US3221425A - Valve control - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 7, 1965 1'. THOMAS 3, 2

VALVE CONTROL Filed July 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 30 36 la Tom Thomas .1 I INVENTOR. m M/ WM...

WWW Em Dec. 7, 1965 T. THOMAS 3,221,425

, VALVE CONTROL Filed July 51, 1962 i Sheets-Sheet a Tom Thomas I N VEN TOR.

BY @Mm WWW mm United States Patent 3,221,425 VALVE CONTROL Tom Thomas, 1963 Pasadena St, Houston, Tex. Filed Judy 31, 1962, Ser. No. 213,672 13 Qiaims. (Ci. 37-143) The present invention generally relates to a hydraulic valve control device and more particularly to such a device primarily but not necessarily limited to use in combination with earth working equipment such as a subgrade planer disclosed in Patent No. 2,901,843 issued September 1, 1959 for Subgrade Planer, Graders and the Like.

The primary object of the present valve control is to enable earth working equipment such as heavy grading equipment, planers or the like to operate from a predetermined or set grade line in the form of a cord or string that is set from grade stakes employed by highway engineers. The present invention is disclosed as being used on a subgrade planer but the invention encompasses the use of the valve control mechanism or various pieces of equipment employing an earth working blade or implement.

The present invention includes a novel control mechanism for a four-way hydraulic control valve that is used to control the position of a planer blade or the like with the valve control being responsive to movement of an actuating rod which rests on the grade line with very little pressure exerted on the line or cord so that it will stay at the predetermined grade. The actuating rod includes wheels rollingly engaging a drum carried by the spindle of a four-way hydraulic valve with the drum and wheels being normally rotatable about parallel axes whereby orientation of the wheels connected to the actuating rod so that the axis of rotation thereof is angularly orientated in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum will cause longitudinal movement of the drum and spindle which supports the drum for controlling the position of the valve spindle thereby controlling the four-way hydraulic valve for raising or lowering the earth working blade to which the mechanism is attached thereby providing automatic control for the blade or other earth working component of the machine with which the present invention is associated.

The components constituting the present invention are relatively simple in construction, dependable, easy to assemble and disassemble, accurate in operation and generally inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a subgrade planer having the valve control of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmental plan view of the construction of FIGURE 1 illustrating the relationship of the valve control mechanism;

FIGURE 3 is a detail end elevational view of the fourway hydraulic valve and the control mechanism therefor;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the construction of FIGURE 3 with portions thereof broken away illustrating the construction of the valve control;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIG- URE 3 illustrating the relationship of the cylindrical drum and the friction wheels engaging the same; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental plan view with portions in section illustrating the orientation of the friction wheels for causing movement of the rotating spindle of the hydraulic valve in a reciprocatory manner.

3,221,425 Patented Dec. 7, 1%65 Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral it generally designates the subgrade planer incorporating the valve control of the present invention therein which is 7 generally designated by numeral 12. The exact details of the subgrade planer are not important to the present invention except that the details are disclosed for the purposes of disclosing a complete structure. The planer includes a mobile frame 14 having ground engaging wheels 16 journaled on axles 13 thereon. A forwardly extending tongue 20 is provided with a suitable hitch for connection to a suitable towing implement such as a tractor or the like. The frame 14 may be supported in any convenient manner on any type of vehicular structure or the like. Disposed below and intermediate the length of the frame 14 is a planer blade 24 of any suitable construction and which includes a transverse member 26 connected with the lower ends of a pair of vertically reciprocating piston rods 28 which extend into a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies 30 attached to the frame 14 in any suitable manner such as by mounting brackets 32. A stabilizing support member 34 may interconnect a portion of the transverse member 26 and the frame 14 for orientation of the planer blade 24 in the desired inclined relation to the ground surface. The details of the planer blade and the frame structure are more clearly disclosed in prior Patent No. 2,901,843. A suitable pump assembly for supplying hydraulic pressure to the piston and cylinder assemblies 3%} is provided and is schematically illustrated in the drawings and designated by numeral 36 whereby hydraulic pressure may be admitted into the lower ends of the cylinder assemblies 30 for raising and lowering of the planer blade 24. These cylinder assemblies may be double acting to down crowd the planer blade if desired or the force of gravity may be relied upon to cause downward movement of the planer blade with the hydraulic fluid serving to raise the planer blade to a desired elevation thereby maintaining a balanced support for the planer blade. In the hydraulic system for orientating the planer blade, there is provided a four-way hydraulic valve generally designated by numeral 38 carried by a mounting plate 40 attached to the transverse member 26 in any suitable manner whereby movement of the planer blade 24 and the transverse member 26 will cause the valve 3%; to move therewith.

The four-way hydraulic valve 33 is of conventional construction in that it includes inlet and outlet conduits 42 connected with a valve body or block 44 supported by angle iron members 46 on the mounting plate 40. The vaive block 44 receives a spindle 43 which is reciprocable and also rotatable and the ends of the spindle 48 project beyond the ends of the valve block or body 44. The four-way hydraulic valve is a conventional commercially available structure which includes a neutral central position and selectively communicates the inlets and outlets at the two extreme positions of the reciprocating movement thereof.

One end of the shaft or spindle 48 is provided with a slot 50 which receives the flattened end of a shaft or rod 52 extending through and journaled in a bearing block 54 supported on the supporting plate 41}. A pulley 56 is mounted on the outer end of the shaft 52 and is engaged by a V-belt 58 driven from a suitable motor 60 which may be an electric motor or a hydraulic fluid motor supported from the plate 4!), the transverse member 26 or any other suitable structure for the purpose of supporting the motor 6b which continuously drives the shaft 52 thus causing rotation of the spindle 48. On each side of the bearing block 54, a spring 62 is provided which engage with abutments 64 to centralize the spindle or spool in the neutral or normal position.

The opposite end of the spindle or spool 48 is provided with a cylindrical drum 66 which faces longitudinally outwardly. The drum 66 is rigidly affixed to the spindle or spool 48 for rotation therewith and reciprocat ng movement of the spindle 48 is caused by corresponding movement of the drum 65.

Connecting means including a pair of longitudinally extending support brackets 68 and it? which are attached to the valve body or block 44 by fastening members 72 is provided and further includes a U-shaped support member 74 having the free ends of the legs inturned as designated by numeral 76. One of the legs of the U-shaped support member is disposed interiorly of th drum 66 and the other is disposed adjacent the free end of the support bracket '70. The support bracket 68 has a U-shaped end portion 78 terminating in a portion parallel to one leg of the U-shaped support member. The connecting means still further includes a pivot bolt 89 interconnecting the terminal portion of the bracket 63 and the leg of the U-shaped support which extends into the drum 6% and also a similar pivot bolt 82 in alignment with the pivot bolt 86 interconnects the other leg of the U-shaped support 74 and the terminal end of the bracket 74) whereby the U-shaped support may pivot about an axis transverse of the drum 6th and this axis passes through the center of rotation of the drum 66. Rotatably journaled on the inwardly extending portion of each leg of the U-shaped support 74 is a friction wheel 84 and each friction wheel is provided with a resilient tire or rim 86 in rolling engagement with the interior and exterior surface of the drum as illustrated in FIGURES 4-6. The friction wheels 84 are rotatably journaled on axle members 83 which are parallel to each other and may be angled in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum 66 or may be parallel thereto. When the axes of rotation of the wheels 84 are parallel to the axis of the drum 66, the drum 66 will remain stationary insofar as reciprocating movement is concerned while it is being rotated by virtue of the pulley 56. However, when the U-shaped support 74 is pivoted and the axes defined by the axles 84 are orientated in angular relation to the axis of rotation of the drum 66, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the drum 66 along with the spindle or spool 48 will be caused to move inwardly or outwardly in relation to the valve body depending upon the direction of pivotal movement of the U-shaped support member 54.

Motion transmitting means in the form of an actuating rod 96 is carried by a bracket 92 rigid with the pivot bolt 82 which is also rigid with the U-shaped support 74 whereby pivotal movement of the actuating rod 93 will cause corresponding pivotal movement of the U-shaped support 74. A counterbalance weight 94 is adjustably secured on the actuating rod 99 at one end thereof and the outer end engages a guide line or string Q6 placed at a predetermined grade from the grade stake. With the counterbalance 94, the pressure exerted on the string 96 by the actuating rod 90 may be adjusted so that only a very small force is exerted on the string thus enabling the string to be easily maintained at the predetermined set grade.

