Abstract:
A fluid control circuit for regulating fluid flow between a pressurized fluid source and a hydraulic motor, including a control valve having a movable spool for communicating fluid entering an inlet chamber from the source with service chambers in communication with the motor, a dump valve limiting communication of the inlet chamber with a drain in response to spring means and fluid communicated to the dump valve through a passage open to either of the service chambers when it is placed in communication with the inlet chamber by the control valve spool, the passage otherwise communicating the dump valve with a drain so that fluid communication between the inlet chamber and drain is limited only by the spring means. The force of the spring means may also be varied in certain embodiments of the invention. During operation of a second hydraulic motor by an additional control valve in communication with the inlet chamber, the dump valve is conditioned to provide pressure modulation in the inlet chamber by means of a bypass valve responsive to the additional control valve.
Abstract:
A hydrostatic assist for driving the normally nondriven wheels of a vehicle in which the hydrostatic assist is controlled by slip in the drive train or the driven wheels for better tractive effort and most efficient operation. The slip sensed for control may be the slip between the normally driven wheels and the ground or the slip in a nonpositive coupling portion of the drive line between the vehicle engine and the driven wheels and controls the power which is supplied to the nondriven wheels through a hydrostatic loop.