Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A fluid system for controlling the position of an output according to the position of an input, said system comprising: a first variable flow control valve including a sensor arranged for sensing the position of said input and operative for generating a a first fluid pressure signal having a magnitude dependent on and varying according to said sensed position a second variable flow control valve connected to said first valve and including a sensor arranged for sensing the position of said output, said second control valve being operative for generating a second fluid pressure signal having a magnitude dependent on and varying according to said sensed position of said output and said first fluid pressure signal; an output position controller connected to said output and said second control valve, said controller being responsive to said second fluid pressure signal and operative for changing the position of said output in response to changes in said second fluid pressure signal; and, an inlet valve having a fixed orifice, a piloted variable orifice in series with said fixed orifice, an inlet adapted for connection to a fluid source and arranged for directing flow from said source through said fixed orifice, a first flow conduit extending from intermediate said fixed and variable orifices to a first outlet, a second flow conduit for directing flow from thE downstream side of said variable conduit to a second outlet, each of said first and second outlets being connected to said controller, and first and second pilot flow conduits extending from opposite sides of a pilot piston of said variable orifice to, respectively, the upstream and downstream sides of said fixed orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A fluid system for controlling the position of an output according to the position of an input, said system comprising: a first variable flow control valve including a sensor arranged for sensing the position of said input and operative for generating a a first fluid pressure signal having a magnitude dependent on and varying according to said sensed position a second variable flow control valve connected to said first valve and including a sensor arranged for sensing the position of said output, said second control valve being operative for generating a second fluid pressure signal having a magnitude dependent on and varying according to said sensed position of said output and said first fluid pressure signal; an output position controller connected to said output and said second control valve, said controller being responsive to said second fluid pressure signal and operative for changing the position of said output in response to changes in said second fluid pressure signal; and, an inlet valve having a fixed orifice, a piloted variable orifice in series with said fixed orifice, an inlet adapted for connection to a fluid source and arranged for directing flow from said source through said fixed orifice, a first flow conduit extending from intermediate said fixed and variable orifices to a first outlet, a second flow conduit for directing flow from thE downstream side of said variable conduit to a second outlet, each of said first and second outlets being connected to said controller, and first and second pilot flow conduits extending from opposite sides of a pilot piston of said variable orifice to, respectively, the upstream and downstream sides of said fixed orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The fluid system of claim 1 wherein said controller has a pair of fluid control surfaces, and is responsive to said second fluid pressure signal and operative for changing the position of said output in response to changes in said second fluid pressure signal; and, said inlet valve is connected to said controller and to said second control valve for applying fluid at a first pressure to one of said surfaces and fluid at a second pressure to the other of said surfaces, said second pressure bearing a predetermined relationshhip to and varying according to said second fluid pressure signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said surfaces are of different areas, and the ratio of said first pressure to said second pressure is equal to the ratio of the area of said one surface to that of said other surfaces when said system is balanced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second pressure is said second fluid pressure signal and said first pressure is greater than said second pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second flow control valves in a piloted variable flow valve having a respective pilot port, and including a pilot conduit connecting the pilot parts of said each of said first and second flow controls valves, fluid within said pilot conduit providing pilot pressure for piloting said each of said valves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said pilot pressure is said first pressure signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said pilot pressure tends to open said control valves and the respective sensor of each of said valves exerts force tending to close said each valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 7 wherein each of said control valves includes a pilot piston, said pilot pressure acts on one side of said piston, and said sensor of said each valve includes a compression spring acting on an opposite side of said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said springs of said valves have the same spring constant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second control valve comprises a piloted variable control valve having an inlet connected to said second flow conduit of said inlet valve, a pilot port connected to said first control valve, and a pilot flow conduit for applying said first pressure signal to a side of said pilot piston.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said first control valve comprises a piloted flow valve having an inlet connected to said pilot port of said second control valve, a pilot piston, and a pilot flow conduit for applying said first pressure signal to a side of said first control valve pilot piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the sensor of each of said control valves includes a compression spring having one end thereof engaging a side of the pilot piston of said each valve, and a sensing member movable with respect to the both of said valve in response to movement of a respective one of said input and said output engaging the other end of said compression spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 12, whrein said controller includes a having a pair of fluid control surfaces, a first inlet for applying fluid under pressure to one of said surfaces and a second inlet for applying fluid under pressure to the other of said surfaces, and said system includes means connecting said first controller inlet to said first flow conduit of said inlet valve and means connecting said second controller inlet to said second flow conduit of said inlet valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said surfaces are of unequal area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said springs of said control valves have the same spring constant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
210 words
A fluid system for contrOlling the position of an output, said system comprising: an output position controller connected to said output and having a pair of fluid control surfaces of different areas and a pair of fluid ports; control valving including an inlet adapted for connection to a constant pressure fluid supply source, an outlet, a fixed orifice connectecd between an in series with said inlet and said outlet, a piloted variable orifice connected in series with said fixed orifice on the downstream side thereof and between and in series with said inlet and said outlet, a first controller flow conduit extending from intermediate said fixed and variable orifices to said actuator and arranged for applying fluid to the one of said pair of control surfaces having the lesser area, a second controller flow conduit extending from the downstream side of said variable orifice to said controller and arranged for applying fluid to other of said pair of control surfaces, first and second pilot flow conduits extending from opposite sides of a pilot piston of said variable orifice to, respectively, the upstream and downstream sides of said fixed orifice; and, a variable orifice connected in series with said outlet for adjusting flow therethrough to control the position of said output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
210 words
A fluid system for contrOlling the position of an output, said system comprising: an output position controller connected to said output and having a pair of fluid control surfaces of different areas and a pair of fluid ports; control valving including an inlet adapted for connection to a constant pressure fluid supply source, an outlet, a fixed orifice connectecd between an in series with said inlet and said outlet, a piloted variable orifice connected in series with said fixed orifice on the downstream side thereof and between and in series with said inlet and said outlet, a first controller flow conduit extending from intermediate said fixed and variable orifices to said actuator and arranged for applying fluid to the one of said pair of control surfaces having the lesser area, a second controller flow conduit extending from the downstream side of said variable orifice to said controller and arranged for applying fluid to other of said pair of control surfaces, first and second pilot flow conduits extending from opposite sides of a pilot piston of said variable orifice to, respectively, the upstream and downstream sides of said fixed orifice; and, a variable orifice connected in series with said outlet for adjusting flow therethrough to control the position of said output.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said controller comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder, one of said piston and cylinder is coupled to said output for moving said output in response to movement of said one, and said surfaces are opposite sides of said piston.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said controller is adapted for connection to a fluid source and is operative for applying fluid from said last-mentioned source to said output and for varying to flow of fluid from said last-mentioned source to said output in response to changes in flow through said variable orifice.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said controller includes a four-way proportional valve and said surfaces are coupled to said valve for changing the position of said valve in response to said changes in flow
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fluid system of claim 16 including an input sensor for sensing the position of an input, said input sensor being connected to said variable orifice connected in series with said outlet being operative for adjusting fluid flow through in response to said sensed position.