MACHINE HAVING HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED IMPLEMENT SYSTEM WITH COMBINED RIDE CONTROL AND DOWNFORCE CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A machine comprising:
- a frame;
ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame;
a hydraulically actuated implement system coupled with the frame, and including a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a combined ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode;
the ride control mode configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure; and
the downforce control mode configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement is controllably rested upon and engages a substrate positioned under the implement with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine is disclosed. The machine can include a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system can be coupled with the frame, and can include a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode. The ride control mode can be configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure, and the downforce control mode can be configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement engages a substrate with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A machine comprising:
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a frame; ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame; a hydraulically actuated implement system coupled with the frame, and including a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a combined ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode; the ride control mode configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure; and the downforce control mode configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement is controllably rested upon and engages a substrate positioned under the implement with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hydraulically actuated implement system comprising:
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a combined ride control and downforce control circuit connected in fluid communication between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic actuator; the combined ride control and downforce control circuit including a switching valve and a pressure reducing valve; the switching valve connected in fluid communication between the pressure reducing valve and the hydraulic actuator; and the pressure reducing valve connected in fluid communication between the hydraulic pump and the switching valve. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A control system for a hydraulically actuated implement system in a machine comprising:
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an electronic control unit in electronic communication with a combined ride control and downforce control circuit, the combined ride control and downforce control circuit connected in fluid communication between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic actuator; the electronic control unit configured to receive a ride control activation command, and responsively actuate the combined ride control and downforce control circuit to a ride control mode, the ride control mode maintaining a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure; the electronic control unit configured to receive a downforce control activation command, and responsively actuate the combined ride control and downforce control circuit to a downforce control mode, the downforce control mode maintaining the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of a linkage and an implement such that the implement engages a substrate positioned under the implement with a down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification