Fluid handling – Systems – Supply and exhaust
Patent
1999-08-12
2000-12-26
Michalsky, Gerald A.
Fluid handling
Systems
Supply and exhaust
91436, 91446, 91452, 91455, 13759616, 1375962, F15B 13043
Patent
active
061643270
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a meter-out flow control valve for recovering return fluid from a hydraulic actuator to permit the return fluid to be recycled.
BACKGROUND ART
A known directional control valve system for furnishing a hydraulic actuator with pressure fluid includes a meter-in flow control valve for establishing and blocking fluid communication between a pump port and an actuator port, and a meter-out flow control valve for establishing and blocking fluid communication between the actuator port and a tank port.
Such a meter-out flow control valve is designed to allow return fluid in the hydraulic actuator to flow out into a reservoir tank by establishing fluid communication between the actuator port and the tank port and to block fluid communication between the actuator port and the tank port. The return fluid from the hydraulic actuator that has been allowed to flow out into the reservoir tank cannot be recovered for recycling.
It is also known to provide the actuator port with a recovery valve and, using this valve, to recover return fluid from the hydraulic actuator for recycling. Providing a recovery valve in addition to a meter-out flow control valve enlarges a space for installation and, if they are assembled in a valve body of a directional control valve system, enlarges the valve body and requires the entire directional. control valve system to be larger in size.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a meter-out flow control valve which is designed to resolve the problem mentioned above.
A first form of the invention provided herein is a meter-out flow control valve characterized in that it comprises: a valve for establishing and blocking fluid communication between an actuator port and a tank port, the valve being arranged to be held at a fluid blocking position by a spring 71 and being responsive to an external signal to move to take its fluid communication position; and a regenerative switching valve 101 arranged coaxially with said valve for establishing and blocking fluid communication between the actuator port and a regenerative port, the regenerative switching valve 101 normally taking its blocking position and being responsive to an external signal to move to take its fluid communication position.
According to the first form of the invention described, it can be seen and should be appreciated that the valve if moved to take its fluid communication position permits the actuator port and the tank port to be brought into fluid communication with each other. And, the regenerative switching valve if moved to take its fluid communication position permits the actuator port and the regenerative port to be brought into fluid communication with each other.
This will allow a return fluid admitted into the actuator port to flow out into a reservoir tank, and to flow out into the regenerative port, thus permitting the return fluid where required to be regenerated for recycling.
It should also be noted that arranging the regenerative switching valve 101 coaxially with the valve will make the meter-out flow control compact.
This will, if the meter-out flow control valve is assembled in a valve body of a directional control valve system, render the valve body and the entire system smaller in size.
A second form of the invention provided herein is a meter-out flow control valve characterized in that it comprises: a meter-out spool 130 for establishing and blocking fluid communication between an actuator port and a tank port, the meter-out spool 130 being arranged to be held at its fluid blocking position by. a spring 131 and being responsive to an external signal to move to take its fluid communication position; and a regenerative switching valve 101 arranged coaxially with said meter-out spool 130 for establishing and blocking fluid communication between the actuator port and a regenerative port, the regenerative switching valve normally taking its fluid blocking position and being responsive to an external signa
REFERENCES:
patent: 4475442 (1984-10-01), Breeden
patent: 4611528 (1986-09-01), Nanda et al.
patent: 5372060 (1994-12-01), Maruyama et al.
Kananen Ronald P.
Komatsu Ltd.
Michalsky Gerald A.
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