Pressure actuated signal fluid control for load responsive systems

Claim 2

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid supply and logic means (26 + 30 + 32a + 32b + 32c of FIG. 1, or 26 + 214a + 214b + 214c of FIG. 2, or 400 of FIG. 5 + 26 and 32a, etc., of FIG. 1, or 452 of FIG. 6 + 26 and 32a, etc., of FIG. 1, or 470 of FIG. 7 + 26 and 32a, etc., of FIG. 1), being connected to said source, being connected to said signal chamber, and being operatively connected to said signal control port, for continuously supplying a limited flow rate of fluid flow from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid, for supplying said signal fluid to said signal control port, and for further limiting the rate of fluid flow of said signal fluid from said pump to said signal control port whenever said attenuation flow path is established by said signal control means.

Claim 3

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid supply and logic means, being connected to said source, being connected to said signal chamber, and having a logic port (70 of FIG.1, 240c, etc., of FIG. 2, 318 of FIG. 3A, 368 of FIG. 4A, 412 of FIG. 5, 454 of FIG. 6, or 482 of FIG. 7) operatively connected to said signal control port, for continuously supplying a limited flow rate of fluid flow from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid, for supplying said signal fluid to said logic port when said logic port is pressurized, and for further limiting the rate of fluid flow of said signal fluid from said pump to said logic port except when said logic port is pressurized.

Claim 4

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid supply and logic means, being connected to said source, being connected to said signal chamber, and having a logic port (70 of FIG.1, 240c, etc., of FIG. 2, 318 of FIG. 3A, 368 of FIG. 4A, 412 of FIG. 5, 454 of FIG. 6, or 482 of FIG. 7) operatively connected to said signal control port, for continuously supplying a limited flow rate of fluid flow from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid, for supplying said signal fluid to said logic port when said logic port is pressurized, and for further limiting the rate of fluid flow of said signal fluid from said pump to said logic port except when said logic port is pressurized.

Claim 5

A system as claimed in claim 2 in which said system includes synthetic signal generator means (48a, 48b, or 128 of FIG. 1, or 252 of FIG. 2), being interposed into said system, for raising the fluid pressure in said signal chamber (68 or 232) above said load actuating pressure when said load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) is established and said signal fluid flows to said fluid actuated device (20).

Claim 6

A system as claimed in claim 2 in which said system includes synthetic signal generator means (128), being interposed into said signal fluid supply and logic means (26 + 30 + 32a + 32b + 32c), for raising the fluid pressure in said signal chamber (68) above said load actuating pressure when said load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) is established and said signal fluid flows to said fluid actuated device (20).

Claim 7

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, and a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means (26), being connected to said source and to said signal chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid logic means, having a first logic port (70 of FIG. 1, 240c of FIG. 2, 318 of FIG. 3A, 368 of FIG. 4A, or 412 of FIG. 5) connected to said signal control port, having a second logic port (72, 242c, 332 of FIG. 3A, 370 of FIG. 4A, or 410 of FIG. 5) and, having a third logic port (78, 238c, 312a, 366a, or 408) connected to said signal chamber, for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said first and third logic ports to said second logic port when said first logic port is pressurized substantially above any fluid pressure in said second logic port, and for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said second logic port when the fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal.

Claim 8

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, and a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means (26), being connected to said source and to said signal chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid logic means, having a first logic port (70 of FIG. 1, 240c of FIG. 2, 318 of FIG. 3A, 368 of FIG. 4A, or 412 of FIG. 5) connected to said signal control port, having a second logic port (72, 242c, 332 of FIG. 3A, 370 of FIG. 4A, or 410 of FIG. 5) and, having a third logic port (78, 238c, 312a, 366a, or 408) connected to said signal chamber, for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said first and third logic ports to said second logic port when said first logic port is pressurized substantially above any fluid pressure in said second logic port, and for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said second logic port when the fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal.

Claim 9

A system as claimed in claim 5 in which said logic means further comprises a shuttle chamber (314, etc.) having first and second ends (316 and 330), a movable shuttle (326) in said chamber, and resilient bias means (328) in said chamber urging said shuttle away from said second end; said first and second logic ports (318 and 332) open into said chamber proximal to respective ones of said first and second ends; and said third logic port (312a and/or 312b) opens into said shuttle chamber intermediate of said ends; whereby said establishing of fluid communication from said third logic port to said second logic port is accomplished by said resilient means urging said shuttle away from said second end and said second logic port proximal thereto.

Claim 10

A system as claimed in claim 6 in which said proximity of said first and second logic ports (318 and 332, etc.) to respective ones of said ends (316 and 330) comprises said logic ports being disposed within said ends; said ends comprise first and second seats (322 and 340); and said blocking of said first and second ports comprises said shuttle (326 or 372) separately and selectively sealing against said first and second seats.

Claim 11

A system as claimed in claim 6 in which said resilient bias means (328, 376, or 418) comprises a helical coil spring of the compression type.

Claim 12

A system as claimed in claim 6 in which said movable shuttle (372 or 416) sealably engages portions of said shuttle chamber (358 or 404) intermediate of said first and second ends in performing said selective occlusion of said first and second logic ports.

Claim 13

A system as claimed in claim 6 in which said shuttle chamber (358 or 404) is cylindrical in shape, and said shuttle comprises a cylindrically shaped shuttle (372 or 416) being slidably fitted into said shuttle chamber in substantially fluid sealing engagement therewith.

Claim 14

A load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and the effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means, being connected to said source and to said chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure of said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid logic means (30 and 32b of FIG. 1, or 214a and 214c of FIG. 2), having a first logic port (66b or 240c) connected to said signal control port (44), having a second logic port (60b or 240a) connectable to a fluid pressure, having a third logic port (78 or 238a) connected to said signal chamber (68 or 232), and having a fourth logic port (72 or 242c) operatively connected to said sump (16b or 206c), for establishing fluid communication between said third logic port and said first logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said third logic port to said second and fourth logic ports when said first logic port is pressurized above any fluid pressure in said second logic port, for establishing fluid communication between said third logic port and said second logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said third logic port to said first and fourth logic ports when said second logic port is pressurized above any fluid pressure in said first logic port, and for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said fourth logic port when said first and second logic ports are pressurized substantially equally to said fourth logic port.

Claim 15

A load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and the effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means, being connected to said source and to said chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure of said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; and signal fluid logic means (30 and 32b of FIG. 1, or 214a and 214c of FIG. 2), having a first logic port (66b or 240c) connected to said signal control port (44), having a second logic port (60b or 240a) connectable to a fluid pressure, having a third logic port (78 or 238a) connected to said signal chamber (68 or 232), and having a fourth logic port (72 or 242c) operatively connected to said sump (16b or 206c), for establishing fluid communication between said third logic port and said first logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said third logic port to said second and fourth logic ports when said first logic port is pressurized above any fluid pressure in said second logic port, for establishing fluid communication between said third logic port and said second logic port and for blocking fluid communication from said third logic port to said first and fourth logic ports when said second logic port is pressurized above any fluid pressure in said first logic port, and for establishing fluid communication from said third logic port to said fourth logic port when said first and second logic ports are pressurized substantially equally to said fourth logic port.

Claim 16

A system as claimed in claim 11 in which said signal fluid logic means comprises a first three-port logic valve (30) having said third (78) and fourth (72) logic ports and having a fifth logic port (70); and a second three-port logic valve (32b) having said first (66b) and second (60b) logic ports, and having a sixth logic port (64b) connected to said fifth logic port (70).

Claim 20

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and the effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means, being connected to said source and to said chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure of said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; a first logic valve (30 or 214a) having first (70 or 242a), second (72 or 240a), and third (78 or 238a) logic ports, having a first shuttle (76 or 248a) separately and selectively blocking said first (70 or 242a) and second (72 or 240a) logic ports from said third logic port (78 or 238a), and having said third logic port (78 or 238a) connected to said signal chamber (68 or 232); a second logic valve (32b or 214c) having fourth (66b or 240c), fifth (60b or 242c), and sixth (64b or 238c) logic ports, having a second shuttle (62b or 248c) separately and selectively blocking said fourth (66b or 240c) and fifth (60b or 242c) logic ports from said sixth logic port (64b or 238c), having said sixth logic port (64b or 238c) connected to said first logic port (70 or 242a), and having said fourth logic port (66b or 240c) connected to said signal control port (44); a conduit (75 or 261) connecting a previously unconnected one (72 or 242c) of said logic ports to said sump (16b or 206c); and resilient bias means (74 or 250a) for urging one of said shuttles to a position wherein said third logic port (78 or 238a) is communicated with said sump (16b or 206c) when all of said logic ports have substantially the same fluid pressure therein.

