Patent US3896899A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3896899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Blade stabilizer for earth working apparatus
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-21
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A blade stabilizer system that substantially isolates the movement of the machine frame from the blade wherein various positions of the blade with respect to the frame are established by two laterally spaced adjustable hydraulic cylinders connected to the blade uses at least two transversely spaced accelerometers secured to the frame to respond to vertical movement of the frame and employs the outputs of the accelerometers to extend or retract the hydraulic cylinders in proportion to the acceleration sensed so that the blade is isolated from movement of the frame and continuously oriented with respect to a horizontal plane. A third accelerometer for affording an indication of the blade angle with respect to vertical is provided, as is circuit means for incorporating the latter accelerometer with the previously mentioned accelerometers.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolland D Scholl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/80; E02F3/84; E02F3/844; E02F3/845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A system compensating both for roll and pitch in an earth working apparatus with respect to a reference plane, the apparatus being of the type having an elongated frame, support means at the fore and aft ends of the frame for supporting the frame for movement over an earth surface along its longitudinal axis, an earth working blade located between the fore and aft support means, and first and second spaced apart means extending between the blade and the frame for adjustably supporting corresponding spaced apart points of the blade on the frame, said spaced apart means located transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated frame so one is on each side thereof, said stabilizing system comprising first and second accelerometers mounted on said frame at transversely spaced apart sites associated with respective said bladee supporting means, each said accelerometer including means for generating an electric signal proportional to the magnitude and direction of the vertical acceleration of the associated frame site, and means operatively connected to said blade supporting means and responsive to respective said electric signal generating means for adjusting respective said points of the blade in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the associated frame site by an amount corresponding to displacement of the associated site so that the position of the blade relative the reference plane remains substantially constant and independent of movement of said frame relative the reference plane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
237 words
A system compensating both for roll and pitch in an earth working apparatus with respect to a reference plane, the apparatus being of the type having an elongated frame, support means at the fore and aft ends of the frame for supporting the frame for movement over an earth surface along its longitudinal axis, an earth working blade located between the fore and aft support means, and first and second spaced apart means extending between the blade and the frame for adjustably supporting corresponding spaced apart points of the blade on the frame, said spaced apart means located transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated frame so one is on each side thereof, said stabilizing system comprising first and second accelerometers mounted on said frame at transversely spaced apart sites associated with respective said bladee supporting means, each said accelerometer including means for generating an electric signal proportional to the magnitude and direction of the vertical acceleration of the associated frame site, and means operatively connected to said blade supporting means and responsive to respective said electric signal generating means for adjusting respective said points of the blade in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the associated frame site by an amount corresponding to displacement of the associated site so that the position of the blade relative the reference plane remains substantially constant and independent of movement of said frame relative the reference plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
A stabilizing system according to claim 1 wherein each said accelerometer includes a mass, means for constraining said mass for movement along a generally vertical path so that said mass accelerates relative to the frame in response to vertical movement of the frame site, means for confining said mass to a null position on said path in the absence of an acceleration force thereon, means for sensing the displacement of said mass from said null position, means for generating an electric signal having a magnitude proportional to the amount and direction of displacement of said mass from said null position, and means responsive to said electric signal generating means for driving said mass along said path toward said null position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A stabilizer system according to claim 1 wherein said blade supporting means each comprises a vertically extending double acting hydraulic cylinder having fluid inlets at opposite ends thereof, and wherein said blade point adjusting means comprises a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and an electric-hydraulic valve associated with each said cylinder for controllably valving said fluid to one or the other inlets of the associated cylinder, said valves being responsive to said electrical signal generating means for effecting delivery of fluid to said cylinders at appropriate inlets thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
A stabilizer system according to claim 1 wherein said earth working apparatus includes a drawbar having a first end, means for securing said first end to said frame for rotatable movement relative thereto, said drawbar having a second end remote from said first end, said blade being mounted to the second end of said drawbar so that the angular position of said blade with respect to vertical determines the angle of the first end of said drawbar with respect to vertical, means associated with said drawbar securing means for producing an electric signal proportional to displacement of said drawbar from said anGle, and means for operatively connecting last said signal to one of said blade adjusting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A stabilizer system according to claim 4 wherein said signal producing means comprises a shaft journalled for rotation in said frame adjacent said drawbar securing means, means for rotatively positioning said shaft in accordance with the angle of said drawbar relative vertical, and an accelerometer operatively connected to said shaft, said accelerometer producing an electric signal proportional to the rotational component of the drawbar along its longitudinal axis sensed by said accelerometer modified by the angular position of said accelerometer determined by said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A stabilizing system according to claim 5 wherein said accelerometer includes a mass, means for constraining said mass for movement along a path generally arcuate and in a radial plane of said shaft so that said mass accelerates relative said shaft in response to rotation of said shaft, means for confining said mass to a null position on said path in absence of an accelerating force thereon, means for sensing displacement of said mass from said null position, means for producing an electric signal having a magnitude proportional to the amount and direction of displacement of said mass from said null position, and means responsive to said electric signal producing means for driving said mass along said path toward said null position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A stabilizing system according to claim 1 including first and second position sensing means for sensing the position of respective said blade supporting means, means combining the output of said position sensing means with respective said electric signal generating means to establish first and second combined signals, means for altering said first and second signals in accordance with the desired orientation of said blade to form first and second altered signals, and means for operatively connecting said altered signals to respective said blade supporting means to afford continuous adjustment thereof.
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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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |