GB2125903A

GB2125903A - Hydraulic control distribution unit especially for public works equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2125903A
Application number: GB08320317A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Tardy; Louis Marcon
Original assignee: Bennes Marrel SA
Current assignee: Bennes Marrel SA
Priority date: 1982-07-28
Filing date: 1983-07-28
Publication date: 1984-03-14
Also published as: FR2531151B1; SE8304167D0; DE3327005A1; DK344583D0; GB2125903B; FR2531151A1; IT8322259A0; GB8320317D0; DK344583A; SE8304167L; IT1163862B

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution unit for controlling hydraulic circuits. The distribution unit is formed by positioning next to one another elementary blocks (1) which are capped by distributors (3). They are joined together by means of ties (8). The invention is used for a multi- purpose hydraulic distribution unit which can be adapted to various hydraulic circuits, especially for public works equipment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hydraulic distributor The present invention relates to a hydraulic distribution unit intended especially for public works equipment. The various receivers of a hydraulic circuit, such as jacks, motors, etc, are supplied by means of distributors. By allowing or preventing the passage of fluid under pressure, these control the actuation of the receiving devices. They also incorporate control elements, such as discharge valves, non-return valves, etc.

A receiver or a yroup of receivers is connected to a distributor which is itself connected to the pump or to another distributor and to the tank.

This results in a large number of connecting pipes when there is a considerable number of receivers; this occurs, in particular, in public works equipment. Connection elements making it possible to limit the number of pipes are know.

For example, French Patent 76-08-318 describes a hydraulic distribution unit which takes the form of a block. This has an inflow orifice for the fluid under pressure and an outflow orifice for the fluid which returns to the tank, connections to distributors which are mounted directly on one of its faces, and connections to the receiving devices.

This distribution block is designed for a given circuit and cannot be moclified. A manufacturer must therefore have 3 different type of distribution block for each type of equipment which he produces. Furthermore, if it is intended to add a function to a given piece of equipment, for example adding an auxiliary arm provided with a jack, it will be necessary either to change the entire block or to modify the hydraulic circuit by adding a distributor of a conventional type.

The object of the present invention is to avoid these disadvantages by providing a multi-purpose hydraulic distribution unit.

A hydraulic distribution unit according to the invention, especially for public works equipment, is characterised in that it is formed by joining together elementary blocks, each block comprising: means for being connected to the inlets and outlets of a distributor; -- orifices for communication with the adjacent elernent blocks; - orifices for connection to the pipelines which supply fluid to the receiving devices; - internal pipelines which make suitabie connections between these various orifices; an inlet block connected to a high-pressure fluid supply line and an outlet block connected to a tank return pipe also being provided.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the elementary blocks are classified in two categories: - a block called a "series" block which makes it possible to connect the outlets of the distributor, located upstream of the flow on the adjacent block, to the inlets of the distributor which it supports; - a block called a "parallel" block which connects the inlets of the adjacent block to the inlets of the distributor which it supports; - an intermediate plate making it possible to join together two blocks of different types.

According to another characteristic of the invention, each elementary block comprises: - two parallel plane faces which have the orifices for connection to the other blocks and against which the plane faces of the adjacent blocks are laid, the assembly being clamped by any means, for example ties; - a plane face perpendicular to the preceding faces and on which the distributor is mounted.

According to another characteristic of the invention, all the accessory hydraulic devices of the distributor, such as non-return valves, pressure limiters, etc, are produced in the form of removable assemblies fastened to the elementary blocks.

The attached drawing given by way of nonlimiting example will make it possible to understand the characteristics of the invention better.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the distribution block according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of this same distribution block.

Figure 3 is a view in section in the direction i--I of a so-called "series" elementary block and its distributor.

Figure 4 is a view in section in the direction Il-Il of this same block Figure 5 is a view in section in the direction I--I of a so-called "parallel" elementary block and its distributor.

Figure 6 is a view in section in the direction Ill-Ill of this same block.

Figure 7 is a view in section in the direction lV-lV of this same block.

Figure 8 is a front view of the connection plate between a "parallel" elementary block and a "series" elementary block.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a distribution block according to the invention consisting of several elementary blocks 1, 2 fixed to five distributors 3.

The distribution unit also incorporates an inlet block 4 and an outlet block 5. The elementary blocks are classified in two categories, namely a series block 1 and a parallel block 2. A connection plate 6 connects two blocks of different types. The elementary blocks are joined together by means of ties 8.

Each distributor incorporates, in a known way, a slide 9 which slides in a body 10 to make a number of annular chambers 11 communicate with one another under a pilot control 12. All the annular chambers communicate with ducts which open onto the lower plane connection face 13 of the body 10 of the distributor. This face is laid against the upper face 14 of an elementary block 1 or 2, this face being perforated with orifices which are arranged so as to come exactly opposite respective orifices in the face 1 3.

An elementary "series" block 1 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. It has, on its face 13, 7 orifices 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 respectively. Its lower face 23 has two orifices 24, 25. The two parallel faces which interact with the adjacent blocks each have 3 orifices. The face which is located upstream in relation to the flow has orifices 26, 27, 28. The face which is downstream has the orifices 29,30,31.Two channels make the following connections within the block: - a first return connection which connects the orifices 26 and 29; - a second return pipeline which connects the orifices 27 and 30 - a higher-pressure pipeline which connects the orifices 28 and 18, this pipeline having a common point with the channel connecting 19 to 20; - a working pipeline which connects the orifices 1 6 and 24; - a second working pipeline which connects the orifices 17 and 25; - an outgoing pipeline which connects the orifices 22 and 19 to the orifice 31.

Two discharge valves 32 and 33 are arranged on the sides of the block. They control the pressure of the two working pipelines, the excessive fluid being discharged into the return pipelines. Furthermore, a non-return valve 34 is located in the high-pressure pipeline.

The orifices 26, 27, 28 are arranged so as to come exactly opposite the orifices 29, 30, 31 in the adjacent block located upstream in relation to the flow: Operation is as follows: when the distributor is at rest, the highpressure fluid "returns" into the block via the orifice 28, arrives at the distributor via the highpressure pipeline and leaves the block via the outgoing pipeline, the slide 10 being placed so as to allow circulation between the orifices 1 8 and 22,21;; when the distributor is in the working position, the preceding communication is broken, the high-pressure fluid arrives at the distributor via one of the orifices 1 9 and 20, a connection is made between one of these orifices and an orifice 16 or 1 7 and by means of one of the working channels the high-pressure fluid arrives at the receiving device, the other working channel receiving the fluid returning from this device, a connection at the level of the distributor (3) making it possible for this fluid to pass into the outgoing channel.

With this type of block, the high-pressure fluid passes through the distributor in all cases. When the latter is in the working position, this highpressure fluid also passes into the receiving device.

A "parailel" block has, on its face 1 3, 7 orifices 35, 36,37, 38, 39, 40 and 41. Its lower face has two orifices 42, 43. The face, connected to the adjacent block upstream of the flow, has the orifices 44, 45, 46 and 47, the face connected to the adjacent downstream block having the orifices 48,49,50 and 51.

The orifices in the upstream and downstream faces come exactly opposite one another.

Channels make the following connections within the block: - a first return connection which connects the orifices 44 and 48, another channel connecting them to 36; - a second return connection which connects the orifices 43 and 49, another channel connecting them to 47; - a high-pressure pipeline which connects the orifices 46, 51 and 40, - a first working connection which connects the orifices 38 and 42; - a second working connection which connects the orifices 39 and 43; - a "cascade" connection connecting 37 to 47; - a second cascade connection connecting 35 to 50.

Two discharge valves 52 and 53 control the pressure in the working channels, the excess fluid being discharged into the return pipes. Two booster valves 54 and 55 are mounted in these working channels.

Operation is as follows: when the distributor is at rest, the high pressure passes through the block via the highpressure pipeline; some of the fluid passes through the distributor: it arrives via the "cascade" orifice 37, leaves the block at 47, passes through the distributor, enters the block again via 35 and finally leaves it via 50; when the distributor is in the working position, the high-pressure fluid still passes through the block from 46 to 51, but some of the fluid arrives at the distributor via the orifice 40, passes through the distributor and is directed towards one of the working orifices 38 or 39, the other orifice being connected to one of the return orifices 36 or 41; the cascade connection is broken.

It will be seen that, with this block, only some of the fluid passes through the distributor.

