Hydraulic end head with internally cast hydraulic circuits

• US 20050133102A1
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Douglas P., Blackman, Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US10/741,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133102A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/884
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0814 Monoblock manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0835 Cartridge type valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0842 Monoblock type valves, e.g. with multiple valve spools in a common housing
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/086 Sensing means, e.g. pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0871 Channels for fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0892 Valves combined with fluid components
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0896 using different types or sizes of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/18 Combined units comprising both motor and pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49229 Prime mover or fluid pump making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49417 including molding or casting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fluid manifold such as an end head for a hydraulic power pack is manufactured by providing at least one piece of tubing into a mold and molding a material to form a block around the tubing, resulting in a manifold block that has tubing arranged inside to form fluid circuitry. Additional conduits and mounting points for componentry such as valves and fittings may be machined into the block in fluid connection with the tubing conduits.

Claims

1. A fluid manifold, comprising:

a molded block; and

at least one piece of tubing molded into the block and defining at least one fluid conduit inside the block.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least two valves wherein the tubing conduit provides a passageway connecting between the two valves.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubing conduit has at least one open end that provides at least one of an outlet or an inlet from outside the block into the conduit.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tubing conduit has a second open end that forms at least one of an outlet or an inlet into the conduit.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the block is an end head of a hydraulic power pack.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising additional fluid conduits that are formed by machining and that intersect with the tubing conduits.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubing conduit has at least one bend in it.

8. A fluid manifold, comprising:

a molded block; and

means for defining at least one fluid conduit inside the block;

having at least one piece of tubing molded into the block.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tubing provides a passage connecting between two valves.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tubing has at least one open end that provides at least one of an outlet or an inlet from outside the block into the conduit.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the tubing has a second open end that forms at least one of an outlet or an inlet into the conduit.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the block is an end head of a hydraulic power pack.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising additional fluid conduits that are formed by machining and intersect with the tubing.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tubing has at least one bend in it.

15. A method for manufacturing a fluid manifold, comprising:

providing at least one piece of tubing in a mold; and

molding a material into a block around the tubing so that a fluid conduit is formed by the tubing in the block.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of bending the piece of tubing before providing it into the mold.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of providing the tubing includes arranging the tubing so that an end of the tubing projects outside of the molded block.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising machining the block after the molding step to form additional passageways that connect to the tubing.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising installing at least one of a valve and/or a fitting onto the block to have fluid connection with the tubing.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the installing step is after the molding step.