Hydraulic power system for agricultural implement including flow-rate indicator
View Patent ↗An agricultural-implement hydraulic circuit includes a pump supplying pressurized fluid to a first service line and a second service line via a feed line and a device for varying the flow rate of the pump. A distributor valve is disposed between the first service line and the second service line, with the first service line and the second service line being connected and disconnected according to a position of the distributor valve. A hydraulic motor is coupled to the first service line through the valve and discharges fluid to a return line. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second service line. An indicator-valve assembly is coupled to the feed line, with the indicator-valve assembly including an indicator sensitive to pressure in the feed line such that the indicator indicates a predetermined pressure in the feed line to an operator.
1. An agricultural-implement hydraulic circuit comprising:
a pump supplying pressurized fluid to a first service line and a second service line via a feed line;
means for varying the flow rate of said pump;
a distributor valve disposed between the first service line and the second service line, the first service line and the second service line being connected and disconnected according to a position of said distributor valve;
a hydraulic motor coupled to the first service line through said valve, said hydraulic motor discharging fluid to a return line;
a hydraulic actuator coupled to the second service line; and
an indicator-valve assembly coupled to the feed line, said indicator-valve assembly including an indicator sensitive to pressure in the feed line such that said indicator indicates a predetermined pressure in the feed line to an operator.
2. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein said indicator-valve assembly further includes a flow divider including an inlet port connected to the feed line and an outlet port connected to said indicator.
3. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 2 , wherein said flow divider prevents fluid flow to said outlet port as long as a predetermined flow rate has not been reached.
4. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 2 , wherein said divider includes a flow restrictor.
5. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 4 , further comprising a spring-loaded check valve arranged in parallel to said flow restrictor.
6. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 4 , wherein at least said flow divider, said flow restrictor and said spring-loaded piston are arranged in a single valve assembly.
7. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 6 , wherein said valve assembly further comprises a pressure relief valve connected to an inlet port.
8. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein said indicator includes a spring-loaded piston.
9. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 8 , wherein said indicator includes a visual indicator attached to said piston.
10. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 8 , wherein said indicator includes means for generating an electrical signal or a digital message.
11. A hydraulic circuit according to claim 10 , wherein said means for generating includes a connector for transmitting an electrical signal to said pump.
12. A method of providing hydraulic power to an agricultural implement including the hydraulic circuit of claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
monitoring the indicator; and
adjusting the flow rate until the indicator indicates a flow rate equal to or greater than the predetermined flow rate.
13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein the indicator is a visual indicator and said monitoring step comprises monitoring the visual indicator.
14. A method according to claim 12 , wherein indicator generates an electrical signal and said monitoring step comprises monitoring an electrical signal generated by the indicator.