these piston areas. For effecting switchover, an area switching valve is provided which switches over, once the driving pressure exceeds, for example, 90% of the maximum initial pressure of the pressure supply unit, from differential operation to unilateral pressurization of the larger drive area. The area switching valve comprises a check valve acted upon, in the opening direction, by the operating pressure in the smaller driving pressure chamber. A locking spring force of the check valve is equivalent to an opening pressure of about 90% of the supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Eckehart Schulze
  • Patent number: 4877217
    Abstract: A fail-safe mechanism for closing the rams in a conventional blowout preventer. The mechanism includes a ram shaft having an enlarged outer end that is exposed to well pressure which exerts a constant closing force. The closing force is opposed by a hydraulic fluid chamber which is evacuated in the event of fire, etc. A floating plug within the ram shaft helps prevent leaks of well fluid from the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Bowen Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Archie W. Peil, Thomas R. Bishop
  • Patent number: 4807517
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic proportional servoactuator is disclosed which has built-in fail-safe systems which cause the power turbine nozzles to return to a zero degree angular position in the event of either an electrical system failure or a hydraulic system failure, and features a toggling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: John Daeschner
  • Patent number: 4744286
    Abstract: The brake motor subassembly with automatic play compensation limitation by way of a stepped pilot piston (20), comprising a first cylindrical peripheral surface of larger diameter (21) sliding in an inner bore (7) of the control piston (1) and a second cylindrical peripheral surface of reduced diameter (24) interacting sealingly slideably with an annular gasket (17) in the piston (1), has an intermediate radial shoulder (26) which, during the movement of the pilot piston (20) because of the opposing effective cross-sections (s.sub.1, s.sub.2), interacts with the annular gasket (17) so as thereby to present a new effective surface (s.sub.3) preventing the continuation of the movement of the pilot piston (20) and thus avoiding the compression of the elastic member (11) which normally stresses the automatic compensation nut (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gerard
  • Patent number: 4700612
    Abstract: The drive system for cells for fused salt electrolytic production of aluminum is supplied with compressed air via a compressed air network with compressor and compressed air reservoir. It comprises at least one working cylinder with piston and piston rod, a slide valve situated after the junction from the compressed air network, compressed air pipes and a microprocessor. During the thrust movement in the normal work cycle, the working cylinder forms a circuit together with a 5/2 channeling valve, a 3/2 channeling valve and the related compressed air pipelines; the said circuit is fed compressed air via a pressure reducing valve and the compressed air pipeline running from it. By briefly switching over the 5/2 channeling valve normal pressure can be employed and the positive chamber of the working cylinder evacuated, as a result of which the thrusting force supplied by the system can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Pfister
  • Patent number: 4606257
    Abstract: The drive system for cells for fused salt electrolytic production of aluminum is supplied with compressed air via a compressed air network with compressor and compressed air reservoir. It comprises at least one working cylinder with piston and piston rod, a slide valve situated after the junction from the compressed air network, compressed air pipes and a microprocessor. During the thrust movement in the normal work cycle, the working cylinder forms a circuit together with a 5/2 channeling valve, a 3/2 channeling valve and the related compressed air pipelines; the said circuit is fed compressed air via a pressure reducing valve and the compressed air pipeline running from it. By briefly switching over the 5/2 channeling valve normal pressure can be employed and the positive chamber of the working cylinder evacuated, as a result of which the thrusting force supplied by the system can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Pfister
  • Patent number: 4587886
    Abstract: A power steering device having a fluid pressure cylinder of a single rod type providing like output characteristics for steering both rightwardly and leftwardly. A rod-side chamber and a head-side chamber of the fluid pressure cylinder have different pressure receiving areas. A control valve controls the changeover of a flow path among a pump, a tank and the rod-side and head-side chambers in accordance with the movement of a steering wheel such that the rod-side chamber is connected to the pump and the tank is connected to the head-side chamber when the piston is to be moved toward the head-side chamber, and the pump is connected to both the head-side chamber and the rod-side chamber when the piston is to be moved toward the rod-side chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naosuke Masuda, Hirotetsu Sonoda
  • Patent number: 4579040
    Abstract: A power steering device having a fluid pressure cylinder of a single rod type providing like output characteristics for steering both rightwardly and leftwardly. A rod-side chamber and a head-side chamber of the fluid pressure cylinder have different pressure receiving areas. A control valve controls the changeover of a flow path among a pump, a tank and the rod-side and head-side chambers in accordance with the movement of a steering wheel such that the rod-side chamber is connected to the pump and the tank is connected to the head-side chamber when the piston is to be moved toward the head-side chamber, and the pump is connected to both the head-side chamber and the rod-side chamber when the piston is to be moved toward the rod-side chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naosuka Masuda, Hirotetsu Sonoda
