Europaisches Patentamt

19 European Patent Office

Office europeen des brevets © Publication number : 0 5 5 0 257 A1

12 EUROPEAN PATENT A P P L I C A T I O N

@ Application number: 92311770.9 @ Int. CI.5: F15B 1 1 / 0 5

(g) Date of filing : 23.12.92

(30) Priority : 25.12.91 JP 357128/91 @ Inventor : Koiwai, Hideshi

16.07.92 JP 212244/92 2-27-15 Kami-toda
26.08.92 JP 250517/92 Toda-shi, Saitama-ken (JP)
Inventor : Naito, Hisato
(43) Date of publication of application : C-202 Shimokuzawa
07.07.93 Bulletin 93/27 Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa-ken (JP)
Inventor : Yonekubo, Yoshitake
(S) Designated Contracting States : 2-15-15 Tamagawa
DE FR GB Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (JP)
Inventor : Nishiumi, Kenichi
@ Applicant : KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 1-19-7-304 Terao-dai, Tama-ku
Sekai Boeki Center Bldg., 2-4-1, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken (JP)
Hamamatsu-cho Inventor : Hasegawa, Yoshimi
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105 (JP) 8-22-7 Nishi, Yachiyo-dai
Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken (JP)
(74) Representative : Carpmael, John William
Maurice
CARPMAELS & RANSFORD 43 Bloomsbury
Square
London, WC1A 2RA (GB)

(54) Device for controlling multiple hydraulic actuators.

(57) A device for controlling multiple hydraulic

actuators to protect a system from an overpres- F / G.3
sure caused by increasing the load on an indivi-
dual actuator. By controlling the supply of
hydraulic fluid to a pair of cylinders (18,20) each
associated with a pilot valve (25,34,45) so that
each cylinder always has enough fluid pressure
to operate, the device of the present invention
prevents the shutdown of the device caused by
too much fluid going to the actuator operating
at the maximum pressure. Thus all actuators
continue to operate even if one is overpres-
sured.

ro-
ta
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LU
Jouve, 18, rue Saint-Denis, 75001 PARIS
 1 EP 0 550 257 A1 2

