초록 ▼

Provided is a self-calibrating system which self-calibrates for operation regardless of the particular reservoir or expansion tank, which further detects when a hydraulic fluid system adapted to a turf care machine has developed a leak and which warns the machine operator of such a leak before an ap

Provided is a self-calibrating system which self-calibrates for operation regardless of the particular reservoir or expansion tank, which further detects when a hydraulic fluid system adapted to a turf care machine has developed a leak and which warns the machine operator of such a leak before an appreciable amount of hydraulic fluid is allowed to leak from the system. The system includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of hydraulic fluid. The reservoir is connected via a connecting tube or hose located at the upper-most portion of the reservoir and connected to an expansion tank mounted substantially adjacent to the reservoir. The expansion tank includes a fitting having an elongated tube extending down into the expansion tank. The end of this tube is maintained substantially below the level of hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank during operation of the turf care machine to which it is attached. As the machine is operated, the hydraulic fluid expands with rising temperatures, and the connecting tube communicates the expanding fluid to the expansion tank. When operation of the machine is discontinued the hydraulic fluid contracts as it cools. As the hydraulic fluid contracts, the hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank is automatically drawn by a siphoning action through the elongated tube within the expansion tank through the connecting tube and back into the reservoir. The self-calibrating leak detection system is adaptable to a variety of self propelled machines having hydraulically actuated devices. In particular, significant savings could be gained by the early detection of hydraulic system leaks on large, earth-moving equipment and the like. Further, the self-calibrating hydraulic fluid leak detection system may be retrofit onto existing hydraulic systems by the addition of an expansion tank to the hydraulic system reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

A hydraulic fluid leak detection system for a self-propelled vehicle or self-propelled machine including a hydraulic system having a hydraulically actuated device and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, the leak detection system comprising: an expansion tank in fluid communication with the reservoir; a

A hydraulic fluid leak detection system for a self-propelled vehicle or self-propelled machine including a hydraulic system having a hydraulically actuated device and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, the leak detection system comprising: an expansion tank in fluid communication with the reservoir; a first sensor disposed within the expansion tank and operable for sensing the hydraulic fluid level in the expansion tank over a range of possible fluid levels in the expansion tank and for producing a first signal varying in accordance with the hydraulic fluid level; a second sensor operable for sensing the temperature level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir and for producing a second electronic signal corresponding thereto; electronic processing means for receiving the first and second signals and for determining from the first and second signals if a leak exists in the hydraulic system; and means for indicating to an operator that a leak exists in the hydraulic system.