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US 11,905,981 B2Granted
Hydraulic accumulator autostart
AssigneeGJR Meyer Service, Inc.
InventorsGary Michael Elsik, Noel Donavan McKim, Frank Michael Gonzalez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for automatically actuating a hydraulic accumulator—useful for oil collection systems—capable of operation while maintaining a zero or near zero draw of electrical energy.
Claims15
A system for maintaining hydraulic pressure at a hydraulic accumulator, the system comprising:
- a pressure sensor electrically coupled to a control unit;
- a check valve hydraulically coupled to the pressure sensor through a first hydraulic connector;
- and
- a pump hydraulically coupled to the check valve through a second hydraulic connector and electrically coupled to the control unit;
- wherein the pressure sensor is configured to mechanically detect a pressure at the first hydraulic connector;
- the pressure sensor is further configured to transmit an electrical signal to the control unit when the pressure at the first hydraulic connector falls below a first threshold,
- the pressure sensor is further configured to cease transmitting the electrical signal to the control unit when the pressure at the first hydraulic connector exceeds a second threshold,
- the control unit is configured to control the pump to urge, at a first time, hydraulic fluid through the check valve into the first hydraulic connector through the second hydraulic connector when the control unit receives the electrical signal, and
- wherein the control unit is further configured to control the pump to cease urging hydraulic fluid through the check valve into the first hydraulic connector through the second hydraulic connector when the control unit stops receiving the electrical signal.
6 more elements
A system for maintaining hydraulic pressure at a hydraulic accumulator, the system comprising:
- a pressure sensor electrically coupled to a control unit;
- a check valve hydraulically coupled to the pressure sensor through a first hydraulic connector;
- a pump hydraulically coupled to the check valve through a second hydraulic connector and electrically coupled to the control unit;
- an unloader valve hydraulically connected to the pump through the second hydraulic connector and electrically coupled to the control unit;
- and
- a tank hydraulically connected to the unloader valve through a third hydraulic connector and hydraulically connected to the pump through a fourth hydraulic connector;
- wherein the pressure sensor is configured to mechanically detect a pressure at the first hydraulic connector,
- the pressure sensor is further configured to transmit an electrical signal to the control unit when the pressure at the first hydraulic connector falls below a first threshold,
- the control unit is configured to control the pump to urge, at a first time, hydraulic fluid through the check valve into the first hydraulic connector through the second hydraulic connector when the control unit receives the electrical signal
- the control unit is further configured to close the unloader valve at a second time,
- the second time is subsequent to the first time, and
- wherein the control unit is further configured to control the unloader valve to reduce a rate at which the unloader valve transmits fluid received through the second hydraulic connector to the tank through the third hydraulic connector over a period commencing at a third time and ending at the second time.
9 more elements
A method for maintaining pressure in a hydraulic accumulator, the method comprising:
- providing a pressure sensor electrically coupled to a control unit;
- providing a check valve hydraulically coupled to the pressure sensor through a first hydraulic connector;
- providing a pump hydraulically coupled to the check valve through a second hydraulic connector and electrically coupled to the control unit;
- mechanically detecting, using the pressure sensor, a pressure at the first hydraulic connector;
- transmitting, using the pressure sensor, an electrical signal to the control unit when the pressure at the first hydraulic connector falls below a first threshold;
- receiving, by the control unit, the electrical signal;
- controlling the pump, using the control unit, to urge, at a first time, hydraulic fluid through the check valve into the first hydraulic connector through the second hydraulic connector responsive to the control unit receiving the electrical signal;
- ceasing, using the pressure sensor transmission of the electrical signal to the control unit when the pressure at the first hydraulic connector exceeds a second threshold;
- and
- ceasing, by the pump, to urge hydraulic fluid through the check valve into the first hydraulic connector through the second hydraulic connector responsive the control unit detecting that the control unit has stopped receiving the electrical signal.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.