The rotation of the spool or spindle 48 and the drum 66 not only provides the structure for reciprocating the spool or spindle but also serves to reduce the friction drag of the spindle or spool stem 48. When opera-ting earth working equipment having the present invention installed therein, it is only necessary for the operator to let the actuating rod which is attached to the blade or earth working implement of the machine engage the string line or guide and then maintain a fairly straight line of movement of the machine. The valve control will keep the blade accurately corresponding with the level or grade of the string line. The string line 96 controls the movement of the actuating rod 90 thus determining the orientation of the axes of rotation of the two small rubber rollers or wheels 84 which engage the inner and outer surface of the drum. By changing the angle of rotation of the rollers in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum due to movement of the actuating rod, the drum and spool stem, both of which are being rotated, are forced to the right or left depending upon the movement of the actuating rod. Thus, if the blade moves downwardly in relation to the string line, the actuating rod engaging the string line will be caused to pivot thus causing the valve control to correct the action of the blades, that is, elevated in relation to the string or line thus maintaining a constant elevational relationship between the string line and the blade.

In actual practice, a four-way spool valve manufactured by Vickers Company has been employed having a reciprocatory movement of approximately inch. Thus, the pulley 56 moves only /8 inch from a center position which does not materially affect the operation of the belt 58 which engages pulley 56 and a pulley on the hydraulic motor. With this type of four-way hydraulic spool valve, a planer blade has been controlled accurately within tolerances of approximately /a of an inch even though the planer blade may weigh several thousand pounds. This has been accomplished with less than two ounces of pressure exerted on the string line by the actuating rod since the counterweight enables the spring rod to be substantially balanced with only a very light pressure on the string line.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

ll. A valve control adapted for use on an earth working machine of the type having an elevatable tool and a fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the vertical position of the tool, said valve control comprising an actuating rod defining motion transmitting means and adapted to be movably supported from said machine and to lightly engage a reference line disposed in predetermined positions, 21 control valve adapted to be mounted on said machine and having an axially reciprocal and rotatable actuating spool, means for effecting rotation of said spool, connecting means connected to said rod and engaged with the spool and including means operable in response to rotation of said spool for axially reciprocating the spool in response to movement of said motion transmitting means effected by its engagement with the reference line, one end of said spool being provided with a drum mounted for rotation therewith and including inner and outer surfaces, said connecting means including a pair of wheels engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the drum respectively, means mounting said wheels for orienting the axes of rotation thereof parallel to or in angular relation to the axis of rotation of the drum and against displacement axially 0f the axis of rotation of said spool whereby the drum and spool will be moved axially when the axes of rotation of the wheels are angularly disposed in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum.

2. The combination of claim it wherein said actuating rod includes a portion rigidly fixed to the mounting means for the wheels thereby constituting the means for moving the valve spool in response to angular displacement of the actuating rod.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the control valve is mounted upon a mounting plate, an extension shaft connected with the spool, a bearing block carried by the plate and journaling said shaft, a pulley mounted on said shaft constituting said means for rotating said spool.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said valve includes a pair of support brackets extending longitudinally of the axis of rotation of said spool and outwardly of said valve, the free terminal end portions of said brackets forming mounting means for supporting the mounting means for the wheels engaging the drum, said wheel mounting means including a substantially U-shaped bracket having inwardly inturned end portions, the inwardly inturned end portions having axles mounted thereon and journaling the Wheels with the later engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the drum, and pivot means supporting the U'shaped bracket from the bracket carried by the valve.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said actuating rod is provided with a counterweight for counterbalancing the rod so that a very small force may be applied to the reference line by the rod thereby enabling the reference line to be more easily maintained on a present grade.

6. A control mechanism for a valve having a reciprocating and rotating spindle, said mechanism comprising a drum having inner and outer surfaces and being adapted to be rigidly fixed to said spindle for rotation therewith, a pair of wheel means rollingly engaged with the inner and outer surfaces of the drum, means mounting said wheel means for orienting the axis of rotation of the wheel means parallel to or in angular relation to the axis of rotation of the drum and preventing displacement of said wheel means axially of the axis of rotation of said spindle whereby the drum may be reciprocated during rotation thereof when the axis of rotation of the wheel means is displaced angularly in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum, the axis of angular displacement of the wheel means intersecting the rotational axis of the drum.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said wheel means includes a pair of wheels having rubber tires thereon, a support member carrying said wheels and supporting the same for pivotal movement about an axis intersecting the axis of rotation of the drum, and means for rotating said drum whereby angular displacement of the axes of rotation of the wheels in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum will cause axial displacement of the drum and the valve spindle connected thereto thereby providing a control mechanism for the valve spindle.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said wheel support member is attached to an actuating rod adapted to engage a reference line set to a predetermined grade whereby the control mechanism and valve may be mounted on an earth working tool for controlling the position of the earth working tool in relation to the predetermined grade.

