Fluid controller with joystick capability and actuator therefor

A system for controlling the flow of fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to a fluid pressure operated device, said system including a controller operable to control the flow of fluid from the source to the device in response to movement of a first input means;

• said controller being of the type including housing means defining an inlet port, a return port, and first and second control fluid ports for connection to the device, first valve means disposed in said housing means, and said first valve means and said housing means cooperating to define a first fluid path providing fluid communication from said inlet port to said first control fluid port, and from said second control fluid port to said return port, in response to said movement of said first input means;
• second valve means disposed in said housing means, and said second valve means and said housing means cooperating to define a second fluid path providing fluid communication from said inlet port to said first control fluid port, and from said second control fluid port to said return port in response to movement of a second input means;
• characterized by:
• (a) said second input means including an electromagnetic actuator operable to actuate said second valve means in response to receiving a predetermined electrical input signal;
• (b) sensing means operable to sense the existence of a predetermined condition and generate an interrupt signal in response to said predetermined condition;
• and
• (c) interrupt means operable, in response to said interrupt signal, to interrupt said predetermined electrical input signal.

A controller operable to control the flow of fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to a fluid pressure operated device;

• said controller being of the type including housing means defining an inlet port for connection to the source, a return port for connection to a reservoir, and first and second control fluid ports for connection to the fluid pressure operated device;
• valve means disposed in said housing means, and comprising a primary, rotatable valve member, and a cooperating, relatively rotatable follow-up valve member, said primary and follow-up valve members defining a neutral rotary position, and a rotary operating position in which said primary valve member is rotatably displaced from said neutral rotary position, relative to said follow-up valve member;
• said housing means and said valve members cooperating to define a main fluid path providing fluid communication between said inlet port and said first control fluid port and between said second control fluid port and said return port when said valve members are in said rotary operating position;
• said primary and follow-up valve members defining a neutral axial position and, an axial operating position in which said follow-up valve member is axially displaced from said neutral axial position, relative to said primary valve member;
• said housing means and said valve members cooperating to define an auxiliary fluid path providing fluid communication between said inlet port and one of said first and second control fluid ports and between the other of said control fluid ports and said return port when said valve members are in said axial operating position;
• characterized by:
• (a) said primary and follow-up valve members being configured such that:
• (i) for any given rotary operating position, said valve members define a known main fluid path, independent of the relative axial position of said valve members;
• and
• (ii) for any given axial operating position, said valve members define a known auxiliary fluid path, independent of the relative rotary position of said valve members.