US 8,281,506 B2Granted

Tool coupler assembly

AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.

InventorsTrent Randall Stefek, Troy Curtis Robl

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A tool coupler assembly for a machine. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A tool coupler assembly, comprising:

a coupler frame;
a first latch connected to the coupler frame;
a second latch connected to the coupler frame;
a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame, the hydraulic actuator having:
a first chamber;
a second chamber separated from the first chamber;
a first port in fluid communication with the first chamber;
and
a second port in fluid communication with the second chamber;
a pressure valve having a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber via the first port based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure-regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber via the first port based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber;
and
a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element to move the pressure-regulating element;
and
a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element to move the pressure-regulating element.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/814,853Filed 14 Jun 2010 · us provisional application
Priority: 26 Feb 2010
Published: US 2011/0209608 A11 Sep 2011
Granted: 9 Oct 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

E02F 3/3663
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: hydraulically-operated
E02F 3/3618
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with two separating hooks
E02F 3/3622
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin
E02F 3/365
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes