EP3085960B1

EP3085960B1 - Hydraulic fluid distributor and hydraulic fluid distributing method

Info

Publication number: EP3085960B1
Application number: EP16165248.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willem Jacobus Reijersen Van Buuren
Original assignee: Forage Innovations BV
Current assignee: Forage Co BV
Priority date: 2015-04-20
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2018-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-14
Also published as: NL2014672A; NL2014672B1; EP3085960A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a hydraulic fluid distributor and to a method for distributing hydraulic fluid onto two hydraulic actuators, in particular for supplying fluid to two parallel piston-cylinder units mounted on board of an agricultural harvester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In particular on board of an agricultural harvester (baler, loader wagon, field chopper, combine harvester, or swather, e.g.) several parts are to be moved by a respective pair of hydraulic actuators, e.g. by two parallel piston-cylinder units, while the harvester moves over ground and harvests crop material. The actuators should perform a synchronous movement. Therefore both actuators should be supplied at every time point with substantially the same amount of hydraulic fluid. Several hydraulic fluid distributors for solving this task have been proposed.
DE 102011077253 A1 discloses an axial piston pump (Axialkolbenpumpe) and an axial piston motor (Axialkolbenmotor). A first sequence 16 of piston-cylinder units is arranged along a first, inner circle 58 positioned around a rotating axis 10, cf. Fig. 6. A second sequence 38 is arranged along a second, outer circle 60 positioned around the axis 10. The sequences 16, 38 of piston-cylinder units 16, 38 are arranged within a piston drum (Kolbentrommel 36), cf. the side views of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and the view parallel to the axis 10 presented by Fig. 6. The piston drum 36 is rotated around the axis 10 with respect to a control element (Steuerelement 56), cf. Fig. 7. Two inner kidney-shaped apertures 74, 76 and two outer kidney-shaped apertures 78, 80 are arranged around the center axis. The apertures 76, 80 provide fluid with different low pressure values (Niederdruck N1, N2). The apertures 74, 78 provide fluid with different high pressure values (Hochdruck H1, H2).
US 4,549,466 discloses a split-type hydraulic oil piston pump with a cylinder block 1. The cylinder block 1 can rotate jointly with a rotating shaft 6. Several pistons 3 are fitted into several cylinder bores 2 which are disposed concentrically around the shaft 6. Several cylinder chambers 4 are provided between the pistons 3 and the walls of the bores 2. The cylinder block 1 can rotate with respect to a valve plate 8 mounted at a valve body 7. A suction slot 9 in the valve plate 8 always opens to a suction port 11 in the valve body 7. Several delivery slots 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 in the valve plate 8 always opens to several delivery ports 12_1, 12_2, 12_3 in the valve body 7, cf. Fig. 2. The delivery ports 12_1, 12_2, 12_3 are in fluid communication with hydraulic actuators A_1, A_2 which are to be supplied with fluid. A hydraulic fluid is supplied through the suction port 11 into the cylinder chambers and is equally distributed onto the delivery ports 12_1, 12_2, 12_3.
JPS 50-083803 A2 discloses a hydraulic axial pump with two delivery slots B, C. By means of these two delivery slots B, C hydraulic flow is shared onto two hydraulic actuators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem solved by the invention is to provide a hydraulic fluid distributor with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a hydraulic fluid distributing method with the features of the preamble of claim 16 wherein both hydraulic actuators can be supplied with fluid such that a significant difference in the amounts or amounts per time of the supplied fluid between the two hydraulic actuators is avoided.
This problem is solved by a hydraulic fluid distributor with the features of claim 1 and by a hydraulic fluid distributing method with the features of claim 16. Preferred embodiments are specified in the depending claims.
The hydraulic fluid distributor according to the invention supplies hydraulic fluid to a first hydraulic actuator and to at least one second hydraulic actuator.
The hydraulic fluid distributor according to the invention comprises

a rotatably mounted fluid-supplying device,
a plate,
a first fluid connecting device and a second fluid connecting device, and
a drive for rotating the fluid-supplying device with respect to the plate.

The fluid-supplying device comprises

a first fluid-supplying opening and
a second fluid-supplying opening spaced apart from the first fluid-supplying opening.

A first group of outlet apertures and a second group of outlet apertures are cut into the plate. Every outlet group comprises at least two outlet apertures, i.e. at least four outlet apertures are cut into the plate. The outlet apertures of both outlet groups are positioned around a center axis. The common or maximal distance between the midpoints of the outlet apertures of the second outlet group and this center axis is smaller than the common or minimal distance between the outlet apertures of the first outlet group and this center axis.
The first fluid connecting device establishes permanently or temporarily a fluid communication between every outlet aperture of the first outlet group and the first hydraulic actuator. The second fluid connecting device establishes permanently or temporarily a fluid communication between every outlet aperture of the second outlet group and the second hydraulic actuator. After the fluid is conveyed through an outlet aperture, the connected fluid connecting device supplies fluid to the connected hydraulic actuator - independently from the current rotational position of the fluid-supplying device with respect to the plate.
The fluid-supplying device can be rotated with respect to the plate around that center axis around which the outlet apertures are positioned in the plate. The center axis therefore serves as a rotating axis. When being rotated around the rotating axis, the fluid-supplying device and the plate together fulfill the following constraint in every rotational position and therefor that every time point: The first fluid-supplying opening overlaps either with at least one outlet aperture of the first outlet group or with no outlet aperture but does not overlap with an outlet aperture of the second outlet group. The second fluid-supplying opening overlaps either with at least one outlet aperture of the second outlet group or with no outlet aperture but does not overlap with an outlet aperture of the first outlet group.
The outlet apertures of the first outlet group and the outlet apertures of the second outlet group are positioned in an alternating sequence around the center axis in the plate. This means: Every outlet aperture of the first outlet group is positioned adjacent to at least one outlet aperture of the second outlet group. Every outlet aperture of the second outlet group is positioned adjacent to at least one outlet aperture of the first outlet group. At least one outlet aperture of the first outlet group is positioned between two outlet apertures of the second outlet group. At least one outlet aperture of the second outlet group is positioned between two outlet apertures of the first outlet group. When the fluid-supplying device is rotated around the rotating axis, the fluid-supplying device alternatingly reaches one outlet aperture of the first outlet group, afterwards one outlet aperture of the second outlet group, afterwards a further outlet aperture of the first outlet group, and so on.
The fluid distributor operates as follows:

The drive rotates the fluid-supplying device with respect to the plate around the rotating axis around which the outlet apertures of both outlet groups are positioned.
A fluid connection between the fluid-supplying device and a hydraulic actuator is temporarily established as long as the following two conditions are simultaneously fulfilled:
1. a) One fluid-supplying opening of the fluid-supplying device overlaps with at least one outlet aperture in the plate.
2. b) The or every overlapping outlet aperture is - via a fluid connecting device - in fluid connection with the hydraulic actuator.
Every hydraulic actuator is temporarily supplied with fluid from the fluid-supplying device, namely as long as a fluid connection between the fluid-supplying device and this actuator is established.

