The invention is related to the field of hydraulic systems, and in particular to a hydraulic gauge control anti-deadhead device to prevent damage by a piston.
A typical hydraulic gage control cylinder (HGC) can exert large amounts of force. If the piston travels to the end of its travel, it hits the cover, this is known as deadheading. Ideally, this should never happen, however it occasionally does. The cover is bolted to the cylinder, so if the piston contacts the cover when under full pressure, the cover and bolts that hold it must be strong enough to resist the force without breaking, deforming, or leaking. This is generally the limiting case for cylinder design. HGC cylinders are generally designed with very large bolts holding the cover to the cylinder and very thick covers to be able to withstand deadheading. At times deadheading is addressed by the control system, but this can fail. There have also been poppet type designs that relieve pressure when the piston gets close to the cover, but these can be complicated.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hydraulic gage system. The hydraulic gage system includes a cylinder structure that is configured to allow the movement of a piston structure. The cylinder structure includes a plurality of vent structures that allows for the releasing of hydraulic fluid. A cover is positioned on the cylinder structure so when the piston passes the vent structures it relieves pressure as well as diminishes the force of impact on the cover by the piston.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a hydraulic gage system. The method includes configuring a cylinder structure so as to allow the movement of a piston structure. The cylinder structure includes a plurality of vent structures that allows for the releasing of hydraulic fluid. Also, the method includes positioning a cover on the cylinder structure so when the piston passes the vent structures it relieves pressure as well as diminishes the force of impact on the cover by the piston.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of performing operations of a hydraulic gage. The method includes using a cylinder structure to control the movement of a piston structure. The cylinder structure includes a plurality of vent structures that allows for the releasing of hydraulic fluid. Also, the method includes providing a cover that is positioned on the cylinder structure so when the piston passes the vent structures it relieves pressure as well as diminishes the force of impact on the cover by the piston.
The invention describes a novel hydraulic gage control (HGC) cylinder that relieves pressure when a piston near a cover. The inventive hydraulic gage control cylinder is composed of pressure relief grooves in the cylinder to relieve cylinder pressure when the piston nears the cover.
The invention maintains the typical HGC cylinder's features and adds another.
As described herein, The invention provides a novel hydraulic gage control (HGC) cylinder that relieves pressure when a piston is near a cover to prevent deadheading. The use of vent grooves positioned on key locations on a HGC's cylinder aids in diminishing the cylinder pressure when the piston is near the cover. The vent grooves allow designers the freedom to incorporate smaller covers, s fewer cover bolts, and thinner pistons in designing hydraulic systems without incorporating substantial changes to the overall hydraulic cylinder gauge.
Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.