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION es: a tank for containing hydraulic fluid; a plurality of
actuators; a pump connecting to the plurality of actua-
The present invention relates to a device for con- tors and to the tank; the pump being effective for
trolling multiple hydraulic actuators, and, more partic- pumping the hydraulic fluid; each of the plurality of
ularly, to a device for controlling multiple hydraulic ac- 5 actuators having at least two switching valves respec-
tuators to protect a system from an overpressure tively; the at least two switching valves being con-
caused by increasing the load on an individual actua- nected in parallel; each of the at least two switching
tor. valves having at least one pilot chamber; each of the
The present invention can be applied, for exam- at least two switching valves having at least one va-
ple, to such a system as a power shovel that operates 10 riable orifice; the at least one variable orifice being
such multiple actuators as a spin motor, a boom cy- open an amount responsive to a pressure in the at
linder, an arm cylinder, a bucket cylinder, and a driving least one pilot chamber; a pressure compensating
motor. valve being connected to the at least one variable or-
In the prior art, described belowwith reference to ifice, whereby a pressure difference is maintained be-
Fig. 1, the drain pressure of a variable drain pump is 15 tween a load pressure on a one of the plurality of ac-
controlled by the maximum load pressure of in any tuators and a pressure on a lower portion of the at
one of multiple actuators. The prior art has drawbacks least variable orifice; at least one overload relief valve
as follows. connected to a lower portion of each of the at least
In the prior-art device of Fig. 1, when the variable two switching valves, whereby a maximum pressure
orifice of one of a pair of switching valves sets a mini- 20 is fixed for the plurality of actuators; and means for
mum value and the variable orifice of the other controlling the output of the pump according to a load
switching valve sets a maximum value, the cylinder pressure on a one of the plurality of actuators, where-
attached to the other switching valve makes a full by, when the load pressure rises to a pressure suffi-
stroke, causing the load to increase. The increased cient to actuate the at least one overload relief valve,
load triggers an overload relief valves associated with 25 the at least one pilot chamber is connected to the
that cylinder. Because the power (or Q x P, where Q tank.
is quantity of fluid and P is pressure) remains con- According to a feature of the invention, a control
stant, the amount of fluid drained by the variable drain device for multiple hydraulic actuators comprises: a
pump has to decrease, as shown by the curve in Fig. tank for containing hydraulic fluid; a plurality of actua-
2. Therefore the supply of fluid decreases to that 30 tors; a pump connecting to the plurality of actuators
switching valve set at the minimum value. In the worst and to the tank; the pump being effective for pumping
case, the fluid supply drops so low that the cylinder the hydraulic fluid; each of the plurality of actuators
stops altogether, thereby stopping all the actuators. having at least at least one switching valve; each of
the at least one switching valve having at least one
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 35 variable orifice; each of the at least one switching
valve being disposed to assume a one of a plurality
An object of the present invention is to provide a of positions; means responsive to the at least one va-
device for controlling multiple actuators that over- riable orifice for controlling a supply of the hydraulic
comes the drawbacks of the prior-art device. fluid between a fluid supply course and at least one
A further object of the present invention is to pro- 40 of the plurality of actuators according to the one of the
vide a device for controlling multiple actuators where plurality of positions of the at least one switching
the fluid drained from the variable drain pump is not valve; a pressure compensating valve being connect-
lost, so that all actuators can continue to work even ed to the at least one variable orifice, whereby a pres-
when their load pressure rises. sure difference is maintained between a load pres-
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a 45 sure on a one of the plurality of actuators and a pres-
device for controlling multiple hydraulic actuators to sure on a lower portion of the at least one variable or-
protect a system from an overpressure caused by in- ifice; means for controlling a drain pressure of the
creasing the load on an individual actuator. By con- pump, whereby the drain pressure is greater than a
trolling the supply of hydraulic fluid to a pair of cylin- load pressure; means for connecting an output por-
ders each associated with a pilot valve so that each 50 tion of the at least one switching valve of a first actua-
cylinder always has enough fluid pressure to operate, tor with a supply portion of the at least one switching
the device of the present invention prevents the shut- valve of a second actuatorthrough a T-connecting flu-
down of the device caused by too much fluid going to id course; and the T-connecting fluid course having a
the actuator operating at the maximum pressure. switching valve that opens in response to the one of
Thus all actuators continue to operate even if one is 55 the plurality of positions of the at least one switching
overpressured. valve of the second actuator.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a According to another feature of the invention, a
load-sensing active hydraulic control device compris- load-sensing active control device comprises; a tank
2
 3 EP 0 550 257 A1 4

