WO2015164321A1 - Independent metering valve for mobile equipment - Google Patents

Independent metering valve for mobile equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015164321A1
WO2015164321A1 PCT/US2015/026795 US2015026795W WO2015164321A1 WO 2015164321 A1 WO2015164321 A1 WO 2015164321A1 US 2015026795 W US2015026795 W US 2015026795W WO 2015164321 A1 WO2015164321 A1 WO 2015164321A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hydraulic
work
port
ports
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/026795
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Clyde Bennett Stevens
Dennis C. ALLEN
Hao Zhang
James HOWLAND
Michelle TAUCHEN
Shawn VOGEL
Stephen BRUNTON
Yong Woon Jeon
Raymond E. Collett
Original Assignee
Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Parker-Hannifin Corporation filed Critical Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Publication of WO2015164321A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015164321A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
    • E02F9/22—Hydraulic or pneumatic drives
    • E02F9/2264—Arrangements or adaptations of elements for hydraulic drives
    • E02F9/2267—Valves or distributors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
    • E02F9/22—Hydraulic or pneumatic drives
    • E02F9/2217—Hydraulic or pneumatic drives with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B11/00—Servomotor systems without provision for follow-up action; Circuits therefor
    • F15B11/006—Hydraulic "Wheatstone bridge" circuits, i.e. with four nodes, P-A-T-B, and on-off or proportional valves in each link
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B13/00—Details of servomotor systems ; Valves for servomotor systems
    • F15B13/02—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors
    • F15B13/06—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with two or more servomotors
    • F15B13/08—Assemblies of units, each for the control of a single servomotor only
    • F15B13/0803—Modular units
    • F15B13/0807—Manifolds
    • F15B13/0814—Monoblock manifolds
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
    • F15B2211/30—Directional control
    • F15B2211/305—Directional control characterised by the type of valves
    • F15B2211/3056—Assemblies of multiple valves
    • F15B2211/30565—Assemblies of multiple valves having multiple valves for a single output member, e.g. for creating higher valve function by use of multiple valves like two 2/2-valves replacing a 5/3-valve
    • F15B2211/30575—Assemblies of multiple valves having multiple valves for a single output member, e.g. for creating higher valve function by use of multiple valves like two 2/2-valves replacing a 5/3-valve in a Wheatstone Bridge arrangement (also half bridges)

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to hydraulic systems, and more particularly to a hydraulic system including a manifold block and a plurality of valves mounted to a face of the manifold block.
  • An excavator is an example of a construction machine that uses multiple hydraulic actuators to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as operation of a boom, an arm, a bucket, and swing.
  • These actuators are fluidly connected to a pump that provides pressurized fluid to extend and retract chambers within the actuators. This pressurized fluid force acting on the actuator surface causes movement of actuators and connected work tools.
  • pressurized fluid is drained from the chambers to return to a low pressure reservoir. Usually the fluid being drained is at a higher pressure than the pressure in the reservoir and hence this remaining energy is wasted once it enters the reservoir.
  • the control for the actuators includes a plurality of valves mounted to a support structure with each valve having inlet and outlet ports to which extend and retract ports of the actuators are connected. Mounting the valves to the support structure results in a cluttered and difficult to service arrangement of the valves.
  • the present invention provides a hydraulic unit characterized by the usage of a manifold having a front face to which a plurality of metering valves are mounted for convenient access, and the manifold has ports connectable to ports of the hydraulic actuators on surfaces other than the front face, in particular the side surfaces of the manifold.
  • the configuration allows the hydraulic unit to be mounted in a compartment with tight space constraints and allows for convenient access to the components for servicing the components.
  • a work machine includes an undercarriage supported by wheels and/or tracks for movement over a surface, and a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having an extend port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to an extend port of a piston-cylinder assembly and a retract port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a retract port of the piston-cylinder assembly, and a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with one of the piston-cylinder assemblies for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers of the respective piston-cylinder assembly.
  • a hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having a first port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a first port of a hydraulic component and a second port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a second port of the hydraulic component, and a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic components for controlling the flow of fluid to/from the first and second ports of the respective hydraulic component.
  • a hydraulic unit for use in a work machine for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to a plurality of double-acting piston-cylinder assemblies and/or a swing motor for effecting respective functions of the machine is provided, wherein each piston-cylinder assembly has extend and retract ports and the swing motor has first and second ports.
  • the hydraulic unit includes a manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and first work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a first one of the piston-cylinder assemblies, second work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a second one of the piston-cylinder assemblies, and a plurality of active control components removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block at respective component mounting holes in the front external face of the manifold block, and wherein the manifold block includes internal passages operably coupling the inlet port, return port, first and second work ports and active control components such that the active control components can function to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the first and second work ports, and wherein the first and second work ports are not located on the front external face of the manifold block.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view of a hydraulic excavator.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary hydraulic system according to the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary hydraulic unit according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a front view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig. 5 is a back view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig 7 is a top view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig 8 is a left side view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig 9 is a right side view of the hydraulic unit.
  • Fig 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic unit taken about line A-A in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic unit taken about line B-B in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 12 a schematic illustration of a plurality of metering valves connected to a hydraulic actuator.
  • Fig. 13 another schematic illustration of a plurality of metering valves connected to a hydraulic actuator.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another exemplary hydraulic unit according to the invention.
  • Fig. 15 is a front view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • Fig. 16 is a back view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • Fig 17 is a top view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • Fig 18 is a bottom view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • Fig 19 is a left side view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • Fig 20 is a right side view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
  • an exemplary wheel-type hydraulic excavator is illustrated generally at reference numeral 10.
  • the excavator 10 includes a body or undercarriage 12 supported on suitable front and rear wheels 14 and 16 respectively driven by a suitable hydraulic motor 18.
  • Outriggers 20 are secured to the body 12 and extendable by suitable hydraulic actuators (not shown) into engagement with the ground to stabilize the vehicle 10 during operation.