To make the connection between the "series" elementary blocks and the "parallel" elementary blocks, junction plates 6 are provided. These have two parallel faces, one 55 of which is laid against the "series" block, whilst the other 56 is laid against the "parallel" block. The face 55 has three orifices 57, 58, 59, the face 56 having 4 orifices 60, 61,62, 63. The orifices 57, 58 are exactly opposite the orifices 29, 30, whilst the orifice 59 is opposite the orifice 28 or 31. The orifices 60 and 61 are opposite the orifices 48 or 44 and 49 or 45, whilst the orifice 62 is opposite an orifice 46 or 51 and the orifice 63 is opposite an orifice 47 or 50. Channels make the following connections within the block: - a return connection between 57 and 60; - a second return connection between 58 and 61; - a high-pressure connection between the orifices 59, 62 and 63.

This plate therefore makes it possible to provide a junction between the various return channels of the blocks and between the pressure and "cascade" channels.

An inlet block 4 is also provided. This block is adapted either to match a series block or a "parallel" block by means of a junction plate 6, or vice versa. It has, on its face matching the block, either one orifice (matching 28 in a series block) or two orifices (matching 37 and 46 in a parallel block). It incorporates an inflow orifice for the high-pressure fluid and, if appropriate, a pressure control valve, in which case it will be connected to one of the return channels of the blocks.

It is also necessary to provide an outlet block 5.

Like the block 4, this is designed to match a series block or a parallel block by means of a plate 6, or vice versa. It has, on its face matching the block either three orifices (matching 29, 30 and 31) or three other orifices arranged differently and matching 48, 49 and 50 in a parallel block, the orifice 51 being plugged.

This block 5 also has a return orifice to the tank.

The advantage of such a device will be understood, nameiy: - all the connections between the distributors are made by means of the distribution block - the components incorporating the movable devices (valves, distributors) can be removed easily; it is not necessary to uncouple the flexible pipes for the purpose of this removal; - a large number of elementary blocks can be connected by alternating, as desired, the "series" blocks and "parallel" blocks.

This device is multi-purpose; any hydraulic arrangement can be produced for any number of receiving devices from the same basic elementary blocks.

The preceding example showed distributors which can assume three postions and which control two working channels. The scope of the invention would not be exceeded by designing elementary blocks capable of supporting distributors with several positions, which control more than two working channels.

Likewise, the scope of the invention would not be exceeded by constructing elementary blocks which support two or more distributors.

Claims

1. Hydraulic distribution unit, especially for public works equipment, characterised in that it is formed by joining together elementary blocks, each block comprising: means for being connected to the inlets and outlets of at least one distributor; means for matching the adjacent elementary blocks; - orifices for connection to the pipelines which supply fluid to at least one receiving device; - internal pipelines which make suitable connections within the block, means being provided to supply the distribution block with high-pressure fluid and connect it to the tank return pipeline.

2. Hydraulic distribution unit according to Claim 1, characterised in that the elementary blocks are classified in two categories: - a "parallel" elementary block (2) through which at least one stream of high-pressure fluid passes, this passage being direct, whatever the position of the slide (9) of the distributors (3) which it supports; - a "series" elementary block (1) which is such that all the streams of high-pressure fluid which pass through it necessarily pass through the distributors (3) which it supports.

3. Hydraulic distribution unit according to either one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each elementary block (1), (2) comprises: - two parallel plane faces which have orifices (26, 27,28, 37,46, etc.) for connection to the other elementary blocks and against which the identical faces of the adjacent blocks are laid; - a plane face perpendicular to the preceding faces (13), which incorporates orifices (38,39, 16, 1 7, 1 8, etc.) connected to internal pipelines in the block, this face being fixed to distributors which incorporate a plane face having orifices connected to the various annular chambers (11) in the body (10) of the distributor, so that the orifices match one another two by two when the two plane faces are laid against one another;; - a face which is opposite the face (13) and which has orifices (24, 25, 42, 43, etc.) connected by means of internal pipelines to certain orifices in the face (13), these orifices being connected to the pipes of the hydraulic receivers.

4. Hydraulic distribution unit according to Claim 3, characterised in that all the accessory devices of the distributor (3), such as booster valves (54, 55), discharge valves (32, 33, etc.) are produced in the form of removable assemblies fastened to the elementary blocks.

5. Hydraulic distribution unit according to Claim 3, characterised in that the elementary blocks (1), (2) support one distributor (3) only.

6. Hydraulic distribution unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it incorporates an elementary inlet block (4) and an elementary outlet block (5).

7. Hydraulic distribution unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a junction plate (6) makes it possible to connect a block of the "series" type to a block of the "parallel" type or vice versa.

8. Hydraulic distribution unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elementary blocks are joined together by means of ties (8).

9. Hydraulic distribution unit constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.