for containing hydraulic fluid; a plurality of actuators; fluid course 2. Each of a pair of pilot chambers 3a, 3b
a pump connecting to the plurality of actuators and to and 4a, 4b are respectively attached at opposite sides
the tank; the pump being effective for pumping the of each of switching valves 3 and 4 and coupled to pi-
hydraulic fluid; each of the plurality of actuators hav- lot operating valves V1 and V2, whereby pilot operat-
ing at least two switching valves respectively; the at 5 ing valves V1 and V2 control an output pilot pressure.
least two switching valves being connected in paral- Switching valves 3 and 4 are normally in a neutral
lel; each of the at least two switching valves having position and ports 5,5 are closed. Switching valves 3
at least one variable orifice; each of the at least two and 4 are each associated with a pair of variable ori-
switching valves being disposed to assume a one of fices 6, 6'. Placing either of switching valves 3 or 4 in
a plural ity of positions; t he at least one variable orifice 10 either a left or a right position opens the pair of vari-
being open an amount responsive to the one of the able orifices 6, 6' associated with that valve. The
plurality of positions; a pressure compensating valve opening of the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' is propor-
being connected to the at least one variable orifice, tional to the setting of the valve.
whereby a pressure difference is maintained between Below each pair of variable orifices 6, 6' is a pres-
a load pressure on a one of said plurality of actuators 15 sure compensating valve 8 connected through a
and a pressure on a lower portion of the at least one check valve 7. Each of switching valves 3 and 4 has
variable orifice; a load-detecting fluid course being a supply port 9 that connects to the lowerside of pres-
connected with a shuttle valve to detect a load pres- sure compensating valve 8. Supply ports 9, 9 are
sure on each of the plurality of actuators; means for closed when switching valves 3 and 4 are at a neutral
transferring a maximum pressure determined by the 20 position. Moving switching valves 3, 4 to either a left
shuttle valve to a regulator of the pump, whereby a ora right position couples supply ports 9,9 with either
power output of the pump is maintained constant; a of a pair of actuator ports 10, 11 and connects the
shutoff valve mounted in the load-detecting fluid other actuator port with a tank fluid course 12.
course; means for connecting the shutoff valve direct- A pair of load detecting ports 13, 13 attached to
ly to the shuttle valve; and the means being effective 25 switching valves 3 and 4 is connected with tank fluid
for closing the shutoff valve when a pressure on the course 12 when switching valves 3 and 4 are in a neu-
shuttle valve rises over a fixed pressure. tral position. When switching valves 3 and 4 are
The above, and other objects, features, and ad- switched either left or right, each of load detecting
vantages of the present invention will become appa- ports 13 is connected to the actuator port 10, 11 with
rent from the following description read in conjunction 30 the higher pressure.
with the accompanying drawings, in which like refer- Pressure compensating valves 8, 8 equalize the
ence numerals designate the same elements. respective pressures of the upper side of check
valves 7, 7 to that of pilot chambers 8a, 8a and the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS respective pressures of load detecting ports 13, 13 to
35 that of pilot chambers 8b, 8b. Ashuttle valve 14 trans-
Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of the control device of fers to pilot chamber 8b the highest pressure of any
the prior art. one among the actuators controlled by switching
Fig. 2 is a graph showing the relationship of P valves 3 and 4.
(pressure) to Q (quantity of fluid) in a variable drain Pressure compensating valve 8 operates at the
pump. 40 pressure of the lower of the pair of variable orifices 6,
Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of 6', that is, at a fixed-rate higher than the maximum
the present invention. load pressure. The maximum load pressure chosen
Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a second embodi- by shuttle valve 14 is transferred to a pilot chamber
ment of the present invention. 15a of a control valve 15, and a pilot chamber 15b has
Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of P to 45 the pressure of high pressure fluid course 2 or the
Q the second embodiment of the present invention.
in pressure of variable drain pump 1. The difference be-
Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of a third embodiment tween the pressure of variable drain pump 1 and the
of the present invention. maximum load pressure actuates control valve 15.
Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of a fourth embodiment Control valve 15 operates control cylinder 16, which
of the present invention. so runs at constant power, to keep the pressure from va-
riable drain pump 1 at a fixed rate higher than the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED maximum load pressure.
EMBODIMENTS Each pair of actuator ports 10 and 11 of switching
valves 3 and 4 is connected respectively to a pair of
Referring to Fig. 1, in the priorart, a variable drain 55 cylinders 19 and 20 through a pair of fluid courses 17
pump 1 is connected to a pair of ports 5,5, each as- and 18 to which each of a pair of overload relief valves
sociated respectively with a first switching valve 3 or 21 and 22 are connected.
a second switching valve 4 through a high pressure In the above arrangement, pilot operating valves
3
 5 EP 0 550 257 A1 6