  • a suitable rotatable platform 22 is supported by the body 12 for rotation relative to the body by one or more hydraulic actuators, such as a swing motor 23 and includes an operator compartment 24 and an engine compartment 26.
  • a boom 28 is pivotally mounted on the rotatable platform 22 and manipulated about its pivotal point by one or more hydraulic actuators, such as one or more piston-cylinder assemblies 30.
  • An arm 32 is pivotally carried by the boom 28 and pivotally carries on the end thereof a bucket 34 with hydraulic actuators, such as one or more piston-cylinder assemblies 36 and 38 operatively connected for manipulating the arm 32 and bucket 34 respectively.
  • Fluid for manipulating and controlling the hydraulic actuators is supplied by a hydraulic system 40 described below and pressurized by a pump 42 (Fig. 2) driven by a prime mover, such as an engine 44.
  • the hydraulic system 40 includes the hydraulic pump 42 for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir 50, and a hydraulic unit 52.
  • the hydraulic unit 52 includes a manifold block 54 and a plurality of active control components, such as a plurality of groups of metering valves 56a-56d.
  • the arrangement between the manifold block 54 and the active control components allows the hydraulic unit 52 to be installed in places with tight space constraints and allows for convenient access to the active components for servicing.
  • the manifold block 54 includes front and rear external faces 58 and 60, and side external faces, such as left side external face 62, right side external face 64, top side external face 66, and bottom side external face 68.
  • the external faces extend between the front and rear external faces 58 and 60 and may be planar and orthogonally disposed.
  • One or more eye hooks 70 may be provided on the top side external face 66 for attaching a cable to the hydraulic unit 52 for raising and lowering the unit 52.
  • the manifold block 54 also includes an inlet port 80 connectable to the hydraulic pump 42 for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port 82 connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 50, a plurality of work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b, and internal passages 94 operably coupling the inlet port 80, return port 82, work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b, and the groups of metering valves 56a-56d such that the groups of metering valves 56a-56d can function to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b,
  • passages 94 may be machined in the manifold block 54 and closed in any suitable way, such as by plugs.
  • the inlet port 80 and the return port 82 are provided in the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54.
  • the inlet port 80 is connectable to the hydraulic pump 42 in any suitable manner, such as by a fluid conduit (not shown) that is secured to the rear external face 60 in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to the openings 100 in the rear external face 60 by suitable fasteners.
  • the return port 82 is connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 50 in any suitable manner, such as by a fluid conduit (not shown) that is secured to the rear external face 60 in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to the openings 102 in the rear external face 60 by suitable fasteners.
  • Each work port pair has a first port 86a, 88a, 90a, and 92a connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to the extend or retract port or first and second port of the hydraulic actuator, and a second port 86b, 88b, 90b, and 92b connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to the other of the extend or retract port or first or second port of the hydraulic actuator.
  • the work ports 86a, 86b, 88a, 88b, 90a, 90b, 92a, and 92b are connectable to the fluid conduit (not shown) in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to respective openings 104 in the left and right side faces 62 and 64 by suitable fasteners.
  • work port pairs such as work port pair 86a, 86b and 88a, 88b may be provided on one of the sides 62 or 64 and the other two work port pairs 90a, 90b and 92a, 92b may be provided on the other side 62 or 64.
  • the plurality of groups of metering valves 56a-56d are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 at respective component mounting holes in the front external face 58 of the mounting block 54 for convenient access for servicing the valves, and are mounted, for example, perpendicular to the face 58.
  • the metering valves 56a-56d only populate the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 and no fluid lines are connected to the metering valves external to the manifold block, i.e. external fluid lines are replaced by the internal passages 94.
  • each group of metering valves 56a-56d forms a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers or first and second ports of the respective hydraulic actuator.
  • the first group of metering valves 56a is associated with the hydraulic actuator 36 manipulating the arm 32
  • the second group of metering valves 56b is associated with the hydraulic actuator 38 for manipulating the bucket 34
  • the third group of metering valves 56c is associated with the hydraulic actuator 30 for manipulating the boom 28
  • the fourth group of metering valves 56d is associated with the hydraulic actuator 23 for effecting swing.
  • the group of metering valves 56a forms a work section including metering valves 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, and 1 10d
  • the group of metering valves 56b forms a work section including metering valves 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, and 1 12d
  • the group of metering valves 56c forms a work section including metering valves 1 14a, 1 14b, 1 14c, and 1 14d
  • the group of metering valves 56d forms a work section including metering valves 1 16a, 1 16b, 1 16c, and 1 16d.
  • the hydraulic fluid enters the manifold block 54 at the inlet 80 and is delivered to the groups of metering valve 56a-56d in parallel.
  • the metering valves 1 10a-d, 1 12a-d, 1 14a-d, and 1 16a-d may be any suitable metering valve, such as independent pilot operated cartridge type metering valves.
  • Fig. 12 a schematic illustration is shown of the first group of metering valves 56a connected to the hydraulic actuator 36 for manipulating the arm 32. It will be appreciated that the second and third groups of metering valves 56b and 56c are connected to their respective hydraulic actuators 38 and 30 in a similar manner and thus the following description is equally applicable to the groups of metering valves 56b and 56c.
  • the metering valve 1 10a herein referred to as the first metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the first port
  • the metering valve 1 10b herein referred to as the second metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the extend chamber 120 to the first port 86a and then to the return 82.
  • the metering valve 1 10c herein referred to as the third metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the second port 86b of the work port pair and then to a retract chamber 122 of the actuator 36.
  • the metering valve 1 10d herein referred to as the fourth metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the retract chamber 122 to the second port 86b and then to the return 82.
  • metering valve 1 16a herein referred to as the first metering valve
  • the metering valve 1 16b herein referred to as the second metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port 124 to the first port 92a and then to the return 82.
