Valve adapter
OwnerLeonard H. Hancockinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for converting a manually controlled hydraulic valve system to an electronically controlled hydraulic valve system using an adapter. The manual valves are removed from the valve block of the manual system and replaced by an electronic or electric solenoid cartridge valve through the use of an adapter to operationally connect the cartridge valve with the valve block. The cartridge valve is then attached to an electronic control system.
Claims19
An adapter for converting a manually controlled hydraulic valve system having at least one manual valve located in a valve block to an electronically controlled hydraulic valve system having a cartridge valve engaged with the valve block, the adapter comprising:
- a body having a first portion and a second portion;
- a passage extending through said body;
- a first engagement region located on said body;
- and
- a second engagement region located on said body,
- wherein said second engagement region is configured to engage a cartridge valve body having a valve rod and a valve spool, and
- wherein said first engagement region is configured to engage a cavity in the valve block to operationally connect the cartridge valve body with the valve block.
A method of converting a manually controlled hydraulic valve system having at least one manual valve located in a valve block to an electronically controlled hydraulic valve system having a cartridge valve engaged with the valve block, comprising the steps of:
- removing the manual valve from the valve block;
- providing a cartridge valve having a valve sleeve, a valve rod and a valve spool;
- removing the valve sleeve from the cartridge valve;
- attaching an adapter onto the cartridge valve such that the valve rod and valve spool are slidable in the adapter;
- threadedly engaging the adapter with the valve block;
- and
- connecting the cartridge valve to an electronic control system to control the flow of fluid through the valve block.
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a cartridge valve body, a valve rod and a valve spool;
- an adapter having a body with a first portion, a second portion and a passage extending through the adapter body;
- a plurality of fluid ports located in said adapter body and in flow communication with said passage;
- a first engagement region located on the adapter body;
- a second engagement region located in said passage;
- and
- a valve block having at least one cavity, wherein said second engagement region is configured to engage the cartridge valve body such that the valve spool is slidable in the passage, and
- wherein the first engagement region is configured to engage the valve block to operationally attach the adapter and cartridge valve body to the valve block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.