ADVANTAGES

Thanks to the hydraulic fluid distributor at least two different hydraulic actuators can be supplied with fluid from the same fluid reservoir. It suffices to provide one device for conveying the fluid to both actuators, e.g. a pump or a piston-cylinder unit. Thanks to the two fluid-supplying openings and to the two outlet groups the same fluid-supplying device can supply fluid to at least two different hydraulic actuators. It is possible but thanks to the invention not necessary that the fluid-supplying device comprises several fluid-providing units, e.g. several piston-cylinder units. It is also possible that one piston-cylinder unit or one pump serves both fluid-supplying openings.
Thanks to the hydraulic fluid distributor the fluid-supplying device can operate in a continuous manner. The drive for rotating the fluid-supplying device can also operate in a continuous manner. In addition a pump for conveying fluid to the fluids supplying device can also operate in a continuous manner. Neither the pump nor the drive need to be operated in a start-stop operation. It is not necessary to provide a controllable valve for regulating the flow of fluid. It is not necessary that a sensor measures the fluid pressures or fluid amounts supplied to the hydraulic actuators and to compare the measured values in order to detect a high difference when supplying the actuators.
The plate reduces the pressure variations in the hydraulic flow to one hydraulic actuator. Intentionally a fluid connecting device does sometimes not convey fluid to a hydraulic actuator, namely as long as no outlet aperture of the corresponding outlet group overlaps with a fluid-supplying opening. A cavity of the fluid-supplying device connected with the fluid-supplying opening is temporarily blocked by the plate and stores fluid until one outlet aperture of this fluid connecting device overlaps with a fluid-supplying opening.
According to the invention every hydraulic actuator can be brought into in fluid communication subsequently with at least two different outlet apertures of the same outlet group. The reason: Every outlet group comprises several outlet apertures. All outlet apertures of one outlet group are connected with this hydraulic actuator by means of one fluid connecting device. Thereby the hydraulic actuator can be supplied with fluid even if the undesired event occurs that one outlet aperture or one line from an outlet aperture to the actuator is permanently blocked, i.e. the invention provides redundancy.
Thanks to the alternating arrangement of the outlet apertures the fluid is quite uniformly distributed onto the hydraulic actuators. It is inhibited that only one hydraulic actuator obtains fluid for a longer time span and simultaneously the other hydraulic actuator is not supplied with fluid at all. Thanks to the quite uniform distribution both hydraulic actuators can operate with substantially the same velocity and/or force and/or torque.
The invention enables a simple mechanical construction. The drive can rotate this fluid-supplying device with a constant velocity. No acceleration and deceleration and no start-stop operation needs to be performed. Therefore the drive does not need to provide much kinetic energy. The fluid-supplying device can operate independently from its rotational position with respect to the plate.
Thanks to the invention the outlet apertures of the first outlet group can be positioned at every desired rotational position in the plate - provided that the constraint referring to the distances is fulfilled. The outlet apertures of the second outlet group can also be positioned at every desired rotational position in the plate. This makes it easier to arrange the fluid-supplying device and the fluid connecting devices, in particular if the hydraulic fluid distributor is mounted on board of a vehicle.
Thanks to the invention the operation of the fluid distributor does not depend on the exact proper position of the outlet apertures in the plate. Therefore the operation is less subjected to variations during manufacturing the plate with the apertures, the positions of the fluid-supplying openings with respect to the plate, and to variations in rotating the fluid-supplying device.
The invention provides different degrees of freedom for adapting the fluid distributor to constraints and requirements of the hydraulic actuators and to the available space, in particular the following degrees of freedom while constructing and designing the distributor:

the position of the outlet apertures of the first outlet group in the plate,
the position of the outlet apertures of the second outlet group in the plate,
the position of the fluid-supplying openings with respect to the rotating axis,
the velocity with which the fluid-supplying device is rotated,
the respective cross-section area of the outlet apertures, and
the respective cross-section area of the fluid-supplying openings.

PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment the plate providing the outlet apertures is stationary and the fluid-supplying device is rotated with respect to the stationary plate. It is also possible that the plate with the outlet apertures is rotated, e.g. in an oscillating manner, around the rotating axis. In this further embodiment the fluid-supplying device may be a stationary device.
In one embodiment the fluid-supplying device is rotated in the same direction, preferably with the same velocity and without an interruption during the operation. In a further embodiment the fluid-supplying device is alternatively rotated in one direction and in the opposite direction around the axis, i.e. the fluid-supplying device performs an oscillating movement around the center axis. This alternative embodiment saves the need that the fluid-supplying device performs a full rotation around the center axis.
In one embodiment the distance between the midpoint of the second fluid-supplying opening of the fluid-supplying device and the rotating axis is smaller than the distance between the midpoint of the first fluid-supplying opening of the fluid-supplying device and the rotating axis. In one implementation the second fluid-supplying device is entirely positioned within a circle around the rotating axis. The first fluid-supplying opening is entirely positioned outside of this circle.
In one embodiment the first fluid-supplying opening either overlaps with exactly one or with no outlet aperture of the first outlet group - depending on the rotational position of the fluid-supplying device. In a further embodiment the first fluid-supplying opening overlaps in at least one rotational position simultaneously with at least two outlet apertures of the first outlet group. Accordingly the second fluid-supplying opening always overlaps with exactly one or with no outlet aperture of the second outlet group or may in at least one rotating position simultaneously overlap with two outlet apertures of the second outlet group.
In one embodiment either the first hydraulic actuator or the second hydraulic actuator is supplied with hydraulic fluid at one time point. At no time point both actuators are simultaneously supplied with fluid. To achieve this feature the hydraulic fluid distributor is arranged such that the following event cannot occur: The first fluid-supplying opening overlaps with one outlet aperture of the first outlet group. Simultaneously, i.e. in the same rotational position and therefore at the same time, the second fluid-supplying opening overlaps with one outlet aperture of the second outlet group.
Preferably the fluid for the hydraulic actuators is taken from a reservoir. It is possible that the reservoir is also rotated with respect to the plate around the rotating axis. The following embodiment saves the need to rotate the reservoir. This embodiment enables to provide a stationary reservoir. This reservoir can be arranged on board of a vehicle with the hydraulic actuators outside of it, e.g. on board of the propelled vehicle. In this embodiment the fluid-supplying device performs at least one sucking stroke and at least one supplying stroke while performing one full rotation around the center axis. This embodiment enables a uniform operation of the fluid distributor. No further parts for distributing the fluid are required. Preferably the distributor part providing the plate with the outlet apertures and the connecting devices are stationary parts. A reservoir for the fluid can also be a stationary part. Only the fluid-supplying device needs to be rotated. This embodiment enables an even more robust construction. In place of a full rotation the fluid-supplying device can also perform oscillating movements between a position for a sucking stroke and a position for a supplying stroke.
In a sucking stroke the fluid-supplying device sucks fluid into at least one cavity. In a supplying stroke the fluid-supplying device presses fluid out of the cavity towards a hydraulic actuator as long as the fluid-supplying opening overlaps with an outlet aperture which is in fluid connection with this hydraulic actuator.
Preferably the fluid-supplying device performs at least one full rotation around the rotating axis. The entire amount of fluid which is ejected out of the first fluid-supplying opening during one full rotation is substantially equal to the entire fluid amount ejected out of the second fluid-supplying opening. Thereby the entire amount of fluid supplied to the outlet apertures of the first group is substantially equal to the entire amount of fluid is supplied to the outlet apertures of the second group. Both hydraulic actuators obtain substantially the same amount of fluid in the timespan of one full rotation.
In one embodiment every outlet aperture of the first outlet group and the first fluid-supplying opening have the same (larger) distance to the rotating axis. Every outlet aperture of the second outlet group and the second fluid-supplying opening have the same (smaller) distance to the rotating axis.
It is well-known that the tangential velocity of a point which rotates around an axis is 2Π ω d wherein ω is the current angular velocity and d is the distance between the point and the axis. Therefore the time in which an outlet aperture overlaps with a fluid-supplying opening depends not only on the maximal overlapping area and the angular velocity but also on the distance between the overlapping area and the rotating axis. The larger the distance is the smaller is the timespan of overlapping and thereby the amount of fluid conveyed through the overlapping area. The following embodiment substantially compensates this effect and inhibits a significant difference in the amount of fluid supplied to the hydraulic actuators. According to this embodiment the outlet apertures are arranged such that the equation $\begin{array}{l} area_1 (1) / dist_1 (1) + \dots + area_1 (m) / dist_1 (m) = \\ area_2 (2) / dist_2 (1) + \dots + area_2 (n) / dist_2 (n) \end{array}$
holds. In this equation the symbols have the following meanings:

m is the number of outlet apertures of the first outlet group (m >= 2),
n is the number of outlet apertures of the second outlet group (n >= 2),
area_1(1), ..., area_1(m) are the m maximal overlapping areas of the m outlet apertures of the first outlet group with the first fluid-supplying opening,
area_2(1), ..., area_2(n) are the n maximal overlapping areas of the n outlet apertures of the second outlet group with the second fluid-supplying opening,
dist_1(1), ..., dist_1(m) are the m distances of the midpoints of the overlapping areas for the m outlet apertures of the first outlet group to the rotating axis, and
dist_2(1), ..., dist_2(n) are the n distances of the midpoints of the overlapping areas for the n outlet apertures of the second outlet group to the rotating axis.

This constraint can be fulfilled when designing the fluid distributor and does neither depend on the angular velocity of the fluid-supplying device nor the amount of fluid provided by the fluid-supporting device.
Preferably the first fluid-supplying opening has the same area as the second fluid-supplying opening. The fluid-supplying device is rotated with constant velocity around the rotating axis. If the equation mentioned above and these constraints are fulfilled, the amount through the first fluid-supplying opening is equal to the amount through the second fluid-supplying opening despite of different distances. It is possible to adapt the constraint mentioned above to fluid-supplying openings with different areas.
In one embodiment the fluid-supplying device comprises two fixed fluid-supplying openings which do not move with respect to the rest of the fluid-supplying device. In a further embodiment the fluid-supplying device comprises one fixed opening and a rotated or otherwise moved element which comprises at least one opening being smaller than the fixed opening. The element with smaller opening can be moved with respect to the fixed opening. The movement of the element with the smaller opening selectively provides the first fluid-supplying opening or the second fluid-supplying opening - depending on the position of the moved element with respect to the fixed opening. The smaller opening temporarily overlaps with the fixed larger opening in a first position or in a second position, thereby providing the first or the second fluid-supplying opening. It is also possible that this moveable element comprises two openings which provides the first and the second fluid-supplying openings.
In one embodiment the distance between two adjacent outlet apertures is larger than the dimension of these adjacent outlet apertures in the rotating direction of the fluid-supplying device. This embodiment enables a quite constant hydraulic pressure at the outlet apertures even if a pump or further fluid source provides fluid with larger pressure variations. A cavity behind a fluid-supplying opening is sometimes blocked by the plate such that fluid is stored.
Preferably the fluid-supplying openings are cut into a further plate. The fluid-supplying device and the further plate can rotate around the center axis. In one implementation the further plate is rigidly mounted at or connected with the fluid-supplying device. The drive rotates the fluid-supplying device and the rotatable further plate around the center axis. This embodiment increases the reliability that the fluid-supplying openings are properly positioned with respect to the outlet apertures in the plate despite of manufacturing tolerances. Preferably the plate with the outlet apertures and the rotatable further plate with the fluid-supplying openings extend in two parallel planes. Preferably both planes are perpendicular to the rotating axis.
Preferably the fluid-supplying device comprises at least one piston-cylinder unit. Every fluid-supplying opening of the fluid-supplying device is in fluid communication with one chamber of the or with one piston-cylinder unit of the fluid-supplying device. In one embodiment one piston-cylinder unit is in fluid communication with both fluid-supplying openings and can eject fluid through both fluid-supplying openings. In a further embodiment the fluid-supplying device comprises two piston-cylinder units, one unit for one fluid-supplying opening.
The plate can have the shape of a disk or an ellipse or of a rectangle, e.g. The respective edge of a fluid-supplying opening can have the shape of a circle, and ellipse, or a rectangle, e.g.
It is possible to supply three hydraulic actuators with fluid by using a distributor according to the invention. The distributor for this application comprises three outlet groups each comprising at least two outlet apertures, i.e. at least six outlet apertures. The fluid-supplying device comprises three fluid-supplying openings. In every rotational position every fluid-supplying opening either overlaps with no outlet aperture or with at least one outlet aperture, always from the same outlet group. The outlet apertures are positioned with different distances in an alternating sequence in the plate, e.g. according to the following sequence:

1. outlet aperture from the first outlet group,
2. aperture from the second outlet group,
3. aperture from the third outlet group,
4. further aperture from the first outlet group,
5. further aperture from the second outlet group, and
6. further aperture from the third outlet group.

The fluid-supplying device can be driven by a shaft, a chain, or a hydraulic or electric motor, e.g.
The fluid supplied to the actuator can be a hydraulic oil or pressurized air e.g. It can also be or contain a lubricating fluid for greasing the hydraulic actuators.
In one application the hydraulic fluid distributor is mounted on board of an agricultural vehicle which is moved over ground. A source of hydraulic fluid can be mounted on board of the vehicle itself or can be mounted on board of a further vehicle which pulls or pushes the vehicle with the fluid distributor, e.g. on board of an tractor.
These and other aspects of the invention and of the preferred embodiment will be even more apparent from the detailed embodiment as described below and will be elucidated in detail there.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the embodiment of the invention in a viewing direction perpendicular to the center axis and perpendicular to the planes of the stationary and the rotatable disk wherein both piston-cylinder units performs sucking strokes;
Fig. 2 shows the embodiment in the viewing direction of Fig. 1 wherein both piston-cylinder units perform supplying strokes;
Fig. 3 shows the stationary disk and the apertures in a viewing direction parallel to its center axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

In the embodiment the invention is used on board of an agricultural harvester. This harvester is self-propelled or pulled by a motorized vehicle, e.g. by a tractor, and

is pulled over ground,
picks up loose crop material from the ground,
conveys the picked-up crop material to a processing chamber or loading room, and
processes or stores the crop material in the chamber or room.

Examples for such an agricultural harvester are

a round baler which forms under pressure round-cylindrical bales in a drum-shaped bale forming chamber,
a cuboid baler which forms under pressure cuboid bales in a pressing channel, and
a loader wagon which stores picked-up crop material in a loading room with a bottom conveyor (Kratzboden),
a field chopper, or
a combine harvester.

Two parallel hydraulic actuators on board of the harvester have to jointly move a harvester part, e.g. have to jointly

lift or lower the pick-up unit of a harvester,
lift or lower the feeding channel bottom or the cutting assembly of the harvester,
pivot a tensioning rocker which carries deflecting rollers for pressing belts,
pivot a sledge assembly for pressing rollers,
pivot a sidewall of the pressing channel of a cuboid baler,
open the tailgate (discharge gate) of a round baler,
lift a bottom ramp or chute of a round or cuboid baler,
lift or lower the chamber or room with respect to the chassis,
pivot a loading station for a supply reel of wrapping material, or
pivot a front wall or discharge wall of a loader wagon.

This movement must often be performed against the expanding force of compressed crop material or against the force of gravity.
A source for supplying the hydraulic actuators with a fluid, e.g. a pump and a reservoir, can be mounted on a board of the harvester itself or on board of the propelled vehicle pulling or pushing the harvester.
In order to perform the movement properly, both actuators must be supplied with approximately the same amount of hydraulic fluid at every time of the movement. Significant variations in the amount of supplied fluid may cause the moved part to cant or not to work properly and may cause undesired and harmful mechanical stress. Therefore a hydraulic fluid distributor according to the invention is mounted on board of the harvester.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the embodiment in a viewing direction perpendicular to the rotating axis, e.g. in a horizontal viewing direction. The first hydraulic actuator comprises a first hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 20 and the second hydraulic actuator comprises a second hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 21. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a fluid source 19 which can be mounted on board of the harvester or the pulling or pushing vehicle. Fig. 1 and Fig 2 further show the following parts of the hydraulic fluid distributor according to the embodiment of the invention:

a stationary disk 3 with a sequence of inlet apertures 4.1, 4.2, ... and two outlet groups each comprising several outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ... (in detail shown in Fig. 3),
a rotatable disk 5,
a first piston-cylinder unit 10 with a piston 15 and a fluid-supplying opening 13,
a second piston-cylinder unit 11 with a piston 16 and a fluid-supplying opening 14,
a rocker arm 12 which is pivotally connected with both pistons 15, 16 and can pivot around a pivoting axis PA (perpendicular to the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2),
an oscillation-creating drive 6,
a rotation-creating drive 7,
one fluid connector 8.x per inlet aperture 4.x (x =1, 2, ...) which permanently establishes a fluid connection communication between the fluid source 19 and the inlet aperture 4.x while the harvester is operated,
one fluid connecting line 31.x (x = 1, 2, ...) per outlet aperture 1.x of the first outlet group for establishing a fluid connection between the outlet aperture 1.x and the first actuator 20, and
one fluid connecting line 32.x per outlet aperture 2.x of the second outlet group for establishing a fluid connection between the outlet aperture 2.x and the second actuator 21.