V1 and V2 supply a pilot pressure to either pilot cham- A variable drain pump 1 is connected to a pair of
bers 3a, 3b of switching valve 3 or pilot chambers 4a, ports 5, 5, each associated respectively with a switch-
4b of switching valve 4. For example, the pilot pres- ing valve 3 or with switching valve 4 through a high
sure from pilot chamber 3b shifts switching valve 3 to pressure fluid course 2. Each of a pair of pilot cham-
the right position. Similarly, the pilot pressure from pi- 5 bers 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b respectively attached at oppo-
lot chamber 4b shifts switching valve 4 to the right site sides of each of switching valves 3 and 4 and cou-
position. pled to pilot operating valves V1 and V2, whereby pilot
As switching valves 3 and 4 change theirsettings, operating valves V1 and V2 control an output pilot
the opening of the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' also pressure.
changes, and variable drain pump 1 supplies amounts 10 Switching valves 3 and 4 are normally in a neutral
of fluid under pressure that correspond to the ratio of position and ports 5, 5 are closed. Switching valves 3
each pair of variable orifices. The fluid is supplied to and 4 are each associated with a pair of variable ori-
bottom chambers 19a and 20a of cylinders 19 and 20 fices 6, 6'. Placing either of switching valves 3 or 4 in
or to individual actuators. The fluid in rod chambers either a left or a right position opens the pair of vari-
19b, 20b returns to tank fluid course 12 through 15 able orifices 6, 6' associated with that valve. The
switching valves 3 and 4. Control cylinder 16 controls opening of the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' is propor-
the quantity of fluid from pump 1 according to the tional to the setting of the valve.
maximum load pressure on any one among the actua- Below each pair of variable orifices 6, 6' is a pres-
tors. sure compensating valve 8 connected through a
Referring to Fig. 2, variable drain pump 1 de- 20 check valve 7. Each of switching valves 3 and 4 has
pends on the product of the pressure P and a quantity a supply port 9 that connects to the lowerside of pres-
of fluid Q, which product is fixed. Thus the higher the sure compensating valve 8. Supply ports 9, 9 are
maximum load pressure, the less the amount of fluid closed when switching valves 3 and 4 are in a neutral
drained from variable drain pump 1. The amount position. Moving switching valves 3, 4 to either a left
drained corresponds to the ratio of the pair of variable 25 or a right position couples supply ports 9, 9 with either
orifices 6, 6' of either switching valve 3 or switching of a pair of actuator ports 10, 11 and connects the
valve 4. other actuator port with a tank fluid course 12.
As the above description makes clear, since the A pair of load detecting ports 13, 13 attached to
drain pressure of variable drain pump 1 is controlled switching valves 3 and 4 is connected with tank fluid
by the maximum load pressure on multiple actuators, 30 course 12 when switching valves 3 and 4 are in a neu-
a difficulty can arise in its operation. tral position. When switching valves 3 and 4 are
When the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' of switch- switched either left or right, each of load detecting
ing valve 3 is set to a minimum value and the pair of ports 13 is connected to the actuator port 10, 11 with
variable orifices 6, 6' of switching valve 4 is set to a the higher pressure.
maximum value, cylinder 20 makes a full stroke. The 35 Pressure compensating valves 8, 8 equalize the
load increases so that either overload relief valve 21 respective pressures of the upper side of check
or overload relief valve 22, each connected to cylinder valves 7, 7 to that of pilot chambers 8a, 8a and the
20, opens. The amount of fluid that drains from vari- respective pressures of load detecting ports 13, 13 to
able drain pump 1 decreases, according to the curve that of pilot chambers 8b, 8b. Ashuttle valve 14 trans-
of Fig. 2, since the amount of power is fixed. There- 40 fers to pilot chamber 8b the highest pressure of any
fore the supply of fluid to switching valve 3 is reduced, actuator controlled by switching valves 3 and 4.
and, in the worst case, cylinder 19 comes to a com- Pressure compensating valve 8 operates at the
plete stop. pressure of the lower of the pair of variable orifices 6,
Referring to Fig. 3, in a first embodiment of the 6', that is, at a fixed-rate higher than the maximum
present invention, a pilot chamber 4b of a switching 45 load pressure. The maximum load pressure chosen
valve 4 is connected to a pilot valve 25 through a pilot by shuttle valve 14 is transferred to a pilot chamber
course 24 that extends into a tankT. Pilotvalve 25 has 15a of a control valve 15, and a pilot chamber 15b has
a spring 26 at one side. A pilot chamber 27 is coupled the pressure of high pressure fluid course 2 or the
to a fluid course 18 so that both have the same pres- pressure of variable drain pump 1. Accordingly, the
sure. Pilot valve 25 is opened when the pressure of so difference between the pressure of variable drain
fluid course 18, or the load pressure of a cylinder 20, pump 1 and the maximum load pressure actuates
opens an overload relief valve 22. control valve 15. Control valve 15 operates control cy-
The connection of pilot chamber 4b of switching linder 16, which runs at constant power, to keep the
valve 4 to tank T can be controlled by switching pilot pressure from variable drain pump 1 at a fixed rate
valve 25. Normally, pilot course 24 is closed. Pilot 55 higher than the maximum load pressure.
course 24 contains an orifice 28. Pilot course 24 is Each pair of actuator ports 10 and 11 of switching
also connected to a pilot operation valve V2 through valves 3 and 4 is connected respectively to a pair of
an orifice 29. cylinders 19 and 20 through a pair of fluid courses 17
4
 7 EP 0 550 257 A1 8

