Patent ID: 7926410
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: F15B

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic system comprising: a plurality of cylinder assemblies oriented and adapted to be connected to an object for moving the object in a desired horizontal direction; a synchronizer having a plurality of isolated chambers corresponding to the plurality of cylinder assemblies; a bidirectional pump with a first outlet for pumping fluid to operate the system in a first direction and a second outlet for pumping fluid to operate the system in a second direction; a reversible motor connected to the pump for reversibly driving the pump; and a hydraulic circuit operably connecting the cylinder assemblies, the isolated chambers, and the bidirectional pump; the circuit including first and second branches connected to the first and second outlets, respectively, and to the cylinder assemblies for simultaneously extending or simultaneously retracting the cylinder assemblies; the hydraulic circuit further including a shuttle valve operably connected between the first and second branches for delivering pressurized fluid from the first and second branches to selected other parts of the hydraulic circuit, whereby the pressurized fluid from the shuttle valve can be used to do at least one of the following: rebalance fluid in the isolated chambers of the synchronizer, resynchronize the cylinder assemblies, remove air from the hydraulic system, and/or refill fluid into a selected portion of the hydraulic circuit.