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US 9,193,046 B2Granted
Auto cycle pump and method of operation
AssigneeSPX Flow, Inc.
InventorMichael T. Landrum
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a manifold; a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway; a poppet valve in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows; and a proximity switch configured to detect movement of the poppet valve. A method of operating a hydraulic circuit may also be provided.
Claims19
A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus comprising:
- a manifold;
- a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway;
- a poppet valve in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows;
- a proximity switch configured to detect movement of the poppet valve, wherein the manifold, hole, poppet valve and proximity switch forming a hydraulic circuit;
- and
- a directional control valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit and operatively connected to a microcontroller.
3 more elements
A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus comprising:
- a manifold;
- a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway;
- a poppet valve in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows;
- a proximity switch configured to detect movement of the poppet valve;
- a second poppet valve located in a second hole in the manifold and a second proximity switch configured to detect movement of the second poppet valve;
- a microcontroller operatively connected to the proximity switches;
- hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the fluid pathway and configured to pressurize the fluid in the fluid pathway, the hydraulic pump operatively connected to the microcontroller;
- a fluid reservoir;
- a second fluid pathway in fluid communication with the pump, the first fluid pathway, the fluid reservoir, and the poppet valves as to create a hydraulic circuit;
- and
- a directional control valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit and operatively connected to the microcontroller.
8 more elements
A method of operating a hydraulic circuit comprising:
- operating a pump to pressurized fluid in the hydraulic circuit;
- flowing fluid through the circuit in a first direction;
- moving a first poppet valve to a first position via the flow in the first flow path;
- moving the first poppet valve to a second position when no flow in the first flow path is detected by the poppet valve;
- sending a signal to a microcontroller when the poppet valve moves to the second position;
- moving a flow reversing valve to a reverse flow in at least part of the circuit when the signal is sent to the microcontroller;
- and
- opening a dump valve to provide fluid communication between the circuit and a reservoir when neither the first nor second poppet valve detect flow in either the first or second flow paths for a predetermined amount of time.
5 more elements
A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus comprising:
- a manifold;
- a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway;
- means for moving when sensing hydraulic fluid flow in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows;
- means for detecting movement of the means for moving wherein the manifold, the hole, the means for moving and the means for detecting create hydraulic circuit;
- and
- a directional control valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit and operatively connected to a microcontroller.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.