System for controlling hydraulic actuator
First Claim
1. A hydraulic control system for use in a machine actuated by hydraulic actuators, the system comprising:
- a fluid flow sensor disposed for measurement of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of a hydraulic actuator and having a sensor signal that is related to piston information selected from a group consisting of at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, and a direction of movement of a piston contained in a hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic actuator;
a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and produce a piston information signal relating to the piston information; and
a communication link between the controller and the fluid flow sensor, whereby the sensor signal is provided to the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling at least one hydraulic actuator of a hydraulic system includes a flow rate measurement of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of the hydraulic actuator. The flow rate is used to calculate piston information corresponding to a position, velocity, acceleration, and/or direction of movement of a piston of the hydraulic actuator. The piston information can then be provided to an output device to aid in the control of the hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, the piston information can be compared to a reference signal relating to a desired position, velocity, acceleration, and/or direction of movement of the piston to produce a control signal, which can be used to adjust the hydraulic fluid flow and provide the desired actuation of the piston.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hydraulic control system for use in a machine actuated by hydraulic actuators, the system comprising:
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a fluid flow sensor disposed for measurement of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of a hydraulic actuator and having a sensor signal that is related to piston information selected from a group consisting of at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, and a direction of movement of a piston contained in a hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic actuator;
a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and produce a piston information signal relating to the piston information; and
a communication link between the controller and the fluid flow sensor, whereby the sensor signal is provided to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A hydraulic control system for use in a machine actuated by hydraulic actuators, the system comprising:
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a fluid flow sensor disposed for measurement of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of a hydraulic actuator and having a sensor signal that is related to piston information selected from a group consisting of at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, and a direction of movement of a piston contained in a hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic actuator;
a reference signal relating to at least one of a desired piston position, velocity, acceleration, and direction of movement;
a controller configured to produce a control signal based upon a comparison of the sensor signal to the reference signal; and
a hydraulic control valve adapted to receive the control signal and adjust the hydraulic fluid flow in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A hydraulic control system for use in a machine actuated by hydraulic actuators, the system comprising:
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a plurality of fluid flow sensors disposed for measurement of hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of each hydraulic actuator, each flow sensor providing a sensor signal that is related to piston information;
a controller configured to receive the sensor signals and produce a control signal based upon at least one of the sensor signals; and
at least one hydraulic control valve adapted to receive the control signal and adjust hydraulic fluid flow in response thereto.
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16. A method of controlling at least one hydraulic actuator having a piston, comprising steps of:
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measuring a flow rate of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of the hydraulic actuator defined by the piston and a hydraulic cylinder;
calculating piston information selected from at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, and a direction of movement of the piston, based upon the flow rate;
providing a reference signal relating to at least one of a desired position, velocity, acceleration, and direction of movement of the piston;
controlling the hydraulic fluid flow based upon a comparison between the piston information and the reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification