# US 11,441,293 B2 · Adjustable ride control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,293 B2 - Document ID: US11441293B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/670,219 - Filed: 2019-10-31 - Published: 2021-05-06 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-31 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: Scott R. Stahle; Grant R. Henn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441293B2 ## CPC - E02F 9/2228: {including an electronic controller} - F15B 1/021: {used for damping} - E02F 3/34: with bucket-arms {, i.e. a pair of arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, form, geometry, material of bucket-arms (with a single arm E02F3/283)} directly pivoted on the frames of tractors or self-propelled machines - E02F 3/431: {for bucket-arms, front-end loaders, dumpers or the like} - E02F 9/0883: {Tanks, e.g. oil tank, urea tank, fuel tank (for vehicles in general B60K15/00)} - E02F 9/16: Cabins, platforms, or the like, for drivers ({for motor vehicles in general B62D33/06}, for cranes B66C13/54) - E02F 9/2004: {Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers (control levers per se G05G)} - E02F 9/2041: {Automatic repositioning of implements, i.e. memorising determined positions of the implement (for dipper-arms or bucket-arms E02F3/434, E02F3/437, E02F3/438, E02F3/439 take precedence)} - E02F 9/2207: {for reducing or compensating oscillations} - E02F 9/2217: {with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels} - E02F 9/2235: {including an electronic controller} - E02F 9/2271: {Actuators and supports therefor and protection therefor} - E02F 9/24: Safety devices {, e.g. for preventing overload (E02F9/226 takes precedence)} - F15B 1/02: Installations or systems with accumulators - F15B 13/022: {Flow-dividers; Priority valves} - F15B 2211/3057: having two valves, one for each port of a double-acting output member - F15B 2211/3144: the positions being continuously variable, e.g. as realised by proportional valves - F15B 2211/31558: having a single output member - F15B 2211/324: manually, e.g. by using a lever or pedal - F15B 2211/327: electrically or electronically - F15B 2211/353: Flow control by regulating means in return line, i.e. meter-out control - F15B 2211/625: Accumulators - F15B 2211/6313: the pressure being a load pressure - F15B 2211/6336: representing a state of the output member, e.g. position, speed or acceleration - F15B 2211/6346: representing a state of input means, e.g. joystick position - F15B 2211/6355: having valve means - F15B 2211/665: Methods of control using electronic components - F15B 2211/7053: Double-acting output members - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An adjustable ride control circuit and method that includes a head valve that controls flow between a boom cylinder head intake and an accumulator, and a rod float valve that controls flow between a boom cylinder rod intake and tank, where the rod float valve is electronically adjustable and proportionally controls flow restriction. A controller controls ride control activation, and adjustment of the head and rod float valves. When ride control is activated, the head valve allows flow between the head intake and the accumulator, and the controller automatically adjusts the rod float valve. When ride control is deactivated, the head valve blocks flow between the head intake and the accumulator, and the rod float valve blocks flow between the rod intake and tank. An enable valve can control positioning of the head valve. A flow selector can select manual or automatic adjustment of the rod float valve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable ride control circuit for a vehicle that includes a hydraulic source, a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic tank, a boom and a boom hydraulic cylinder with a head intake and a rod intake, where the boom hydraulic cylinder controls movement of the boom, the adjustable ride control circuit comprising: a head valve configured to control flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; an adjustable rod float valve configured to control flow between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank, the adjustable rod float valve is an electronically adjustable valve that proportionally controls flow restriction between the rod intake and the hydraulic tank; a ride control controller configured to receive control inputs, control activation of ride control, and control adjustment of the head valve and the adjustable rod float valve; and a ride control flow selector having a manual position and an automatic position; wherein when the ride control controller activates ride control, the head valve allows flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator, and the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve to control flow between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank; and wherein when the ride control controller deactivates ride control the head valve blocks flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator, and the adjustable rod float valve blocks flow between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank; and wherein when ride control is activated and the ride control flow selector is in the manual position, the ride control controller controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on operator manual inputs, and when ride control is activated and the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on one or more control inputs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a ride control enable valve controlled by the ride control controller and configured to control the head valve; wherein when the ride control controller activates ride control, the ride control enable valve positions the head valve to allow flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator, and when the ride control controller deactivates ride control, the ride control enable valve positions the head valve to block flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include vehicle ground speed readings that indicate ground speed of the vehicle, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the vehicle ground speed readings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include implement type readings that indicate a type of implement attached to the boom of the vehicle, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the implement type readings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, where the vehicle further includes an operator cab; and wherein the one or more control inputs include accelerometer readings that indicate movement of the operator cab, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the accelerometer readings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, where the vehicle further includes an operator seat; and wherein the one or more control inputs include accelerometer readings that indicate movement of the operator seat, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the accelerometer readings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, where the vehicle further includes boom linkage that moves with the boom of the vehicle; and wherein the one or more control inputs include boom linkage sensor readings that indicate a position of the boom, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom linkage sensor readings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, where the vehicle further includes boom linkage that moves with the boom of the vehicle; and wherein the one or more control inputs include boom linkage sensor readings that indicate movement of the boom, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom linkage sensor readings. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include boom head pressure sensor readings that indicate pressure at the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom head pressure sensor readings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The adjustable ride control circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include boom rod pressure sensor readings that indicate pressure at the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder, and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position the ride control controller automatically controls adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom rod pressure sensor readings. ### Claim 11 A method of adjusting a ride control circuit of a vehicle that includes a hydraulic source, a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic tank, a boom and a boom hydraulic cylinder with a head intake and a rod intake, where the boom hydraulic cylinder controls movement of the boom, the method comprising: positioning a head valve to control flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; adjusting an adjustable rod float valve to control flow between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank, the adjustable rod float valve being an electronically adjustable valve that proportionally controls flow restriction between the rod intake and the hydraulic tank; controlling activation of ride control using a ride control controller configured to receive control inputs, and control adjustment of the head valve and the adjustable rod float valve; blocking flow through the head valve between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator when ride control is deactivated; blocking flow through the adjustable rod float valve between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank when ride control is deactivated; allowing flow through the head valve between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator when ride control is activated; enabling the ride control controller to automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the control inputs to control flow between the rod intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic tank when ride control is activated; receiving selector signals from a ride control flow selector that includes a manual position and an automatic position; when ride control is activated and the selector signals indicate the ride control flow selector is in the manual position, enabling the ride control controller to control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on operator manually inputs; and when ride control is activated and the selector signals indicate the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, enabling the ride control controller to automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on one or more control inputs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: controlling a ride control enable valve to control the head valve; when ride control is deactivated, adjusting the ride control enable valve to position the head valve to block flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; and when ride control is activated, adjusting the ride control enable valve to position the head valve to allow flow between the head intake of the boom hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving vehicle ground speed readings that indicate ground speed of the vehicle; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the vehicle ground speed readings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving implement type readings that indicate a type of implement attached to the boom of the vehicle; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the implement type readings. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving accelerometer readings that indicate movement of an operator cab or an operator seat of the vehicle; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the accelerometer readings. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving boom linkage sensor readings that indicate a position of the boom of the vehicle; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom linkage sensor readings. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving boom linkage sensor readings that indicate movement of the boom of the vehicle; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom linkage sensor readings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving boom pressure sensor readings that indicate pressure of the boom hydraulic cylinder; and when the ride control flow selector is in the automatic position, having the ride control controller automatically control adjustment of the adjustable rod float valve based on the boom pressure sensor readings.