Patent GB-579566-A (GB)
Title: Hydraulic control system
IPC: B62D11/08
Filed: 1943-09-21
Abstract: 579,566. Multiple-way valves. HYDRAULIC CONTROL ENGINEERING CO. Sept. 21, 1943, No. 15477. Convention date, Nov. 9, 1942. [Class 135] [Also in Group XXXI] A hydraulic control valve comprises a casing, Fig. 1, having a pressure-fluid inlet 1 and exhaust 9 and a plurality of power ports 43 ; plungers 11 reciprocable in bores in the casing carry relief valves 33 for the ports which are connected on the exhaust side of the relief valves by a passage 49 also communicating with an auxiliary port 53, the arrangement being such that operation of the plungers controls delivery of pressure fluid to the main ports 43 and, by isolating the passage 49 from exhaust, causes fluid to be delivered to the auxiliary port 53. In the construction shown, a valve casing contains two identical valve plungers 11, 11<1> and has an inlet port 1 and an outlet port (not shown) leading from a passage 9, oil being normally circulated freely from the port 1 through passages 3, 5, 7 and 9 back to the oil tank of the system. Each plunger is formed with grooves 25 (or 25<1>) and 27 and carries the slidable stem 31 of a valve 33 loaded by a spring 41 and bearing against a seat 35. The ports 39 of the valve seats lead to steering cylinders 15, 15<1> adapted to act at (say) 50 lbs. pressure, and. brake cylinders 17, 17<1> acting at 100 lbs. pressure. A main clutch cylinder 51 communicating through a port 53 with a passage 49 and set to operate at about 50 lbs. pressure may also be provided. In the position shown, oil circulates idly through the passages 3, 5, 7, 9 and back to -the oil reservoir. In order to steer the vehicle one of the plungers, say 11, is partially moved inwards so that groove 27 no longer connects passages 3 and 5 and groove 25 puts passages 7 and 45 in communication, and oil is admitted through a passage 43 to the cylinders 15, 17. As the pressure in cylinder 15 builds up to 50 lbs., the piston of this cylinder is operated and the corresponding steering brake is applied, but the braking cylinder. 17 is not affected at this pressure. The movement of the plunger 11 increases the pressure of spring 41 on valve 33 and this valve is arranged to lift at a pressure somewhat higher than 50 lbs. so that if the pressure builds up after the steering cylinder has .operated; the valve 33 is opened and oil escapes through passages 39, 49, and past flats on the head of the valve into a passage 47 connected by an outlet (not shown) to the oil reservoir. When the plunger 11 is released, the spring loading on the'valve 33 is relieved and'oil from cylinder 15 returns to the reservoir by lifting valve 33 and flowing into passage 47. When it is desired to brake or stop the vehicle, both plungers 11, 11<1> are forced in to their full extent, so that (1) the connections by grooves 27 between passages 3, 5 and 7 are closed ; (2) passages 7 and 45 are connected by grooves 25, 25'; and (3) the inner ends 21, 211 of the plungers close the connections between passages 49 and 47. The result is that first the steeririg cylinders 15, 15<1> are operated to apply the steering brakes, (2) the pressure builds up above 50 lbs. the valves 33 are opened, and oil passes through passage 49 and bore 53 to operate the cylinder 51 to disengage the main clutch, and (3) when the pressure reaches 100 lbs. the cylinders 17, 17<1> are operated to apply the brakes on both sides of the vehicle. A safety valve in the form of a spring-loaded relief valve 55 is provided between the passages 7 and 9, and is set to open at a pressure in excess of that required to operate the brake cylinders 17, 17<1>. Specification 577,802. is referred to.