Patent Application
20240026633
The present disclosure relates generally to hydraulic coupling connections and, for example, to an apparatus that secures hydraulic coupling connections at a certain angle.
Machines, such as track-type tractors, and systems, such as implement control systems, may use flowlines (e.g., a hydraulic hose) to route fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) between different parts and/or components. The hose may have a coupling connection at each end to secure the hose to the different components.
Generally, because the work area associated with coupling connections is a cramped area with little clearance, installers have to be careful that the hose does not contact other parts (e.g., other hoses or sheet metal) to avoid damage (e.g., breakage) caused by rubbing and/or vibration, which may result in fluid leakage and/or system downtime for making repairs. Generally, the connection can be set at any angle. The task of connecting the hose at a certain angle (e.g., to avoid contact with other parts) is thus inefficient, physically taxing, and time-consuming.
The apparatus of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.
In some implementations, an earthmoving machine includes: a frame; one or more implements mounted on the frame; an engine configured to power the machine; ground engaging members configured to propel the machine; and an implement control system configured to control the one or more implements, wherein the implement control system includes: a pump configured to supply fluid, at pressure, to the one or more implements; a valve configured to supply fluid, at pressure, from the pump, selectively to the one or more implements; a first hose connected between the pump and the valve, wherein a connection defined between the first hose and the valve includes: a coupling disposed at an end of the first hose; a split flange engaged with the coupling; a plurality of fasteners disposed through corresponding openings in the split flange, wherein the plurality of fasteners are configured to secure the split flange and the coupling to a body of the valve; and a bracket secured with the split flange, via first and second fasteners, of the plurality of fasteners, disposed through corresponding openings in the bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to secure the connection at a first angle; and a second hose connected between the valve and a first implement of the one or more implements.
In some implementations, a hydraulic coupling connection, defined between a hose and a valve of a machine, includes: a split flange configured to be engaged with a coupling disposed at an end of the hose; a plurality of fasteners disposed through corresponding openings in the split flange, wherein the plurality of fasteners are configured to secure the split flange and the coupling to a body of the valve; and a bracket secured with the split flange, via first and second fasteners, of the plurality of fasteners, disposed through corresponding openings in the bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to secure the connection at a first angle.
In some implementations, an apparatus, for a hydraulic coupling connection defined between a hose and a valve of a machine, the hydraulic coupling connection including a split flange configured to be engaged with a coupling disposed at an end of the hose, includes: a bracket configured to be secured with the split flange, via first and second fasteners, of a plurality of fasteners, wherein the first and second fasteners are configured to be disposed through corresponding openings in the bracket, the split flange, and a body of the valve, and wherein the bracket is configured to secure the connection at a first angle.
This disclosure relates to a bracket 310, which is applicable to any machine or system that includes coupling connections (e.g., hydraulic coupling connections). The term “machine” may refer to any machine that performs an operation associated with an industry such as, for example, mining, construction, farming, transportation, or another industry. For example, the machine may be an earthmoving machine (e.g., a track-type tractor, motor grader, or wheel loader) and/or other machines. One or more implements may be connected to the machine. Example systems may include an implement control system associated with the one or more implements of the machine, an engine, a genset, and/or other systems.
As shown in
The engine 115 may include an internal combustion engine, such as a compression ignition engine, a spark ignition engine, a laser ignition engine, or a plasma ignition engine, among other examples. The engine 115 provides power to the machine 105 and/or a set of loads (e.g., components that use power to operate) associated with the machine 105. For example, the engine 115 may provide power to the sensor system 120, the operator cabin 130, one or more control systems (e.g., the controller 140), the ground engaging members 170, and/or the implement control system 180.
The engine 115 can provide power to an implement of the machine 105 (e.g., the rear attachment 150 and/or the front attachment 160), such as an implement used in mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry. For example, the engine 115 may power components (e.g., one or more hydraulic pumps, one or more actuators, and/or one or more electric motors) to facilitate control of the rear attachment 150 and/or the front attachment 160 of the machine 105.
The sensor system 120 may include sensor devices that are capable of generating information regarding an amount of wear of one or more components of the machine 105, an operation of the machine 105, a pose of the machine 105, and/or an environment of the machine 105, among other examples.
The operator cabin 130 may include an integrated display and operator controls. The operator controls may include one or more input components (e.g., integrated joysticks, push-buttons, control levers, and/or steering wheels) to control an operation of the machine 105. For an autonomous machine, the operator controls may not be designed for use by an operator and, rather, may be designed to operate independently from an operator. For example, the operator controls may include one or more input components that provide input instructions for use by another component without any operator input.
The controller 140 (e.g., an electronic control module) may control and/or monitor operations of the machine 105. For example, the controller 140 may control and/or monitor the operations of the machine 105 based on information from the operator controls and/or from the sensor system 120.
The rear attachment 150 may include a ripper assembly, a winch assembly, and/or a drawbar assembly, among other examples. The front attachment 160 may include a blade assembly, among other examples.
