Material or article handling – Elevator or hoist and loading or unloading means therefor – Tilting carrier
Patent
1982-01-13
1985-06-18
Garrett, Robert E.
Material or article handling
Elevator or hoist and loading or unloading means therefor
Tilting carrier
91521, 91522, 91526, 91527, 91531, 91459, 414667, 251132, 13759617, 1376371, F15B 1120, B66F 922
Patent
active
045238863
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a programmed electro-hydraulic control circuit and more particularly to an electro-hydraulic control circuit for a container handler to selectively actuate a plurality of hydraulic cylinders thereof to effect the various container handling functions.
2. Background Art
The container handler attachment for a lift truck is adapted to pick-up, move, and deposit empty containers, having lengths up to forty feet, at desired locations for storage or filling purposes. The container handler attachment has a plurality of double-acting hydraulic cylinders mounted thereon to effect the various spread, side shift, side tilt, height adjustment, and twist lock functions whereby the container can be picked-up and transported even though it is disposed at various orientations relative to ground level. The hydraulic control system for selectively actuating the cylinders normally includes a separate directional control valve and attendant actuating lever for each handling function and separate hydraulic hoses for each control valve that are interconnected between the lift truck and the attachment.
This rather complicated control system thus necessitates substantial space on the vehicle and subjects the numerous hoses (e.g., ten) to potential damage since they must be entrained over the mast of the vehicle. In addition, the relatively large number of control valves required, e.g., seven, adds to the complexity of the control system and increases the potential for leakage and related failures in comparison to systems wherein a lesser number of control valves are required. Also, since the operator must manipulate the control levers for the valves individually, the container handling functions cannot be effected as expeditiously as desired.
The prior art has recognized the desirability of providing an electro-hydraulic control circuit wherein a solenoid-actuated directional control valve is placed on an attachment to reduce the number of hydraulic hoses required between the vehicle proper and the attachment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,805, issued on Aug. 5, 1975 to Robert Casey and assigned to Caterpillar Tractor Co., broadly discloses this type of electro-hydraulic control circuit.
The present invention is directed to an improved electro-hydraulic control circuit which overcomes one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a programmed electro-hydraulic circuit comprises a pressurized fluid source, a main control valve connected to the source, an electrical power source, a master switch connected to the power source, first and second switches, and a plurality of solenoid-actuated flow control valve means for actuation to preselected first or second positions thereof in concurrent response to the main control valve being in one of its first and second positions, the master switch being in one of its first and second positions, and a respective of the first and second switches being in its closed position.
In another aspect of this invention, the programmed electro-hydraulic control circuit controls the various functions of a container handler having a mast assembly, a carriage mounted for vertical movement on the mast assembly, and a container handling attachment. The container handling attachment includes a lower frame assembly slidably mounted on the carriage for transverse movement relative to the mast assembly, an upper frame assembly mounted for vertical and pivotal movement on the lower frame assembly, a pair of extensible beams mounted on opposite ends of the upper frame assembly, and a latch movably mounted on an end of each of the beams. A plurality of cylinders are controlled by the electro-hydraulic control circuit to selectively effect the various spread, side shift, side tilt, height adjustment, and twist lock functions of the container handler.
The electro-hydraulic control circuit of this invention will thus reduce the required number of control valves over conventiona
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Brudi Equipment, Inc.-Form No. ECH 180.
Reference AR--Discloses Conventional Container Handler.
Garrett Robert E.
Meyer Richard S.
Towmotor Corporation
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