Ride control system for construction equipment

A ride control system comprising:

• an equalizing valve, the equalizing valve having a neutral position wherein an accumulator is isolated from a pump and from a hydraulic tank, a first position wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with a pump and a second position wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with the hydraulic tank,
• the equalizing valve further including a first port associatable with the accumulator and a second port associatable with a head side of at least one boom cylinder,
• wherein the equalizing valve is urged into a first position wherein the pressure within the accumulator is less than that of the at least one boom cylinder and a second position wherein the pressure within the accumulator is greater than that of the at least one boom cylinder, and a neutral position wherein the pressure within the accumulator and the at least one boom cylinder are in substantial equilibrium,
• a ride control valve, the ride control valve having a first position wherein the accumulator is isolated from the at least one boom cylinder and a second position wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with the at least one boom cylinder,
• the ride control valve further including means for activating the equalizing valve prior to placement in the second position, and wherein the equalizing valve is maintained in the neutral position upon placement of the ride control valve in the second position.

A method for controlling the ride of a user comprising the steps of:

• activating a ride control system;
• comparing the pressure within the accumulator and a head side of at least one boom cylinder;
• associating the accumulator with a pump if the pressure in the head side of the at least one boom cylinder is greater than that of the accumulator;
• associating the accumulator with a hydraulic tank if the pressure in the head side of the at least one boom cylinder is less than that of the accumulator;
• isolating the accumulator from either of the hydraulic tank or the pump when the pressure between the head side at least one boom cylinder is substantially equalized with that of the accumulator;
• placing the accumulator and the at least one boom cylinder in fluid communication.
• maintaining the isolation of the accumulator from either the hydraulic tank or the pump so long as the accumulator and the at least one boom cylinder are maintained in fluid communication.

A method of controlling the ride of a user comprising the steps of:

• providing a switch for activating a ride control;
• providing a time delay between the activation of the switch of the user and the activation of a ride control system;
• and
• equalizing the pressure between the accumulator and a head side of at least one boom cylinder during the time delay.
• associating the at least one boom cylinder with the accumulator;
• and
• isolating the equalizing valve from each of the accumulator and the at least one boom cylinder as long as the at least one boom cylinder is associated with the accumulator.

A ride control system comprising:

• means for substantially equalizing the pressure within a head side of at least one boom cylinder with an accumulator, and
• a ride valve assembly comprising having, a starter valve, a follower valve, and a rocker associated with each of the starter valve and the follower valve, the rocker facilitating corresponding movement between the starter valve and the follower valve, the ride valve assembly having three positions, a first inactive position, a second active position and an intermediate equalizing position;
• the inactive position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly maintains isolation between the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder,
• the active position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly places the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder in communication with each other,
• the intermediate position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly maintains isolation between the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder and facilitates the activation of the substantial equalizing means;
• and
• an axial port associated with the starter valve, the axial port having an orifice to control the maximum quantity of fluid passing to the starter valve, to, in turn, control a rate of movement of the starter valve from each of the inactive position to the active position, wherein the orifice comprises a helically wound path having a predetermined cross-sectional area.