The ground engaging members 170 may be configured to propel the machine 105 across a ground surface. The ground engaging members 170 may include wheels, tracks, and/or rollers, among other examples, for propelling the machine 105. In some instances, the ground engaging members 170 may be associated with an undercarriage that includes tracks (as shown in
The implement control system 180 can control an implement of the machine 105 (e.g., the rear attachment 150 and/or the front attachment 160). The implement control system 180 may include one or more pumps, valves, and/or hoses (as described in more detail below in connection with
As indicated above,
The pump 185 may include a hydraulic pump for supplying fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) at pressure, from a fluid source, to the one or more implements 200a-200c, via the valve 190.
The valve 190 may include a hydraulic control valve (e.g., a directional control valve, a pressure control valve, or a flow control valve, among other examples) for supplying fluid at pressure, from the pump 185, selectively to the one or more implements 200a-200c.
The term “hose” may refer to any flowline that may be associated with a machine and/or system, such as, for example, any type of fluid conduit, pipe, and/or other types of flowlines. The hose 195 (which may be similar to the hoses 205a-205c) may include a high-pressure-rated hydraulic hose (e.g., a steel fiber-reinforced rubber hose), among other examples.
The one or more implements 200a-200c may include a ripper assembly, a winch assembly, a drawbar assembly, and/or a blade assembly (e.g., corresponding to the rear attachment 150 and/or the front attachment 160 of the machine 105 shown in
Each one of the hoses 205a-205c depicted schematically in
The implement control system 180 may include a controller 210. The controller 210 may be in data communication with the pump 185 and/or the valve 190. The controller 210 may include memory 215 and one or more processors 220 configured to implement instructions for controlling the pump 185 and/or the valve 190, via respective communication links 225 (225a-225b). In some examples, the pump 185 and/or the valve 190 may be controlled manually.
As indicated above,
As shown in
The bracket 310 is configured to secure the hydraulic coupling connection 300 at a first angle a1. The bracket 310 includes openings 312 (312a-312b). As shown in
As indicated above,
The body 314 may include a first surface 322, a second surface 324 facing away from the first surface, and a third surface 326 connecting the first surface 322 and the second surface 324. As shown in
The third surface 326 defines a thickness t1 of the body 314 measured perpendicular to the first surface 322 and the second surface 324. The thickness t1 may be uniform across the entire body 314, across the entire first portion 316, and/or across the entire second portion 320.
The body 314 includes a second bend 328 between the first portion 316 and the second portion 320. A second angle a2 of the second bend 328 is defined relative to the plane (x-y) of the first portion 316. The second angle a2 may be from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees).
As indicated above,
The coupling 330 is disposed at an end of the hose 195. As shown in
The split flange 340 is engaged with the flange 336 of the coupling 330, via an inner surface 342 that surrounds the flange 336. In some examples, a profile of the inner surface 342 may correspond to a profile of the flange 336 to facilitate pressing the distal end of the flange 336 into contact with the body 192 of the valve 190, via compression force exerted by the one or more fasteners 350, to maintain sealing contact therebetween.
The split flange 340 includes openings 344 (e.g., four total openings, of which openings 344a-344b are illustrated with dashed lines in
The plurality of fasteners 350 (of which fasteners 350a-350c are visible in
As indicated above,
Machines, such as track-type tractors, and systems, such as implement control systems, may use flowlines (e.g., a hydraulic hose) to route fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) between different parts and/or components (e.g., a pump or valve). The hose may have a coupling at each end to secure the hose to the different components. The coupling may be secured to the respective component using a connector (e.g., a split flange). The split flange may have two separate flange pieces (e.g., identical and/or matching pieces) that combine to define the connector. The split flange may be secured to the respective component using multiple fasteners (e.g., bolts).
Generally, because the work area associated with hose coupling connections is a cramped area with little clearance, installers have to be careful that the hose does not contact other parts (e.g., other hoses or sheet metal) to avoid damage (e.g., breakage) caused by rubbing and/or vibration, which may result in fluid leakage and/or system downtime for making repairs. Generally, because the interfacing surfaces of the coupling and the connector are each rounded in shape, the connection can be set at any angle. The task of connecting the hose at a certain angle (e.g., to avoid contact with other parts) is thus inefficient, physically taxing, and time-consuming.
The hydraulic coupling connection 300 described herein reduces a physical burden and conserves time associated with connecting the hose 195 at a certain angle. For example, the bracket 310 may be used to easily secure the angle of the hydraulic coupling connection 300 with respect to the valve 190. For example, the angle of the hydraulic coupling connection 300 may be preset based on a design of the corresponding first angle a1 of the first bend 318 in the bracket 310. When the hydraulic coupling connection 300 is being made-up, the only alignment required for securing the hose 195 at the desired angle may be associated with forcing the coupling 330 into contact with the second portion 320 of the bracket 310 before tightening down the one or more fasteners 350. Additionally, the bracket 310 may limit and/or prevent rotation of the hydraulic coupling connection 300 during operation. Furthermore, it is noted that a stiffness level of the hose 195 may facilitate setting an overall shape of the hose 195 along its length, based solely on the angle of the hydraulic coupling connection 300 at one end.
As a result, the task of connecting the hose 195 at a certain angle may be more efficient, less physically taxing, and/or less time-consuming, among other examples. Additionally, a likelihood of damage to the hose 195 may be reduced.
The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Furthermore, any of the implementations described herein may be combined unless the foregoing disclosure expressly provides a reason that one or more implementations cannot be combined. Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.
As used herein, “a,” “an,” and a “set” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). Further, spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus, device, and/or element in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