In the embodiment the piston- cylinder devices 10, 11, the rotatable disk 5, the rocker arm 12, and the drives 6, 7 together form the fluid-supplying device of the embodiment. It is also possible that one piston-cylinder unit is connected with both fluid-supplying openings. In the place of two piston- cylinder unit 10, 11 or one piston-cylinder unit it is possible to provide one or two hydraulic accumulators which are connected with the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 and which are rotated around the center axis CA. A stationary pump can fill the accumulators with fluid from the reservoir 19. An accumulator can press the fluid through an outlet aperture towards the hydraulic actuator 20, 21.
The fluid-supplying opening 13 of the piston-cylinder device 10 serves as the first fluid-supplying opening and the fluid-supplying opening 14 serves as the second fluid-supplying opening. Both fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are cut into the rotatable disk 5. The entire fluid supplying device 10, 11 can be rotated around a center axis CA (in the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The fluid connecting lines 3.1, 3.2, ... together form the first fluid connecting device. The fluid connecting lines 32.1, 32.2, ... together form the second fluid connecting device.
The disks 3, 5 extend in two parallel planes which are perpendicular to the center axis CA and to the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The disk 3 serves as the plate of the claims and is stationary, i.e. cannot be moved with respect to the fluid connecting lines 31.x, 32.x or with respect to the fluid connectors 8.x. The rotatable disk 5 serves as the further plate. The pivoting axis PA of the rocker arm 12 is also perpendicular to the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The piston 15 of the first piston-cylinder unit 10 separates a base-side chamber 17 from a rod-side chamber. The piston 16 of the second piston-cylinder unit 11 separates a base-side chamber 18 from a rod-side chamber. Both base- side chambers 18, 19 serve as a cavity for hydraulic fluid.
The fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are cut into the rotatable disk 5 which serves as the further plate. In the embodiment both fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 have the same cross-section area. The outlet apertures 1.x, 2.x and the inlet apertures 4.x are cut into the stationary disk 3. The center axis CA (in the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) forms the common middle axis of the stationary disk 3 and of the rotatable disk 5 and serves as the rotating axis.
Fig. 3 shows the stationary disk 3 in a viewing direction parallel to the center axis CA. The outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ... of the first outlet group and the outlet apertures 2.1, 2.2, ... of the second outlet group are positioned in the upper half of the stationary disk 3, i.e. above the line 36 through the center axis CA. Several inlet apertures 4.1, 4.2, ... are positioned in the lower half below the line 36. The current positions of the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are sketched.
In the embodiment every outlet aperture 1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ... has the same cross-sectional area. Every inlet aperture 4.x has the same cross-section area which is larger than that of an outlet aperture. It is also possible that one inlet aperture 4.x is larger than a further inlet aperture or that one outlet aperture 1.x, 2.x is larger than a further outlet aperture. It is possible that an outlet aperture 1.x is larger or smaller than the first fluid-supplying opening 13. It is further possible that an outlet aperture 2.x is larger or smaller than the second fluid-supplying opening 14. The number of outlet apertures 1.x of the first outlet group, the number of outlet apertures 2.x of the second outlet group, and/or the number of inlet apertures 4.x can differ from each other.
In the embodiment the outlet apertures 1.x, 2.x and the inlet apertures 4.x are circular. Other shapes are possible, in particular kidney or elliptic shapes.
The fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are cut into the rotatable disk 5. In the embodiment the midpoint of the second fluid-supplying opening 14 and the respective midpoint of every outlet aperture 1.x have a common distance d1 to the center axis CA. The midpoint of the first fluid-supplying opening 13 and the respective midpoint of every outlet aperture 2.x have a common distance d2 to the center axis CA. The distance d1 is larger than the distance d2. More precisely: The respective center point of an outlet aperture 1.x (x = 1, 2, ...) has the distance d1 to the center axis CA. The respective center point of an outlet aperture 2.x has the distance d2 to the center axis CA.
The equation m / d1 = n / d2 holds wherein m is the number of outlet apertures of the first outlet group (in Fig. 3: m = 5) and n is the number of outlet apertures of the second outlet group (in Fig. 3: n = 4). This constraint is a special case of the general constraint mentioned above $\begin{array}{l} area_1 (1) / dist_1 (1) + \dots + area_1 (m) / dist_1 (m) = \\ area_2 (2) / dist_2 (1) + \dots + area_2 (n) / dist_2 (n) . \end{array}$
In the embodiment the relationships $area_1 (1) = \dots = area_1 (m) = area_2 (1) = \dots = area_2 (n)$
and $dist_1 (1) = \dots = dist_1 (m) = d 1$
and $dist_2 (1) = \dots = dist_2 (n) = d 2$
holds.
In the embodiment the m outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ... of the first outlet group are positioned in an outer torus 41 which is defined by the circumferential surface 51 of the disk 3 and by an outer circle 52. The n outlet apertures 2.1, 2.2, ... of the second outlet group are positioned in an inner torus 42 which is defined by the outer circle 52 and an inner circle 53 in the interior of the outer circle 52. Both circles are concentrically positioned around the center axis CA. The outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ... are therefore positioned outside of the outer circle 52 and the outlet apertures 2.1, 2.2, ... inside of it. In the embodiment every outlet aperture 1.x, 2.x touches the outer circle 52.
In the embodiment every fluid-supplying opening 13, 14 overlaps either with exactly one outlet aperture 1.x, 2.x or with no outlet aperture - depending on the current rotational position of the fluid-supplying device 10, 11.
The rotation-creating drive 7 rotates the following parts around the center axis CA and thereby with respect to the stationary disk 3:

the rotatable disk 5 with the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14,
the two piston- cylinder units 10, 11 with the pistons 15, 16,
the rocker arm 12, and
the oscillation-creating drive 6.

Preferably the rotation-creating drive 7 rotates these parts in a continuous operation with constant angular velocity - at least as long as the actuator 20, 21 are to be supplied with fluid. The cylinders of the piston- cylinder units 10, 11 move around the center axis CA and do not perform a movement relative to the rotatable disk 5 and perpendicular to the center axis CA while being rotated.
The oscillation-creating drive 6 oscillates the rotated rocker arm 12 around the pivoting axis PA which is perpendicular to the center axis CA and perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In place of an oscillation-creating drive 6 a guiding rail for the rocker arm 12 can be used. This guiding rail (not shown) urges the rotated rocker arm 12 to oscillate around the pivoting axis PA when being rotated around the center axis CA. Both implementations (drive 6 or guiding rail) force the rocker arm 12 to rotate around the center axis CA and to oscillate around the pivoting axis PA (perpendicular to the center axis CA and to the drawing planes of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) while being rotated around the center axis CA.
As already mentioned the rocker arm 12 is rotated around the center axis CA by the drive 7. When performing one full rotation around the center axis CA, the rocker arm 12 is moved such that both pistons 15, 16 of the piston- cylinder units 10, 11 simultaneously perform one sucking stroke and subsequently one supplying stroke. The sucking stroke is performed while both fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are positioned adjacent to the lower half of the stationary disk 3 (below the line 36 in Fig. 3). The supplying stroke is performed while both fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are positioned sufficiently adjacent to the upper part (above the line 36). The two fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are positioned close to each other. In the embodiment the piston- cylinder units 10, 11 have substantial the same dimensions.
Fig. 1 illustrates a sucking stroke. The pistons 15, 16 are moved away from the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14. The outlet apertures 1.x, 2.x are blocked by the rotatable disk 5 during a sucking stroke. Every fluid-supplying opening 13, 14 serves as a cylinder inlet. In the embodiment the size of every inlet aperture 4.x is sufficiently big such that every fluid-supplying opening 13, 14 temporarily overlaps with at least one inlet aperture 4.x in every rotational position during a sucking stroke. In some rotational positions of the disk 5 both fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 overlap with the same inlet aperture 4.x. If the cylinder inlet 13, 14 overlaps with at least one inlet aperture 4.x (x = 1, 2, ...), hydraulic fluid is sucked out of the fluid supply 19 and is guided through the fluid connector 8.x, the inlet aperture 4.x and the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 serving as cylinder inlets into the base- side chambers 17, 18 of the piston- cylinder units 10, 11. The arrows in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate the direction in which the fluid flows.
It is possible but not necessary that a pump (not shown) conveys or presses fluid from the reservoir 19 through the fluid connectors 8.1, 8.2, ... to the disk 3 and thereby supports a sucking stroke. It is also possible that the fluid is only taken out of the reservoir 19 by means of the piston- cylinder units 10, 11.
Fig. 2 shows a supplying stroke. The pistons 15, 16 are moved towards the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14. The inlet apertures 4.x are blocked by the rotatable disk 5 during a supplying stroke. Every fluid-supplying opening 13, 14 serves as a cylinder outlet. If the fluid-supplying opening 13 of the first piston-cylinder unit 10 overlaps with an outlet aperture 1.x of the first outlet group, the piston 15 presses fluid out of the base-side chamber 17 through the fluid-supplying opening 13 now serving as a cylinder outlet, the outlet aperture 1.x, and the fluid connecting line 31.x to the first hydraulic actuator 20. Thereby the first hydraulic actuator 20 is supplied with fluid. In this rotational position no further outlet aperture overlaps with a fluid-supplying opening 13 or 14. If the fluid-supplying opening 14 of the second piston-cylinder unit 11 overlaps with an outlet aperture 2.x of the second outlet group, the piston 16 presses fluid out of the base-side chamber 18 through the second fluid-supplying opening 14 now serving as a cylinder outlet, the outlet aperture 2.x, and the fluid connecting line 32.x to the second hydraulic actuator 21. Thereby the second hydraulic actuator 21 is supplied with fluid.
Thanks to the differing distances d1, d2 the first fluid-supplying opening 13 never (in no rotational position of the disk 5) overlaps with a second outlet aperture 2.x and the second fluid-supplying opening 14 never overlaps with a first outlet aperture 1.x. Therefore the first actuator 20 is only supplied with fluid pressed out of the base-side chamber 17. The second actuator 21 is only supplied with fluid pressed out of the base-side chamber 18.
In the embodiment the midpoints of the two fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 and an intersection between the rotatable disk 5 and the center axis CA are on one line L (cf. Fig. 3). The effect: At every time point either both piston- cylinder units 10, 11 perform a sucking stroke or both perform a supplying stroke. If the amounts of fluid supplied to the two actuators 20, 21 may temporarily slightly differ, it is possible to provide larger fluid-supplying openings such that the midpoints and the intersection are no longer on one line L but one fluid-supplying opening is - seen in the rotating direction of the fluid-supplying device 10, 11 - behind the other fluid-supplying opening. The effect: The distance between the midpoints of the two fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 can be larger such that it is possible that one piston- cylinder unit 10, 11 performs a sucking stroke and the other piston- cylinder unit 10, 11 performs at the same time a supplying stroke.
In the embodiment as disclosed above both actuators 20, 21 are supplied with substantially the same amount of fluid during a supplying stroke. It is also possible to supply the first actuator 20 with a fluid amount of F1 and the second actuator 21 with a fluid amount of F2 whereas F1 significantly differs from F2.
This embodiment can be implemented by varying the constraint mentioned above to $\begin{array}{l} [area_1 (1) / dist_1 (1) + \dots + area_1 (m) / dist_1 (m)] / F 1 = \\ [area_2 (2) / dist_2 (1) + \dots + area_2 (n) / dist_2 (n)] / F 2. \end{array}$

