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(11) | EP 4 047 217 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF TWO OR MORE CYLINDERS |
| (57) The present invention relates to a device for operating two or more cylinders, comprising:
a first conduit (2), provided with a first branch (21), arranged to be connected to
a first chamber of a first cylinder (10), and a second branch (22), arranged to be
connected to a first chamber of a second cylinder (11); a second conduit (3), provided
with a first branch (31), arranged to be connected to a second chamber of the first
cylinder (10), and a second branch (32), arranged to be connected to a second chamber
of the second cylinder (11); a first control valve (4), disposed along the second
branch (22) of the first conduit (2), which is movable between an opening configuration,
in which it allows flow along the second branch (22) of the first conduit (2), and
a closing configuration, in which it prevents flow along the second branch (22) of
the first conduit (2); a control system (100) disposed along said first branch (21)
of said first conduit (2), comprising a second control valve (101) which is movable
between an opening configuration, in which it allows flow along said first branch
(21) of said first conduit (2) from said first conduit (2) to said first chamber of
said first cylinder (10), and a closing configuration, in which it prevents flow along
said first branch (21) of said first conduit (2); said control system (100) further
comprising discharge means (102, 103) configured to allow discharge from said first
chamber of said first cylinder (10) to said first conduit (2) as a result of a pressure
in said second conduit (3) or as a result of a magnitude therefrom.
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Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for sequentially operating two or more cylinders, preferably for sequentially rotating two cylinders suitable for rotating stabilizer feet of an operator vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Examples of operations where it is necessary to operate two cylinders in sequence are the control of the stabilizer feet of an operating vehicle or the operation in sequence of the extensions of the arms of cranes, for which it is required that the extension takes place according to a predetermined sequence.
[0003] At present there is a valve for this purpose, but it is effective only for a type of outriggers with rotating feet. This is the outrigger with the center of rotation on the axis of the cylinder that operates the support plate, called "foot".
[0004] However, rotating outriggers, used in any kind of operating machine and in particular for cranes, are normally of two types: the outrigger foot with center of rotation on the same axis as the foot itself (described in the previous paragraph) and the outrigger foot with center of rotation offset from the axis of the foot.
[0005] When the operator wants to stabilize the machine, he wants to obtain with a single command the sequence of movements of the stabilizer, without having to make further maneuvers. The existing valve version works properly only for stabilizers with an on-axis center of rotation, and only if the rotation locking system is not of the click type.
[0006] The present invention therefore proposes to realize a single valve able to overcome all these problems, thus making itself universally and perfectly suitable to perform the task of triggering movements in sequence whatever the type of outrigger foot (both with center of rotation on axis to the foot itself and offset).
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention relates to a control system according to the features listed in claim 1.
[0008] An advantage of the device according to the present invention is that it is universally and perfectly adequate to perform the task of triggering movements in sequence whatever the type of stabilizing foot (either with center of rotation on axis to the foot itself or offset). In particular, the fact of including the second control valve allows to prevent unwanted rotations of the foot.
[0009] Moreover, as will be clear from the continuation of the description, it is likewise capable of responding to the specific request for a valve for stabilizer foot rotation administered by "dual control" without having to make any modification to the system described in claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will be described with reference to the appended figures in which the same reference numerals and/or signs indicate the same and/or similar and/or corresponding parts of the system.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a device for sequentially actuating two or more cylinders according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a device for sequentially actuating two or more cylinders according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a further use of the device for sequentially actuating two or more cylinders according to the form of embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention is described by reference to particular forms of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawing plates. However, the present invention is not limited to the particular forms of embodiment described in the following detailed description and depicted in the figures, but rather the described forms of embodiment merely exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims. Further modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
[0012] Figure 1 shows the device according to the present invention used for sequential actuation of a first cylinder 10 and a second cylinder 11.