Claim 21

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source of pressurized fluid having a pump and a sump, a fluid actuated device, a directional control valve having a movable valving element and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means having a signal chamber therein and being effective to control the pressure and the effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal fluid supply means, being connected to said source and to said chamber, for supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; signal control means, including a signal control port in said control valve and including cooperating portions of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path which communicates said signal control port with said sump to attenuate the fluid pressure of said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; a first logic valve (30 or 214a) having first (70 or 242a), second (72 or 240a), and third (78 or 238a) logic ports, having a first shuttle (76 or 248a) separately and selectively blocking said first (70 or 242a) and second (72 or 240a) logic ports from said third logic port (78 or 238a), and having said third logic port (78 or 238a) connected to said signal chamber (68 or 232); a second logic valve (32b or 214c) having fourth (66b or 240c), fifth (60b or 242c), and sixth (64b or 238c) logic ports, having a second shuttle (62b or 248c) separately and selectively blocking said fourth (66b or 240c) and fifth (60b or 242c) logic ports from said sixth logic port (64b or 238c), having said sixth logic port (64b or 238c) connected to said first logic port (70 or 242a), and having said fourth logic port (66b or 240c) connected to said signal control port (44); a conduit (75 or 261) connecting a previously unconnected one (72 or 242c) of said logic ports to said sump (16b or 206c); and resilient bias means (74 or 250a) for urging one of said shuttles to a position wherein said third logic port (78 or 238a) is communicated with said sump (16b or 206c) when all of said logic ports have substantially the same fluid pressure therein.

Claim 22

A system as claimed in claim 16 in which said system includes synthetic signal generator means (48a, 48b, 128, or 252), being interposed into said system, for raising the fluid pressure in said signal chamber (68 or 232) above said load actuating pressure when said load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) is established and said signal fluid flows to said fluid actuated device (20).

Claim 23

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said interposition of said synthetic signal generator into said system comprises interposing said synthetic signal generator (48a or 48b) into said signal control means (124).

Claim 24

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said interposition of said synthetic signal generator (252) into said system (200) comprises interposing said synthetic signal generator into said system intermediate of said signal fluid supply restrictor (26) and said attenuation flow path (56).

Claim 25

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said one logic port comprises said second logic port (72), said one logic valve comprises said first logic valve (30), said first shuttle comprises a ball (76), and said resilient means comprises a helical coil spring (74) being interposed between said ball (76) and said second logic port (72).

Claim 26

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said one logic port comprises said fifth logic port (242c), said first and second shuttles comprise respective ones of first (248a) and second (248c) balls, and said resilient bias means comprises a first helical coil spring (250a) being interposed between said first ball (248a) and said first logic port (242a) and a second helical coil spring (250c) being interposed between said second ball (248c) and said fifth logic port (242c).

Claim 27

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said interposition of said synthetic signal generator into said system comprises interposing said synthetic signal generator (128) into said system at a point wherein said signal fluid flowing from said third logic port (78) to said fourth logic port (66b) is restricted and pressurized by said synthetic signal generator (128), said signal fluid flowing from said third logic port (78) to said fifth logic port (60b) is restricted and pressurized by said synthetic signal generator (128), but signal fluid flowing from said third logic port (78) to said one logic port (72) and to said sump (16b) avoids being restricted and pressurized by said synthetic signal generator (128).

Claim 28

A system as claimed in claim 22 in which said one logic port comprises said second logic port (72), said one logic valve comprises said first logic valve (32), said first shuttle comprises a ball (76), and said resilient bias means comprises a helical coil spring (74) being interposed between said ball (76) and said second logic port (72).

Claim 29

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said synthetic signal generator comprises an orifice (128).

Claim 30

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which said synthetic signal generator comprises a relief valve (252 of FIG. 2 or 520 of FIG. 8).

Claim 31

A system as claimed in claim 25 in which said relief valve includes a relief valve seat (526) and a ball poppet (532) resiliently engaging said seat, and said synthetic signal generator comprises means (530) for allowing limited quantity bidirectional flow through said synthetic signal generator without said ball poppet leaving said engagement with said relief valve seat.