Reference signs used in the claims will not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term "comprises" does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles "a", "an", and "one" do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1.1, 1.2, ...	outlet (supplying) apertures of the first outlet group, cut in the stationary disk 3, positioned in the outer torus 41
2.1, 2.2, ...	outlet (supplying) apertures of the second outlet group, cut in the stationary disk 3, positioned in the inner torus 42
3	stationary disk in which the outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ... , 2.1, 2.2, ... of both outlet groups and the inlet apertures 4.1, 4.2, ... are cut
4.1, 4.2, ...	input (suction) apertures, cut into the lower half of the stationary disk 3
5	rotatable disk in which the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 are cut
6	drive for oscillating the rocker arm 12 around the pivoting axis PA
7	drive for rotating the fluid-supplying device with the rotatable disk 5, the piston-cylinder units 10, 11, and the rocker arm 12 around the center axis CA
8.x	fluid connector between the fluid supply 19 and the inlet aperture 4.x (x=1,2,...)
10	first fluid-supplying piston-cylinder unit with the piston 15, the base-side chamber 17, the rod-side chamber, and the first fluid-supplying opening 14, supplying the first actuator 20
11	second fluid-supplying piston-cylinder unit with the piston 16, the base-side chamber 18, the rod-side chamber, and the second fluid-supplying opening 13, supplying the second actuator 21
12	rocker arm for moving the pistons 15, 16 of the piston-cylinder units 10, 11, rotated by the drive 7 around the center axis CA, oscillated by the drive 6 around the pivoting axis PA
13	fluid-supplying opening of the first piston-cylinder unit 10, cut into the rotatable disk 5
14	fluid-supplying opening of the second piston-cylinder unit 11, cut into the rotatable disk 5
15	piston of the first piston-cylinder unit 10
16	piston of the second piston-cylinder unit 11
17	base-side chamber of the first piston-cylinder unit 10
18	base-side chamber of the second piston-cylinder unit 11
19	source for hydraulic fluid, connected via the fluid connector 8.x with the inlet
	aperture 4.x (x=1,2,...)
20	first hydraulic actuator, comprises a first piston-cylinder unit, supplied via the first fluid connecting lines 31.x (x=1,2,...)
21	second hydraulic actuator, comprises a second piston-cylinder unit, supplied via the second fluid connecting lines 32.x (x=1,2,...)
31.x	fluid connecting line between the outlet aperture 1.x of the first outlet group and the first actuator 20
32.x	fluid connecting line between the outlet aperture 2.x of the second outlet group and the second actuator 21
36	geometrical line between the upper segment with the outlet apertures 1.x, 2.x and the lower segment with the inlet apertures 4.x of the stationary disk 3
41	outer torus, defined by the circumferential surface 51 of the disk 3 and the outer circle 52, contains the outlet apertures 1.x
42	inner torus, defined by the inner circle 53 and the outer circle 52, contains the outlet apertures 2.x
51	circumferential surface of the stationary disk 3
52	outer circle, positioned between the inner torus 42 and the outer torus 43
53	inner circle, positioned in the interior of the outer circle 52
CA	center axis of the stationary disk 3, serves as the rotating axis of the rotatable disk 5 and of the piston-cylinder unit 10, 11
d1	common distance from the outlet apertures 1.1, 1.2, ... and the first fluid-supplying opening 14 to the center axis CA
d2	common distance from the outlet apertures 2.1, 2.2, ... and the second fluid-supplying opening 13 to the center axis CA
L	line connecting the midpoints of the fluid-supplying openings 13, 14 with the intersection between the disk 3 and the center axis CA
PA	pivoting axis of the rocker arm 12, perpendicular to the center axis CA

Claims

Hydraulic fluid distributor for supplying first and second hydraulic actuators (20, 21) with hydraulic fluid,
wherein the hydraulic fluid distributor comprises
- a rotatably mounted fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprising first and second fluid-supplying openings (13, 14),

- a plate (3) with first and second outlet groups each comprising at least one outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...),

- first and second fluid connecting devices (31.x, 32.x), and

- a drive (7) for rotating the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) with respect to the plate (3) around a rotating axis (CA),
wherein the first connecting device (31.x) establishes a fluid communication to the first actuator (20),
wherein the second connecting device (32.x) establishes a fluid communication to the second actuator (21),
wherein the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) is arranged to eject hydraulic fluid through both fluid-supplying openings (13, 14),
wherein a fluid connection between the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) and a hydraulic actuator (20, 21) is temporarily established
- if a fluid-supplying opening (13, 14) of the fluid supplying device (10, 11) overlaps with at least one outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) and

- if this overlapping outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) is in fluid connection (31.x, 32.x) with the hydraulic actuator (20, 21),
wherein the first fluid-supplying opening (13) overlaps in every rotational position of the fluid supplying device (10, 11) either with at least one outlet aperture (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group or with no outlet aperture, and
wherein the second fluid-supplying opening (14) overlaps in every rotational position of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) either with at least one outlet aperture (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group or with no outlet aperture, wherein every outlet group comprises at least two outlet apertures (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...), wherein
- the first connecting device (31.x) establishes a fluid connection between the outlet apertures (1.x) of the first outlet group and the first actuator (20) and

- the second connecting device (32.x) establishes a fluid connection between the outlet apertures (2.x) of the second outlet group and the second actuator (21),
wherein
- the common or maximal distance (d2) between the midpoints of the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group and the rotating axis (CA) is smaller than

- the common or minimal distance (d1) between the midpoints of the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group and the rotating axis (CA), and characterized in that
the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group and the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group are positioned alternatingly around the rotating axis (CA)
such that
- every outlet aperture (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group is positioned adjacent to at least one outlet aperture (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group and

- every outlet aperture (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group is positioned adjacent to at least one outlet aperture (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group.
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the distance (d2) between the second fluid-supplying opening (14) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) and the rotating axis (CA) is smaller than
the distance (d1) between the first fluid-supplying opening (13) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) and the rotating axis (CA).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
in no rotational position of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11)
- the first fluid-supplying opening (13) overlaps with an outlet aperture (1.x, 2.x) and simultaneously

- the second fluid-supplying opening (14) overlaps with an outlet aperture (1.x, 2.x).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group are positioned in a first torus (41) around the rotating axis (CA) and
the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group are positioned in a second torus (42) around the rotating axis (CA),
wherein the second torus (42) is positioned in the interior of the first torus (41).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group are positioned outside of a first circle (52) around the rotating axis (CA) and
the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group are positioned outside of a second circle (53) around the rotating axis (CA),
wherein the second circle (53) is positioned in the interior of the first circle (52).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the edges of the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group intersect with the first circle (52) and/or
the edges of the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group intersect with the first circle (52) and/or with the second circle (53).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the distance between two adjacent outlet apertures (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) is larger than
the maximal dimension of these outlet apertures seen in the rotating direction of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drive (7) is arranged to rotate the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) about at least one full rotation around the rotating axis (CA),
wherein the rotation and the outlet apertures (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) are arranged such that
- the entire amount of fluid supplied during the full rotation through the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group is substantially equal to

