Power plants – Pressure fluid source and motor – Having condition responsive control in a system of distinct...
Patent
1981-05-22
1984-06-19
Garrett, Robert E.
Power plants
Pressure fluid source and motor
Having condition responsive control in a system of distinct...
60426, 91 32, 91 33, 91517, F15B 1306, F15B 1309
Patent
active
044547153
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to fluid control systems and more particularly to a system which selectively, controllably supplies pressurized fluid to several work elements. Two separate fluid sources within the fluid control system each controllably, selectively supply pressurized fluid to a preselected single work element under preselected conditions of operation.
2. Background Art
In fluid control systems having a plurality of work elements, it is common practice to provide the work elements with pressurized fluid from a single fluid source by interconnecting the control valves of the work elements in an interrupted series circuit. Certain ones of the work elements therefore have priority over the other work elements. In such a system, the work elements having less priority are generally not operational when the work elements having the greater priority are functionally operational. In certain fluid control systems using interrupted series circuits, the work elements having less priority may be partially operational by modulation of the control valves which control the higher priority work elements. However, such systems are generally inefficient and require difficult manipulation of the fluid controls by the operator.
It is often desirable to operate several work elements of a work vehicle simultaneously in order to save time and energy and make a work operation more efficient. To this end, the several work elements can be provided with separate fluid circuits having individual pumps and controls. However, this increases the costs of the fluid control system, adds weight and bulk to the overall machine, and represents waste.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a fluid control system has a first source of pressurized fluid, first and second work elements, and a first control means for delivering pressurized fluid to the first and second work elements. The fluid control system also has a means which transmits a signal only in response to pressurized fluid being delivered to the first work element. A second source of pressurized fluid is deliverable to the second work element under preselected conditions.
Prior fluid control systems utilized an interrupted series circuit to supply pressurized fluid from a single pump on a priority basis to several work elements. However, a lesser priority work element could not be operated, or could be operated at less than full power, when a higher priority work element was being used. In many instances, it would be advantageous to operate at least two work implements of the priority system simultaneously and at full power. The subject invention provides a solution to these problems by making a second pump available to a lesser prior work element only when fluid from a first pump is being utilized to operate a higher priority work element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The drawing is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawing, a fluid control system 10 has a first source of pressurized fluid 12, first and second work elements 14,16, and a first control means 18 for controllably delivering pressurized fluid to one of the first and second work elements 14,16. Work element 14 is preferably a fluid motor, such as a track motor, for driving the tracks of a track-type machine, such as a tree harvester (not shown). Work element 16 is preferably a fluid motor such as a swing motor for rotating the upper portion of a tree harvester (not shown). The first control means 18 has first and second control valves 20 and 22 for controllably delivering pressurized fluid from the pump 12 to the work elements 14 and 16. Valves 20 and 22 are arranged in interrupted series which provides that work element 14 has priority over work element 16. Therefore, work element 16 cannot normally be operated when work element 14 is functioning. How
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Muller Thomas P.
Wirt Leon A.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Garrett Robert E.
Klein Richard L.
White Claude F.
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