Hydraulic switch
OwnerVincent Edwardsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a hydraulic switch arrangement and a fluid switch for incorporating into a hydraulic switch arrangement that may be included in a hydraulic circuit for inhibiting flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic circuit in the event of movement of an apparatus or platform from a stable to an unstable condition. Such platforms or apparatus may include for example, cranes, excavators, teletrucks and forklift trucks and roll over incidents of such machinery is common leading to numerous fatalities. Aspects of the present invention ensure fast switching in the event of a transfer from a stable to an unstable condition.
Claims23
A fluid switch arrangement for incorporating into a hydraulic switch arrangement, the fluid switch arrangement comprising:
- a rotatable element rotatably mounted relative to a housing;
- the rotatable element rotatable between a first operational and second operational configuration;
- the rotatable element having at least one through-passage arranged to align in at least one rotational position with a first duct formed in the housing to provide the second operational configuration;
- the at least one through-passage having a mouth, the at least one through-passage tapering inwardly from the mouth;
- wherein the at least one through-passage comprises a first through-passage arranged to misalign in the first operational configuration with the first duct formed in the housing to inhibit passage of hydraulic fluid;
- wherein the first through-passage becomes aligned with the first duct when the rotatable element is in the second operational configuration to enable passage of hydraulic fluid through the first through-passage;
- and
- the fluid switch further comprising at least one bearing to enable relative rotation between the rotatable element and the housing, wherein a hydraulic fluid flow path is provided between the first duct and the at least one bearing in the first operational configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.