  • Patent number: 4562902
    Abstract: A brake system for an off-highway vehicle which includes a fluid pressure actuated multi-disc brake and a fluid pressure control system. Engagement of the multi-disc brake is effected by a fluid operated piston having multiple effective pressure areas. Fluid pressure applied to a certain of the effective pressure areas urges the piston in a brake applying direction; fluid pressure applied to the other of the pressure areas urges the piston in a brake releasing direction. The fluid pressure control system controls the communication of pressurized fluid to the effective pressure areas to provide both the brake applying and brake releasing functions. Redundant fluid pressure circuits supply pressurized fluid to the brake applying effective pressure areas. In the event of failure, the control system is operative to interrupt fluid flow to the failed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Harold R. Scibbe
  • Patent number: 4552330
    Abstract: The pressure medium actuated valve has a pressure medium inlet port, an outlet port and a cylinder in which a piston connected to a closure member can slide. The piston sub-divides the cylinder into a first cylinder space and a second cylinder space. Two relief conduits, each containing a control valve are connected to the cylinder spaces and extend to a pressure medium sink. A first connecting conduit containing a control valve extends from the inlet port to the first cylinder space and a second connecting conduit containing a control valve extends from the inlet port to the second cylinder space. The second connecting conduit has a non-return valve through which pressure medium flows in the direction of the second cylinder space, a third connecting conduit being provided between the first and second connecting conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Karl H. Grotloh
  • Patent number: 4449896
    Abstract: The hydraulic operated surface pumping unit of this invention is a counterbalanced cross beam type pumping unit driven by a hydraulic cylinder. The pumping unit can be operated in a first mode of equal upstroke and down stroke speeds or in a second mode of slower upstroke and faster down stroke speeds. The stroke lengths are controlled by cams and are adjustable over a large range. Stroke cycle speeds can be varied by adjusting the output rate of a hydraulic pump used to drive the system. The main hydraulic valve includes intermediate lock positions to hold the pumping unit steady during phase shifts between upstrokes and down strokes and during shut down of the pumping unit. Pressure indicators are provided for optimum counterbalancing of the pumping unit, and a needle valve control for return fluid flow to tank is provided for slow let down of the pump rod for initial tag out settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Energy 2000, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Klepper, Daryld W. Bomar
  • Patent number: 4349175
    Abstract: An actuator is provided which is respondable to control fluid pressure for moving an operative means of a valve between open and closed positions. Valve means are movable between open and closed positions and communicate between the accumulator means and the fluid passage means to permit fluid control pressure charging of the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the open position and for preventing discharge of fluid pressure within the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the closed position. The valve is responsive to pressure differential between the accumulator chamber and the fluid passage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Baker CAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, Stephen R. Foster
  • Patent number: 4318333
    Abstract: A bidirectional, multiple speed hydraulic actuator, including a differential piston (10, 24, 26). First and second ports (28, 30) are respectively in fluid communication with opposite sides of the piston and there is provided a pressure fluid supply line (40) along with a pressure fluid drain line (44). A control valve (14) is disposed between the ports and the lines and is movable step-wise through five positions providing for nulling of piston movement, and slow and rapid piston movement in either of two directions. A shifting device (60) is provided for the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Richard A. Cemenska
  • Patent number: 4275642
    Abstract: A fail-safe, air actuated actuator mechanism is completely housed within and sealed interiorly of an accumulator tank in which a quantity of fail-safe actuating air is stored, under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Xomox Corporation
    Inventor: Russell G. Smith
  • Patent number: 4253692
    Abstract: A control system for opening and closing the clam shell gates of a material placement bucket makes use of a selfcompensating back pressure fluid system with a double-acting cylinder and piston. An air receiver is filled with high pressure air while air at the same pressure is being applied to the piston in a gate opening direction. At the same time, air from the receiver flowing through a pressure regulator and simultaneous exhaust valve at a reduced pressure is applied to the opposite, or reversing, side of the piston, creating back pressure. Hence the differential pressure applicable in the forward acting direction is the gate opening pressure. Closing pressure is the reduced pressure which becomes effective when pressure on the opening side is diverted to exhaust. Speed of closing the gates can be increased by adjusting only the pressure regulator to supply a higher reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventor: Roland E. Garlinghouse