  • the metering valve 1 16c herein referred to as the third metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the second port 92b of the work port pair and then to a second port 126 of the swing motor 23.
  • the metering valve 1 16d herein referred to as the fourth metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the second port 126 to the second port 92b and then to the return 82.
  • the hydraulic unit 52 further includes one or more travel valves, herein referred to as load sensing valve assemblies, and in the illustrated embodiment three load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 each provided for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function.
  • load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling a hydraulic actuator for extending/retracting the outriggers 20
  • one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the front and rear wheels 14 and 16, etc.
  • the load sensing valve assemblies 132 and 134 are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of
  • the load sensing valve assembly 130 is removably mounted to a front of the load sensing valve assembly 132.
  • the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 only populate the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 and no fluid lines are connected to the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 external to the manifold block.
  • the load sensing valves may be arranged in any suitable arrangement, such as a stacked arrangement at the top or bottom of the front external face 58.
  • the work sections have associated therewith at least one load holding valve 140 for preventing fluid flow out of the extend and retract chambers 120 and 122 of the piston-cylinder assemblies 30, 36 and 38 or out of the first and second ports 124 and 126 of the swing motor 23 when no motion of the actuators is desired.
  • the load holding valve 140 is removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54.
  • the load holding valve 140 may be any suitable valve, such as two position, solenoid operated valve controlled by a system controller.
  • the hydraulic unit 52 additionally includes one or more regeneration valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first regeneration valve 150 and a second regeneration valve 152, and one or more accumulator valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first accumulator valve 154 and a second accumulator valve 156.
  • the first regeneration valve 150 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and retract chambers 122 of the hydraulic actuator 36
  • the second regeneration valve 152 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and the retract chamber 122 of the hydraulic actuator 30.
  • the regeneration valves 150 and 152 connect the respective extend and retract chambers 120 and 122 to allow flow from the lower cylinder to go to the other side and not back to the reservoir 50, thereby allowing the component attached to the actuator to float without pump flow.
  • the first accumulator valve 154 may be connected to an accumulator to connect the swing motor 23 and fourth group of metering valves 56d to the accumulator to charge the accumulator.
  • the second accumulator valve 156 may be connected to the accumulator to connect the hydraulic actuator 30 of the boom 28 and the third group of metering valves 56c to the accumulator.
  • the hydraulic unit 52 also includes a port 158 on the rear external face 60 to the accumulator.
  • the regeneration valves 150 and 152 and the accumulator valves 154 and 156 are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54.
  • each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve 142 connected between passages to protect the pump and respective hydraulic component from over pressurization, for example if an excessive external overload on one of the hydraulic actuators should be applied when the pump 42 is in a neutral position providing relief of the
  • the pressure relief valves 142 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54.
  • One or more pressure relief valves may also be removably mounted to other faces of the manifold block 54, such as the front external face 58.
  • Each work section additionally has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers 144 for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
  • the pressure transducers 144 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54.
  • One or more pressure transducers may also be
  • the manifold block 54 includes one or more pilot ports 170, 172, 174, and 176 connectable to the pump or reservoir.
  • the pilot ports may deliver a pilot pressure to the groups of metering valves 56a-56d.
  • the manifold block 54 also includes one or more pilot ports 178 for delivering a pilot pressure to the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134.
  • the hydraulic unit 52 additionally includes one or more check valves 180 for preventing backflow of fluid from the groups of metering valves 56a-56d and/or the travel valves 130, 132 and 134 and a plurality of pilot check valves 182 for preventing backflow.
  • check valves 180 are removably mounted to the left side external face 62
  • four check valves 180 are removably mounted to the right side external face 64
  • four check valves 180 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60
  • six pilot check valves 182 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54.
  • the manifold block 54 is shown for vertical mounting with the groups of metering valves 56a-56d facing the boom 28, although it will be appreciated that the manifold block 54 may be mounted with the metering valves 56a-56d facing any suitable direction.
  • FIG. 14-20 an exemplary embodiment of the hydraulic unit is shown at 252.
  • the hydraulic unit is substantially the same as the above- referenced hydraulic unit 52, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 200 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the hydraulic unit.
  • the foregoing description of the hydraulic unit 52 is equally applicable to the hydraulic unit 252 except as noted below.
  • the hydraulic unit 252 includes a manifold block 254 and a plurality of active control components, such as a plurality of groups of metering valves 256a-256c.
  • the manifold block 254 includes front and rear external faces 258 and 260, and side external faces, such as left side external face 262, right side external face 264, top side external face 266, and bottom side external face 268.
  • the manifold block 254 also includes an inlet port 280 connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port 282 connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, a plurality of work port pairs 286a and 286b, 288a and 288b, and 290a and 290b, and internal passages operably coupling the inlet port 280, return port 282, work port pairs 286a and 286b, 288a and 288b, and 290a and 290b, and the groups of metering valves 256a-256c.
  • the inlet port 280 and the return port 282 are provided in the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254, the work port pair 286a and 286b is provided in the left side external face 262, and the work port pairs 288a and 288b and 290a and 290b are provided in the right side external face 264.
  • the plurality of groups of metering valves 256a- 256c are removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254 at respective component mounting holes in the front external face 258 of the mounting block 254.
  • Each group of metering valves 256a-256c forms a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers or the first and second ports of the respective hydraulic actuator.
  • the first group of metering valves 256a is associated with the hydraulic actuator 36 manipulating the arm 32
  • the second group of metering valves 256b is associated with the hydraulic actuator 30 for manipulating the boom 28
  • the third group of metering valves 256c is associated with the hydraulic actuator 23 for effecting swing.
  • the group of metering valves 256a forms a work section including metering valves 310a, 310b, 310c, and 31 Od
  • the group of metering valves 256b forms a work section including metering valves 312a, 312b, 312c, and 312d
  • the group of metering valves 256c forms a work section including metering valves 314a, 314b, 314c, and 314d.
