DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See sections 10 & rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
HYDRAULIC POWER BASED SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC DOZER BLADE ANGLING & TILTING
2. APPLICANT (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
BEML LIMITED IN BEML Soudha, No 23/1, 4th Main S.R. Nagar, Bengaluru- 560027, Karnataka, India.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to the field of dozer blade angling. The present invention in particular relates to a hydraulic power based system for power angle tilt dozer blade versatile operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART:
[002] The conventional system of Dozer blade Angling & Tilt up/down are carried through manually, which requires additional man power, tools and time for a fixed blade angle of 25° on each side and also tilt operation on either side of the blade operation. To overcome this problem a new concept of Hydraulic Power 'PAT' (Power Angle Tilt) system introduced in 180FHP Dozer. With this feature blade can be operated hydraulically to get the definite position of blade in angling and tilt operations with feather touch joystick/lever movements without any additional man power while sitting in operator cabin itself which gives more versatile Dozing operation and more productivity and less operator fatigue.
[003] In conventional system Blade angling operation to perform there is a need to change the mounting positions of the braces which provides fixed position support to the blade. To change the blade position, manually required to remove the pins and pin locking of the braces, then manually need to reposition the blade to another fixed angle. For these activities to carry out there is lot of man power and effort required.
[004] For blade tilt operations to carry out lot of effort is required to position the blade at desired position by adjusting the length of the braces on either side. These operations consume lot of time and also limited application only for fixed position only.
[005] Reference may be made to the following:
[006] IN Publication No. 4869/DELNP/2013 relates to a hydraulic system for a machine. The hydraulic system may have a tank configured to hold a supply of fluid a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid a first cylinder operatively connected between a first side of a work tool and an undercarriage of the machine and a second cylinder operatively connected between a second side of the work tool and the undercarriage of the machine. The hydraulic system may also have a first electro hydraulic valve associated with the first cylinder and configured to selectively regulate a flow of pressurized fluid to the first cylinder independently of the second cylinder and a second electro hydraulic valve associated with the second cylinder and configured to selectively regulate a flow of pressurized fluid to the second cylinder independently of the first cylinder.
[007] IN Publication No. 1756/DEL/2012 relates to the hydraulic system may have a pump, a lift actuator, a lift valve arrangement, a tilt actuator, a tilt valve arrangement, and a tilt angle sensor configured to generate a first signal. The hydraulic system may further have at least one operator interface device movable to generate a second signal indicative of a desired lift velocity and a third signal indicative of desired tilt velocity, and a controller. The controller may be configured to command the lift valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the second signal, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the third signal and, when the first signal indicates that the actual tilt angle has entered a specified range of tilt angles during lifting, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the second signal as the actual tilt angle remains within the specified range.
[008] Publication No. US2015081179 relates to a hydraulic system for a machine. The hydraulic system may have a tank configured to hold a supply of fluid, a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid, a first cylinder operatively connected between a first side of a work tool and an undercarriage of the machine, and a second cylinder operatively connected between a second side of the work tool and the undercarriage of the machine. The hydraulic system may also have a first electro-hydraulic valve associated with the first cylinder and configured to selectively regulate a flow of pressurized fluid to the first cylinder independently of the second cylinder, and a second electro-hydraulic valve associated with the second cylinder and configured to selectively regulate a flow of pressurized fluid to the second cylinder independently of the first cylinder.
[009] Publication No. US2013032367 relates to a dozer blade controller, which may comprise two-way, four-way, or six-way dozer blade position control such as, for example, a two-way control only for blade tilt. In one embodiment, a pulse width control is provided for use in a blade tilt electronic controller, which controls blade tilt independently of movement of the body of the bull dozer. And in another embodiment, a pulse width controller is operable to multiply and/or divide the width of a variable pulse by a preset multiplier factor or divider factor.
[010] Patent No. US3690386 relates to a mechanism for an angling and tilting dozer blade in which the dozer is provided with a blade supporting frame and the blade is universally pivotally connected to the front end of the frame within a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the dozer; the opposite lower corners of the blade are pivotally connected by links to the blade supporting frame and the links are longitudinally slidably supported on the frame to thereby angularly reposition the blade when the links are actuated; an extendable link is provided positioned along the rear-side of the blade and towards one side of the blade from the blade center for pivotal connection of the blade to the front end of the frame to tilt the blade around an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the dozer when the extendable link is actuated. Actuation of the links may be manual or by fluid power.
[011] Patent No. US5010961 relates to an improved mechanism for connecting a ground-engaging blade to the frame of a vehicle which allows the blade to tilt, pitch or angle relative to the frame. The disclosed arrangement includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders which control the tilting or pitching of the blade and a single hydraulic cylinder which controls the angling of the blade. The cylinders are all pivotally connected to an intermediate member which is pinned to the blade and guided through an arc on the frame by a guide bar formed on the frame. A single hydraulic circuit is disclosed which powers the pair of hydraulic cylinders to pitch or tilt the blade relative to the frame. The resulting arrangement is both simplified and relatively stable when compared to prior art structures.
