Granted Patent B2

US 8,205,539 · App. 12/439,558 · Granted Jun 26, 2012

Abstract

Claims (56)

1. A centering mechanism for a hydraulic pump, the pump including a pump housing and an input shaft extending along an axis, the pump having a neutral condition in which hydraulic fluid does not flow through the pump, a control arm being connected to the shaft, movement of the control arm controlling operation of the pump, the centering mechanism comprising:

a bracket assembly including

a first bracket fixable to the housing and defining threaded holes,

a second bracket adjustably fixable to the first bracket member, the second bracket defining slots associated and partially alignable with the threaded holes, and

adjusting fasteners, each adjusting fastener extending through an associated slot and threadable in an associated threaded hole to adjustably fix the second bracket to the first bracket; and

biasing structure operable to return the control arm to a centered position when an operating force is not applied to the control arm;

wherein the second bracket is adjustable relative to the first bracket such that the centered position corresponds to the neutral condition of the pump, the second bracket being fixable in the position by the adjusting fasteners.

2. The centering mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second bracket defines two slots, the slots being positioned substantially on opposite radial sides of the axis, wherein the first bracket defines two threaded holes, the threaded holes being positioned substantially on opposite radial sides of the axis in positions corresponding to the respective slots, and wherein the centering mechanism includes two adjusting fasteners.

3. The centering mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second bracket includes a tab, and wherein the biasing structure includes

a centering arm assembly engageable with the control arm, and

a spring connected to the centering arm assembly and applying a force biasing the centering arm assembly toward the tab to return the control arm to the centered position.

4. The centering mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the centering arm assembly includes

a first centering arm engageable with a first side of the control arm, the first centering arm operating to return the control arm to the centered position in a first direction, and

a second centering arm engageable with an opposite second side of the control aπn, the second centering arm operating to return the control arm to the centered position in an opposite second direction.

5. The centering mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the spring is connected between the first centering arm and the second centering arm.

6. The centering mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the second bracket includes a radially-extending body, the tab extending axially from the body and being positioned between the first centering arm and the second centering arm.

7. The centering mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket defines a first opening, the shaft being extendable therethrough, an axially-directed lip extending at least partially about the opening, and wherein the second bracket defines a second opening, the shaft being extendable therethrough, the second opening engaging the lip to limit radial movement of the second bracket relative to the first bracket.

8. The centering mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the second bracket includes an axially-directed protrusion extending at least partially about the second opening, the protrusion cooperating with the lip to limit radial movement of the second bracket relative to the first bracket.

9. The centering mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second bracket defines an adjustment aperture for receiving a tool to facilitate adjustment of the second bracket relative to the first bracket.

10. A hydraulic pump assembly comprising:

a hydraulic pump including

a pump housing,

a pump mechanism operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through the housing, the pump mechanism having a neutral condition in which fluid does not flow through the housing,

a trunnion cap connectable to the housing, the trunnion cap and the housing cooperating to house the pump mechanism, and

an input shaft extending along an axis and through the trunnion cap, the shaft being rotatable to operate the pump mechanism;

a control arm connected to the shaft, movement of the control arm causing rotation of the shaft; and

a centering mechanism including

a first bracket fixable to the housing,

a second bracket adjustably fixable to the first bracket, and

biasing structure operable to return the control arm to a centered position when an operating force is not applied to the control arm,

the second bracket being adjustable relative to the first bracket to an adjusted position such that the centered position corresponds to the neutral condition of the pump mechanism, the second bracket being fixable in the adjusted position; and

fasteners fixing the first bracket and the trunnion cap to the pump housing.

11. The pump assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second bracket defines slotted apertures, and wherein each fastener at least partially extends into an associated slotted aperture to avoid impeding adjustment of the second bracket relative to the first bracket.

12. The pump assembly of claim 11 , wherein the pump assembly includes three fasteners fixing the first bracket and the trunnion cap to the pump housing, the fasteners being substantially evenly spaced about the axis, and wherein the second bracket defines three slotted apertures, the slotted apertures being spaced substantially evenly about the axis in positions corresponding to the respective fasteners.

13. The pump assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second bracket defines slots, wherein the first bracket defines associated threaded holes, and wherein the centering mechanism further includes adjusting fasteners, each adjusting fastener extending through the associated slot and being threadable in the associated threaded hole to adjustably fix the second bracket to the first bracket.

14. The pump assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second bracket defines two slots, the slots being positioned substantially on opposite radial sides of the axis, wherein the first bracket defines two threaded holes, the threaded holes being positioned substantially on opposite radial sides of the axis in positions corresponding to the respective slots, and wherein the centering mechanism includes two adjusting fasteners.

15. The pump assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first-mentioned fasteners define a radial periphery, wherein the first bracket has a radial first flange, the threaded holes being defined in the first flange beyond the radial periphery, and wherein the second bracket has a radial second flange, the slots being defined on the second flange beyond the radial periphery.

16. The pump assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second bracket includes a tab, and wherein the biasing structure includes

a centering arm assembly engageable with the control arm, and

a spring connected to the centering arm assembly and applying a force biasing the centering arm assembly toward the tab to return the control arm to the position.

17. The pump assembly of claim 16 , wherein the centering arm assembly includes

a first centering arm engageable with a first side of the control arm, the first centering arm operating to return the control arm to the position in a first direction, and

a second centering arm engageable with an opposite second side of the control arm, the second centering arm operating to return the control arm to the position in an opposite second direction.

18. The pump assembly of claim 17 , wherein the spring is connected between the first centering arm and the second centering arm.

19. A method of assembling a hydraulic pump assembly, the pump assembly including a hydraulic pump, the pump including a pump housing, a pump mechanism operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through the housing, the pump mechanism having a neutral condition in which fluid does not flow through the housing, a trunnion cap, and an input shaft extending along an axis, the shaft being rotatable to operate the pump mechanism, the pump assembly also including a control arm, movement of the control arm causing rotation of the shaft, and a centering mechanism, the centering mechanism including a first bracket, a second bracket, and biasing structure operable to return the control arm to a centered position when an operating force is not applied to the control arm, the method comprising the acts of:

positioning the pump mechanism at least partially in the housing;

positioning the trunnion cap on the housing to substantially enclose the pump mechanism;

providing fixing fasteners;

with the fixing fasteners, fixing the first bracket and the trunnion cap to the housing, the shaft extending through the trunnion cap;

providing adjusting fasteners;

with the adjusting fasteners, connecting the first bracket and the second bracket;

connecting the control arm to the shaft;

loosening the adjusting fasteners to unfix the second bracket from the first bracket;

moving the second bracket relative to the first bracket to an adjusted position such that the centered position corresponds to the neutral condition of the pump; and

tightening the adjusting fasteners to thereby fix the second bracket to the first bracket in the adjusted position.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first bracket defines a first opening, the shaft being extendable therethrough, an axially-directed Hp extending at least partially about the opening, wherein the second bracket defines a second opening, an axially-directed protrusion extending at least partially about the second opening, wherein the moving act includes the act of limiting radial movement of the second bracket relative to the first bracket through engagement of the protrusion and the lip.

Assignments (15)