Hydraulic Actuator Control System
First Claim
1. A system for controlling motion of a hydraulic actuator during a portion of its range of motion, the system comprising:
- (i) a sensor on the hydraulic actuator for providing a signal indicating that the hydraulic actuator is near the portion of its range of motion;
(ii) a pneumatic control valve configured to selectively modify pressure from a pressurized air control signal, the modification of pressurized air control signal pressure thereby restricting flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; and
(iii) an electronic controller for controlling the pneumatic control valve in response to a signal from the sensor;
whereby the system slows the motion of the hydraulic actuator near the portion of its range of motion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling motion of a hydraulic actuator during a portion of its range of motion is described, including a sensor on the hydraulic actuator for providing a signal indicating that the actuator is near a portion of its range of motion, and a pneumatic control valve that is configured to selectively modify a pressurized air control signal to in turn restrict flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator control system further includes an electronic controller for controlling the pneumatic control valve in response to a signal from the sensor. The hydraulic actuator control system thereby slows the motion of the hydraulic actuator near the portion of its range of motion.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for controlling motion of a hydraulic actuator during a portion of its range of motion, the system comprising:
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(i) a sensor on the hydraulic actuator for providing a signal indicating that the hydraulic actuator is near the portion of its range of motion; (ii) a pneumatic control valve configured to selectively modify pressure from a pressurized air control signal, the modification of pressurized air control signal pressure thereby restricting flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; and (iii) an electronic controller for controlling the pneumatic control valve in response to a signal from the sensor; whereby the system slows the motion of the hydraulic actuator near the portion of its range of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A hydraulic cylinder control system comprising:
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(i) a hydraulic cylinder configured to move through a range of operation, the hydraulic cylinder having at least one end of stroke portion; (ii) an operator control for controlling motion of the hydraulic cylinder, the operator control configured to direct pressurized air to one or more pneumatic actuators for selectively actuating a hydraulic control valve in response to motion of the operator control, the hydraulic control valve configured to selectively connect a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to cause motion of the hydraulic cylinder; (iii) a position sensor configured to sense the position of the hydraulic cylinder and to transmit a signal related to the position; (iv) one or more pneumatic control valves fluidly connected between the operator control and a pneumatic actuator, each pneumatic control valve being configured to selectively modify pressure from the pressurized air signal from the operator control to the pneumatic actuator in response to an electrical signal; and (v) an electronic controller configured to receive the signal from the position sensor, and when the signal indicates that the hydraulic cylinder is near the end of stroke portion, to selectively actuate the pneumatic control valve to cause the hydraulic cylinder to travel more slowly until reaching the end of the stroke. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A mobile refuse collection vehicle comprising:
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(i) a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a source of pressurized air; (ii) a lifter apparatus configured to interface with a refuse container; (iii) a hydraulic actuator configured to move the lifter apparatus through a range of operation; (iv) an operator control for controlling motion of the hydraulic actuator, the operator control configured to selectively connect the source of pressurized air to one or more pneumatic actuators for selectively actuating a hydraulic control valve in response to motion of the operator control, the hydraulic control valve configured to selectively connect the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to cause motion of the hydraulic actuator; (v) a position sensor configured to sense the position of the hydraulic actuator and to transmit a signal related to the position; (vi) one or more pneumatic control valves fluidly connected between the operator control and a pneumatic actuator, each pneumatic control valve being configured to selectively modify pressurized air from the operator control to the pneumatic actuator in response to an electrical signal; and (vii) an electronic controller configured to receive the signal from the position sensor, and when the signal indicates that the hydraulic actuator is near a first position, to selectively actuate the pneumatic control valve to cause the hydraulic linear actuator to travel more slowly until reaching the first position. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification