Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6220142
-
Patent Number
6,220,142
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, April 28, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 24, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 060 400
- 060 401
- 060 402
- 091 422
- 417 205
- 417 374
- 417 545
- 417 546
- 417 547
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An actuation device for emergency operation of a hydraulically controlled actuator includes a housing with a fluid container connected to the actuator via a connection point and to a hydraulic supply circuit of the actuator via another connection point. A separating piston is guided lengthwise inside the fluid container via a manually operated adjusting device. The piston has a control device for a through-opening joining the connection points to each other. The actuation device provides an economical and simple way of reliably controlling and monitoring the hydraulically controlled actuator in case of malfunction by an adjustment screw screwed or unscrewed on the housing. The screwing path is chosen such that the cooperating separating piston can be displaced between two end positions. The through-opening of the separating piston has a check valve which is opened at one end position and is closed at the other.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation actuation device for a hydraulically controlled actuator, especially for its emergency operation. A housing incorporates a fluid container which can be connected through one connection point to the actuator and through another connection point to a hydraulic supply circuit of the actuator. A separating piston is guided longitudinally slidably within the fluid container by a manually operable adjusting device. The piston includes a control device controlling a through-flow opening connecting the connection points with one another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a breakdown or disruption of the hydraulically controlled actuator, generally in the form of a hydraulically operable working cylinder, occurs, for example as a result of current interruption, the actuator can usually no longer be operated. Those occurrences can lead to dangerous disturbances, especially in areas relevant to technical security and/or safety, such as in nuclear power plants or the like. Conventionally, in such operation emergency situations, separate and independent emergency operation systems are activated. However, these emergency operation systems are costly to manufacture and set up, and generally are located so far removed from the site of disturbance that the emergency operation cannot be directly monitored by the operator.
DE 33 44 132 C2 discloses an operation device for a hydraulically controlled actuator which has a housing incorporating a fluid container connected through one connection point to the actuator and through another connection point to a supply circuit. Within the fluid container, a separating piston is guided longitudinally slidably by a manually operable adjusting device in the form of a pump handle. The pump handle cooperates with a mechanically working control device working separately in the form of a sliding piston to generate a through-flow opening connecting the fluid connection points with one another.
When this known arrangement is provided for emergency actuation of the hydraulically controlled actuator, no conclusions can be derived from the setting of the pump handle regarding whether an operationally secure and/or safe emergency operation has taken place or not. The known control device in the form of the longitudinally movable sliding piston is controlled exclusively by the fluid pressure, leading to erroneous control of the known control device and independent of the setting of the separating piston controlled by the pump handle. Additionally, because of the plurality of parts in the known solution, it is costly to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the present invention are to provide an operation actuation device providing, in disruptive situations, a simple and low-cost system for controlling the hydraulically controlled actuator that is operationally secure and safe and that can be monitored from the outside.
The foregoing objects are basically obtained by an operation actuation device for emergency actuation of a hydraulically controlled actuator, comprising a housing having a fluid container with an actuator connection point and a hydraulic circuit connection point. A separating piston is guided for longitudinal sliding movement in the housing between first and second end settings. A manually operable adjusting setscrew is coupled to and controls movements of the piston in the housing. The setscrew is threadedly engaged with the housing and is axially movable relative to the housing to move the piston between the end positions. A through-flow opening in the piston is controlled by a control check valve therein and provides controlled fluid communication between the connection points. The check valve is opened in the first end setting by engagement with a part of the housing and is closed in the second end setting by being spaced from the part of the housing.
Since the adjusting device is a setscrew which can be screwed into and out of the housing, the setscrew screwing-in length is determined so that the separating piston cooperating with it can be moved between two end settings. The check valve, operated in the end settings by the separating piston, is mechanically controlled in a pro-active manner, and thus, is operationally secure. The separating piston, through a single, non-repetitive delivery movement of the setscrew, specifically assumes the relevant end setting. Consequently, a mechanically specific coupling between setscrew, separating piston and check valve is generated. Such coupling is exceptionally operationally secure and safe, and consequently, is especially suitable for emergency operation of the actuator.
The position of the setscrew, screwed fully in or out, allows the on-site operator an immediate overview of whether or not an effective emergency operation system for the actuator exists.