Claim 32

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) which comprises: a body (302); a shuttle chamber (314) in said body being closed at first (316, etc.) and second (330, etc.) ends thereof by said body; a first logic port (332, etc.) in said body being proximal to one (330) of said ends of said shuttle chamber; a second logic port (318) in said body being proximal to the other (316) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (312a and/or 312b, etc.) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (326, etc.) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable by fluid pressure in said first logic port to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle; and resilient bias means (328) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said resilient bias means (328) including means (short free length) for preventing said resilient bias means from resiliently urging said shuttle (326) to said first position wherein communication between said third logic port (312a) and said second logic port (318) is blocked.

Claim 33

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) which comprises: a body (302); a shuttle chamber (314) in said body being closed at first (316, etc.) and second (330, etc.) ends thereof by said body; a first logic port (332, etc.) in said body being proximal to one (330) of said ends of said shuttle chamber; a second logic port (318) in said body being proximal to the other (316) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (312a and/or 312b, etc.) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (326, etc.) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable by fluid pressure in said first logic port to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle; and resilient bias means (328) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said resilient bias means (328) including means (short free length) for preventing said resilient bias means from resiliently urging said shuttle (326) to said first position wherein communication between said third logic port (312a) and said second logic port (318) is blocked.

Claim 34

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) which comprises: a body (302); a shuttle chamber (314) in said body being closed at first (316, etc.) and second (330, etc.) ends thereof by said body; a first logic port (332, etc.) in said body being proximal to one (330) of said ends of said shuttle chamber; a second logic port (318) in said body being proximal to the other (316) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (312a and/or 312b, etc.) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (326, etc.) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable by fluid pressure in said first logic port to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle; and resilient bias means (328) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said shuttle chamber (314) including a longitudinal axis (334) and said ends (316 & 330) being disposed orthogonally thereto; said proximity of said first (332) and second (318) logic ports to said ends comprising one of said logic ports being disposed in each of said ends; said ends comprising first (340) and second seats (322) communicating with respective ones of said first and said second logic ports; and said blocking of said first and second logic ports comprising said shuttle moving in a first longitudinal direction in said shuttle chamber and sealingly engaging said first seat and moving in a second longitudinal direction and sealingly engaging said second seat.

Claim 35

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) which comprises: a body (302); a shuttle chamber (314) in said body being closed at first (316, etc.) and second (330, etc.) ends thereof by said body; a first logic port (332, etc.) in said body being proximal to one (330) of said ends of said shuttle chamber; a second logic port (318) in said body being proximal to the other (316) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (312a and/or 312b, etc.) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (326, etc.) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable by fluid pressure in said first logic port to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle; and resilient bias means (328) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said shuttle chamber (314) including a longitudinal axis (334) and said ends (316 & 330) being disposed orthogonally thereto; said proximity of said first (332) and second (318) logic ports to said ends comprising one of said logic ports being disposed in each of said ends; said ends comprising first (340) and second seats (322) communicating with respective ones of said first and said second logic ports; and said blocking of said first and second logic ports comprising said shuttle moving in a first longitudinal direction in said shuttle chamber and sealingly engaging said first seat and moving in a second longitudinal direction and sealingly engaging said second seat.

Claim 36

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) as claimed in claim 28 in which said shuttle chamber (314) includes a cylindrical surface (315) being concentrically disposed around said longitudinal axis (334), said first (332) and second (318) logic ports are disposed concentrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, and said ends (316 & 330) comprise frustoconical surfaces extending longitudinally outward from said cylindrical surface to respective ones of said first and second logic ports to form said seats (340 & 322).

Claim 37

A three-port logic valve as claimed in claim 29 in which said first logic port (332) includes stop means (338) for locating one end of a helical coil compression spring; and said resilient bias means comprises a helical coil compression spring (328) being disposed between said stop means and said shuttle (326).

Claim 38

A three-port logic valve as claimed in claim 28 in which said resilient bias means comprises a spring (328), and said spring has a free length that is sufficient to resiliently urge said shuttle (326) away from said first seat (340) but that is insufficient to urge said shuttle into contact with second seat (322).

Claim 39

A three-port logic valve (300, etc.) as claimed in claim 30 in which said first logic port (332) includes a counterbore portion (336) extending outwardly from said first seat, and having an annular bottom surface (338); and said stop means comprises said bottom surface.

Claim 40

A three-port logic valve (300) as claimed in claim 32 in which said shuttle comprises a ball (326).

Claim 41

A logic system which comprises a first logic valve (30 or 214a) having first (72 or 240a), second (70 or 242a), and third (78 or 238a) logic ports, and having means (76 or 248a ) for separately and selectively blocking said first and second logic ports from said third logic port in response to fluid pressures in respectively opposite ones of said first and second logic ports; a second logic valve (32b or 214b) having fourth (66b or 242b), fifth (60b or 240b), and sixth (64b or 238b) logic ports, having means (62b or 248b) for separately and selectively blocking said fourth and fifth logic ports from said sixth logic port in response to fluid pressures in respectively opposite ones of said fourth and fifth logic ports, and having said sixth logic port connected to said second logic port; and means for actuating one of said blocking means (76, 248a, or 248b) and for communicating said third logic port with a predetermined one (72 or 242b) of the other unconnected ones of said logic ports when substantially equal fluid pressures are applied to all of said unconnected logic ports.

Claim 42

A logic system which comprises a first logic valve (30 or 214a) having first (72 or 240a), second (70 or 242a), and third (78 or 238a) logic ports, and having means (76 or 248a ) for separately and selectively blocking said first and second logic ports from said third logic port in response to fluid pressures in respectively opposite ones of said first and second logic ports; a second logic valve (32b or 214b) having fourth (66b or 242b), fifth (60b or 240b), and sixth (64b or 238b) logic ports, having means (62b or 248b) for separately and selectively blocking said fourth and fifth logic ports from said sixth logic port in response to fluid pressures in respectively opposite ones of said fourth and fifth logic ports, and having said sixth logic port connected to said second logic port; and means for actuating one of said blocking means (76, 248a, or 248b) and for communicating said third logic port with a predetermined one (72 or 242b) of the other unconnected ones of said logic ports when substantially equal fluid pressures are applied to all of said unconnected logic ports.

Claim 43

A logic system as claimed in claim 34 in which said one blocking means comprises first said blocking means (76), and said predetermined one logic port comprises said first logic port (72).

Claim 44

A logic system as claimed in claim 35 in which said blocking means comprises a shuttle (76).

Claim 45

A logic system as claimed in claim 35 in which said actuator means comprises resilient bias means (74).

Claim 46

A logic system as claimed in claim 35 in which said blocking means comprises a ball shuttle (76), and said actuator means comprises a helical coil spring (74) being interposed into said first logic valve and compressively urging said ball shuttle away from said first logic port (72) without urging said ball shuttle into blocking contact with said second logic port (70).

Claim 47

A logic system as claimed in claim 34 in which said one blocking means comprises said second blocking means (248b), and said predetermined one logic port comprises one (242b) of said unconnected logic ports in said second logic valve (214b).

Claim 48

A logic system as claimed in claim 34 in which first said and second said blocking means comprise respective ones of first (248a) and second (248b) shuttles; and said means for actuating comprises a first resilient bias means (250a) in said first logic valve (214a) urging said first shuttle away from said second logic port (242a) without urging said first shuttle into sealing engagement with said first logic port (240a), and a second resilient bias means (250b) in said second logic valve (214b) urging said second shuttle away from one (242b) of said unconnected logic ports therein without urging said second shuttle into sealing engagement with the other (240b) of said unconnected logic ports therein.

Claim 49

A logic system as claimed in claim 40 in which one of said shuttles comprises a ball (248a or 248b), and one of said resilient bias means comprises a helical coil spring (250a or 250b).

Claim 50

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; means (32a or 130, etc., of FIG. 1, or 214a, etc., of FIG. 2) for connecting said signal chamber to said signal control port; and pressure actuated attenuation flow path means (30 of FIG. 1 providing flow path 82, or 214c of FIG. 2 providing flow path 262) for communicating said signal chamber to said sump (16b of FIG. 1 or 206c of FIG. 2) through said flow path means, and for blocking communication from said signal chamber to said sump through said flow path means when said load sensing flow path senses said load actuating pressure.

Claim 51

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; means (32a or 130, etc., of FIG. 1, or 214a, etc., of FIG. 2) for connecting said signal chamber to said signal control port; and pressure actuated attenuation flow path means (30 of FIG. 1 providing flow path 82, or 214c of FIG. 2 providing flow path 262) for communicating said signal chamber to said sump (16b of FIG. 1 or 206c of FIG. 2) through said flow path means, and for blocking communication from said signal chamber to said sump through said flow path means when said load sensing flow path senses said load actuating pressure.

