1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to, among other things, utility devices, such as, for example, utility vehicles, including, for example, tractors, skid-steer vehicles and/or the like having hydraulic circuits.
2. Discussion of the Background
There are a variety of known utility devices, such as, e.g., utility vehicles, having hydraulic circuits, such as, e.g., for hydraulically powering tools. In many instances, utility vehicles are often used for construction and/or other utilitarian purposes, such as, e.g., for lifting, pushing, scraping, digging, plowing and/or various other purposes. As shown in
Because these vehicles are often used for work related purposes, improvements that can reduce manufacturing costs, increase longevity and/or durability, increase performance and/or that can provide other advances can be desirable.
With reference to the system depicted in
First, the line pressure loss to keep the pilot check valve PCV open can cause inefficiencies and/or unnecessary system heating.
Second, after the solenoid is energized, all of the flow from the hydraulic motor is diverted through a restrictor and then through the solenoid directional valve SDV and the hydraulic cylinder HC. This can, e.g., unduly slow the hydraulic motor HM and/or can cause unnecessary system heating.
Third, at the time the hydraulic cylinder HC reaches an actuator travel limit, the hydraulic motor HM will stop. This will cause inefficiencies for the operator of the prime mover (such as, e.g., a prime mover effecting overall vehicle movement). The forward motion of the prime mover may have to be altered to allow the unit to perform a uniform operation.
Fourth, the hydraulic cylinder HC can only be operated for one direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor HM.
There remains a need for, among other things, utility devices, such as, e.g., utility vehicles, having utility mechanisms with improved hydraulic systems.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing systems and methods. In some preferred embodiments, a utility device is provided that has an improved hydraulic system.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention can be used to overcome a number of deficiencies in existing systems. First, existing systems are often unnecessarily complex and can be too costly to perform desired functions. Second, existing systems do not effectively enable plural hydraulic functions to be active at the same time—e.g., the operator often must stop one function to operate another function.
In some illustrative embodiments, a utility device can include a utility mechanism with a multi-function valve that changes an orientation (e.g., angular position) of a rotatable element with respect to a drive direction of travel of a prime mover (e.g., vehicle) while the rotatable element is rotated.
In some illustrative embodiments, the operator can advantageously keep a utility mechanism (such as, e.g., a power rake, broom and/or any other appropriate mechanism) moving (such as, e.g., rotating) while its position is adjusted (such as, e.g., to follow the contour of a particular environment, such as, e.g., a curved or irregular boundary, border, driveway and/or the like). Hitherto, existing circuits usually required, for example, that the roller (or the like) rotation be prevented while the roller (or the like) angle was adjusted. This often made it very inconvenient and/or impossible to do some required work.
In some embodiments, a circuit is provided that can enable a rotating element (such as, e.g., a roller) to be moved in opposite directions, such as, e.g., rotated either clockwise CW and/or counter clockwise CCW, at the same time that an orientation (such as, e.g., angular position) of that element is adjusted.
In some embodiments, improved hydraulic circuits, such as, e.g., described herein, can be implemented along with any appropriate utility mechanism(s), such as, e.g., with one or more rotary broom(s), stump grinder(s), concrete saw(s), power rake(s), trencher(s) and/or various other utility mechanisms as would be apparent based on this disclosure. In some illustrative examples, embodiments of the present invention could be used to operate, by way of example, trenchers including rotation of a trencher chain and/or side-shifting of the trencher chain.
According to some preferred embodiments, a utility device having a hydraulically operated utility mechanism can include: a utility mechanism having at least two hydraulic drives; a hydraulic circuit including a pair of feed ports, a first pair of outlet ports to a first of the hydraulic drives and second pair of outlet ports to a second of the hydraulic drives; and the hydraulic circuit including a first fluid circulation path between the feed ports and the first pair of outlet ports and a second fluid circulation path between the feed ports and the second pair of outlet ports, the first fluid circulation path including a pressure drop component and the second fluid circulation path including a directional valve and a shuttling valve arranged to direct fluid to the directional valve from the first fluid circulation path irrespective of a direction of fluid flow in the first fluid circulation path. Preferably, the hydraulic circuit is configured to permit flow through the hydraulic circuit currently. both a) to-or-from the first pair of outlet ports and b) to-or-from the second pair of outlet ports. In some preferred embodiments, the utility mechanism can include a ground-tool and the first of the hydraulic drives can power the ground-tool, such as, e.g., causing an element of the ground-tool to rotate. In some embodiments, the second of the hydraulic drives adjusts a position of the element of the ground-tool, such as, e.g., causing the ground-tool to reciprocate. Preferably, a position of the tool is adjusted via the second of the hydraulic drives at the same time that the first of the hydraulic drives rotates the tool and at the same time that the utility vehicle is driven. In some embodiments, the hydraulic drives can include, e.g., hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders and/or other known hydraulic drives.