The operation actuation device according to the present invention includes only a few structural parts and consequently can be realized simply and at low cost. Using the manually operable adjusting device, the setting process and consequently the operation of the controlled actuator can be monitored precisely on site by the operator. Erroneous control actions are avoided. With sufficient oil volume stored in the fluid container, external readiness setting of control fluid is not necessary. Fluid control by means of the operation actuation device occurs without leakage, so that an operationally secure and/or safe manual emergency operation is guaranteed.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:
FIG. 1
is a partial, front elevational view, partially in section, of an actuation device, integrated as a part of a supply circuit in standard operation, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a partial, front elevational view, partially in section, of the actuation device of
FIG. 1
in emergency manual operation; and
FIG. 3
is a partial, front elevational view, partially in section, of an actuation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The operation actuation device, shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, permits emergency actuation of a hydraulically controlled actuator
10
in the form of a spring-biased hydraulic working cylinder
12
. The operation actuation device is provided with a housing
14
, incorporating a fluid container
16
connected through one connection point
18
to actuator
10
and through another connection point
20
to a hydraulic supply circuit, indicated in its entirety with
22
, for actuator
10
. Within fluid container
16
a separating piston
26
is guided for longitudinal sliding movement by means of a manually operable adjusting device
24
. The piston incorporates a control device
28
controlling a through-flow opening
30
connecting connection points
18
and
20
with one another.
The manually operable adjusting device
24
comprises a setscrew
32
which can be screwed into and out of housing
14
. The possible screwing-in length is determined in such a manner that separating piston
26
, cooperating with the adjusting device, is longitudinally slidable between two end settings A and B. Through-flow opening
30
of separating piston
26
has a spring-biased control check valve
34
forming control device
28
, which is opened in one of the end settings A or B and is closed in the other end setting B or A.
Setscrew
32
engages with its free end
36
in separating piston
26
. Between this free end
36
and the screwhead
38
, a locknut
40
, with setscrew
32
passing through it, is supported on housing
14
. Housing
14
is configured as a sort of one-screw die
42
, can be screwed by means of corresponding exterior threading into an interior threading according to a universally recognized mounting arrangement for control blocks or the like, and can also be removed therefrom. As explained in greater detail hereinafter, parts
44
and
46
of housing
14
in one end setting A or B control the control device
28
when through-flow opening
30
is opened.
As is shown particularly in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, supply circuit
22
has a hydraulic pump
48
, a pilot valve
50
in the form of an electrically operable 3/2-way valve which can be set back with a spring, as well as a reservoir connection
52
. Both connection points
18
and
20
are connected in a supply line
54
between supply circuit
22
and actuator
10
. Furthermore, separating piston
26
has a centering opening
56
, which serves for the contact-engagement of setscrew
32
and is accessible by means of a frontal journal
58
. Centering opening
56
is closed and sealed by means of a stopper plug
60
with surrounding annual seal joint
62
.
Separating piston
26
is guided longitudinally slidably within fluid container
16
where it seals off two container areas
66
and
68
from one another by means of another annular seal
64
. Check valve
34
is guided under control in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2
counter to the spring force over an annular flange
70
projecting in a downward direction, as seen in
FIG. 1
, and consequently frees the through-flow path to through-flow opening
30
. The blocking path for the blocking check valve
34
then runs parallel to the longitudinal alignment of the possible blocking movement for setscrew
32
.
For clarification of the actuating device according to the present invention, its operation is described with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
When not in operation, as shown in
FIG. 1
, setscrew
32
is screwed out into its topmost position. Thus, separating piston
26
is positioned at its top abutment formed by annular flange
70
. As already described, the built-in check valve
34
is therefore thrust mechanically counter to its spring force. Consequently, free passage of fluid in either direction is guaranteed through through-flow opening
30
; and the user in the form of working cylinder
12
can be supplied with pressurized oil by the hydraulic pressure pump
48
, dependent upon the setting of pilot valve
50
.
If hydraulic pump
48
is out of order, for example, because of a current interruption, working cylinder
12
is moved automatically into its start setting shown in
FIG. 1
by means of its own return spring. Consequently, with a current interruption, multi-way valve
50
is moved into its switch setting shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, in other words hydraulic pump
48
would be blocked from supply line
54
. If at this point setscrew
32
is screwed into housing
14
, check valve
34
is closed to block off the discharge flow through supply line
54
to reservoir connection
52
and consequently to prevent loss of pressurized oil. With this adjusting movement placing separating piston
26
in its bottom end setting B, the fluid stored in container
16
is forced out of container area
68
and pressed into working cylinder
12
, counter to the return force of its spring, so that the arrangement finally assumes its actuated setting shown in FIG.
2
. The setting of setscrew
32
, as shown in
FIG. 2
, thus shows clearly and without question that emergency actuation has taken place. The control of the operation is consequently very simple and obvious to recognize. Setscrew
32
is provided in this case with exterior threading over its entire exterior circumference that engages in the associated interior threading of housing
14
.
A modified second embodiment of the actuation device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
3
. This arrangement is described only insofar as the modified embodiment differs considerably from the first embodiment described heretofore. The same number references are used for the same structural parts.