and 18 to which each of a pair of overload relief valves a fluid course 36.
21 and 22 are connected. Therefore, when the load pressure of the actua-
In the above arrangement, pilot operating valves tors (but not that of cylinder 19) rises above the fixed
V1 and V2 supply a pilot pressure to either pilot cham- pressure on spring 35, switching valve 34 closes. The
bers 3a, 3b of switching valve 3 or pilot chambers 4a, 5 load pressure of cylinder 19 cannot then affect the
4b of switching valve 4. For example, the pilot pres- amount of fluid that comes from variable drain pump
sure from pilot chamber 3b shifts switching valve 3 to 1.
the right position. Similarly, the pilot pressure from pi- Referring to Fig. 5, when the fixed pressure of
lot chamber 4b shifts switching valve 4 to the right switching valve 34 is set to x (just before the region
position. 10 of constant power represented by the area under the
As switching valves 3 and 4 change theirsettings, concave portion of the curve), and, in addition, cylin-
the opening of the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' also ders 19 and 20 are operated simultaneously, even if
changes, and variable drain pump 1 supplies amounts the load pressure of cylinder 19 becomes very high,
of fluid under pressure that correspond to the ratio of the amount of fluid that comes from variable drain
the two pairs of variable orifices. The fluid is supplied 15 pump 1 is not decreased.
to bottom chambers 19a and 20a of cylinders 19 and In the second embodiment, when a pressure PF
20 or to individual actuators. The fluid in rod chambers on the upper side of shuttle valve 32 is less than of
19b, 20b returns to tank fluid course 12 through equal to a fixed pressure PSP on switching valve 34,
switching valves 3 and 4. Control cylinder 16 controls switching valve 34 keeps opening, so that, whatever
the quantity of fluid from pump 1 according to the 20 the pressure in shuttle valve 32 (either Pf from a fluid
maximum load pressure on any one among the actua- course 33, PF, or a higher pressure P|max)> that pres-
tors. sure is fed back to regulate control valve 15. The fluid
If the pair of variable orifices 6, 6' of switching pressure from variable drain pump 1 is controlled by
valve 3 is opened to the minimum setting, then the the maximum value of the load pressures in all actua-
pair of variable orifices 6, 6' of switching valve 4 is 25 tors. When PF is greater than PSP, switching valve 34
opened to the maximum. keeps opening so that PF is fed back to control valve
Afull stroke of cylinder 20 raises the pressure and 15 of the regulator. No matter what value the load
opens pilot valve 25. Pilot chamber 4b of switching pressure Pf of cylinder 19 takes, the pressure fed
valve 4 makes a connection with tank T. The pressure back is fixed by PF. When cylinder 19 reaches the end
is decreased, and switching valve 4 returns to a neu- 30 of its stroke and Pf is greater than PF, the former be-
tral position, thereby reducing the opening of the pair comes at most PF plus a small constant a.
of variable orifices 6, 6'. As a result, the amount of flu- Referring to Fig. 6, in a third embodiment, first,
id flowing to cylinder 20 is decreased. second, and third switching valves 40, 41 , 42 are re-
For example, when the level of the pairof variable spectively connected to a boom cylinder 37, a bucket
orifices 6, 6' of switching valve 4 becomes less than 35 cylinder 38, and a spin motor 39. The structure, in-
the level of the pairof switching valve 3, the amount cluding each switching valve and each pressure com-
of fluid from variable drain pump 1 is decreased in pro- pensating valve 8, is the same as in the first embodi-
portion to the ratio of the two levels, so that fluid un- ment.
der pressure is supplied to fluid cylinder 19 connected A T-connector joins one end of a fluid course 44
to switching valve 3. 40 to the lower of a pair of variable orifices 6, 6' of third
In this first embodiment, pilot valve 25 is connect- switching valve 42 and to pressure compensating
ed only to bottom chamber 20a of cylinder 20. Pilot valve 8. The other end of fluid course 44 connects to
valve 25 may also connect to a single fluid course 17 an inlet port 46 of a pilot operating valve 45. An outlet
or to both fluid courses 17 and 18. port 47 of pilot operating valve 45 connects to the bot-
Even though the load pressure of cylinder 20 in- 45 torn of boom cylinder 37 through a load checking
creases almost to the pressure setting of overload re- valve 48.
lief valve 23, cylinder 19 will not stop. When pilot operating valve 45 is in its normal pos-
Referring to Fig. 4, in a second embodiment there ition, it prevents inlet port 46 from coupling to outlet
are switching valves additional to switching valves 3 port 47. When a pilot chamber 49 reaches a pilot pres-
and 4. The load pressure of all switching valves is led 50 sure, both inlet port 46 and outlet port 47 are connect-
to pilot chamber 15a at one side of control valve 15 by ed through an orifice 50. Then the pilot pressure in pi-
three shuttle valves 30, 31, 32. A switching valve 34 lot chamber 49 actuates first switching valve 40,
is located between load detecting port 13 of switching thereby controlling boom cylinder 37 by pilot operat-
valve 3 and shuttle valve 32. A spring 35 normally ing valve 45 as follows.
keeps shuttle valve 32 open; it closes when the pilot 55 When first switching valve 40 is switched to the
pressure to a pilot chamber 34a overcomes the re- left side, as shown in Fig. 6, the pilot pressure from
storing force of spring 35. Pilot chamber 34a is con- first switching valve 40 goes to pilot chamber 49 and
nected with the upper side of shuttle valve 32 through causes pilot operating valve 45 to open. A portion of
5
 g EP 0 550 257 A1 10

the fluid pressure supplied to the system of spin mo- at least one overload relief valve connect-
tor 39 is also supplied to the bottom of boom cylinder ed to a lower portion of each of said at least two
37 through pilot operating valve 45. switching valves, whereby a maximum pressure
Since a portion of the fluid supplied to the system is fixed for said plurality of actuators; and
of spin motor 39 is supplied to bottom cylinder 37, if 5 means for controlling the output of said
spin motor 39 is accelerated too fast, the load pres- pump according to a load pressure on a one of
sure of the system of spin motor 39 does not rise ac- said plurality of actuators, whereby, when said
cordingly. Therefore, even if spin motor 39 is at a high load pressure rises to a pressure sufficient to ac-
pressure, the amount of fluid supplied to boom cylin- tuate said at least one overload relief valve, said
der 37 is sufficient to keep it operating. 10 at least one pilot chamber is connected to said
Referring to Fig. 7, in a fourth embodiment, a T- tank.
connector joins a fluid course 44 to the lower side of
a pressure compensating valve 8 and to a supply port 2. A control device for multiple hydraulic actuators,
9 of a third switching valve 42. The other end of fluid which comprises:
course 44 connects to an inlet port 46 of a pilot oper- 15 a tank for containing hydraulic fluid;
ating valve 45. Otherwise the fourth embodiment has a plurality of actuators;
the same structure as the third. a pump connecting to said plurality of ac-
Having described preferred embodiments of the tuators and to said tank;
invention with reference to the accompanying draw- said pump being effective for pumping
ings, it is to be understood that the invention is not lim- 20 said hydraulic fluid;
ited to those precise embodiments, and that various each of said plurality of actuators having at
changes and modifications may be effected therein least at least one switching valve;
by one skilled in the art without departing from the each of said at least one switching valve
scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the ap- having at least one variable orifice;
pended claims. 25 each of said at least one switching valve
It will of course be understood that the present in- being disposed to assume a one of a plurality of
vention has been described above purely by way of positions;
example, and modifications of detail can be made means responsive to said at least one va-
within the scope of the invention. riable orifice for controlling a supply of said hy-
30 draulic fluid between a fluid supply course and at
least one of said plurality of actuators according
Claims to said one of the plurality of positions of said at
least one switching valve;
1. A load-sensing active hydraulic control device, a pressure compensating valve being con-
which comprises: 35 nected to said at least one variable orifice, where-
a tank for containing hydraulic fluid; by a pressure difference is maintained between
a plurality of actuators; a load pressure on a one of said plurality of ac-
a pump connecting to said plurality of ac- tuators and a pressure on a lower portion of said
tuators and to said tank; at least one variable orifice;
said pump being effective for pumping 40 means for controlling a drain pressure of
said hydraulic fluid; said pump, whereby said drain pressure is great-
each of said plurality of actuators having at er than a load pressure;
least two switching valves respectively; means for connecting an output portion of
said at least two switching valves being said at least one switching valve of a first actuator
connected in parallel; 45 with a supply portion of said at least one switch-
each of said at least two switching valves ing valve of a second actuator through a T-con-
having at least one pilot chamber; necting fluid course; and
each of said at least two switching valves said T-connecting fluid course having a
having at least one variable orifice; switching valve that opens in response to said
said at least one variable orifice being so one of the plurality of positions of said at least one
open an amount responsive to a pressure in said switching valve of said second actuator.
at least one pilot chamber;
a pressure compensating valve being con- 3. A load-sensing active control device, which com-
nected to said at least one variable orifice, where- prises:
by a pressure difference is maintained between 55 a tank for containing hydraulic fluid;
a load pressure on a one of said plurality of ac- a plurality of actuators;
tuators and a pressure on a lower portion of said a pump connecting to said plurality of ac-
at least one variable orifice; tuators and to said tank;
6
 11 EP 0 550 257 A1 12

