Back to results
US 8,550,020 B2Granted
Variable pressure control system for dual acting actuators
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsDerek Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable pressure control system for varying pressures in the fluid circuits of a dual acting actuator over a range of pressures. The variable pressure control system includes a controller that cooperates with pressure regulators for regulating the desired pressure in the fluid circuits.
Claims16
A variable pressure control system, comprising:
- a pressure source;
- at least one dual acting actuator;
- and
- a controller, comprising:
- a first regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source, said outlet in fluid communication with a first side of said at least one dual acting actuator, said first regulator capable of selectively varying pressure at said outlet of said first regulator within a first pressure range;
- a second regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source, said outlet in fluid communication with a second side of said at least one dual acting actuator, said second regulator capable of selectively varying pressure at said outlet of said second regulator within a second pressure range;
- wherein said controller includes a user interface having a range of motion to allow a user to select a desired pressure within said respective first and second pressure ranges at said first and second regulator outlets;
- and
- wherein said controller further includes a biasing mechanism operably coupling said user interface with said first and second regulators, whereby movement of said user interface within said first pressure range biases said first pressure regulator to maintain a corresponding pressure at said first regulator outlet, and whereby movement of said user interface within said second pressure range biases said second pressure regulator to maintain a corresponding pressure at said second regulator outlet.
6 more elements
A variable pressure control system, comprising:
- a pressure source;
- at least one dual acting actuator;
- and
- a controller, comprising:
- a first regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source, said outlet in fluid communication with a first side of said at least one dual acting actuator, said first regulator capable of selectively varying pressure at said outlet of said first regulator within a first pressure range;
- a second regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source, said outlet in fluid communication with a second side of said at least one dual acting actuator, said second regulator capable of selectively varying pressure at said outlet of said second regulator within a second pressure range;
- wherein said controller includes a user interface having a range of motion to allow a user to select a desired pressure within said respective first and second pressure ranges at said first and second regulator outlets;
- and
- wherein said controller further includes a biasing mechanism operably coupling said user interface with said first and second regulators whereby movement of said user interface within said first pressure range biases said first pressure regulator to maintain a corresponding pressure at said first regulator outlet while said outlet of said second regulator remains at a substantially constant pressure, and whereby movement of said user interface within said second pressure range biases said second pressure regulator to maintain a corresponding pressure at said second fluid regulator outlet while said outlet of said first regulator remains at a substantially constant pressure.
6 more elements
A variable pressure control system, comprising:
- a pressure source;
- a first regulator having an inlet, an outlet and a first pressure regulating valve, said first pressure regulating valve disposed to regulate fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source;
- a second regulator having an inlet, an outlet and a second pressure regulating valve, said second pressure regulating valve disposed to regulate fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet, said inlet in fluid communication with said pressure source;
- a first conduit fluidly connected at one end to a first side of a dual acting actuator and at another end to said outlet of said first regulator;
- a second conduit fluidly connected at one end to a second side of said dual acting actuator and at another end to said outlet of said second regulator;
- a user interface movable in a first direction through a first range of motion and movable in a second direction through a second range of motion;
- a regulator biasing mechanism operably coupled to said user interface and disposed to exert a biasing force against said first pressure regulating valve when said user interface is moved in said first direction and a biasing force against said second pressure regulating valve when said user interface is moved in said second direction.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.