Universal hydraulic auxiliary depressurization circuit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12378747-B2
Application number	US-202217739542-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 9, 2022
Priority date	May 9, 2022
Publication date	Aug 5, 2025
Grant date	Aug 5, 2025

Abstract

A hydraulic system for depressurizing a work tool auxiliary circuit of a work machine. The system comprises: a power source; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a plurality of hydraulic lines, a pressure source, a control valve, a depressurize line connected to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic lines and the reservoir, the depressurize line includes an electromechanical valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid in the depressurize line; a controller and a coupler switch comprising at least two throws and having three positions where one of the three positions actuates the electromechanical valve to depressurize the work tool auxiliary circuit. The hydraulic system can be provided as a kit to existing work machines for depressurizing the work tool hydraulic auxiliary circuit of a work machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic system for depressurizing a work tool auxiliary circuit of a work machine, the hydraulic system comprising:
a power source for powering the hydraulic system;
a reservoir of hydraulic fluid;
a plurality of hydraulic lines;
a pressure source for supplying the hydraulic fluid throughout the plurality of hydraulic lines;
a control valve for regulating a flow of the hydraulic fluid;
a depressurize line connected to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic lines and the reservoir, the depressurize line includes an electromechanical valve for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in the depressurize line;
a controller configured to communicate with the electromechanical valve via a power circuit; and
a coupler switch comprising at least three positions configured to communicate with the controller, at least one of the three positions actuates the electromechanical valve to depressurize the work tool auxiliary circuit.

2. The hydraulic system according to claim 1 , wherein the coupler switch has at least two throws.

3. The hydraulic system according to claim 2 , wherein the power circuit further comprises:
a locking circuit that includes a locking valve and an unlocking valve for connecting and disconnecting a work tool from a quick coupler of the work machine;
a depressurization circuit that includes an activating circuit, a relay circuit, and a relay between the activating circuit and the relay circuit, wherein the relay communicates with the coupler switch and the electromechanical valve; and
the coupler switch communicates with the locking circuit and the depressurization circuit, at least one of the three positions of the coupler switch communicates with the depressurization circuit.

4. The hydraulic system according to claim 3 , wherein the at least three positions of the coupler switch are selected from the groups of configurations consisting of:
a coupler lock position, a coupler unlock position, and a coupler unlock and depressurize position;
a depressurize position, a coupler lock position, and a coupler unlock position; and
a coupler lock position, a depressurize position, and a coupler unlock and depressurize position.

5. The hydraulic system according to claim 4 , wherein the quick coupler is a hydraulic connecting quick coupler and the work tool is a hydromechanical work tool.

6. The hydraulic system according to claim 2 , wherein the hydraulic system is provided as a kit for installation on an existing work machine.

7. The hydraulic system according to claim 1 , wherein the one of the plurality of hydraulic lines 118 is a secondary hydraulic line, and the depressurization line is connected to the secondary hydraulic line.

8. A work machine comprising:
a frame;
a ground engaging element supporting the frame;
an engine in the frame and powers the work machine;
a working mechanism extending from the frame;
a quick coupler on an end of the working mechanism for coupling to a work tool;
a hydraulic system including:
a power source for powering the hydraulic system;
a reservoir of hydraulic fluid;
a plurality of hydraulic lines;
a pressure source for supplying the hydraulic fluid throughout the plurality of hydraulic lines;
a control valve for regulating a flow of the hydraulic fluid;
a depressurize line connected to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic lines and the reservoir, the depressurize line includes an electromechanical valve for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in the depressurize line;
a controller configured to communicate with the electromechanical valve via a power circuit; and
a coupler switch comprising at least three positions configured to communicate with the controller, at least one of the three positions actuates the electromechanical valve to depressurize a work tool auxiliary circuit.

9. The work machine according to claim 8 , wherein the coupler switch is a double throw switch.

10. The work machine according to claim 9 , wherein the power circuit further comprises:
a locking circuit that includes a locking valve and an unlocking valve for connecting and disconnecting the work tool from the quick coupler of the work machine;
a depressurization circuit that includes an activating circuit, a relay circuit, and a relay between the activating circuit and the relay circuit, wherein the relay communicates with the coupler switch and the electromechanical valve; and
the coupler switch communicates with the locking circuit and the depressurization circuit, at least one of the three positions of the coupler switch communicates with the depressurization circuit.

11. The work machine according to claim 8 , wherein the at least three positions of the coupler switch are selected from the groups of configurations consisting of:
a coupler lock position, a coupler unlock position, and a coupler unlock and depressurize position;
a depressurize position, a coupler lock position, and a coupler unlock position; and
a coupler lock position, a depressurize position, and a coupler unlock and depressurize position.

12. The work machine according to claim 10 , wherein the quick coupler is a hydraulic connecting quick coupler and the work tool is a hydromechanical work tool.

13. The work machine according to claim 8 , wherein the one of the plurality of hydraulic lines 118 is a secondary hydraulic line, and the depressurization line is connected to the secondary hydraulic line.

14. A method of depressurizing a work tool auxiliary circuit of a work machine having a hydraulic system, the hydraulic system includes a plurality of hydraulic lines, a pressure source, a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, and a power circuit having a controller, the method comprising:
providing the work machine having a work tool and a quick coupler;
installing a coupler switch having at least three positions in connection with the controller, at least one of the three positions depressurizes the work tool auxiliary circuit;
installing a depressurization circuit and a relay to the controller;
installing a depressurize line and an electromechanical valve to the plurality of hydraulic lines, the reservoir, the electromechanical valve in communication with the relay; and
depressurizing the work tool auxiliary circuit when a depressurize position is selected actuating the electromechanical valve to release pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the quick coupler is a hydraulic connecting quick coupler and the work tool is a hydromechanical work tool.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the power circuit further comprises:
a locking circuit that includes a locking valve and an unlocking valve for connecting and disconnecting the work tool from the quick coupler of the work machine;
the depressurization circuit includes an activating circuit, a relay circuit, and the relay between the activating circuit and the relay circuit, wherein the relay communicates with the coupler switch and the electromechanical valve; and
the coupler switch communicates with the locking circuit and the depressurization circuit, at least one of the three positions of the coupler switch communicates with the depressurization circuit.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein two electromechanical valves are provided in connection with the relay.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the one of the plurality of hydraulic lines 118 is a secondary hydraulic line, and the depressurization line is connected to the secondary hydraulic l

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Thompson Mark W
• Peterson Jeffrey R
• Stefek Trent R

Classifications

• E02F3/3627

  with a hook and a longitudinal locking element · CPC title

• E02F9/226

  Safety arrangements, e.g. hydraulic driven fans, preventing cavitation, leakage, overheating · CPC title

• E02F3/3659

  electrically-operated · CPC title

• E02F3/3663 Primary

  hydraulically-operated · CPC title

• E02F3/3654 Primary

  with energy coupler, e.g. coupler for hydraulic or electric lines, to provide energy to drive(s) mounted on the tool · CPC title