said pump being effective for pumping

said hydraulic fluid;
each of said plurality of actuators having at
least two switching valves respectively;
said at least two switching valves being 5
connected in parallel;
each of said at least two switching valves
having at least one variable orifice;
each of said at least two switching valves
being disposed to assume a one of a plurality of 10
positions;
said at least one variable orifice being
open an amount responsive to said one of the
plurality of positions;
a pressure compensating valve being con- 15
nected to said at least one variable orifice, where-
by a pressure difference is maintained between
a load pressure on a one of said plurality of ac-
tuators and a pressure on a lower portion of said
at least one variable orifice; 20
a load-detecting fluid course being con-
nected with a shuttle valve to detect a load pres-
sure on each of said plurality of actuators;
means for transferring a maximum pres-
sure determined by said shuttle valve to a regu- 25
lator of said pump, whereby a power output of
said pump is maintained constant;
a shutoff valve mounted in said load-
detecting fluid course;
means for connecting said shutoff valve 30
directly to said shuttle valve; and
said means being effective for closing said
shutoff valve when a pressure on said shuttle
valve rises over a fixed pressure.
35
4. A load-sensing active control device or a control
device for multiple hydraulic activators substan-
tially as herinbefore described with reference to
any one or more of Figures 2-7 of the accompa-
nying drawings. 40

45

50

7
 U 33U 01 « I

l b . I PRIOR A R T
 EP 0 550 257 A1

F I G . 5

9
P U &&U Al

1U
U 33U Z3( H I
EP 0 550 257 A1

12
EP 0 550 257 A1

13
 EP 0 550 257 A1

J European Patent Application Number

EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
Office
EP 92 31 1770

DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category Citation of document with indication, where appropriate, Relevant CLASSIFICATION OF THE
of relevant passages to claim APPLICATION ant. C1.5 )
EP-A-0 433 454 (KOMATSU) 1-4 F15B11/05
* column 5, line 2 - column 6, line 33;
claims 1,2; figure 2 *

DE-C-3 710 699 (HEILMEIER & WEINLEIN) 1-4

* column 3, line 20 - column 4, line 2 *
* column 6, line 58 - column 7, line 23;
claim 1; figure 1A *

WO-A-9 002 882 (ATLAS C0PC0) 1-4

* page 7, paragraph 2; figure 2 *

TECHNICAL FIELDS
SEARCHED (Int. CI.5 )

F15B

The present search report has been drawn up for all claims
Place of search Date of coaxiletioii of the search Examiner
BERLIN 30 MARCH 1993 THOMAS C.
CATEGORY OF CITED DOCUMENTS T : theory or principle underlying the invention
E : earlier patent document, but published on, or
X: particularly relevant if taken alone after the filing date
Y: particularly relevant If combined with another D : document cited in the application
document of the same category L : document cited for other reasons
A: technological background
O : non-written disclosure &: member of the same patent family, corresponding
P : intermediate document document

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