US3625475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve detent apparatus
Assignee: Dana Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved detent mechanism for a hydraulic valve of the spool type. An extension of a valve spool includes a cage for axially displacing a plurality of ball members that are radially movable in a like plurality of apertures in the cage. A detenting member having a cylindrical body portion at one end and an enlarged, axially grooved cylindrical portion having an inclined ramp facing the cylindrically shaped portion and the valve spool is rotatably and reciprocably mounted with respect to the valve body. The detenting member is biased toward the valve spool and an inclined shoulder facing axially outwardly of the valve spool is provided radially outwardly of the normal position of the enlarged end of the detenting member. As the spool is moved toward the detenting member, the apertures are in radial registration with the enlarged cylindrical end portion of the detenting member. Engagement of the ball members with the ramp portions moves the detenting member axially to allow the ball members to move radially outwardly into detenting engagement with the shoulder. The detenting engagement is released upon rotation of the detenting member so that the ball members may fall into the grooves in the enlarged end of the detenting member and allow the spool member to return to its normal axial position.
Inventors
- 👤 William T Stephens
- 👤 Ralph R Ohnesorge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:20
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/065; F16K11/07; F16K11/0704; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In apparatus of the class above described including a valve body and a valve spool reciprocably disposed therein, the combination comprising: a. a cylindrical housing mounted over one end of a valve spool for slidably receiving the same, said housing including a radially enlarged portion displaced axially outwardly of the end of said valve spool and including a shoulder portion at the end nearest to the end of said valve spool; b. a hollow cage member mounted on the end of said valve member, said cage member being open at its outer end, and including a plurality of radial apertures in proximity to said outer end; c. a like plurality of ball members radially, slidably disposed in said radial apertures; d. detenting means, slidably disposed in at least a portion of said cage member, said detenting means including means for radially outwardly biasing the ball members toward the radially enlarged portion of said housing upon outward displacement of said valve spool whereby said ball members engage the shoulder portion in said housing so that said valve spool is retained in said outward position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In apparatus of the class above described including a valve body and a valve spool reciprocably disposed therein, the combination comprising: a. a cylindrical housing mounted over one end of a valve spool for slidably receiving the same, said housing including a radially enlarged portion displaced axially outwardly of the end of said valve spool and including a shoulder portion at the end nearest to the end of said valve spool; b. a hollow cage member mounted on the end of said valve member, said cage member being open at its outer end, and including a plurality of radial apertures in proximity to said outer end; c. a like plurality of ball members radially, slidably disposed in said radial apertures; d. detenting means, slidably disposed in at least a portion of said cage member, said detenting means including means for radially outwardly biasing the ball members toward the radially enlarged portion of said housing upon outward displacement of said valve spool whereby said ball members engage the shoulder portion in said housing so that said valve spool is retained in said outward position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the shoulder portion of the cylindrical housing is slidably reciprocably mounted therein, and biasing means exert an outwardly directed force thereupon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in wHich the valve spool is operatively connected to means for biasing the same to a predetermined axial position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the detenting means includes a radially enlarged portion to engage and retain the ball members in a detented position and axially extending grooves intermediate the radially enlarged portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the detenting means is operatively connected to a control means operative to rotate said detenting means intermediate said ball member engaging position and a further ball member releasing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the detenting means includes a radially enlarged portion to engage and retain the ball members in a detented position and axially extending grooves intermediate the radially enlarged portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the detenting means includes means axially biasing the same toward the valve spool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which the detenting means includes means axially biasing the same toward the valve spool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the detenting means is operatively connected to a control means operative to rotate said detenting means intermediate said ball-member-engaging position and a further ball-member-releasing position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the shoulder portion of the cylindrical housing is outwardly inclined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
In apparatus of the class above described including a valve body and a valve actuator, the combination comprising: a. releasable valve actuator detenting means rotatably disposed on said valve body and in operative valve actuator engaging relationship to said valve actuator means whereby said actuator may be retained in at least one or more actuated positions; and b. rotary drive means operatively connected to said valve actuator detenting means for releasing an engaged valve actuator upon energization thereof to rotate said valve actuator detenting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
In apparatus of the class above described including a valve body and a valve actuator, the combination comprising: a. releasable valve actuator detenting means rotatably disposed on said valve body and in operative valve actuator engaging relationship to said valve actuator means whereby said actuator may be retained in at least one or more actuated positions; and b. rotary drive means operatively connected to said valve actuator detenting means for releasing an engaged valve actuator upon energization thereof to rotate said valve actuator detenting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which the valve actuator detenting means includes means operative to tend to return the movable detent means to operable relationship including a circumferentially symmetrical, radially, outwardly decreasing, conical surface and biasing means tending to rotatably return said valve actuator detenting means to a detenting position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which the valve actuator engaging means includes a stationarily mounted detent holding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which the means for maintaining the detent means in operable relationship includes an outwardly inclined chamfered surface and an axially disposed biasing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which the detent holding means includes radially movable detent means operable to variably engage detent receiving means on the valve actuator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the valve actuator detenting means includes means operative to tend to return the movable detent means to operable relationship including a circumferentially symmetrical, radially, outwardly decreasing, conical surface and biasing means tending to rotatably return said valve actuator detenting means to a detenting position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the valve actuator detenting means includes at least two means for engaging the radially movable detent means to maintain said detent means in operative relationship or to tend to return the movable detent means to operable relationship.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which the valve actuator detenting means includes means operative to tend to return the movable detent means to operable relationship including a circumferentially symmetrical, radially, outwardly decreasing, conical surface and biasing means tending to rotatably return said valve actuator detenting means to a detenting position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which the means for maintaining the detent means in operable relationship includes an outwardly inclined chamfered surface and an axially diSposed biasing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 19 in which the valve actuator detenting means includes means operative to tend to return the movable detent means to operable relationship including a circumferentially symmetrical, radially, outwardly decreasing, conical surface and biasing means tending to rotatably return said valve actuator detenting means to a detenting position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
In apparatus of the class above described, the combination comprising: a. A valve body member; b. A valve actuator member; c. Detenting means on one of said members, said detenting means including means for releasably engaging the other of said members whereby said members may be retained in at least one or more actuated positions; and d. Rotary drive means on one of said members and operatively disposed to engage said detenting means, said drive means being operative in a first position to bias said detenting means into operative detenting disposition and operable in a second position to release said detenting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
In apparatus of the class above described, the combination comprising: a. A valve body member; b. A valve actuator member; c. Detenting means on one of said members, said detenting means including means for releasably engaging the other of said members whereby said members may be retained in at least one or more actuated positions; and d. Rotary drive means on one of said members and operatively disposed to engage said detenting means, said drive means being operative in a first position to bias said detenting means into operative detenting disposition and operable in a second position to release said detenting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which the means for releasably engaging the other of said members includes a plurality of radially movable portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |