Snubbing arrangement for a fluid cylinder assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar SARL
InventorsMichael P. Chiaramonte, Philip F. Lange, Russell L. Stott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A snubbing arrangement functions to control the rate of deceleration of a piston and rod assembly within a fluid cylinder as the piston and rod assembly nears the bottom of the piston cavity. A flow blocking mechanism is attached to the piston and rod assembly and acts to block flow from the piston cavity through a first head end port. A pressure differential valve mechanism is disposed between a second head end port and the rod end port and operative to control the pressure in the head end cavity relative to the pressure in the rod end cavity.
Claims17
A snubbing arrangement for a fluid cylinder assembly used in a fluid system of a machine having the fluid cylinder assembly connected between two members, the fluid cylinder assembly having a piston and rod assembly slideably disposed within a cylinder housing to define head and rod end cavities, and respective head and rod end fluid ports, the snubbing arrangement comprising:
- a flow blocking mechanism connected to the piston of the fluid cylinder assembly and operative to engage and block the head end fluid port prior to the piston reaching the bottom of the head end cavity;
- a second head end port connected to the head end cavity generally adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced from the first head end port;
- and
- a pressure differential valve mechanism connected between the second head end port and the rod end port and operative to control the pressure of the fluid within the head end cavity relative to the pressure within the rod end cavity.
A method for cushioning the impact of a piston and rod assembly of a fluid cylinder assembly against the bottom of a head end cavity, the fluid cylinder assembly having a head end port and a rod end port, the method includes the steps of:
- providing a flow blocking mechanism on the piston and rod assembly of the fluid cylinder assembly;
- providing a second head end port connected to the head end cavity generally adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced from the first head end port;
- and
- connecting a pressure differential valve mechanism between the second head end port and the rod end port to control the pressure in the head end cavity relative to the pressure in the rod end cavity.
A snubbing arrangement for a fluid cylinder assembly used in a fluid system of a machine having the fluid cylinder assembly connected between two members, the fluid cylinder assembly having a piston and rod assembly slideably disposed within a cylinder housing to define head and rod end cavities, said fluid cylinder assembly further having a first head end fluid port and a rod end fluid port, the snubbing arrangement comprising:
- a flow blocking mechanism operable by movement of the piston and rod assembly toward the bottom end of the head end cavity to block the first head end fluid port prior to the piston reaching the bottom of the head end cavity;
- a second head end port connected to the head end cavity and spaced from the first head end port;
- and
- a pressure differential valve mechanism connected between the second head end port and the rod end port of the fluid cylinder assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.