9. A valve control adapted for use on an earth working machine of the type having an elevatable tool and a fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the vertical position of the tool, said valve control comprising an actuating rod defining motion transmitting means and adapted to be movably supported from said machine and to lightly engage a reference line disposed in predetermined position, a control valve adapted to be mounted on said machine and having an axially reciprocal and rotatable actuating spool, means for effecting rotation of said spool, connecting means connected to said rod and engaged with the spool and including means operable in response to rotation of said spool for axially reciprocating the spool in response to movement of said motion transmitting means etfected by its engagement with the reference line, one end of said spool being provided with a drum including inner and outer surfaces, a pair of wheels engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the drum respectively, said means for axially reciprocating said spool including means mounting said wheels for orienting the axes of rotation thereof parallel to or in angular relation to the axis of rotation of the drum and against displacement axially of the axis of rotation of said spool, whereby the drum and spool will be moved axially when the axis of rotation of the wheels are angularly disposed in relation to the axis of rotation of the drum, a single radius of said drum intersecting with the portions of said drum engaged by said wheels and the axes of rotation of said wheels.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein a single radius of said drum intersects with the portions of said drum engaged by said wheels and the axes of rotation of said wheels.

11. A valve control adapted for use on an earth working machine of the type having an elevatable tool and a fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the position of the tool, said valve control comprising an actuating rod defining motion transmitting means and adapted to be movably supported from said machine and to lightly engage a reference line disposed in predetermined positions, a control valve adapted to be mounted on said machine and having an axially reciprocal and rotatable actuating spool, means for effecting rotation of said spool, connecting means connected to said rod and engaged with the spool and being operable in response to rotation of said spool for axially reciprocating the spool in response to movement of said motion transmitting means effected by its engagement with the reference line.

12. A control valve having an axially reciprocable and rotatable actuating spool, movable motion transmitting means having a portion thereof adapted to lightly engage a reference line disposed in predetermined position, means connected to said motion transmitting means and engaged with the spool and being operable, in response to rotation of said spool, for axially reciprocating the spool in response to movement of said motion transmitting means effected by its engagement with the reference line.

13. A valve control adapted for use in an earth working machine of the type having an elevatable tool and a fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the position of the tool, said valve control comprising: movable motion transmitting means having a portion thereof adapted to lightly engage a reference line disposed in a predetermined position, a control valve having an axially reciprocable and rotatable actuating spool, means for rotating said spool, connecting means connected to said motion transmitting means and rollingly engaged with the spool, and being operable, in response to rotation of said spool for axially reciprocating the spool in response to movement of said motion transmitting means elfected by its engagement with the reference line.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,674 5/ l 889 Judson 74-25 415,671 11/1889 Harris 91-331 853,785 5/1907 Henry 137--331 1,908,396 5/1933 Albright 137-331 1,967,851 7/1934 Wilson 251--215 2,083,774 6/ 1937 Campbell 2513 X 2,295,519 9/ 1942 Millikin 94-46 2,901,843 9/1959 Thomas 37108 2,908,292 10/1959 Beckett 13725l.324 2,958,340 11/1960 Rosebrook 137625.69 3,002,502 10/ 1961 Szydlowski 60-545 3,014,498 12/1961 Stephens 137612.1

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

MILTON KAUFMAN, BENJAMIN HERSH,

Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A VALVE CONTROL ADAPTED FOR USE ON AN EARTH WORKING MACHINE OF THE TYPE HAVING AN ELEVATABLE TOOL AND A FLUID PRESSURE MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE VERTICAL POSITION OF THE TOOL, SAID VALVE CONTROL COMPRISING AN ACTUATING ROD DEFINING MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVABLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID MACHINE AND TO LIGHTLY ENGAGE A REFERENCE LINE DISPOSED IN PREDETERMINED POSITIONS, A CONTROL VALVE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID MACHINE AND HAVING AN AXIALLY RECIPROCAL AND ROTATABLE ACTUATING SPOOL, MEANS FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID SPOOL, CONNECTING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ROD AND ENGAGED WITH THE SPOOL AND INCLUDING MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID SPOOL FOR AXIALLY RECIPROCATING THE SPOOL IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS EFFECTED BY ITS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REFERENCE LINE, ONE END OF SAID SPOOL BEING PROVIDED WITH A DRUM MOUNT-

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