[0013] The device for sequentially actuating two or more cylinders according to the present invention comprising a first conduit 2 having a first branch 21 arranged to be connected to a first chamber of a first cylinder 10. The first conduit 2 further includes a second branch 22, arranged to be connected to a first chamber of a second cylinder 11. In the embodiment depicted, the first branch 21 is connected to the piston rod chamber of the first cylinder 10 which, when energized, produces the rotation of the piston, while the second branch 22 is connected to the bottom chamber of the second cylinder 11 which, when energized, produces the output of the piston and thus the extension movement of the rotating arm. As will be described below with reference to the operation of the system, and in particular Figure 3, it is clear that the connection of the system to the particular cylinder chamber is dependent on the particular adjustment to be achieved. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a particular connection between the system and the cylinder chambers 10 and 11.
[0014] The device further comprises a second conduit 3 having a first branch 31, arranged to be connected to a second chamber of the first cylinder 10. The second conduit 3 further includes a second branch 32, arranged to be connected to a second chamber of the second cylinder 11.
[0015] The device includes a first control valve 4, disposed along the second branch 22 of the first conduit 2. In a known manner, the control valve 4 is provided with a poppet, which is movable between an open position, in which it allows the passage of fluid, and a closed position, in which it prevents the passage of fluid. When the poppet is in the open position, the control valve 4 assumes an open configuration, while, when the poppet is in the closed position, the control valve 4 assumes a closed configuration.
[0016] The first control valve 4 is then movable between an open configuration, in which it allows flow along the second branch 22 of the first conduit 2, and a closed configuration, in which it prevents flow along the second branch 22 of the first conduit 2.
[0017] A first pilot conduit 41 connects the first control valve 4 and the first branch 31 of the second conduit, at a point intermediate between the connection to the first cylinder 10 and a choke 7. The size of the choke could be 0.6 mm. However, it is clear that these dimensions depend on the overall size of the device and thus the flow rates involved.
[0018] The first pilot conduit 41 pilots the control valve 4 to the closure configuration. In other words, the first pilot conduit 41 is connected to the first control valve 4 such that the pressure present in the first pilot conduit 41 exerts a thrust that tends to drive the poppet of the first control valve 4 toward the closed position, and thus toward the closed configuration of the first control valve 4.
[0019] Further, the device includes a control system 100 disposed along said first branch 21 of said first conduit 2, which includes a second control valve 101 (a one-way valve) that is movable between an opening configuration, in which it allows flow along said first branch 21 of said first conduit 2 from said first conduit 2 to said first chamber of said first cylinder 10, and a closing configuration, in which it prevents flow along said first branch 21 of said first conduit 2.
[0020] According to a particular example, the calibration of the first control valve may be such that the first control valve 4 opens at 40 bar. Further, according to a particular example the calibration of the second control valve 101 could be such that the first control valve opens at 20 bar.
[0021] The control system 100, in the particular embodiment shown in the figure further comprises discharge means 102, configured to allow discharge from said first chamber of said first cylinder 10 to said first conduit 2 following a pressure in said second conduit.
[0022] In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the discharge means comprise a pilot port 101a of said second control valve 101 and a pilot branch 102 from said second conduit 3 directed to said pilot port 101a, wherein said second control valve 101 is configured to allow discharge from said first chamber of said first cylinder 10 to said first conduit 2 as a result of a pressure at said pilot port 101a.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 2, the discharge means includes a pressure relief valve 103 positioned in parallel with said second control valve 101. The pressure relief valve 103 is configured to allow discharge from said first chamber of said first cylinder 10 to said first conduit 2 in the event that the pressure in said first chamber of said first cylinder 10 exceeds a predetermined value. Said pressure value depends, as will be clear from the continuation of the description, on a pressure value in the second branch 3 since the pressure in the second branch acts on the second chamber of said first cylinder 10 going perforce to influence the pressure in the first chamber of said first cylinder 10.
[0024] The device further comprises a third control valve 6, disposed along said first branch 31 between said bottleneck 7 and said second conduit 3, which is configured to open and close a flow between said second conduit 3 and said second chamber of said first cylinder 10.
[0025] In particular, a second pilot conduit 61, which connects said second control valve 6 to said second branch 22 of said second conduit 2, allows said second control valve 6 to be piloted to a closing configuration in which said second control valve 6 closes a flow between said second conduit 3 and said second chamber of said first cylinder 10.
[0026] The system further includes a third pilot conduit 62 connecting the second control valve 6 to said first conduit 2, which allows the second control valve 6 to be piloted toward an opening configuration.
[0027] The second control valve 6, in the particular example shown in the figure, is a pressure relief valve configured to open a passage of fluid from said second conduit 3 in the event that the pressure of said fluid in said second conduit 3 exceeds a predetermined value, for example equal to 100 bar.
[0028] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the automatic operating principle of the foot rotation system will be described.
[0029] Consider feeding pressurized fluid to the first conduit 2. The fluid, through the first branch 21 of the first conduit 2, after exceeding a predetermined pressure that allows the opening of the second control valve 101 (for example 20 bar) feeds the first chamber of the first cylinder 10, producing the rotation of the foot. The fluid contained in the second chamber of the first cylinder 10 discharges to the second conduit 3 via the first branch 31 of the second conduit 3. This is due to the fact that the third control valve 6 is driven through the opening pilot branch 62. At the same time, the first control valve 4 is closed due to the piloting occurring through branch 41, as a result of the pressure formed by means of the choke 7.
[0030] In fact, the presence of the bottleneck 7 ensures a pressure in the first piloting conduit 41 that keeps the first control valve 4 in a closed configuration, so that the fluid cannot transit along the second branch of the first conduit 2 and cannot feed the second cylinder 11, which consequently remains inactive.
[0031] When the stem of the first cylinder 10 reaches an end position, and thus when the foot is fully rotated, the flow along the first branch 31 of the second conduit 3 ceases, and consequently the pressure in the first pilot conduit 41 decreases. Under such conditions, the pressure along the piloting branch 41 decreases, and the first control valve 4 goes into an open configuration, allowing flow along the second branch 22 of the first conduit 2 and, therefore, the supply of the second cylinder 11 which is activated after the first cylinder 10.
[0032] Due to the presence of the second control valve 101 inside the first chamber of the first cylinder 10 there is such a pressure that the rotation of the foot is blocked. Therefore, even if, for any reason, the rotation of the foot is interrupted, at the rod side of the first cylinder 10, for example, 20 bar (setting of the second control valve 101) will remain trapped and these will keep the cylinder locked in its end position (or in any intermediate position).
[0033] When the first control valve 4 is in the open position, the pressure on branch 22 will drive the third control valve 6 into the closed position. In addition, the pressurized fluid will feed the bottom of the second cylinder 11 until the extension of the rotating foot is complete (the piston has reached the end of its travel). When the limit switch has been reached, the first control valve 4 will close.
[0034] This procedure is fully automatic and sequential and a simple pressure command in the first port 2 is sufficient to start the rotation and the following extension of the foot.
[0035] For the return phase, the reverse procedure takes place. In particular, a pressure signal will be sent to the second duct 3. The pressure will be transferred to the second branch 32 of the second conduit 3 through which the pressurized fluid will flow, resulting in the re-entry of the arm until the piston of the second cylinder 11 is fully re-entered. At a later stage, as a result of the increase in pressure in 3 the second control valve 6 will be opened allowing the fluid to enter the second chamber of the first cylinder 10. The pressure in 3, in the particular example shown in the figure, will also drive the second control valve 101 to an open position. In the alternative embodiment shown in figure 2, the pressure in the first chamber of the first cylinder 10 will increase until the pressure relief valve 103 opens the outlet allowing a pressurized fluid to flow out of the first chamber of the first cylinder 10.
[0036] In the event that this phase of rotation is interrupted for any reason, the position of the rotating foot would be ensured by the second control valve 101.
[0037] In normal operation, the rotation will be continued until the piston of the first cylinder 10 has reached the end of its stroke.
[0038] Figure 3 shows a system completely analogous to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 but with an opposite assembly. The particular connection shown in figure 3 allows a dual control operation, allowing the operator to decide when to start with the rotation phase and when to start with the extension phase (hence the name dual control).
