Oil processor circuit

• US 5,666,807 A
• Filed: 12/13/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bianchetta, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/571,336
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 60/329, 60/456, 165/280, 165/297, 165/298, 236/84
• US Class Current: 60/329
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/0423 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/0427 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/045 Compensating for variations in viscosity or temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/41563 being connected to a pressure source and a return line
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/428 actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/50536 using unloading valves controlling the supply pressure by diverting fluid to the return line
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/528 actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/611 Diverting circuits, e.g. for cooling or filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/62 Cooling or heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6343 representing a temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6355 having valve means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/66 Temperature control methods
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/67 Methods for controlling pilot pressure

Abstract

Oil coolers are commonly used in hydraulic systems for maintaining oil below a preselected temperature under normal operating conditions. The subject oil cooler circuit includes a pilot operated valve disposed in a conduit connecting the hydraulic system to the cooler and an electromagnetic pilot valve connected to one end of the pilot operated valve. The pilot valve is spring biased to its closed position when the temperature of the oil is above a predetermined temperature and is moved to an open position when the oil temperature is at or below the predetermined temperature. The end is vented to a tank at the open position of the pilot valve so that the pilot operated valve is maintained at the closed position to prevent cold viscous oil from being transmitted to the oil cooler when the oil temperature is below the predetermined temperature.

Claims

1. An oil processor circuit having an oil processor connected to a tank and a conduit connected to the oil processor, comprising:

a pilot operated valve disposed in the conduit and having open and closed positions, first and second ends, an orifice communicating pressurized fluid from the conduit upstream of the pilot operated valve to the first end, and a spring disposed at the second end biasing the valve to one of said positions;

a two position electromagnetic pilot valve connected to the first end of the pilot operated valve and being movable to an open position communicating the first end to the tank to establish said one position of the pilot operated valve in response to receiving an electrical control signal; and

means for sensing the temperature of the oil in the circuit and for outputting the electrical control signal to the electromagnetic pilot valve when the oil temperature is at or on one side of a predetermined temperature.

2. The oil processor circuit of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing means includes a temperature sensor for outputting a temperature signal when the oil temperature is at or on one side of the predetermined temperature, and a control means for receiving and processing the temperature signal, for producing the electrical control signal in response to the temperature signal, and for outputting the electrical control signal to the electromagnetic pilot valve.

3. The oil processor circuit of claim 2 wherein the one position is the closed position.