Apparatus for supplying fluid to a plurality of mechanisms

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus for supplying pressurized fluid to various controlled members (16,30,34). A problem with prior apparatus is the need for a plurality of separate apparatuses to supply the controlled members. The invention solves this problem through the use of a single valve (25) that controls the supply of pressurized fluid from a fluid source to first (34), second (16) and third (30) controlled members, in which the single valve (25) has a first relief valve segment (46) to relieve the pressure of fluid flowing from the source to the first controlled member (34), a second relief valve segment (100) to relieve the pressure of fluid relieved by the first relief valve segment (46), and a third valve segment (138) to direct the fluid relieved by the first relief valve segment (46) to the second (16) and third (30) controlled members. A movable lever (26) is connected to the third valve segment (138) to shift this valve segment (138) and control the direction of the fluid. The invention is used principally in hydraulic circuits for earthworking vehicles to actuate a plurality of controlled members including a flywheel clutch and clutch brake, and steering clutches and vehicle brakes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.