[0039] Since the first cylinder is at the end of its stroke, the third control valve 6 will be opened and fluid will start flowing into the second chamber of the first cylinder 10 allowing the rotation of the foot until the piston reaches the end of its stroke. The position of the piston will be secured by either a deadbolt or a latch mechanism.
[0040] Next, a pressure signal will be sent into the first port 2 to allow the foot to extend. Since the position of the first cylinder 10 has been fixed, fluid will go to open the first control valve and flow into the first chamber of the second cylinder 11 allowing extension of the foot.
[0042] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the forms of embodiment described above, it is clear to the skilled person in the art that various modifications, variations and improvements of the present invention can be made in light of the teaching described above and within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the subject matter and scope of protection of the invention.
1. A device for operating two or more cylinders, comprising:
a first conduit (2), provided with a first branch (21), arranged to be connected to a first chamber of a first cylinder (10), and a second branch (22), arranged to be connected to a first chamber of a second cylinder (11);
a second conduit (3), provided with a first branch (31), arranged to be connected to a second chamber of the first cylinder (10), and a second branch (32), arranged to be connected to a second chamber of the second cylinder (11);
a first control valve (4), arranged along the second branch (22) of the first conduit (2), which is movable between an opening configuration, in which it allows flow along the second branch (22) of the first conduit (2), and a closing configuration, in which it prevents flow along the second branch (22) of the first conduit (2);
a control system (100), arranged along the first branch (21) of said first conduit (2), comprising a second control valve (101) which is movable between an opening configuration, in which it allows flow along the first branch (21) of said first conduit (2) from said first conduit (2) to said first chamber of said first cylinder (10), and a closing configuration, in which it prevents flow along said first branch (21) of said first conduit (2);
said control system (100) further comprising discharging means (102, 103) configured to allow a flow from said first chamber of said first cylinder (10) into said first conduit (2) as a result of a pressure in said second conduit (3) or as a result of a variable derived therefrom.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means comprises a pilot port
(101a) of said second control valve (101) and a pilot branch (102) coming from said
second conduit (3) and directed to said pilot port (101a), wherein said second control
valve (101) is configured to allow a discharge flow from said first chamber of said
first cylinder (10) towards said first conduit (2) as a result of a pressure at said
pilot port (101a).
3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means comprises a pressure relief
valve (103) positioned in parallel with said second control valve (101), wherein said
pressure relief valve (103) is configured to allow a discharge flow from said first
chamber of said first cylinder (10) to said first conduit (2) in the event that the
pressure in said first chamber of said first cylinder (10) exceeds a predetermined
value.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said device further comprising a restriction
(7) positioned along said first branch (31) of said second conduit (3) and a first
pilot conduit (41), connecting said first control valve (4) and said first branch
(31) of said second conduit (3) at an intermediate point between the connection to
said second chamber of said first cylinder (10) and said restriction (7), and piloting
said control valve (4) towards the closure configuration in which it prevents a flow
along said second branch (22) of said first conduit (2).
5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said device further comprises:
a third control valve (6), arranged along said first branch (31) between said restriction (7) and said second conduit (3), which is configured to open and close a flow between said second conduit (3) and said second chamber of said first cylinder (10);
a second piloting conduit (61), connecting the third control valve (6) to the second branch (22) of said first conduit (2), which drives the third control valve (6) towards a closing configuration in which the third control valve (6) closes a flow between said second conduit (3) and said second chamber of said first cylinder (10).
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said third control valve (6) is a pressure relief
valve configured to open a fluid passage from said second conduit (3) in the event
that the pressure of said fluid in said second conduit (3) exceeds a predetermined
value.
7. Device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein said system further comprises
a third piloting conduit (62) connecting said third control valve (6) to said first
conduit (2), which pilots said third control valve (6) towards an opening configuration.
8. Device for rotating a foot of an operating machine comprising a device according to
any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said device further comprises said first cylinder
(10) and said second cylinder (11), wherein said first cylinder (10) is a cylinder
allowing rotation of said foot and wherein said second cylinder (11) is a cylinder
allowing extension of said foot.
9. Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said first cylinder
(10) is a cylinder for rotating a rotating foot and wherein said second cylinder (11)
is a cylinder for extending said rotating foot.