[012] Patent No. US4201268 relates to a mechanism for angling, pitching, and tilting a dozer blade utilized in a conventional bulldozer wherein the blade is connected by means of a universal joint to the center bight portion of a C-shaped frame. A vertical mast support structure at the center of the bight portion of the frame mounts one end of the extensible links used for angling, tilting, and pitching the blade. The angling and pitching control includes a pair of piston-cylinders connected between the vertical mast and the respective sides of the bulldozer blade. The hydraulic circuitry for the cylinders simultaneously extends the piston rod of one cylinder while retracting the piston rod of the opposed cylinder to angle the blade about a vertical axis. Simultaneous extension or retraction of both piston rods causes the blade to pitch about a horizontal transverse axis. The blade is additionally connected to the top end of the vertical mast structure by a tilt cylinder which is disposed parallel to the top edge of the blade. The blade adjustment construction provides that when the blade is angled, the blade tilt is not changed. The present construction eliminates conventional complex push lever and linkage arrangements, and the operation does not require a complex hydraulic system.
[013] Patent No. US6659194 relates to a blade angle adjustment system for adjusting the angle of the blade with respect to the body of a bulldozer. The blade angle adjustment system includes a pair of sleeve assemblies each being designed for being slidably coupled to one of a pair of lifting arms of the bulldozer. Each of the sleeve assemblies comprises a mounting member coupled to a main portion of an associated one of the sleeve assemblies whereby the mounting member is designed for pivotally receiving one of a pair of pivot arms each of the sleeve assemblies is designed for being coupled to one of a pair of extending rams of the bulldozer whereby lengthening of one of the extending rams slides the associated one of the sleeve assemblies along the associated one of the lifting arms for changing angle the blade with respect to a body of the bulldozer.
[014] Publication No. JPH08184072 relates to an escape from the obliquely retreated side of a blade of scooped soil and sand, and to reduce the looseness of the blade by bending and forming the front end of the blade to the inside while freely rotating a bearing ball bush in a ball receiving annular body. Front end sections (a), (b) on both left and right end sides of a blade are bent and formed by an angle ? to the inside. When the angle of the blade 19 is set obliquely and dozer operation is conducted, an escape from the slantingly retreated side of the blade 19 of scooped soil and sand is prevented by the front end sections (a), (b). A bearing ball bush 44 is tuned freely towards the plane directions of two plane sections 50, 50', 51, 51' in a ball receiving annular body 45. Angle revolution and tilt revolution are conducted centering around the shaft of a connecting pin. Consequently, clearances among the adjacent plane sections are set in a minimum limit, and the looseness of the blade 19 is reduced. Accordingly, the workability and operating efficiency of dozer operation can be improved.
[015] Publication No. AU2020201035 relates to a work vehicle comprising a frame supported by a ground engaging device. A boom assembly is coupled to the frame. A boom cylinder is coupled to the frame and the boom assembly. An attachment coupler is coupled to a distal portion of the boom assembly. At least one tilt cylinder is coupled to the boom assembly and the attachment coupler. An attachment is coupled to the attachment coupler. The attachment comprises an attachment frame coupled to the attachment coupler. The attachment frame has a lower portion and an upper portion. A joint is coupled to the lower portion of the attachment frame and a blade. The joint has an upper surface and a lower surface positioned a distance from the surface. An angle cylinder is coupled to the lower portion of the attachment frame and a dozer blade. A portion of the angle cylinder is positioned below the upper surface.
[016] Patent No. US5069296 relates to an apparatus adapted to permit independent setting of pitch and tilt of dozer blades without necessitating complex hydraulic circuitry or mechanical linkage. The blade is pivotally supported by two forwardly extending push beams. A strut is connected at one end to one of the push beams and is connected at its other end to the dozer blade via a cam assembly. The cam assembly permits dozer blade pitching to take place without interacting with the dozer blade tilt angle. In a preferred embodiment, two struts are used at opposite ends of the blade and are each connected to their respective side of the blade by a respective cam. The two cams are linked together and synchronized so that their stroke equally pitches the sides of the dozer blade.
[017] Publication No. JP2015021335 relates to a dozer lever which is made to perform an operation other than a raising and lowering operation by rotationally operating a grip around a shaft core of a lever shaft. Solution: the dozer lever for operating a blade of a dozer device of a construction machine has a lever shaft and a grip provided in an upper part of the lever shaft, and is longitudinally operational to make the blade perform the raising/lowering operation. The grip can be rotationally operated by a constant angle to left and right from a neutral position around the shaft core of the lever shaft to make the blade perform an angle operation or a tilt operation.
[018] Patent No. US5620053 relates to a hydraulic drive system for the pitch cylinders of a bulldozer blade apparatus can include main hydraulic pumps and an assistant hydraulic pump to make up the assistant hydraulic circuit, variable displacement hydraulic pumps), or fixed displacement hydraulic pumps and a plurality of solenoid selector valves such that the pitch cylinders can be connected in series. The assistant hydraulic pump is connectable to delivery lines of the main hydraulic pumps through an assistant solenoid selector valve which is controlled by an external signal. The blade can be formed so that a line tangential to the lower edge of the curved panel of the blade is inclined rearwardly with respect to the front face of the blade edge member. Earth-moving work can be performed by inclining the blade rearwardly by an angle (theta 1) with respect to its posture in digging work, and earth-dumping work can be performed by inclining the blade forwardly by an angle (theta 2) with respect to its posture in digging work. The coupling positions of the two pitch cylinders can be in asymmetrical relation to each other. Control signals can be provided by a blade lever, tilt/pitch changeover switch, and pitch speed changeover switch. The tilt/pitch changeover switch and pitch speed changeover switch can be replaced by pitch-dump selector switch and pitch-back selector switch.
