Patent ID: 6357230
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A hydraulic ride control system adapted for use in a fluid system of a machine to cushion the ride of the machine in response to initiation of a ride control mode command, the machine having a frame with an actuator arrangement disposed between the frame and a load to raise and lower the load relative to the frame, the actuator arrangement having a raise port and a lower port, the actuator arrangement being operative upon initiation of a raise mode command to raise the load to a desired height in response to pressurized fluid being selectively directed to the raise port from a source of pressurized fluid and to exhaust fluid from the lower port to a reservoir in response to initiation of a lower mode command, the hydraulic ride control system comprising:an accumulator arrangement connectable to the raise port of the actuator arrangement; a first valve arrangement connectable between the lower port of the actuator arrangement and the reservoir and operative to selectively connect the lower port to the reservoir in response to initiation of a ride control mode command; a second valve arrangement disposed between the accumulator arrangement and the raise port of the actuator arrangement, the second valve arrangement being operative to selectively connect the accumulator arrangement to the raise port of the actuator arrangement and being operative in response to initiation of the ride control mode command to selectively connect the accumulator arrangement to the raise port of the actuator arrangement.