Hose voltage carrier

• US 9,643,550 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss A/S
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Beining, Michael Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US14/213,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20140265561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 307147
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2275 Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/082 two layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/086 two layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/127 electrically conducting

Abstract

Methods and systems for delivering a voltage signal to remote equipment associated with a hydraulic system are disclosed. One method includes actuating an output voltage from a control panel at an electronic control output electrically connected at a socket positioned on a first end of a hose assembly, the hose assembly having a conductive layer electrically connected to the socket and extending the length of the hose assembly and also electrically connected to a second socket at a second end of the hose assembly. By actuating the output voltage, the output voltage is delivered to remote equipment at the second end of the hose assembly that is electrically connected to the second socket.

Claims

1. A method of delivering power to remote equipment associated with a hydraulic system, the method comprising:

actuating an output voltage from a control panel at an electronic control output electrically connected at a socket positioned on a first end of a hose assembly, the hose assembly having a plurality of concentric conductive layers including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, the first conductive layer being electrically connected to the socket and extending the length of the hose assembly and also electrically connected to a second socket at a second end of the hose assembly, thereby delivering the output voltage to remote equipment at the second end of the hose assembly that is electrically connected to the second socket, the second conductive layer useable in combination with the first electrical layer to monitor degradation of the hose assembly in coordination with delivering the output voltage to remote equipment at the second end of the hose assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote equipment comprises a control valve connected at the second end of the hose assembly.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an activation signal at the control panel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the activation signal comprises receiving a user input activating the hydraulic control valve.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the activation signal comprises receiving a controller input from a remote system.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the output voltage at the remote equipment.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating the remote equipment in response to the output voltage.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating the output voltage includes transmitting the output voltage for a predetermined amount of time.

9. A system comprising:

a control panel configured to produce an output voltage for actuating remote equipment;

a hose assembly including a hose having first and second ends, the first end having a first fitting including a nipple and socket, the second end having a second fitting including a nipple and socket, the hose including a plurality of concentric conductive layers including a first conductive layer electrically connected to the socket of the first fitting and the socket of the second fitting and a second conductive layer useable in combination with the first conductive layer to monitor degradation of the hose assembly in coordination with delivering the output voltage to remote equipment at the second end of the hose assembly;

an electrical connection between the control panel and the socket of the first fitting, the electrical connection passing the output voltage through the hose assembly to the socket of the second fitting for use by the remote equipment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote equipment is electrically connected to the socket of the second fitting.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the hose assembly is installed within a hydraulic system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote equipment comprises a control valve.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the output voltage actuates the control valve.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the sockets of the first and second fittings are electrically separated from the nipples of the first and second fittings by an insulating layer.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the output voltage comprises a voltage in the range of 12-24 V.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the output voltage comprises a voltage in the range of 3-10 V.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote equipment forms a portion of a hydraulic circuit in which the hose assembly is connected, and wherein the hose assembly is fluidically connected to the remote equipment at the nipple of the second end.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the control panel comprises a hydraulic control system of a hydraulically-operated machine.