Hydraulic-Pneumatic Third Point Connector
AssigneeTri Trac Innovations, Inc.
InventorJay E. Potter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for use in as a third point connector for a tractor has a hydraulic and pneumatic chamber for providing an easy method to adjust the length of the third point connector to thereby change the angle between the tractor and an attached implement. When a release valve is opened, the two sides of the connector can be moved towards or away from each other as air enters from the environment or exits as needed to balance the pressure inside the connector. An induced air pocket in the hydraulic chamber allows for a slight cushion against the forces as the incompressible hydraulic fluid prevents larger swings in the length of the connector. One or more of the opposing ends may have threaded connectors to allow for general size changes to the connector.
Claims17
A hydraulic connector comprising:
- a central body having an enclosed hydraulic piston chamber;
- a piston fluidly separating the hydraulic chamber into two opposing pressure chambers and selectively slidable within the hydraulic chamber;
- a first connector attached at one end of the hydraulic chamber;
- a second connector attached to a rod attached to said piston;
- a pneumatic chamber in parallel with said piston chamber and in fluidic communication with both opposing pressure chambers;
- and
- a valve on the pneumatic chamber for selectively equalizing pressure in said pneumatic chamber with the environment outside the piston chamber.
A method of adjusting the relative orientation of a tractor having a three point connector and an implement attached to the three point connector, comprising:
- providing at least one of the three point connectors with a hydraulic chamber enclosed hydraulic piston chamber;
- providing a piston fluidly separating the hydraulic chamber into two opposing pressure chambers and selectively slidable within the hydraulic chamber;
- providing a first eyelet attached at one ends of the hydraulic chamber;
- providing a second eyelet attached to a rod attached to said piston;
- providing a pneumatic chamber in parallel with said piston chamber and in fluidic communication with both opposing chambers;
- and
- providing a valve on the pneumatic chamber for selectively equalizing pressure in said pneumatic chamber with the environment outside the piston chamber;
- providing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber in an amount less than the total volume of the hydraulic chamber and pneumatic chamber combined,
- providing air pocket in one of said hydraulic and pneumatic chambers devoid of hydraulic fluid;
- resting the implement on a surface external to the tractor;
- releasing the valve on the pneumatic chamber to allow the piston to freely slide within the hydraulic chamber;
- positioning the tractor relative to the implement until the implement is in the proper orientation relative to the tractor;
- and
- closing the valve to selectively lock the piston in place within the hydraulic chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.