Closed circuit swing control system

Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Shovel or fork type

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C414S694000, C060S473000, C060S476000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06520731

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic control systems for the swing drives of cranes, backhoes, power shovels, and related apparatus.
For example, on a loader backhoe, there are a number of factors that reduce the performance of the swing system, including but not limited to air in the oil, inconsistent loads on the bucket, viscosity of the oil (temperature), and valve performance. These factors lead to control and performance issues such as backhoe oscillation, inconsistent stop control, and drift. Typically, swing control is accomplished by using an open circuit pump and a dedicated valve or sets of valves that are interposed between the pump and the hydraulic motors or hydraulic cylinders of the swing mechanism. Heretofore, such systems have proven to be complex in design and therefore expensive to manufacture. Thus, there is a need for swing control system that overcomes these deficiencies.
Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved swing control system.
A further objective of this invention is the provision of a swing control system that utilizes a closed circuit pump to directly control hydraulic cylinders for swing control, thereby eliminating the need for complex and costly intervening swing control valving.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and improved swing control system for a loader backhoe or the like.
A further objective of the present invention is a provision of a swing control system that is accurate, relatively insensitive to leakage, and reliable in use.
These and other objectives will be apparent from the drawings as well as from the description and claims that follow.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control system for the swinging of booms on backhoes, cranes, or similar material handling apparatus. This invention provides more direct control of the hydraulic swing cylinders and eliminates the need for additional complex valving and circuitry.
The control system of this invention is adapted for a material handling apparatus that includes a frame and a boom movably (usually pivotally or swingably) attached to the frame. A pair of double acting hydraulic cylinders on the frame connect in an opposing or inversely operating manner to the boom for swinging the boom with respect to the frame. The cylinders are hydraulically connected such that when fluid is supplied to one of the cylinders to extend its piston rod, that same fluid retracts the piston rod in the other cylinder, or vice-versa, to swing the boom with respect to the frame. The cylinders are directly controlled by a variable displacement hydraulic pump arranged in a closed circuit with the cylinders. The pump has a servo control associated therewith that is connected to a displacement varying means (such as a swashplate) disposed at least partially inside the pump, which establishes both the volume and direction of the flow of hydraulic fluid in the closed circuit. No separate swing control valve is required. The servo control on the pump is the sole means of controlling the cylinders.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3747350 (1973-07-01), West et al.
patent: 3775980 (1973-12-01), Spirdco
patent: 3999387 (1976-12-01), Knopf
patent: 4757685 (1988-07-01), Burckhartzmeyer
patent: 5108267 (1992-04-01), Horst
patent: 5413452 (1995-05-01), Lech et al.
patent: 5845559 (1998-12-01), Schroeder et al.
patent: 6065288 (2000-05-01), Glomeau
patent: 6375433 (2002-04-01), Du et al.
patent: 401299301 (1989-12-01), None

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Closed circuit swing control system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Closed circuit swing control system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Closed circuit swing control system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3158241

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.