Smart flow sharing system

A smart flow sharing system for operation of hydraulic equipment, comprising:

• (1) a first fixed displacement pump driven by a motor, wherein the first fixed displacement pump pumps hydraulic fluid at a constant rate for a given motor speed;
• (2) a second fixed displacement pump driven by a motor, wherein the second fixed displacement pump pumps hydraulic fluid at a constant rate for a given motor speed;
• (3) an open center core for conducting hydraulic fluid, wherein the open center core has a first end and a second end;
• (4) a first power core for conducting hydraulic fluid;
• (5) a first open center/power core passage for conducting hydraulic fluid, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core, and the second end of the first open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the first power core;
• (6) a second power core for conducting hydraulic fluid;
• (7) a second open center/power core passage for conducting hydraulic fluid, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core, and the second end of the second open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the second power core;
• (8) a third power core for conducting hydraulic fluid;
• (9) a third open center/power core passage for conducting hydraulic fluid, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the third open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core, and the second end of the third open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the third power core;
• (10) a hydraulic fluid tank;
• (11) a tank galley for conducting hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic fluid tank;
• (12) wherein the first end of the open center core is hydraulically connected to and receives hydraulic fluid pumped by the first fixed displacement pump, and the second end of the open center core is hydraulically connected to the tank galley;
• (13) a first set of spools comprising one or more spools, including a first spool;
• (14) a second set of spools comprising one or more spools, including a second spool;
• (15) a third set of spools comprising one or more spools, including a third spool;
• (16) wherein each spool in the first set of spools is located on the open center core between the first open center/power core passage and the second open center/power core passage;
• (17) wherein each spool in the second set of spools is located on the open center core between the second open center/power core passage and the third open center/power core passage;
• (18) wherein each spool in the third set of spools is located on the open center core between the third power core passage and the second end of the open center core;
• (19) wherein the second end of the first open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core downstream on the open center core from the first fixed displacement pump, and upstream on the open center core of any of the spools in the first set of spools;
• (20) wherein the second end of the second open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core downstream on the open center core from any of the spools in the first set of spools, and upstream on the open center core of any of the spools in the second set of spools;
• (21) wherein the second end of the third open center/power core passage is hydraulically connected to the open center core downstream on the open center core from any of the spools in the second set of spools, and upstream on the open center core of any of the spools in the third set of spools;
• (22) a second pump passage for conducting hydraulic fluid, with the second pump passage having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second pump passage is hydraulically connected to and receives hydraulic fluid pumped by the second displacement pump, and the second end of the second pump passage is hydraulically connected to either:
• (A) the open center core downstream on the open center core from the first set of spools and upstream on the open center core from the second set of spools;
• or
• (B) the second open center/power core passage;
• (23) wherein each spool of the first set of spools, has associated therewith:
• (A) a first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port;
• (B) a first spool passage between the first power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (C) a second spool passage between the first power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (D) a third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (E) a fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (F) a fifth spool passage, wherein the open center core passes through the fifth spool passage, and wherein, depending upon the position of the spool, the spool may permit hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core in an unrestricted manner, or the spool may partially restrict the hydraulic fluid flowing through the fifth spool passage and the open center core;
• (24) wherein each spool of the second set of spools has associated therewith:
• (A) a first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port;
• (B) a first spool passage between the second power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (C) a second spool passage between the second power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (D) a third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (E) a fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (F) a fifth spool passage, wherein the open center core passes through the fifth spool passage, and wherein, depending upon the position of the spool, the spool may permit hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core in an unrestricted manner, or the spool may partially restrict the hydraulic fluid flowing through the fifth spool passage and the open center core;
• (25) wherein each spool of the third set of spools has associated therewith:
• (A) a first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port;
• (B) a first spool passage between the third power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (C) a second spool passage between the third power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (D) a third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (E) a fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, that is capable of being opened or closed depending upon the position of the spool;
• (F) a fifth spool passage, wherein the open center core passes through the fifth spool passage, and wherein, depending upon the position of the spool, the spool may permit hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core in an unrestricted manner, or the spool may partially restrict the hydraulic fluid flowing through the fifth spool passage and the open center core;
• (26) wherein each spool in the first set of spools has at least a neutral position, a first non-neutral position, and a second non-neutral position, wherein each such spool in the first set of spools operates in the following manner:
• (A) in the neutral position, the spool permits hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough in an unrestricted manner, and the spool blocks the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first spool passage, the second spool passage, the third spool passage, and the fourth spool passage;
• (B) in the first non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the first open center/power core passage into the first power core, the spool opens the first spool passage between the first power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the first power core to the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the second hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the second spool passage between the first power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• and
• (C) in the second non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the first open center/power core passage into the first power core, the spool opens the second spool passage between the first power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the first power core to the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the first hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the first spool passage between the first power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• (27) wherein each spool in the second set of spools has at least a neutral position, a first non-neutral position, and a second non-neutral position, wherein each such spool in the second set of spools operates in the following manner:
• (A) in the neutral position, the spool permits hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough in an unrestricted manner, and the spool blocks the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first spool passage, the second spool passage, the third spool passage, and the fourth spool passage;
• (B) in the first non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the second open center/power core passage into the second power core, the spool opens the first spool passage between the second power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the second power core to the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the second hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the second spool passage between the second power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• and
• (C) in the second non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the second open center/power core passage into the second power core, the spool opens the second spool passage between the second power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the second power core to the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the first hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the first spool passage between the second power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• (28) wherein each spool in the third set of spools has at least a neutral position, a first non-neutral position, and a second non-neutral position, wherein each such spool in the third set of spools operates in the following manner:
• (A) in the neutral position, the spool permits hydraulic fluid to flow through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough in an unrestricted manner, and the spool blocks the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first spool passage, the second spool passage, the third spool passage, and the fourth spool passage;
• (B) in the first non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the third open center/power core passage into the third power core, the spool opens the first spool passage between the third power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the third power core to the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the second hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the second spool passage between the third power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• and
• (C) in the second non-neutral position, the spool partially restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the fifth spool passage and the open center core passing therethrough, the partial restriction causes hydraulic fluid in the open center core upstream of the partial restriction to increase in pressure, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is conducted through the third open center/power core passage into the third power core, the spool opens the second spool passage between the third power core and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow from the third power core to the second hydraulic port associated with the spool, the spool opens the third spool passage between the tank galley and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the first hydraulic port associated with the spool to the tank galley, the spool closes the first spool passage between the third power core and the first hydraulic port associated with the spool, and the spool closes the fourth spool passage between the tank galley and the second hydraulic port associated with the spool;
• (29) wherein each of the spools have one or more spool actuators that cause or allow the spool to be in a neutral position, a first non-neutral position, or a second non-neutral position;
• and
• (30) wherein:
• (A) the first hydraulic port of the first spool and the first hydraulic port of the third spool are hydraulically connected;
• (B) the second hydraulic port of the first spool and the second hydraulic port of the third spool are hydraulically connected;
• and
• (C) wherein the spool actuators for the first spool and the spool actuators for the third spool are commonly activated, such that:
• (i) when the first spool is caused or allowed to be in a neutral position, then the third spool is also caused or allowed to be in a neutral position;
• (ii) when the first spool is caused or allowed in a first non-neutral position, then the third spool is also caused to be in a first non-neutral position;
• and
• (iii) when the first spool is caused or allowed to be in a second non-neutral position, then the third spool is also caused to be in a second non-neutral position.

A smart flow sharing system for operating hydraulic equipment including first, second, and third hydraulic cylinders for actuating the hydraulic equipment, the smart flow sharing system comprising:

• first and second fixed displacement pumps;
• first, second, and third sets of hydraulic ports for supplying fluid flow to the first, second, and third hydraulic cylinders, respectively;
• an open core for receiving fluid from the first and second displacement pumps;
• and
• first, second, third, and fourth spools, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth spools are connected in series via the open core;
• the first, second, and third spools for directing fluid flow to the first, second, and third sets of hydraulic ports, respectively, and the fourth spool for directing fluid flow to the second or third set of hydraulic ports;
• the first and fourth spools for receiving fluid flow from the first displacement pump;
• and
• the second and third spools for receiving fluid flow from the first and second displacement pumps;
• wherein the second or third set of hydraulic ports is configured to receive fluid flow from the second or third spool, respectively, and from the fourth spool.

A smart flow sharing system for operating hydraulic equipment including first, second, and third hydraulic cylinders for actuating the hydraulic equipment, the smart flow sharing system comprising:

• first and second fixed displacement pumps for pumping fluid from a fluid tank;
• a tank galley for supplying fluid flow to the fluid tank;
• first, second, and third sets of hydraulic ports for supplying fluid flow to the first, second, and third hydraulic cylinders, respectively;
• first, second, and third spools for directing fluid flow to the first, second, and third sets of hydraulic ports, respectively;
• a fourth spool for directing fluid flow to the second or third set of hydraulic ports;
• an open core for supplying fluid flow from the first and second displacement pumps and for providing fluidic communication between each of the first, second, third, and fourth spools, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth spools are connected in series via the open core;
• and
• first, second, and third power cores for supplying fluid flow to the first, second, and third spools, respectively, the first power core also for supplying fluid flow to the fourth spool, wherein the first, second, and third power cores supply fluid flow from at least one of the first and second displacement pumps;
• wherein the first power core supplies fluid flow from the first displacement pump and is fluidically coupled to the open core via a first passage;
• wherein the second power core supplies fluid flow from the first and second displacement pumps and is fluidically coupled to each of the open core and the second displacement pump via a second passage, the second passage providing for fluidic communication between the open core and second displacement pump;
• wherein the third power core supplies fluid flow from the first and second displacement pumps and is fluidically coupled to the open core via a third passage.