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US 7,125,230 B2Granted
Valve with operation parameter set at assembly and pump using same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Davis, Casey C. O'Connor, Ryan P. Michels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve is assembled by telescoping a first body component relative to a second body component until reaching a relative position that corresponds to a predetermined valve operation parameter, such as a valve opening pressure. The first body component is then fixed with respect to the second body component at the relative position, such as by laser welding. The present invention finds potential application as a cartridge valve for a pump, such as a pressure relief valve and/or pressure reduction valve. The relative positioning control over the body components de-sensitizes valve operation from variations in valve components, such as variations attributable to geometrical tolerances.
Claims18
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including a first body component being slidably received in a second body component, and permanently fixed with respect to said second body component in a selected relative position;
- a valve member at least partially positioned in the valve body and being movable between a first position and a second position;
- the valve member being in contact with a valve seat to close an inlet to an outlet when in the first position, and the valve member being out of contact with the seat to open the inlet to the outlet when the valve member is in the second position;
- a biaser operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the first position;
- and
- said selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined nonadjustable valve opening pressure based upon an adjusted biaser pre-load before the first body component is permanently fixed with respect to the second body component.
3 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including a first body component being slidably received in a second body component, and permanently fixed with respect to said second body component in a selected relative position;
- said selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined nonadjustable valve operation parameter;
- a valve member movably positioned in said valve body;
- said valve body defines an inlet and an outlet;
- and
- said valve member moving to a position that opens said inlet to said outlet when a control force on said valve member is less than a valve opening force.
3 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including a first body component being slidably received in a second body component, and permanently fixed with respect to said second body component in a selected relative position;
- said selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined nonadjustable valve operation parameter;
- a valve member at least partially positioned in said valve body, and being movable between a first position and a second position;
- a biaser operably coupled to bias said valve member toward said first position;
- said valve member includes a control surface oriented in opposition to a force from said biaser;
- and
- said biaser includes a spring that biases said valve member toward a position that opens an inlet to an outlet.
4 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including a first body component being slidably received in a second body component, and permanently fixed with respect to said second body component in a selected relative position;
- said selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined nonadjustable valve operation parameter;
- a pair of exposed annular sealing members mounted on an outside surface of said valve body for sealing contact when the valve assembly is mounted in another body;
- and
- said valve body defining at least one fluid passage located in an area between said annular sealing members.
2 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including a first body component being slidably received in a second body component, and permanently fixed with respect to said second body component in a selected relative position;
- said selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined nonadjustable valve operation parameter;
- said predetermined valve operation parameter includes a predetermined fluid flow area past a valve member when in an open position due to a predetermined pressure force acting on a control hydraulic surface;
- and
- the valve member is a spool valve member.
2 more elements
A method of assembling a valve, comprising the steps of:
- adjusting a relative positioning of a first body component relative to a second body component in an assembly jig until reaching a relative position that corresponds to a predetermined valve operation parameter;
- measuring the valve operation parameter during valve assembly;
- the reaching step is based at least in part on the measured valve operation parameter;
- and
- permanently fixing the first body component to the second body component in the relative position to render the valve operation parameter nonadjustable.
2 more elements
A pump comprising:
- a pump body that defines a plurality of threaded bores;
- a cartridge valve assembly threadably received in each said threaded bore of said pump body;
- and
- each said cartridge valve having a valve body that includes a first body component fixed with respect to a second body component in a selected relative position corresponding to a predetermined valve operation parameter.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.