Patent Grant
10465354
The present disclosure relates generally to machine implements, such as vibratory plate compactors, and more particularly to hydraulic fluid systems for such implements.
Machine implements such as vibratory compactors are often used in construction and other industries to compact soil, roadway base, paving material, or other work surfaces. In certain applications, the implement is provided as an accessory that is attached to a mobile machine, such as an excavator. The machine typically has its own hydraulic circuit for operating components provided on the machine. For example, the hydraulic circuit of the machine may be connected to hydraulic actuators for operating tracks or other ground engaging units to move the machine over the surface. Additionally, the hydraulic circuit may be coupled to hydraulic cylinders that operate the boom, stick, or other component of the machine. The hydraulic circuit of the machine may also have auxiliary connections, such as a high pressure supply line and a low pressure return line, for attachment to the implement.
The implement, in turn, includes a hydraulic system for routing hydraulic fluid through the implement, thereby to operate the implement. In a vibratory compactor, for example, the hydraulic system includes a primary line coupled to a motor having an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to the supply and return lines, respectively, of the machine. The motor may be connected to a vibration mechanism, such as a rotatable shaft carrying an eccentric weight, so that fluid flow through the primary line rotates the shaft to produce a vibratory force. The hydraulic system may include additional lines, such as a bypass line, pressure relief line, and anti-cavitation line, to perform other functions.
In conventional implements, the primary and additional lines are typically provided in a manifold that is located remotely from the motor. For example, the motor may be mounted on a vibratory plate, while the manifold is mounted on a yoke coupled to the plate. Consequently, additional hoses are required to connect the manifold to the pump. Additionally, in some implements, a primary check valve is provided in the primary line to ensure that hydraulic fluid flows only in the intended direction. This check valve is also typically provided in the remotely located manifold.
A hydrostatic transmission for a riding lawn tractor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,870 entitled, “Hydrostatic Transmission” (hereinafter the '870 patent). The '870 patent discloses a hydrostatic transmission module 14 that includes a single housing that integrates and houses all of the components of the hydrostatic transmission. Specifically, a cover 74 of the transmission module 14 has an integral fluid flow path that forms a part of the hydraulic circuit. While incorporating some of the hydraulic circuit into the cover 74 may reduce complexity of the hydraulic circuit, it nevertheless requires intricate and complex machining of the housing, thereby raising fabrication costs, and yet provides only an extremely limited amount of space for the integrating hydrostatic transmission components.
In accordance with one embodiment, a hydraulic fluid system is provided for a work implement having a support plate, the work implement being provided on a machine having an auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line and an auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line. The hydraulic fluid system includes a motor having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a mounting plate coupled to the support plate of the implement. The mounting plate further includes a body defining an exterior surface including a mounting portion coupled to the motor, a supply conduit extending through the body from a first supply port, formed in the exterior surface and configured to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line, to a second supply port, formed in the exterior surface and coupled to the inlet port of the motor, and a return conduit extending through the body from a first return port, formed in the exterior surface and coupled to the outlet port of the motor, and a second return port, formed in the exterior surface and configured to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line.
In accordance with another embodiment, a kit is provided for retrofitting a hydraulic fluid system for a work implement, the hydraulic fluid system including an existing motor coupled to a support plate of the work implement, the work implement being configured for use with a machine having an auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line and an auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line. The kit includes a mounting plate configured for coupling to the support plate of the implement, the mounting plate including a body defining an exterior surface including a mounting portion configured for coupling to the existing motor, a supply conduit extending through the body from a first supply port, formed in the exterior surface and configured to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line, to a second supply port, formed in the exterior surface and positioned to directly couple to an inlet port of the existing motor, and a return conduit extending through the body from a first return port, formed in the exterior surface and positioned to directly couple to an outlet port of the existing motor, and a second return port, formed in the exterior surface and configured to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a method is provided of retro-fitting a hydraulic work implement having a support plate and provided on a machine having an auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line and an auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line. The method includes removing an existing implement hydraulic manifold from the work implement, removing an existing motor mount from the support plate of the work implement, and detaching an existing motor from the existing motor mount. A new mounting plate is installed onto the support plate of the implement, the new mounting plate including a body defining an exterior surface including a mounting surface, a supply conduit extending through the body from a first supply port formed in the exterior surface to a second supply port formed in the exterior surface, and a return conduit extending through the body from a first return port formed in the exterior surface to a second return port formed in the exterior surface. The method further includes attaching the existing motor to the mounting surface of the body of the new mounting plate, so that the second supply port is directly coupled to an inlet port of the existing motor and the first return port is directly coupled to an outlet port of the existing motor.
These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of hydraulic fluid systems for work implements provided with machines are disclosed. In the illustrated embodiments, the work implements are described as vibratory plate compactors, however the advantages taught herein may be used with other types of work implements. Additionally, the machine is shown as an excavator, however other types of machines may be used as long as the machine includes a hydraulic circuit for use by the work implement. The hydraulic fluid systems disclosed herein include a mounting plate having integrated hydraulic fluid conduits, thereby simplifying connection of the work implement to the hydraulic circuit provided on the machine, reducing the number of flexible conduits (i.e., hoses) typically required on the work implement, and eliminating the need for an externally mounted and independently provided hydraulic manifold. In some embodiments, a rotatable shaft that carries an eccentric weight of the vibratory plate compactor may form part of the hydraulic circuit, and hydraulic components, such as a check valve, may be incorporated into the shaft to further reduce external connections or other structures typically provided with the work implement.
Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to
While the machine 100 is depicted in
The machine 100 includes a hydraulic circuit for operating various systems on the machine. For example, the hydraulic circuit includes a pump 101 fluidly communicating through hydraulic hoses 120 to multiple cylinders 122 used to move a boom 105, stick 106, and implement linkage 107 of the machine 100. The hydraulic circuit of the machine 100 further includes auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply and return hoses 201, 203 for connection to the vibratory plate compactor assembly 200.
Connection of the vibratory plate compactor assembly 200 to the machine 100 is shown in greater detail in
Now referring to
The mounting plate 270 secures the motor 204 to the housing 250 and shaft 258. As best shown in
In addition to supporting the motor 204, the mounting plate 270 also forms part of a hydraulic fluid system for the vibratory plate compactor assembly 200 by including integrated conduits through which hydraulic fluid flows. As best shown in
The mounting plate 270 may also include a return conduit 310 extending through the body 281 of the mounting plate 270 from a first return port 312 to a second return port 314. The first and second return ports 312, 314 are formed in the exterior surface 282 of the mounting plate, with the first return port 312 configured to fluidly communicate with, such as by being directly coupled to, the outlet port 280 of the motor 204, and the second return port 314 configured to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line 203. A return check valve 316 may be disposed in the return conduit 310 to prevent reverse flow of fluid through the motor 204.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the mounting plate 270 may incorporate additional hydraulic system components, such as a bypass conduit 320. As best shown in
Still further, the mounting plate 270 may include a pressure relief conduit 340 for relieving overpressure of the hydraulic fluid system. As best shown in
In an alternative embodiment illustrated at
While the above embodiments may be used in newly constructed work implements, it will further be appreciated that the advantages disclosed herein may be used in retro-fit applications as well. Accordingly, a kit for retrofitting a hydraulic fluid system for a work implement may include a mounting plate 270, 270′, as described above, configured for coupling to an existing motor 204. In some embodiments, the kit may further include the shaft 400, with or without the shaft check valve 412. In still further embodiments, the kit may include a new motor 204 for replacing the existing motor 204, in which case the mounting portion 284 of the mounting plate 270, 270′ is further configured for coupling to the new motor, the second supply port 304 is positioned to directly couple to an inlet port 278 of the new motor 204, and the first return port 312 is positioned to directly couple to an outlet port 279 of the new motor 294.
Embodiments of mounting plates 270, 270′ are disclosed that perform the dual functions of supporting a motor 204 and providing portions of a hydraulic fluid system for a work implement. The mounting plates 270, 270′ incorporate one or more integrated fluid conduits that permit direct connection of the mounting plate 270, 270′ to the inlet and outlet ports 278, 280 of the motor 204, thereby reducing the number of hoses needed to connect the motor 204 to the hydraulic circuit of a machine to which the work implement is attached. In some embodiments, check valves, relief valves, and other hydraulic components are also disposed in the mounting plate 270, 270′, thereby to further reduce externally mounted hydraulic connections. Still further, in some embodiments, a hollow hydraulic shaft 400 may be provided through which hydraulic fluid flows, thereby to form part of the hydraulic fluid system of the work implement.
While the mounting plates 270, 270′ may be provided in entirely new constructions, they may also be used in methods of retro-fitting an existing hydraulic work implement, as schematically illustrated in
Continuing at block 508, a new mounting plate 270, 270′ is installed onto the support plate 231 of the implement. The new mounting plate 270, 270′ may be constructed as described above to include the body 281 defining the exterior surface 282 with mounting portion 284, the supply conduit 300 extending through the body 281 from the first supply port 302 formed in the exterior surface 282 to the second supply port 304 formed in the exterior surface 282, and the return conduit 310 extending through the body 281 from the first return port 312 formed in the exterior surface 282 to the second return port 314 formed in the exterior surface 282. The existing motor is attached to the mounting portion 284 of the body 281 of the new mounting plate 270, 270′ at block 510, so that the second supply port 304 is directly coupled to the inlet port 278 of the existing motor 204 and the first return port 312 is directly coupled to the outlet port 280 of the existing motor 204. In some embodiments, the existing motor may also be replaced by a new motor.
The method may continue at block 512 by fluidly coupling the first supply port 302 to the auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line 201 of the machine and fluidly coupling the second return port 314 to the auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line 203 of the machine, thereby to connect the hydraulic fluid system of the work implement to the hydraulic circuit of the machine.
In some embodiments, the method of retrofitting a work implement may further include removing an existing shaft 258 that is coupled to the motor 204 at block 514, and installing a new shaft 400 into the hydraulic work implement, at block 516. The new shaft 400 may define the shaft conduit 402 having an inlet end 404 and an outlet end 406. At block 518, the inlet end 402 of the shaft conduit 402 is fluidly coupled to the second supply port 314 of the return conduit. In this embodiment, the outlet end 406 of the shaft conduit 402 is fluidly coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic fluid return line 203 of the machine, as noted at block 520, while the first supply port 302 is fluidly coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply line 201 of the machine, as noted above. Still further, in this embodiment a check valve 412 is installed in the shaft conduit 402 and oriented to permit fluid flow only from the inlet end 404 of the shaft conduit 402 to the outlet end 406 of the shaft conduit 402, at block 422.
While the foregoing detailed description has been given and provided with respect to certain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments, but that the same are provided simply for enablement and best mode purposes. The breadth and spirit of the present disclosure is broader than the embodiments specifically disclosed and encompassed within the claims appended hereto. Moreover, while some features are described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments, these features are not limited to use with only the embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be used together with or separate from, other features disclosed in conjunction with alternate embodiments.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3561336 | Century | Feb 1971 | A |
| 3760691 | Kleckner et al. | Sep 1973 | A |
| 3863449 | White, Jr. | Feb 1975 | A |
| 3917426 | Wohlwend | Nov 1975 | A |
| 4144799 | Ponchaux | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4224003 | St. Louis | Sep 1980 | A |
| 4367054 | Salani et al. | Jan 1983 | A |
| 4462773 | Erasov | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4586885 | Middlekauff | May 1986 | A |
| 4759659 | Copie | Jul 1988 | A |
| 4877383 | White, Jr. | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4976594 | Bernstrom | Dec 1990 | A |
| 5137438 | Miller | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5181837 | Niemiec | Jan 1993 | A |
| 5220845 | Anderson | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5396768 | Zulu | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5713418 | Warren | Feb 1998 | A |
| 6241420 | Perrin et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6672843 | Holder | Jan 2004 | B1 |
| 6783339 | Dong et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6848255 | Chiaramonte | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 7621112 | Slattery et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 7739870 | Carlson et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 8635867 | Dong et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8935920 | Olson et al. | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 9151374 | Richardson et al. | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 20050133102 | Blackman | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050247504 | Gleasman | Nov 2005 | A1 |
| 20100189501 | Grabnic et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20170009407 | Beckhusen | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 102839589 | Dec 2012 | CN |
| 202744926 | Feb 2013 | CN |
| 202991688 | Jun 2013 | CN |
| 0200359 | Jan 2002 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180172031 A1 | Jun 2018 | US |