In the second embodiment of
FIG. 3
, standard operation is guaranteed in that separating piston
26
as shown, is arranged in bottom end setting B. With this configuration, the control device for check valve
34
works in reverse, in other words it is controlled by means of its control pin or the like engaging a limited surface of bottom part
46
of housing
14
. With the second embodiment, the standard operation is provided when setscrew
32
is completely screwed in. As opposed to the former description, the emergency operation actuation function would be provided in the second embodiment when setscrew
32
would be screwed out of housing
14
beyond screwhead
38
. Separating piston
26
would be carried upward with it and through-flow opening
30
would be controlled by closing of check valve
34
. The fluid conducted by the force of the spring of actuator
10
into container
68
then allows for emergency actuation of the cylinder in the other direction. Setscrew
32
can also be connected in one piece integral with journal
58
, as well as with stopper plug
60
. The pro-active control of the separating piston in both directions is possibly be means of the design of setscrew
32
with screwhead
38
.
Since the present operation actuation device can be constructed modularly, according to the needs of the user, different oil volumes can also be made available. An adaptation thus occurs of the available volume of fluid storage container
16
. The described construction is simple and can be manufactured at low cost. The operation actuation device according to the invention has proven especially advantageous when used with cart conveyor vehicles, especially with fork lifts, where it can be actuated in case of breakdown of the motor so that the operator is able to release the parking brakes.
While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An operation actuation device for emergency actuation of a hydraulically controlled actuator, comprising:a housing having a fluid container with an actuator connection point and a hydraulic circuit connection point; a separating piston guided for longitudinal sliding movement in said housing between first and second end settings; a manually operable adjusting setscrew coupled to and controlling movement of said piston in said housing, said setscrew being threadedly engaged with said housing and axially movable relative to said housing to move said piston between said end positions; and a through-flow opening in said piston controlled by a control check valve therein and providing controlled fluid communication between said connection points, said check valve being opened in said first end setting by engagement with a part of said housing and being closed in said second end setting by being spaced from said part of said housing.
- 2. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid setscrew comprises a free end engaging said piston and a screwhead at an opposite end thereof; and a locknut is supported on said housing between said free end and said screwhead, said setscrew extending through said locknut.
- 3. An operation actuation device according to claim 2 whereinsaid housing comprises a single screw die.
- 4. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid housing comprises a single screw die.
- 5. An operation actuation device according to claim 4 whereinsaid actuator connection point is connected to a spring biased, hydraulically operating cylinder.
- 6. An operation actuation device according to claim 2 whereinsaid actuator connection point is connected to a spring biased, hydraulically operating cylinder.
- 7. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid actuator connection point is connected to a spring biased, hydraulically operating cylinder.
- 8. An operation actuation device according to claim 7 whereinsaid hydraulic circuit connection point is connected to a supply circuit, said supply circuit including at least one hydraulic pump, at least one pilot valve and at least one reservoir connection.
- 9. An operation actuation device according to claim 5 whereinsaid hydraulic circuit connection point is connected to a supply circuit, said supply circuit including at least one hydraulic pump, at least one pilot valve and at least one reservoir connection.
- 10. An operation actuation device according to claim 2 whereinsaid hydraulic circuit connection point is connected to a supply circuit, said supply circuit including at least one hydraulic pump, at least one pilot valve and at least one reservoir connection.
- 11. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid hydraulic circuit connection point is connected to a supply circuit, said supply circuit including at least one hydraulic pump, at least one pilot valve and at least one reservoir connection.
- 12. An operation actuation device according to claim 11 whereinsaid connection points are connected in a supply line between said supply circuit and a hydraulically controlled actuator.
- 13. An operation actuation device according to claim 8 whereinsaid connection points are connected in a supply line between said supply circuit and said hydraulically operating cylinder.
- 14. An operation actuation device according to claim 5 whereinsaid connection points are connected in a supply line between a supply circuit and said hydraulically operating cylinder.
- 15. An operation actuation device according to claim 2 whereinsaid connection points are connected in a supply line between a supply circuit and a hydraulically controlled actuator.
- 16. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid connection points are connected in a supply line between a supply circuit and a hydraulically controlled actuator.
- 17. An operation actuation device according to claim 16 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 18. An operation actuation device according to claim 12 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 19. An operation actuation device according to claim 8 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 20. An operation actuation device according to claim 5 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 21. An operation actuation device according to claim 2 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 22. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid piston comprises a centering opening engaging said setscrew and sealed closed by a stopper plug.
- 23. An operation actuation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid check valve comprises an axially extending projection protruding from said piston, said projection releasably engaging said part of said housing.
- 24. An operation actuation device according to claim 23 whereinsaid check valve comprises a body part with said projection and a biasing spring on opposite axial ends thereof.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
197 21 404 |
May 1997 |
DE |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
102e Date |
371c Date |
PCT/EP98/01616 |
|
WO |
00 |
4/28/1999 |
4/28/1999 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO98/53213 |
11/26/1998 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (8)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
745289 |
Dec 1943 |
DE |
3344132 |
Jun 1984 |
DE |
1392507 |
Jun 1965 |
FR |
911340 |
Nov 1962 |
GB |