System for returning fluid from hydraulic devices of work machines
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorCraig Nicholas Cotterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system, for returning fluid from one or more hydraulic devices to a fluid tank of a work machine, includes a manifold and a mount. The manifold is configured to be fixedly mounted to the fluid tank. The manifold defines an inner volume for receiving a flow of the fluid returning from the one or more hydraulic devices. The mount is configured to be fixedly mounted to each of the fluid tank and the manifold. The mount defines one or more passageways configured to establish a fluid connection between the inner volume of the manifold, a filter of the work machine, and an internal volume of the fluid tank.
Claims20
A system for returning fluid from one or more hydraulic devices to a fluid tank of a work machine, the system comprising:
- a manifold, configured to be fixedly mounted in a receptacle portion of the fluid tank, defining an inner volume for receiving a flow of the fluid returning from the one or more hydraulic devices;
- and
- a mount configured to be fixedly mounted to each of the fluid tank and the manifold, the mount defining one or more passageways configured to establish a fluid connection between the inner volume of the manifold, a fluid filter of the work machine, and an internal volume of the fluid tank.
A work machine, comprising:
- a fluid tank defining an internal volume;
- and
- a system for returning a fluid from one or more hydraulic devices, of the work machine, to the fluid tank, the system including:
- a manifold, configured to be fixedly mounted in a receptacle portion of the fluid tank, defining an inner volume for receiving a flow of the fluid returning from the one or more hydraulic devices;
- and
- a mount configured to be fixedly mounted to each of the fluid tank and the manifold, the mount defining one or more passageways configured to establish a fluid connection between the inner volume of the manifold, a fluid filter of the work machine, and the internal volume of the fluid tank.
A method of assembling a system for returning fluid from one or more hydraulic devices to a fluid tank of a work machine, the method comprising:
- fixedly mounting a manifold in a receptacle portion of the fluid tank, the manifold defining an inner volume for receiving a flow of the fluid returning from the one or more hydraulic devices;
- and
- fixedly mounting a mount to the fluid tank and the manifold, the mount defining one or more passageways configured to establish a fluid connection between the inner volume of the manifold, a fluid filter of the work machine, and an internal volume of the fluid tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.