According to some other preferred embodiments, a utility vehicle can include: a utility mechanism having at least two hydraulic drives; a hydraulic circuit including feed ports, first outlet ports to a first of the hydraulic drives and second outlet ports to a second of the hydraulic drives; and the hydraulic circuit being configured to permit flow through the hydraulic circuit concurrently both a) to-or-from the first outlet ports and b) to-or-from the second outlet ports. Preferably, the first of the hydraulic drives is adjustably supplied with fluid from the hydraulic circuit concurrently with a supply of fluid to the second of the hydraulic drives.
According to some other preferred embodiments, a method for hydraulically operating a utility mechanism of a utility vehicle can include: a) supplying hydraulic fluid into a feed port of a hydraulic circuit for the utility mechanism; b) supplying hydraulic fluid fed into the feed port in a direction along a first circulation path through the hydraulic circuit to cause a first hydraulic drive to operate a power function of the utility mechanism; c) supplying hydraulic fluid fed into the feed port in a direction along a second circulation path through the hydraulic circuit to cause a second hydraulic drive to operate a position function of the utility mechanism; and d) concurrently performing the steps b) and c) while the utility vehicle is driven. In some embodiments, the method further includes: e) supplying hydraulic fluid fed into the feed port in a reverse direction along the first circulation path through the hydraulic circuit to cause the first hydraulic drive to reverse operate the power function of the utility mechanism; f) supplying hydraulic fluid fed into the feed port in a reverse direction along the second circulation path through the hydraulic circuit to cause the second hydraulic drive to reverse operate the position function of the utility mechanism; and g) concurrently performing the steps e) and f) while the utility vehicle is driven. In preferred embodiments, the utility mechanism is a ground-tool having a rotated ground-contact element and the method further includes varying an orientation of the ground-contact element while the ground-contact element is rotated.
The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims.
The accompanying figures, in which similar references labels depict similar elements, are provided by way of example, without limiting the broad scope of the various embodiments of the invention, wherein:
While embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and that such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.
The preferred embodiments of the invention include novel hydraulic circuit systems for powering and/or controlling at least one utility mechanism of a utility device, such as, e.g., a utility vehicle. In various embodiments, a novel hydraulic circuit system can be implemented within various utility vehicles, such as various utility vehicles having utility mechanisms with rotatable drive mechanisms, such as for a rotatable brooms, rakes, trenchers and/or the like. The following section describes some non-limiting examples of illustrative vehicles in which some embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. It should be appreciated that these examples are provided by way of illustration only.
Illustrative Vehicle Environment:
While aspects of the invention can be employed within various types of utility devices, some preferred embodiments involve utility vehicle type utility devices. In this regard, the preferred embodiments of the invention can be implemented within a variety of vehicles, such as, for example, within vehicles having a raised and/or lowered utility booms, such as, e.g., various skid steer loaders. The terminology vehicle as used herein encompasses, inter alia, both motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles (such as, e.g., trailers or the like). While preferred embodiments described herein show skid steer loaders, it should be appreciated that the various embodiments may be employed within any appropriate vehicle type. While some illustrative vehicle structures are described which include specific utility mechanisms connected to the vehicle, it should be appreciated that the various embodiments may employ any other appropriate utility mechanisms. In many examples, appropriate utility mechanisms include a rotated drive mechanism, such as, for example, some of the utility mechanisms discussed herein and/or otherwise available in the art.
In the illustrated example, the vehicle 100 preferably includes a main body 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 105 is movably supported via a plurality of wheels 120. While the illustrated embodiment includes four wheels, other embodiments can include any other number of wheels and/or can include other support mechanisms such as belts, stabilizers and/or the like. As mentioned above, while the wheels 120 can provide skid steering, other embodiments could include and/or use other forms of steering.