  • the hydraulic unit 252 further includes one or more travel valves, herein referred to as load sensing valve assemblies, and in the illustrated embodiment four load sensing valve assemblies 330, 332, 334 and 336 each provided for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function.
  • load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling a hydraulic actuator for extending/retracting the outriggers 20
  • one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the front and rear wheels 14 and 16
  • one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the bucket 34, etc.
  • the load sensing valve assemblies 332 and 336 are removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254, and the load sensing valve assemblies 330 and 334 are removably mounted to a front of the load sensing valve assemblies 332 and 336 respectively.
  • the bucket is described as being controlled by one of the load sensing valves assemblies, it will be appreciated that one or more of the swing, boom, and bucket may be controlled by one of the load sensing valve assemblies.
  • the hydraulic unit 252 additionally includes one or more regeneration valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first regeneration valve 350 and a second regeneration valve 352, and one or more accumulator valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first accumulator valve 354 and a second accumulator valve 356.
  • the first regeneration valve 350 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and retract chambers 122 of the hydraulic actuator 36
  • the second regeneration valve 352 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and the retract chamber 122 of the hydraulic actuator 30.
  • the first accumulator valve 354 may be connected to an accumulator to connect the swing motor 23 and third group of metering valves 256c to the accumulator and the second accumulator valve 356 may be connected to the accumulator to connect the hydraulic actuator 30 of the boom 28 and the second group of metering valves 356b to the accumulator.
  • the work sections have associated therewith at least one load holding valve 340 removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254.
  • each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve 342 connected between passages to protect the pump and respective hydraulic component from over pressurization, the valves 342 being removably mounted to the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254.
  • Each work section additionally has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers 344 for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid, the pressure transducers 344 being removably mounted to the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254.

Abstract

A hydraulic unit (40) with a manifold (54) having a front face (58) to which a plurality of metering valves (56a-56d) are mounted for convenient access, and the manifold has ports connectable to ports of the hydraulic actuators on surfaces other than the front face (58), in particular the side surfaces (62, 64) of the manifold (54). The configuration allows the hydraulic unit (40) to be mounted in a compartment with tight space constraints and allows for convenient access to the components for servicing the components.

Description

INDEPENDENT METERING VALVE FOR MOBILE EQUIPMENT
Related Application Data
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/982,219 filed April 21 , 2014 and hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to hydraulic systems, and more particularly to a hydraulic system including a manifold block and a plurality of valves mounted to a face of the manifold block.
Background
An excavator is an example of a construction machine that uses multiple hydraulic actuators to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as operation of a boom, an arm, a bucket, and swing. These actuators are fluidly connected to a pump that provides pressurized fluid to extend and retract chambers within the actuators. This pressurized fluid force acting on the actuator surface causes movement of actuators and connected work tools. Once the hydraulic energy is utilized, pressurized fluid is drained from the chambers to return to a low pressure reservoir. Usually the fluid being drained is at a higher pressure than the pressure in the reservoir and hence this remaining energy is wasted once it enters the reservoir.
The control for the actuators includes a plurality of valves mounted to a support structure with each valve having inlet and outlet ports to which extend and retract ports of the actuators are connected. Mounting the valves to the support structure results in a cluttered and difficult to service arrangement of the valves.
Summary of Invention
The present invention provides a hydraulic unit characterized by the usage of a manifold having a front face to which a plurality of metering valves are mounted for convenient access, and the manifold has ports connectable to ports of the hydraulic actuators on surfaces other than the front face, in particular the side surfaces of the manifold. The configuration allows the hydraulic unit to be mounted in a compartment with tight space constraints and allows for convenient access to the components for servicing the components.
According to one aspect of the invention, a work machine is provided that includes an undercarriage supported by wheels and/or tracks for movement over a surface, and a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having an extend port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to an extend port of a piston-cylinder assembly and a retract port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a retract port of the piston-cylinder assembly, and a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with one of the piston-cylinder assemblies for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers of the respective piston-cylinder assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention, a hydraulic system is provided that includes a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having a first port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a first port of a hydraulic component and a second port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a second port of the hydraulic component, and a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic components for controlling the flow of fluid to/from the first and second ports of the respective hydraulic component. According to still another aspect of the invention, a hydraulic unit for use in a work machine for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to a plurality of double-acting piston-cylinder assemblies and/or a swing motor for effecting respective functions of the machine is provided, wherein each piston-cylinder assembly has extend and retract ports and the swing motor has first and second ports. The hydraulic unit includesa manifold block having front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces, an inlet port connectable to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port connectable to a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and first work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a first one of the piston-cylinder assemblies, second work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a second one of the piston-cylinder assemblies, and a plurality of active control components removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block at respective component mounting holes in the front external face of the manifold block, and wherein the manifold block includes internal passages operably coupling the inlet port, return port, first and second work ports and active control components such that the active control components can function to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the first and second work ports, and wherein the first and second work ports are not located on the front external face of the manifold block.
The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view of a hydraulic excavator.
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary hydraulic system according to the invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary hydraulic unit according to the invention.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the hydraulic unit.
Fig. 5 is a back view of the hydraulic unit.
Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the hydraulic unit. Fig 7 is a top view of the hydraulic unit.
Fig 8 is a left side view of the hydraulic unit.
Fig 9 is a right side view of the hydraulic unit.
Fig 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic unit taken about line A-A in Fig. 4.
Fig. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic unit taken about line B-B in Fig. 4.
Fig. 12 a schematic illustration of a plurality of metering valves connected to a hydraulic actuator.
Fig. 13 another schematic illustration of a plurality of metering valves connected to a hydraulic actuator.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another exemplary hydraulic unit according to the invention.
Fig. 15 is a front view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 is a back view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Fig 17 is a top view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Fig 18 is a bottom view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Fig 19 is a left side view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Fig 20 is a right side view of the hydraulic unit of Fig. 14.
Detailed Description
The principles of this present application have particular application to hydraulic actuation systems for extending and retracting at least one hydraulic cylinder in a work machine, such as a hydraulic excavator, and thus will be described below chiefly in this context. It will of course be appreciated, and also understood, that principles of this invention may be applicable to other work machines, such as wheel loaders, loading shovels, backhoe shovels, mining equipment, industrial machinery and the like, having one or more actuated components such as lifting and/or tilting arms, booms, buckets, steering and turning functions, traveling means, etc.
Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 , an exemplary wheel-type hydraulic excavator is illustrated generally at reference numeral 10. The excavator 10 includes a body or undercarriage 12 supported on suitable front and rear wheels 14 and 16 respectively driven by a suitable hydraulic motor 18. Outriggers 20 are secured to the body 12 and extendable by suitable hydraulic actuators (not shown) into engagement with the ground to stabilize the vehicle 10 during operation. A suitable rotatable platform 22 is supported by the body 12 for rotation relative to the body by one or more hydraulic actuators, such as a swing motor 23 and includes an operator compartment 24 and an engine compartment 26. A boom 28 is pivotally mounted on the rotatable platform 22 and manipulated about its pivotal point by one or more hydraulic actuators, such as one or more piston-cylinder assemblies 30. An arm 32 is pivotally carried by the boom 28 and pivotally carries on the end thereof a bucket 34 with hydraulic actuators, such as one or more piston-cylinder assemblies 36 and 38 operatively connected for manipulating the arm 32 and bucket 34 respectively. Fluid for manipulating and controlling the hydraulic actuators is supplied by a hydraulic system 40 described below and pressurized by a pump 42 (Fig. 2) driven by a prime mover, such as an engine 44.
Turning now to Figs. 2-9, and initially to Figs. 2-4, the hydraulic system 40 includes the hydraulic pump 42 for pumping hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir 50, and a hydraulic unit 52. The hydraulic unit 52 includes a manifold block 54 and a plurality of active control components, such as a plurality of groups of metering valves 56a-56d. The arrangement between the manifold block 54 and the active control components allows the hydraulic unit 52 to be installed in places with tight space constraints and allows for convenient access to the active components for servicing. The manifold block 54 includes front and rear external faces 58 and 60, and side external faces, such as left side external face 62, right side external face 64, top side external face 66, and bottom side external face 68. The external faces extend between the front and rear external faces 58 and 60 and may be planar and orthogonally disposed. One or more eye hooks 70 may be provided on the top side external face 66 for attaching a cable to the hydraulic unit 52 for raising and lowering the unit 52.
As shown in Figs. 5, and 8-1 1 , the manifold block 54 also includes an inlet port 80 connectable to the hydraulic pump 42 for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port 82 connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 50, a plurality of work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b, and internal passages 94 operably coupling the inlet port 80, return port 82, work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b, and the groups of metering valves 56a-56d such that the groups of metering valves 56a-56d can function to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the work port pairs 86a and 86b, 88a and 88b, 90a and 90b, and 92a and 92b,
respectively. The passages 94 may be machined in the manifold block 54 and closed in any suitable way, such as by plugs.
The inlet port 80 and the return port 82 are provided in the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54. The inlet port 80 is connectable to the hydraulic pump 42 in any suitable manner, such as by a fluid conduit (not shown) that is secured to the rear external face 60 in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to the openings 100 in the rear external face 60 by suitable fasteners. Similarly, the return port 82 is connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 50 in any suitable manner, such as by a fluid conduit (not shown) that is secured to the rear external face 60 in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to the openings 102 in the rear external face 60 by suitable fasteners.
Each work port pair has a first port 86a, 88a, 90a, and 92a connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to the extend or retract port or first and second port of the hydraulic actuator, and a second port 86b, 88b, 90b, and 92b connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to the other of the extend or retract port or first or second port of the hydraulic actuator. The work ports 86a, 86b, 88a, 88b, 90a, 90b, 92a, and 92b are connectable to the fluid conduit (not shown) in any suitable manner, such as by a flange fitting secured to respective openings 104 in the left and right side faces 62 and 64 by suitable fasteners. Although shown as being on opposite sides 62 and 64 of the manifold 54, it will be appreciated that two of the work port pairs, such as work port pair 86a, 86b and 88a, 88b may be provided on one of the sides 62 or 64 and the other two work port pairs 90a, 90b and 92a, 92b may be provided on the other side 62 or 64.
The plurality of groups of metering valves 56a-56d are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 at respective component mounting holes in the front external face 58 of the mounting block 54 for convenient access for servicing the valves, and are mounted, for example, perpendicular to the face 58. As illustrated, the metering valves 56a-56d only populate the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 and no fluid lines are connected to the metering valves external to the manifold block, i.e. external fluid lines are replaced by the internal passages 94.
Referring again to Fig. 4, each group of metering valves 56a-56d forms a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers or first and second ports of the respective hydraulic actuator. For example, the first group of metering valves 56a is associated with the hydraulic actuator 36 manipulating the arm 32, the second group of metering valves 56b is associated with the hydraulic actuator 38 for manipulating the bucket 34, the third group of metering valves 56c is associated with the hydraulic actuator 30 for manipulating the boom 28, and the fourth group of metering valves 56d is associated with the hydraulic actuator 23 for effecting swing. The group of metering valves 56a forms a work section including metering valves 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, and 1 10d, the group of metering valves 56b forms a work section including metering valves 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, and 1 12d, the group of metering valves 56c forms a work section including metering valves 1 14a, 1 14b, 1 14c, and 1 14d, and the group of metering valves 56d forms a work section including metering valves 1 16a, 1 16b, 1 16c, and 1 16d. The hydraulic fluid enters the manifold block 54 at the inlet 80 and is delivered to the groups of metering valve 56a-56d in parallel. The metering valves 1 10a-d, 1 12a-d, 1 14a-d, and 1 16a-d may be any suitable metering valve, such as independent pilot operated cartridge type metering valves.