  • Patent number: 4205208
    Abstract: An improved double-flow-type of compressed-gas operating mechanism is provided for actuating a high-voltage circuit-breaker including a double driving head, movable, actuating piston, having different opposite working areas to thereby accommodate the higher power required to effect the opening operation (which may be as much as ten times the power needed for the closing operation) and the provision of suitable means for resiliently retaining the driving piston in either of its open or closed-circuit end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Ben J. Calvino
  • Patent number: 4182219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic control system for a vehicle steering system or the like. The system includes two hydraulic cylinders each having a piston and a piston rod extending through one end thereof with the rod side of each piston having a smaller pressure area than the opposite side thereof. The pistons are mechanically interconnected by their piston rods. Each of the cylinders has first and second ports respectively at the nonpiston and piston ends thereof. There is a source of fluid pressure and an exhaust tank and a separate valve unit for each of the cylinders. A valve operating unit includes a steering wheel for operating the valve units in unison. The valve units have passages arranged so that for turning in either direction the first and second ports of one cylinder and the second port of the other cylinder are connected to the pressure source. At the same time the first port of the other cylinder is connected to said exhaust tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Johannes V. Baatrup
  • Patent number: 4132290
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for an apparatus having a first member movable relative to a second member providing a plurality of spaced holes therein including: a housing secured to the first member; a lock pin extendably retractably mounted in the housing for insertion into the holes in the second member; and a powered control circuit having an actuated member movably mounted within the housing and connected to the lock pin, the actuator member providing differential force applying surfaces selectively exerting a predetermined locking force to hold the lock pin in the holes and a lower indexing force permitting substantially unrestricted relative movement between the first and second members and automatic insertion of the pin into one of the aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Dezelan, Donald R. Mast
  • Patent number: 4103592
    Abstract: A valve operator is disclosed for controlling an inlet valve to a large fluid-driven turbomachine such as a steam turbine. Such a valve is subject to a fast closing requirement under emergency trip conditions and at other times, the valve may be required to provide a precise steam flow regulating function. The present invention responds to these various requirements by providing a valve operator capable of fast closing by means of a disk-dump valve within the valve operator for rapid hydraulic fluid evacuation. In addition, the precise control of steam flow is accomplished by including a double-acting hydraulic cylinder within the valve operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald H. Davis
  • Patent number: 4046060
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for use with double-acting shifting rams in a mine working.The system has a pump for supplying pressure fluid and main and return feed lines or conduits connected to the pump and laid along the working. An adjustable pressure-regulating device or devices serves to provide fluid at variable pressure in a further feed line or conduit.Each ram has its working chambers connected to a control device which is in turn connected to the main and further feed lines or conduits and to the return line or conduit. The devices can each be set to various positions to operate the rams in order to extend one of the rams its associated device is set to connect the working chamber used for extension (having the larger piston working surface area) to the further feed line or conduit, and to connect the other working chamber used for retraction (having the smaller piston working surface area) to the to the main feed line or conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia
    Inventors: Kunibert Becker, Walter Weirich
  • Patent number: 3981228
    Abstract: A double-acting user has a first and an oppositely acting second pressure-fluid compartment. A source of pressure fluid receives fluid from a fluid reservoir. A first conduit has one section communicating with the first compartment of the user, and another section communicating with the source of pressure fluid. A second conduit communicates with the reservoir. A control valve is interposed in the first conduit and is movable between a first position in which it connects the sections of the first conduit with one another and a second position in which it connects both of the sections of the first conduit with the second conduit. A pressure-reducing and limiting valve has a first port communicating with the second compartment of the user, a second port communicating with the reservoir, a third port communicating with that section of the first conduit which in turn communicates with the source, and a pressure-limiting arrangement which serves to limit the fluid pressure in the second compartment of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Robert Bosch G.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Edmund Maucher