In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle 100 includes an operator cab 110 having at least one seat mounted therein. In some preferred embodiments, a boom 140 is provided that can be located in a lowered position and/or in a raised position (such as, e.g., shown in
In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle can include a plurality of user operator controls that control operation of, for example, a vehicle engine, a boom, a utility mechanism (such as, e.g., a broom, trencher or the like) and/or other vehicle functions. These control elements can include, e.g., hand-operated controls (such as lever arms or the like) and/or foot-operated controls (such as, e.g., foot pedals or the like). In some illustrative embodiments, some vehicle functions can include, for example, one or more, preferably all, of the following functions F1–F4:
It should be appreciated that various other embodiments can involve one or more of the above functions and/or various other functions as would be known in the art and/or as would depend on the circumstances at hand.
In preferred embodiments, a utility vehicle 100, such as, e.g., like that shown in
Preferred Hydraulic System for Operation of Utility Mechanism(s)
In preferred embodiments, pressurized fluid can be directed to either the port L1 or the port L2 to change the direction of flow out of ports M1 or M2 to the hydraulic motor. For example, in some embodiments, a primary and/or central system, such as, e.g., system 150 shown in
Preferably, in operation, if either solenoid on the solenoid directional valve SDV is energized, the solenoid on-off valve SV is energized by an electrical circuit (wherein appropriate electrical connections can be imparted via, e.g., electrical connectors EC as shown, such as, e.g., by way of example, using weather pack 2-pin shroud connectors in some illustrative embodiments). This method can, e.g., be used to maintain (e.g., substantially always) a higher pressure to the solenoid directional valve SDV at the port B and a lower pressure at the port A. In operation, fluid entering port B of solenoid directional valve SDV can exit the port C or D depending on the direction the solenoid directional valve SDV is shifted.
In preferred embodiments, the circuit 200 can provide substantially continuous operation of a function driven by the fluid moving through ports M1 and M2 (such as, e.g., to operate a hydraulic motor) while providing fluid to ports H1 and H2 to operate a second function (such as, e.g., to operate a hydraulic cylinder). Preferably, the circuit 200 allows the operator of the prime mover (such as, e.g., a utility vehicle) to continuously manipulate multiple functions without one function substantially affecting the other function. By virtue of preferred embodiments, smooth operating characteristics of a sub-system (such as, e.g., one or more function of a utility mechanism) can be realized, which can, in turn, enhance the efficiency of an overall system (such as, e.g., of an overall utility mechanism or utility vehicle operation).
In some illustrative embodiments, the ports L1 and L2 can involve tube fittings with about ⅞-14 SAE o-ring ports (such as, e.g., in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers standards). In some illustrative embodiments, the ports M1 and M2 can also involve tube fittings with about ⅞-14 SAE o-ring ports (such as, e.g., in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers standards). In some illustrative embodiments, the ports H1 and H2 can involve tube fittings with about 9/16-18 SAE o-ring ports (such as, e.g., in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers standards). In some illustrative embodiments, the hydraulic flow through the ports M1 and/or M2 and/or the ports L1 and/or L2 can be about a maximum of about 30 gallons per minute (GPM). In some illustrative embodiments, the hydraulic flow through the ports H1 and/or H2 can be about a maximum of about 5 gallons per minute (GPM). In some illustrative embodiments, the valve SDV can have about a 5 GPM rating. In some illustrative embodiments, the valve SV can have about a 20 GPM rating. In some illustrative embodiments, the restrictor R can have about a 0.125 diameter orifice. In some variations of these illustrative embodiments, other systems can be employed having similar dimensional proportions. In some other variations, a wide variety of dimensions, etc., can be selected based upon the circumstances. In some illustrative embodiments, the circuit 200 can be contained within a housing 200E having a length of less than about 1.5 feet and a width of less than about 0.75 feet, or having a length of less than 1 foot and a width of less than about 0.5 feet, or having a length of less than about 0.5 feet and a width of less than about 0.3 feet.
Thus, the embodiment shown by way of example in
Alternative Embodiments:
In various alternative embodiments, principles herein can be employed within various other power tool utility mechanisms having plural functions. In some preferred embodiments, the utility mechanisms can include both motion control (such as, e.g., varying rotation, linear movement and/or the like) and position control (such as, e.g., varying an orientation, a height, an angular or other position and/or the like).
Broad Scope of the Invention:
While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In some illustrative and non-limiting embodiments, some or all elements can be formed substantially proportional and to scale as that shown in the accompanying figures, but, in various embodiments, the structure of the various embodiments can vary widely based on circumstances
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3985394 | Rolfes | Oct 1976 | A |
6354081 | Burton | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6622611 | Nesi | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6662881 | Domann | Dec 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040261610 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |