Patent ID: 7104181

Claim:
A hydraulic control circuit for a hydraulic cylinder having first and second chambers separated by a piston fixed to a piston rod, comprising: a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pressure source; a control valve which selectively connects at least said first chamber of the hydraulic cylinder over a first supply line with said hydraulic pressure source or said hydraulic reservoir; a first hydraulic line extending between said first chamber and said reservoir; a first on-off valve that controls the flow through said first hydraulic line between said first chamber and said reservoir; said first on-off valve normally being in a position blocking flow through said first hydraulic line toward said reservoir and being responsive to a control signal for establishing a fluid path between said first chamber and said reservoir so as to establish a floating position; a valve arrangement contained and arranged in said first hydraulic line for controlling flow rate between said first chamber and said reservoir said valve arrangement including adjusting means for changing the through-flow opening and being coupled for receiving respective pressure signals from said first chamber and from said hydraulic reservoir and for receiving a spring force, said adjusting means operating to respectively reduce and increase a flow cross section across said valve arrangement in response to increasing and reducing pressure gradients; a second supply line coupled between said second chamber of said hydraulic cylinder and said control valve; said control valve being operable for selectively connecting said second chamber of said hydraulic cylinder with said hydraulic pressure source or with said hydraulic reservoir; a second hydraulic line connected between said second chamber of said hydraulic actuator and said reservoir; a second on-off valve located in said second hydraulic line and operable, on the basis of said control signal, to move to an open position wherein it establishes fluid communication between said second chamber and said reservoir, whereby a floating position can be provided, in which the said first and second chambers are connected directly or indirectly with each other over said hydraulic reservoir; a load-holding valve arrangement is coupled in one of said first and second supply lines for normally preventing flow from said one of said first and second supply lines to said reservoir by way of said control valve said load-holding valve arrangement having a stop valve; a spring biasing said stop valve to a closed position preventing flow to said control valve; a pilot pressure line coupled between at least one of said first and second chambers and said stop valve in opposition to said spring, whereby said stop valve opens as a function of the pressure in said at least one of said first and second chambers; and said load-holding valve further including a check valve arranged parallel to said stop valve, where the check valve opens in the direction of said hydraulic cylinder.