Hydraulic control apparatus for load independent flow regulation

Claim 1

A flow control apparatus adapted to provide load independent flow regulation in a hydraulic power system or the like, and characterized by the ability to minimize the idling power consumption of the pump when the load is removed from the system, and comprising, a housing having a cylindrical bore therein, said bore having closed opposite ends so as to define first and second opposite end portions, a pump inlet channel, a sump outlet channel, and a consumer channel, all communicating with said bore in said housing, a balance piston slidably disposed in said bore and movable between a bypass or idling position wherein fluid flows from said pump inlet channel through said bore to said sump outlet channel, and an operating position wherein such flow is precluded, means for conducting fluid from said pump inlet channel into said first end portion of said bore and so as to act against a first end of said piston to urge the piston in a direction toward its bypass position, means for urging the piston in the opposite direction and toward its operating position, and including (a) first passageway means for conducting fluid from the consumer channel into said second end portion of said bore and so as to act against the second end surface of the piston, and (b) a spring disposed in said second end portion of said bore and having one end thereof disposed in contact with the second end of said piston, a differential piston slidably mounted in a cavity in said housing which is aligned with said bore and adjacent said second end portion thereof, said differential piston having an end of relatively large diameter disposed in said cavity and facing away from said spring, and an end of relatively small diameter extending through a passage in said housing and communicating with said bore and operatively engaging the other end of said spring, and second passageway means for conducting fluid from said consumer channel into said cavity and so as to act against said relatively large end of said differential piston, said second passageway means being parallel to said first passageway means for conducting fluid from the consumer channel into said cavity independently of the fluid flow directed through said first passageway means, and whereby the differential piston is moved toward said spring by the pressure of the fluid in the consumer channel to amplify the force of the spring acting against the balance piston, and the amplifying force is removed when the pressure in the consumer channel is removed to thereby minimize the pressure of the fluid in the pump inlet channel which is required to move the balance piston to the bypass position.