- the entire amount of fluid supplied during the full rotation through the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group.
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the equation $\begin{array}{l} area_1 (1) / dist_1 (1) + \dots + area_1 (m) / dist_1 (m) = \\ area_2 (1) / dist_2 (1) + \dots + area_2 (n) / dist_2 (n) holds, \end{array}$
wherein
m is the number of the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group,

n is the number of the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group, dist_1(i) is for i=1, ..., m the distance between the midpoint of the i-th outlet aperture (1.i) of the first outlet group and the rotating axis (CA),

area_1(i) is the maximal overlapping area of the i-th outlet aperture (1.i) of the first outlet group with the first fluid-supplying opening (13),

dist_2(j) is for j=1, ..., n the distance between the midpoint of the j-th outlet aperture (1.j) of the second outlet group and the rotating axis (CA), and

area_2(j) is the maximal overlapping area of the j-th outlet aperture (1.j) of the second outlet group with the second fluid-supplying opening (14).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprises
- at least one piston (15, 16) and

- at least one cavity (17, 18),
wherein the drive (7) is arranged to cause at least one full rotation of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) around the center axis (CA),
wherein a piston actuator (6, 12) is arranged to cause the or at least one piston (15, 16) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) to perform during a full rotation around the rotating axis (CA)
- a sucking stroke for sucking hydraulic fluid into the or at least one cavity (17, 18) and

- a supplying stroke for pressing hydraulic fluid out of this cavity (17, 18).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the hydraulic fluid distributor comprises
- a rocker arm (12) connected with the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) and

- a rocker arm drive (6),
wherein the rocker arm drive (6) is arranged to oscillate the rocker arm (12) around an axis (PA) perpendicular or angular to the center axis (CA),
thereby causing the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) to perform
- at least one sucking stroke and

- at least one supplying stroke.
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to claim 10 or claim 11,
characterized in that
at least one inlet aperture (4.x) is cut into the plate (3) and
a fluid connection (8.x) is established between
- the or at least one inlet aperture (4.x) in the plate (3) and

- a hydraulic fluid source (19),
wherein the inlet aperture (4.x) is positioned for establishing at least temporally a fluid connection between
- the hydraulic fluid source (19) and

- the or at least one cavity (17, 18) via the inlet aperture (4.x) while the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) performs a sucking stroke.
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the hydraulic distributor comprises a further plate (5) which is rotatable around the center axis (CA),
wherein the fluid-supplying openings (13, 14) are cut into the rotatable plate (5) and wherein the drive (7) is arranged for rotating the rotatable plate (5) together with the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) with respect to the plate (3) around the center axis (CA).
Hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the plate (3) with the outlet groups extends in a plane which is perpendicular to the rotating axis (CA).
Agricultural harvester comprising
- a first hydraulic actuator (20),

- a second hydraulic actuator (21), and

- a hydraulic fluid distributor according to one of the preceding claims for supplying both hydraulic actuators (20, 21) with hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid distributing method for supplying first and second hydraulic actuators (20, 21) with hydraulic fluid,
wherein the method is performed by using a hydraulic fluid distributor comprising
- a rotatably mounted fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprising first and second fluid-supplying openings (13, 14),

- a plate (3) with first and second outlet groups each comprising at least one outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...),

- first and second fluid connecting devices (31.x, 32.x), and

- a drive (7),
wherein the first connecting device (31.x) establishes a fluid communication to the first actuator (20),
wherein the second connecting device (32.x) establishes a fluid communication to the second actuator (21),
wherein the method comprises the steps that
the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) with respect to the plate (3) around a rotating axis (CA),
the rotated fluid-supplying device (10, 11) tends to eject hydraulic fluid through every fluid-supplying opening (13, 14),
during the rotation a fluid communication between the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) and a hydraulic actuator (20, 21) is temporarily established
- if at least one fluid-supplying opening (13, 14) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) overlaps with at least one outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) and

- if this overlapping outlet aperture (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...) is in fluid connection (31.x, 32.x) with this hydraulic actuator (20, 21), and
this hydraulic actuator (20, 21) is supplied with hydraulic fluid from the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) if the fluid connection is established,
wherein the step that the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) causes the steps that
- at every time point the first fluid-supplying opening (13) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) overlaps either with at least one outlet aperture (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group or with no outlet aperture and

- at every time point the second fluid-supplying opening (14) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) overlaps either with at least one outlet aperture (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group or with no outlet aperture,
characterized in that
every outlet group comprises at least two outlet apertures (1.1, 1.2, ..., 2.1, 2.2, ...), wherein
- the first connecting device (31.x) establishes a fluid connection between the outlet apertures (1.x) of the first outlet group and the first hydraulic actuator (20) and

- the second connecting device (32.x) establishes a fluid connection between the outlet apertures (2.x) of the second outlet group and the second hydraulic actuator (21),
wherein
- the common or maximal distance (d2) between the midpoints of the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group and the rotating axis (CA) is smaller than

- the common or minimal distance (d1) between the midpoints of the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group and the rotating axis (CA),
wherein the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group and the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group are positioned alternatingly around the rotating axis (CA), and
wherein the step that the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) causes the step that
every fluid-supplying opening (13, 14) of the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) alternatingly passes along one outlet aperture (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group and along one outlet aperture (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group.
Hydraulic fluid distributing method according to claim 16,
characterized in that
the step that the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprises the step that the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) performs at least one full rotation around the center axis (CA),
wherein the amount of fluid ejected through the first fluid-supplying opening (13) during the full rotation is substantially equal to the amount of fluid ejected through the second fluid-supplying opening (14) during the full rotation.
Hydraulic fluid distributing method according to claim 16 or claim 17,
characterized in that
the step that the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprises the step that the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) performs at least one full rotation around the center axis (CA),
wherein
- the entire amount of fluid supplied during the full rotation through the outlet apertures (1.x, 1.1, 1.2, ...) of the first outlet group is substantially equal to

- the entire amount of fluid supplied during the full rotation through the outlet apertures (2.x, 2.1, 2.2, ...) of the second outlet group.
Hydraulic fluid distributing method according to one of the claims 16 to 19,
characterized in that
the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprises at least one cavity (17, 18),
the step that the drive (7) rotates the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) comprises the step that the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) performs at least one full rotation around the center axis (CA),
wherein the fluid-supplying device (10, 11) performs at least one sucking step and at least one supplying step during a full rotation,
wherein fluid is a sucked into the or at least one cavity (17, 18) during a sucking step and
wherein fluid is pressed out of the or at least one cavity (17, 18) during the supplying step.