Torque allocating system for a variable displacement hydraulic system
AssigneeConeqtec Corp.
InventorsGary L. Cochran, Mark D. Bird, William H. Dillahunty, Dan E. Starns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a system for allocating torque, supplied in one embodiment by an engine, to multiple variable and fixed displacement pumps coupled together in a series by coupling elements interspersed between the pumps. A controller is included which monitors the torque applied to each coupling element. The controller automatically varies displacement in one or more of the variable displacement pumps to prioritize and allocate torque to optimize available torque while keeping the torque applied to each coupling element within the torque limit for that particular coupling element.
Claims18
A system for allocating torque from an engine power output on a primary mover, comprising:
- a first variable displacement pump operable to drive a first ground effect element;
- a first coupling between the engine power output of a primary mover and the first variable displacement pump;
- a second variable displacement pump operable to drive a second ground effect element;
- a second coupling between the first variable displacement pump and the second variable displacement pump;
- a variable displacement accessory pump coupled to the second variable displacement pump and operable to power a tool implement;
- wherein each coupling has a torque load rating;
- wherein the total torque load applied to the second coupling is the sum of the torque load applied by the accessory pump and second variable displacement pump;
- and wherein the total torque load applied to the first coupling is the sum of the torque load applied by the accessory pump, the second variable displacement pump and the first variable displacement pump;
- a controller configured to monitor the torque loads applied to the first coupling and the second coupling using pressure and displacement sensors associated with each variable displacement pump;
- wherein the controller is configured to control the variable displacement pumps to reduce the displacement of one or more of the variable displacement pumps when the torque load applied to the first or second coupling elements approaches that coupling element's torque load rating.
A system for allocating torque from an engine power output on a primary mover, comprising:
- a plurality of pumps including one or more variable displacement pumps, wherein an initial one of the pumps is coupled to the engine power output of a primary mover;
- wherein the plurality of pumps are arranged in series with the initial one of the pumps closest to the engine followed by successive pumps and including a pump furthest from the engine,
- an initial coupling element arranged between an engine power output and the initial pump and with successive coupling elements arranged between adjacent pumps forming the series of the plurality of pumps, each coupling element having a torque load rating;
- wherein the total torque load applied to each coupling element is the sum of the torque load applied by pumps successive to that coupling element;
- a controller configured to monitor the torque load applied to each coupling element using pressure and displacement sensors associated with each variable displacement pump;
- wherein the controller is configured to use pre-programmed logic to measure torque loads and to control the displacement of one or more variable displacement pumps successive to a coupling element when the torque load applied to that coupling element approaches that coupling element's torque load rating.
A system for allocating torque from an engine power output on a primary mover, comprising:
- a plurality of pumps including two or more variable displacement pumps, wherein an initial one of the pumps is coupled to the engine power output of a primary mover;
- wherein the plurality of pumps are arranged in series with the initial one of the pumps closest to the engine followed by successive pumps and including a pump furthest from the engine,
- an initial coupling element arranged between an engine power output and the initial pump and with successive coupling elements arranged between adjacent pumps forming the series of the plurality of pumps, each coupling element having a torque load rating;
- wherein the total torque load applied to each coupling element is the sum of the torque load applied by pumps successive to that coupling element;
- a controller configured to monitor the torque load applied to each coupling element using pressure and displacement sensors associated with each variable displacement pump;
- wherein the controller is configured to use pre-programmed logic to measure loads to and to control the displacement of one or more variable displacement pumps to reduce torque within the system when the torque load applied to a coupling element approaches that coupling element's torque load rating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.