Turning now to Fig. 12, a schematic illustration is shown of the first group of metering valves 56a connected to the hydraulic actuator 36 for manipulating the arm 32. It will be appreciated that the second and third groups of metering valves 56b and 56c are connected to their respective hydraulic actuators 38 and 30 in a similar manner and thus the following description is equally applicable to the groups of metering valves 56b and 56c.
The metering valve 1 10a, herein referred to as the first metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the first port The metering valve 1 10b, herein referred to as the second metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the extend chamber 120 to the first port 86a and then to the return 82. The metering valve 1 10c, herein referred to as the third metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the second port 86b of the work port pair and then to a retract chamber 122 of the actuator 36. The metering valve 1 10d, herein referred to as the fourth metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the retract chamber 122 to the second port 86b and then to the return 82.
Turning now to Fig. 13, a schematic illustration is shown of the fourth group of metering valves 56d connected to the hydraulic actuator 23 for effecting swing. The metering valve 1 16a, herein referred to as the first metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the first port 92a of the work port pair and then to a first port 124 of the swing motor 23. The metering valve 1 16b, herein referred to as the second metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port 124 to the first port 92a and then to the return 82. The metering valve 1 16c, herein referred to as the third metering valve, is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet 80 to the second port 92b of the work port pair and then to a second port 126 of the swing motor 23. The metering valve 1 16d, herein referred to as the fourth metering valve, is provided for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the second port 126 to the second port 92b and then to the return 82.
Referring again to Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7, the hydraulic unit 52 further includes one or more travel valves, herein referred to as load sensing valve assemblies, and in the illustrated embodiment three load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 each provided for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function. For example, one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling a hydraulic actuator for extending/retracting the outriggers 20, one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the front and rear wheels 14 and 16, etc. The load sensing valve assemblies 132 and 134 are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of
8 the manifold block 54, and the load sensing valve assembly 130 is removably mounted to a front of the load sensing valve assembly 132. As illustrated, the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 only populate the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54 and no fluid lines are connected to the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134 external to the manifold block. The load sensing valves may be arranged in any suitable arrangement, such as a stacked arrangement at the top or bottom of the front external face 58.
The work sections have associated therewith at least one load holding valve 140 for preventing fluid flow out of the extend and retract chambers 120 and 122 of the piston-cylinder assemblies 30, 36 and 38 or out of the first and second ports 124 and 126 of the swing motor 23 when no motion of the actuators is desired. The load holding valve 140 is removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54. The load holding valve 140 may be any suitable valve, such as two position, solenoid operated valve controlled by a system controller.
The hydraulic unit 52 additionally includes one or more regeneration valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first regeneration valve 150 and a second regeneration valve 152, and one or more accumulator valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first accumulator valve 154 and a second accumulator valve 156. The first regeneration valve 150 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and retract chambers 122 of the hydraulic actuator 36, and the second regeneration valve 152 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and the retract chamber 122 of the hydraulic actuator 30. The regeneration valves 150 and 152 connect the respective extend and retract chambers 120 and 122 to allow flow from the lower cylinder to go to the other side and not back to the reservoir 50, thereby allowing the component attached to the actuator to float without pump flow. The first accumulator valve 154 may be connected to an accumulator to connect the swing motor 23 and fourth group of metering valves 56d to the accumulator to charge the accumulator. The second accumulator valve 156 may be connected to the accumulator to connect the hydraulic actuator 30 of the boom 28 and the third group of metering valves 56c to the accumulator. The hydraulic unit 52 also includes a port 158 on the rear external face 60 to the accumulator. The regeneration valves 150 and 152 and the accumulator valves 154 and 156 are removably mounted to the front external face 58 of the manifold block 54.
Referring again to Fig. 5, each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve 142 connected between passages to protect the pump and respective hydraulic component from over pressurization, for example if an excessive external overload on one of the hydraulic actuators should be applied when the pump 42 is in a neutral position providing relief of the
passages. The pressure relief valves 142 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54. One or more pressure relief valves may also be removably mounted to other faces of the manifold block 54, such as the front external face 58.
Each work section additionally has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers 144 for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid. The pressure transducers 144 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54. One or more pressure transducers may also be
removably mounted to other faces of the manifold block 54, such as the front external face 58.
Turning now to Figs. 5 and 9, the manifold block 54 includes one or more pilot ports 170, 172, 174, and 176 connectable to the pump or reservoir. The pilot ports may deliver a pilot pressure to the groups of metering valves 56a-56d. The manifold block 54 also includes one or more pilot ports 178 for delivering a pilot pressure to the load sensing valve assemblies 130, 132 and 134.
The hydraulic unit 52 additionally includes one or more check valves 180 for preventing backflow of fluid from the groups of metering valves 56a-56d and/or the travel valves 130, 132 and 134 and a plurality of pilot check valves 182 for preventing backflow. As shown, four check valves 180 are removably mounted to the left side external face 62, four check valves 180 are removably mounted to the right side external face 64, four check valves 180 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60, and six pilot check valves 182 are removably mounted to the rear external face 60 of the manifold block 54.
Due to the design of the manifold 54, the flow locations and controls of the boom and arm circuits may be changed. The manifold block 54 is shown for vertical mounting with the groups of metering valves 56a-56d facing the boom 28, although it will be appreciated that the manifold block 54 may be mounted with the metering valves 56a-56d facing any suitable direction.
Turning now to Figs. 14-20, an exemplary embodiment of the hydraulic unit is shown at 252. The hydraulic unit is substantially the same as the above- referenced hydraulic unit 52, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 200 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the hydraulic unit. In addition, the foregoing description of the hydraulic unit 52 is equally applicable to the hydraulic unit 252 except as noted below.
