Flow divider assembly

摘要

A flow divider assembly for use with a hydraulic pump provides flow to separate drive motors for use in a vehicle or other application. Flow may be provided alternatively to a first fluid side and second fluid side. A first and a second flow divider motors are in hydraulic communication with an output of a shuttle valve. A first bypass valve is connected to the first fluid side and a second bypass valve is connected to the second fluid side, and both bypass valves have an open position and a closed position. A pilot operated valve is operably connected to both flow divider motors and to both bypass valves, and the pilot operated valve has three positions and is biased to a first position. One embodiment permits the output of the system to be driven in either forward or reverse directions.

主权项

1. A flow divider assembly for use with a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump capable of providing hydraulic fluid alternatively to a first fluid side and a second fluid side, a first drive motor and a second drive motor, the flow divider assembly comprising:
a shuttle valve connected to the first fluid side and the second fluid side, the shuttle valve opening in a first direction when the first fluid side is under pressure and opening in a second direction when the second fluid side is under pressure; a first flow divider motor in hydraulic communication with an output of the shuttle valve and a second flow divider motor in hydraulic communication with the output of the shuttle valve; a first bypass valve connected to the first fluid side and a second bypass valve connected to the second fluid side, both bypass valves having an open position and a closed position; and a pilot operated valve operably connected to both flow divider motors and to both the first bypass valve and the second bypass valve, the pilot operated valve having a first position where it is hydraulically connected to both the first bypass valve and the second bypass valve, a second position where the pilot operated valve is capable of receiving hydraulic fluid from the first bypass valve, and a third position where the pilot operated valve is capable of receiving hydraulic fluid from the second bypass valve, and the pilot operated valve being biased to the first position; wherein, when the hydraulic pump is providing fluid to the first fluid side and the first bypass valve is in its open position, the pilot operated valve remains in the first position and the hydraulic fluid bypasses the shuttle valve and the flow divider motors, and flows through the pilot operated valve to drive the first and second drive motors in a first rotational direction; when the hydraulic pump is providing fluid to the first fluid side and the first bypass valve is in its closed position, the hydraulic fluid is directed to the shuttle valve and a first pilot signal from the first bypass valve moves the pilot operated valve to the second position and the hydraulic fluid passes from the first and second flow divider motors through the pilot operated valve to drive the first and second drive motors in the first rotational direction; when the hydraulic pump is providing fluid to the second fluid side and the second bypass valve is in its open position, the pilot operated valve remains in the first position and the hydraulic fluid bypasses the shuttle valve and the flow divider motors, and flows through the pilot operated valve to drive the first and second drive motors in a second rotational direction; and when the hydraulic pump is providing fluid to the second fluid side and the second bypass valve is in its closed position, the hydraulic fluid is directed to the shuttle valve and a second pilot signal from the second bypass valve moves the pilot operated valve to the third position and the hydraulic fluid passes from the first and second flow divider motors through the pilot operated valve to drive the first and second drive motors in the second rotational direction.