초록 ▼

The present invention describes, generally, a method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pr

The present invention describes, generally, a method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation. The pressure control valve, which may be referred to as a dynamic pressure regulator because of its capabilities, utilizes dual spools that are physically independent of one another and freely supported in the valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure. The dual spools of the pressure control valve, although physically independent of one another, function in cooperation with one another in an attempt to maintain a state of equilibrium in the system, namely to keep pressure acting on or within the actuator (the load pressure), or the feedback force corresponding to the load pressure, the same as the control or pilot pressure. Moreover, pressure regulation and control is intrinsic to the pressure control valve because of the configuration and function of the dual spools and the mechanical feedback system acting on the spools, thus eliminating the need for electronically or mechanically user controlled systems.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A pressure control valve for regulating pressure within a servo system, said pressure control valve comprising: a valve body; a return spool freely supported within said valve body; a pressure spool, independent of said return spool

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A pressure control valve for regulating pressure within a servo system, said pressure control valve comprising: a valve body; a return spool freely supported within said valve body; a pressure spool, independent of said return spool, and freely supported within said valve body, each of said return and pressure spools being movable within said valve body in accordance with a pressure differential present across said return and pressure spools, respectively; an intrinsic mechanical feedback system operating to exert a feedback force on said return and pressure spools in response to said pressure differential in an attempt to equalize said pressure differential. 2. The pressure control valve of claim 1, further comprising limiting means located within said valve body configured to establish limiting positions of said return and pressure spools within said valve body during operation. 3. The pressure control valve of claim 1, wherein said intrinsic mechanical feedback system comprises: a first mechanical feedback actuator having a feedback piston configured to apply said feedback force acting on said return spool, said first mechanical feedback actuator operating to receive and convert between fluid and mechanical energy; and a second mechanical feedback actuator having a feedback piston configured to apply said feedback force acting on said pressure spool, said second mechanical feedback actuator operating to receive and convert between fluid and mechanical energy. 4. The pressure control valve of claim 1, further comprising a pressure purging mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where a pilot pressure is less than said feedback force, thus causing said return spool to displace and open return inlet and outlet ports in said valve body in an attempt to equalize said pressure differential. 5. The pressure control valve of claim 1, further comprising an actuating mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where a pilot pressure exceeds said feedback force, thus causing said pressure spool to displace and open pressure inlet and outlet ports in said valve body to allow pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source to enter to actuate an actuator and drive a load. 6. The pressure control valve of claim 1, further comprising a slosh mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where a pilot pressure is maintained below said feedback force, thus causing said return spool to displace and open said return inlet and outlet ports to allow fluid to shunt back and forth in a low energy state. 7. A dynamic, fluid actuator system operable with a load, comprising: a pilot pressure source operable to provide a pilot pressure; an actuator operable with a load; a pressurized fluid source; a return; a pressure control valve in fluid communication with said pilot pressure source, said actuator, said pressurized fluid source and said return source, said pressure control valve comprising: a floating return spool in fluid communication with said pilot pressure source to receive said pilot pressure, and to regulate fluid exiting to said return; a floating pressure spool, independent of said return spool, in fluid communication with said pilot pressure source to receive said pilot pressure, and to regulate fluid incoming from said pressurized fluid source; an intrinsic mechanical feedback system in fluid communication with said actuator to exert a feedback force about each of said return and pressure spools in opposition to said pilot pressure acting on said return and pressure spools, said pressure control valve operating to intrinsically regulate pressure within said fluid control system, and to dynamically respond to a pressure differential present between said feedback pressure and said pilot pressure in an attempt to equalize said pressure differential. 8. The fluid actuator system of claim 7, further comprising first and second feedback lines in fluid communication with said intrinsic mechanical feedback system. 9. The fluid actuator system of claim 8, further comprising a main fluid line in fluid communication with said pressure control valve and said first and second feedback lines, said main fluid line configured to fluidly connect said actuator to said pressure control valve through a load feed line. 10. A method for regulating and controlling pressure within a fluid actuator system, said method comprising: providing a pressure control valve having a valve body, independent return and pressure spools freely situated in said valve body, and an intrinsic mechanical feedback system operable to exert a mechanical feedback force on said return and pressure spools, said intrinsic mechanical feedback system being in fluid communication with an actuator operable with a load; providing a pilot pressure source in fluid communication with said pressure control valve, said pilot pressure source operating to exert a pilot pressure on said return and pressure spools opposite said feedback force; manipulating at least one of said feedback force and said pilot pressure to induce a pressure differential across said return and pressure spools, thus causing at least one of said return and pressure spools to displace in an attempt to dissipate said pressure differential and equalize said pilot pressure and said feedback force. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating at least one of said feedback force and said pilot pressure to cause said pressure control valve to enter a pressure purging mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where said pilot pressure is less than said feedback force, thus causing said return spool to displace and open return inlet and outlet ports in said valve body in an attempt to equalize said pressure differential. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating at least one of said feedback force and said pilot pressure to cause said pressure control valve to enter an actuating mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where said pilot pressure exceeds said feedback force, thus causing said pressure spool to displace and open pressure inlet and outlet ports in said valve body to allow pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source to enter to actuate said actuator and drive said load. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating at least one of said feedback force and said pilot pressure to cause said pressure control valve to enter a slosh mode defined by a pressure differential condition in said pressure control valve where said pilot pressure is maintained below said feedback force, thus causing said return spool to displace and open said return inlet and outlet ports to allow fluid to shunt back and forth in a low energy state. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing limiting means within said pressure control valve to prevent complete equalization of said pressure differential, and to control displacement and positioning of said return and pressure spools.