Moreover, it will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the
specification that aspects of the hydraulic units may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.
The hydraulic unit 252 includes a manifold block 254 and a plurality of active control components, such as a plurality of groups of metering valves 256a-256c. The manifold block 254 includes front and rear external faces 258 and 260, and side external faces, such as left side external face 262, right side external face 264, top side external face 266, and bottom side external face 268.
The manifold block 254 also includes an inlet port 280 connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure, a return port 282 connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, a plurality of work port pairs 286a and 286b, 288a and 288b, and 290a and 290b, and internal passages operably coupling the inlet port 280, return port 282, work port pairs 286a and 286b, 288a and 288b, and 290a and 290b, and the groups of metering valves 256a-256c. The inlet port 280 and the return port 282 are provided in the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254, the work port pair 286a and 286b is provided in the left side external face 262, and the work port pairs 288a and 288b and 290a and 290b are provided in the right side external face 264.
Turning now to Fig. 15, the plurality of groups of metering valves 256a- 256c are removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254 at respective component mounting holes in the front external face 258 of the mounting block 254. Each group of metering valves 256a-256c forms a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers or the first and second ports of the respective hydraulic actuator. For example, the first group of metering valves 256a is associated with the hydraulic actuator 36 manipulating the arm 32, the second group of metering valves 256b is associated with the hydraulic actuator 30 for manipulating the boom 28, and the third group of metering valves 256c is associated with the hydraulic actuator 23 for effecting swing. The group of metering valves 256a forms a work section including metering valves 310a, 310b, 310c, and 31 Od, the group of metering valves 256b forms a work section including metering valves 312a, 312b, 312c, and 312d, and the group of metering valves 256c forms a work section including metering valves 314a, 314b, 314c, and 314d.
The hydraulic unit 252 further includes one or more travel valves, herein referred to as load sensing valve assemblies, and in the illustrated embodiment four load sensing valve assemblies 330, 332, 334 and 336 each provided for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function. For example, one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling a hydraulic actuator for extending/retracting the outriggers 20, one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the front and rear wheels 14 and 16, one of the load sensing valve assemblies may be provided for controlling the bucket 34, etc. The load sensing valve assemblies 332 and 336 are removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254, and the load sensing valve assemblies 330 and 334 are removably mounted to a front of the load sensing valve assemblies 332 and 336 respectively. Although the bucket is described as being controlled by one of the load sensing valves assemblies, it will be appreciated that one or more of the swing, boom, and bucket may be controlled by one of the load sensing valve assemblies.
The hydraulic unit 252 additionally includes one or more regeneration valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first regeneration valve 350 and a second regeneration valve 352, and one or more accumulator valves, and in the illustrated embodiment a first accumulator valve 354 and a second accumulator valve 356. The first regeneration valve 350 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and retract chambers 122 of the hydraulic actuator 36, and the second regeneration valve 352 is provided to connect the extend chamber 120 and the retract chamber 122 of the hydraulic actuator 30. The first accumulator valve 354 may be connected to an accumulator to connect the swing motor 23 and third group of metering valves 256c to the accumulator and the second accumulator valve 356 may be connected to the accumulator to connect the hydraulic actuator 30 of the boom 28 and the second group of metering valves 356b to the accumulator.
The work sections have associated therewith at least one load holding valve 340 removably mounted to the front external face 258 of the manifold block 254. As shown in Fig. 16, each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve 342 connected between passages to protect the pump and respective hydraulic component from over pressurization, the valves 342 being removably mounted to the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254. Each work section additionally has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers 344 for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid, the pressure transducers 344 being removably mounted to the rear external face 260 of the manifold block 254.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

Claims
1 . A work machine including an undercarriage supported by wheels and/or tracks for movement over a surface, and a hydraulic system including: a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid;
a hydraulic fluid reservoir;
a manifold block having:
front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces,
an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure,
a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having an extend port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to an extend port of a piston-cylinder assembly and a retract port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a retract port of the piston-cylinder assembly; and
a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with one of the piston-cylinder assemblies for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers of the respective piston-cylinder assembly.
2. A hydraulic system including:
a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid;
a hydraulic fluid reservoir;
a manifold block having:
front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces,
an inlet port connectable to the hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure,
a return port connectable to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a plurality of work port pairs, each pair having a first port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a first port of a hydraulic component and a second port connectable to a fluid conduit for connecting the port to a second port of the hydraulic component; and 5 a plurality of groups of metering valves removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block, each group forming a work section associated with a respective one of the hydraulic components for controlling the flow of fluid to/from the first and second ports of the respective hydraulic component.
o
3. The hydraulic system according to claim 2, wherein only the front external face is populated with metering valves.
4. The hydraulic system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein no fluid5 lines are connected to the metering valves external to the manifold block.
5. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of metering valves of each group includes a first metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to the first0 port of the work port pair and then to the first port of the hydraulic component, a second metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port of the hydraulic component to the first port of the work port pair and then to the return, a third metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to the second port of the work port pair and then to the second port of the5 hydraulic component, and a fourth metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the second port of the hydraulic component to the second port of the work port pair and then to the return.
6. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding0 claim, further including one or more load sensing valve assembly for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function.
7. The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more load sensing valve assemblies are mounted to the front external face of the manifold block.
8. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the work sections have associated therewith one or more load holding valves for preventing fluid flow out of the first and second ports of the hydraulic component respectively.
9. The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 8, wherein the load holding valve is removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block.
10. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve to protect the pump and respective hydraulic component from over pressurization.
1 1 . The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 10, wherein the pressure relief valves are removably mounted to the rear external face of the manifold block.
12. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the external faces are planar and orthogonally disposed.
13. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein each work section has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
14. The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 13, wherein the pressure transducers are removably mounted to the rear external face of the manifold block.
15. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the inlet port and return port are located in the rear external face of the manifold block.
16. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of work port pairs are provided on one or both of the side external faces.
17. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, whereby the hydraulic fluid enters the inlet port, is delivered to the plurality of groups of metering valves in parallel.
18. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, further including one or more regeneration valves, each regeneration valve connecting the first and second ports in one of the hydraulic components.
19. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, further including one or more accumulator valves for connecting one or more of the groups of metering valves to an accumulator.
20. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of groups of metering valves includes a first group of metering valves, a second group of metering valves, a third group of metering valves, and a fourth group of metering valves.
21 . The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 20, wherein the first group of metering valves is associated with a hydraulic component for manipulating an arm, the second group of metering valves is associated with a hydraulic component for manipulating a bucket, the third group of metering valves is associated with a hydraulic component for manipulating a boom, and the fourth group of metering valves is associated with a hydraulic component for effecting swing.
22. The work machine / hydraulic system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of groups of metering valves are pilot operated metering valves.
23. The work machine / hydraulic system according to claim 22, further including a plurality of pilot ports provided on one or both of the side external faces.
24. A hydraulic unit for use in a work machine for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to a plurality of double-acting piston-cylinder assemblies and/or a swing motor for effecting respective functions of the machine, wherein each piston-cylinder assembly has extend and retract ports and the swing motor has first and second ports, the hydraulic unit including:
a manifold block having
front and rear external faces and side external faces extending between the front and rear external faces,
an inlet port connectable to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure,
a return port connectable to a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and first work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a first one of the piston-cylinder assemblies,
second work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the first work ports to the extend and retract ports of a second one of the piston-cylinder assemblies, and
a plurality of active control components removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block at respective component mounting holes in the front external face of the manifold block, and
wherein the manifold block includes internal passages operably coupling the inlet port, return port, first and second work ports and active control components such that the active control components can function to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the first and second work ports, and wherein the first and second work ports are not located on the front external face of the manifold block.
25. The hydraulic unit according to claim 24, wherein the plurality of active control components includes a plurality of the same type of active control components mounted to the front external face.
26. The hydraulic unit according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the plurality of active control components includes a plurality of valves forming first and second valve groups, the first valve group forming a first work section associated with the first work ports and the second valve group forming a second work section associated with the second work ports.
27. The hydraulic unit according to claim 26, further including third work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the third work ports to the extend and retract ports of a third one of the piston-cylinder assemblies.
28. The hydraulic unit according to claim 27, further including fourth work ports connectable to respective fluid conduits for connecting the fourth work ports to the first and second ports of the swing motor.
29. The hydraulic unit according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of active control components includes a plurality valves forming first, second, third, and fourth valve groups, the first valve group forming a first work section associated with the first work ports, the second valve group forming a second work section associated with the second work ports, the third valve group forming a third work section associated with the third work ports, and the fourth valve group forming a fourth work section associated with the fourth work ports.
30. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-29, wherein each of the first, second and third work sections includes a plurality of metering valves for controlling the flow of fluid to/from extend and retract chambers of the respective piston-cylinder assembly, and the fourth work section includes a plurality of metering valves for controlling the flow of fluid to/from the first and second ports of the swing motor.
31 . The hydraulic unit according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of metering valves of each of the first, second and third groups includes a first metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to one of the work ports and then to the extend chamber, a second metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the extend chamber to the respective work port and then to the return, a third metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to another one of the work ports and then to the retract chamber, and a fourth metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the retract chamber to the respective work port and then to the return.
32. The hydraulic unit according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the plurality of metering valves of the fourth group includes a first metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to one of the fourth work ports and then to the inlet port of the swing motor, a second metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet port of the swing motor to the respective fourth work port and then to the return, a third metering valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet to another one of the fourth work ports and then to the second port of the swing motor, and a fourth metering valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from the second port of the swing motor to the respective fourth work port and then to the return.
33. The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, further including one or more load sensing valve assembly for controlling an auxiliary hydraulic function.
34. The hydraulic unit according to claim 33, wherein the one or more load sensing valve assemblies are mounted to the front external face of the manifold block.
35. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-34, wherein the work sections have associated therewith one or more load holding valves for preventing fluid flow out of the extend and retract chambers respectively or first and second ports.
36. The hydraulic unit according to claim 35, wherein the load holding valve is removably mounted to the front external face of the manifold block.
37. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-36, wherein each work section has associated therewith at least one pressure relief valve to protect a pump and respective piston-cylinder assembly or swing motor from over pressurization.
38. The hydraulic unit according to claim 37, wherein the pressure relief valves are removably mounted to the rear external face of the manifold block.
39. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 30-38, wherein only the front external face is populated with metering valves.
40. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 30-39, wherein no fluid lines are connected to the metering valves external to the manifold block.
41 . The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the external faces are planar and orthogonally disposed.
42. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-41 , wherein each work section has associated therewith one or more pressure transducers for monitoring pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
43. The hydraulic unit according to claim 42, wherein the pressure transducers are removably mounted to the rear external face of the manifold block.
44. The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the inlet port and return port are located in the rear external face of the manifold block.
45. The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the work ports are provided on one or both of the side external faces.
46. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-45, whereby the hydraulic fluid enters the inlet port and is delivered to each work section in parallel.
47. The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, further including one or more regeneration valves, each regeneration valve connecting the extend and retract chambers in one of the piston-cylinder assemblies.
48. The hydraulic unit according to any of claims 26-47, further including one or more accumulator valves for connecting one or more of the work sections to an accumulator.
49. The hydraulic unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of active components are pilot operated active components.
50. The hydraulic unit according to claim 49, further including a plurality of pilot ports provided on one or both of the side external faces.
PCT/US2015/026795 2014-04-21 2015-04-21 Independent metering valve for mobile equipment WO2015164321A1 (en)

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