Claim 52

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, and a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; connecting means (32a or 130, etc., of FIG. 1, or 214a, etc., of FIG. 2) for connecting said signal chamber to said signal control port; signal fluid supply means (26), being connected to said source and to said signal chamber, for continuously supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; and pressure actuated signal fluid control means (30 of FIG. 1, 214c of FIG. 2, 452 of FIG. 6, 478 of FIG. 7, etc.), being operatively connected to said signal chamber and to said signal control port, for further limiting the flow of said signal fluid to said signal control port except when said signal fluid is being supplied to said fluid actuated device.

Claim 53

In a load responsive hydraulic system of the type which includes a source (12 of FIG. 1 or 202 of FIG. 2) of pressurized fluid having a pump (14 or 204) and a sump (16 or 206), a fluid actuated device (20), a directional control valve (18) having a movable valving element (34) and having both an operating position wherein fluid from said pump is supplied to said fluid actuated device at the load actuating pressure thereof and a standby position wherein said fluid actuated device is isolated from said pump, and a fluid responsive means (22 or 208, where 208 = 210 + 212) having a signal chamber (68 or 232) therein and being effective to control the pressure and effective output of said pump in response to the pressure magnitude of a signal fluid supplied to said signal chamber, the improvement which comprises: signal control means, including a signal control port (44) in said control valve and including cooperating portions (58, 54, and 84) of said valving element, for establishing a load sensing flow path (126a or 126b) which communicates said signal control port with said fluid actuated device to sense said load actuating pressure when said control valve is in said operating position, and for establishing an attenuation flow path (56) which communicates said signal control port with said sump (16e) to attenuate the fluid pressure in said signal control port to said sump when said control valve is in said standby position; connecting means (32a or 130, etc., of FIG. 1, or 214a, etc., of FIG. 2) for connecting said signal chamber to said signal control port; signal fluid supply means (26), being connected to said source and to said signal chamber, for continuously supplying a limited flow of fluid from said pump to said signal chamber for use as said signal fluid; and pressure actuated signal fluid control means (30 of FIG. 1, 214c of FIG. 2, 452 of FIG. 6, 478 of FIG. 7, etc.), being operatively connected to said signal chamber and to said signal control port, for further limiting the flow of said signal fluid to said signal control port except when said signal fluid is being supplied to said fluid actuated device.

Claim 54

A three-port logic valve (400) which comprises: a body (402); a shuttle chamber (404) in said body being closed at first (407) and second (405) ends thereof by said body: a first logic port (410) in said body being proximal to one (405) of said ends of said shuttle chamber: a second logic port (412) in said body being proximal to the other (407) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (408) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (416) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and resilient bias means (418) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said shuttle including means (bore 424, seat 426, passages 428 and 430, check ball 432, ball stop 434) for allowing fluid communication from said third logic port (408) to said second logic port (412) to be established prior to cutting off of fluid communication between said third logic port (408) and first logic port (410) during movement of said shuttle (416) from said first position to said second position.

Claim 55

A three-port logic valve (400) which comprises: a body (402); a shuttle chamber (404) in said body being closed at first (407) and second (405) ends thereof by said body: a first logic port (410) in said body being proximal to one (405) of said ends of said shuttle chamber: a second logic port (412) in said body being proximal to the other (407) said end of said shuttle chamber; a third logic port (408) in said body communicating with said shuttle chamber intermediate of said first and second logic ports; a shuttle (416) being slidably disposed in said shuttle chamber, being movable to a first position wherein said first logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and second logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and being movable by fluid pressure in said second logic port to a second position wherein said second logic port is communicated with said third logic port and wherein communication between said third logic port and said first logic port is blocked by said shuttle, and resilient bias means (418) for urging said shuttle away from said second position; whereby fluid communication from said third logic port to said first logic port is assured by said resilient means when said fluid pressures in said first and second logic ports are substantially equal, said shuttle including means (bore 424, seat 426, passages 428 and 430, check ball 432, ball stop 434) for allowing fluid communication from said third logic port (408) to said second logic port (412) to be established prior to cutting off of fluid communication between said third logic port (408) and first logic port (410) during movement of said shuttle (416) from said first position to said second position.