US 6,182,697 B2Granted

Rotary directional valve with integral load holding check

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsScott M. Parker, Gregory F. Lantsberg, Peter R. Nelson

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Abstract

A cartridge valve assembly (19) including a sleeve valve (49) fixed within a valve housing (17), and a spool valve (47) moveable both axially and rotatably within the sleeve valve. Rotation of an input (35,39) causes rotation of a cam member (43) and the spool valve, and the engagement of the cam member (43) with a cam surface (57) results in axial movement of the spool valve within the sleeve valve. The spool and sleeve valves define a neutral axial and rotational position (FIG. 5), and rotation from neutral in a first direction (FIG. 6) communicates fluid from an inlet port (21) to a first actuator port (25), and rotation from neutral in a second direction (FIG. 7) communicates fluid from the inlet port to a second actuator port (27). In either case, the axial movement of the spool valve (47), relative to the sleeve valve (49) is the same. The spool valve defines a load holding land (97) which, in the neutral position (FIG. 5) engages a seat (99) defined by the interior of the sleeve valve (49), to block the flow of fluid from the first actuator port (25), and provide an integral load holding capability, with no extra valving or plumbing.

A cartridge valve assembly adapted to be disposed in a valve housing defining a cartridge bore, an inlet port, a tank port, and first and second actuator ports;

said cartridge valve assembly including a sleeve valve fixed within said cartridge bore, and a spool valve disposed within said sleeve valve for movement therein;
characterized by:
(a) said spool valve being moveable both axially and rotatably within said sleeve valve;
(b) means biasing said spool valve toward a neutral axial and rotational position within said sleeve valve in which said inlet port is blocked from fluid communication with said first actuator port;
(c) means operable to displace said spool valve in a first rotational direction, away from said neutral rotational position, in response to an input in said first direction, and in a second rotational direction, away from said neutral rotational position, in response to an input in said second direction;
(d) said means operable to displace said spool valve including cam means whereby rotation of said spool valve in said first direction results in axial movement of said spool valve from said neutral axial position toward an axial operating position, and rotation of said spool valve in said second direction results in axial movement of said spool valve from said neutral axial position toward said axial operating position;
(e) said spool valve and sleeve valve, when said spool valve is displaced in said first rotational direction, and is in said axial operating position, providing fluid communication from said inlet port to said first actuator port and from said second actuator port to said return;
and
(f) said spool valve and said sleeve valve, when said spool valve is displaced in said second rotational direction, and is in said axial operating position providing fluid communication from said inlet port to said second actuator port and from said first actuator port to said return port.

6 more elements

Abstract

Claims5