[019] Publication No. GB2555370 relates to a vehicle dozer blade assembly comprises a blade that is movable between a raised, stowed position and a lowered, dozing position. The blade is turnable in a first direction relative to the dozing position to a stabilising position, and turnable in a second direction to an earth anchoring position. A flat of the blade may be parallel to the ground in the stabilising position. The blade may be moved from the stowed position to a manually lowered position. The blade may be connectable to a vehicle by a boom, a pair of pitch actuators and a pair of lift actuators. The assembly may have a vehicle recovery feature, such as towing eyes. A vehicle with the dozer blade assembly may have a winch, which is obscured by the blade in the stowed position and accessible in the lowered position.
[020] Publication No. US2002134560 relates to a dual tilt control system for a work vehicle, the system being capable of using a switching valve adapted to low pressure and low flow rates and left and right tilt cylinders of the same diameter and yielding large force during pitch and dual tilt operations and requiring no piston valve. A left tilt cylinder driving hydraulic circuit and a right tilt cylinder driving hydraulic circuit for respectively supplying pressure oil from a hydraulic pump to the left and right cylinders are arranged in parallel and comprise a left tilt cylinder actuation switching valve and a right tilt cylinder actuation switching valve, respectively. In a pilot pressure signal circuit for controlling the tilt cylinder actuation switching valves, a pilot switching valve for switching a blade between the pitch operation, a single tilt operation and the dual tilt operation by means of the left and right cylinders is provided.
[021] Publication No. JPH09184162 relates to angle motion or tilt motion executable with a single hydraulic cylinder by changing a installation position of the hydraulic cylinder supporting a blade. On executing operations in tilt motion, a connecting rod is arranged at the upper part and a hydraulic cylinder is arranged there under at one side of a C-shaped frame supporting a blade. As the hydraulic cylinder is expanded, a connecting rod is moved through a bell crank, pushing the upper part at the opposite side of the blade, and thereby the blade makes tilt motion round a longitudinal shaft member of the main connecting member at the lower part of the blade. In the case of executing operations in angle motion, the positions of the connecting rod and the hydraulic cylinder are exchanged, and the tip of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is connected directly to a bracket of the blade. Therefore, as the hydraulic cylinder is expanded, the blade makes angle motion round the vertical shaft members at the opposite side.
[022] Publication No. CN106592664 relates to an automatic control system for inclination of a bulldozer blade comprises an inclination hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor, an elevating hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor, a machine body inclination sensor and an electronic control unit. The inclination hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor is arranged on an inclination hydraulic cylinder. The elevating hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor is arranged on an elevating hydraulic cylinder. The machine body inclination sensor is arranged on a bulldozer machine body. The inclination hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor, the elevating hydraulic cylinder displacement sensor and the machine body inclination sensor are all connected with the access end of the electronic control unit through signal lines correspondingly. The access end of the electronic control unit is further connected with a gear signal sensor, a blade inclination control mode selection switch, an input module and a drive power supply module. The output end of the electronic control unit is connected with a display screen, a buzzer and an inclination hydraulic cylinder electric-hydraulic control device. By means of the automatic control system, the operation quality and operation efficiency of the bulldozer are effectively improved, the fuel consumption is lowered, the labor intensity of drivers is lowered, and the driving comfort degree is improved.
[023] Publication No. GB1292732 relates to a bulldozer assembly for a tractor comprises a dozer blade pivotally mounted on a support adapted to be connected to the tractor, and an actuator - e.g. hydraulic ram - to operate a strut assembly extending between the support and the blade, to pivot the blade about axis Z-Z. There is a strut assembly on each side of the blade, each assembly comprising a link 6 pivoted at its ends to link and to a bracket connected to the rod of ram and sliding on rail. A guide rod is slidable in link and is pivotally connected to the blade. Actuation of one ram to move one bracket causes the blade to tilt about axis X-X. In a modification the blade is universally mounted on a U-shaped frame, with each link being pivotally mounted on one of three spaced lugs on each arm of the U to enable adjustment of the angle of the blade. Hydraulic circuits for rams are described.
[024] Publication No. CN102112686 relates to a dozer device in which a structure thereof on the rear side of a blade is compact in size. This is achieved by reducing the overall lengths of a vertical shaft and a longitudinal shaft and by reducing the vertical distance from the longitudinal shaft to a tilt cylinder with the strength of the shafts maintained at a satisfactory level. A dozer frame vertically moved by a dozer cylinder (S1) is supported on a travel machine body through a lateral shaft (X). A supporting body rocked in the longitudinal direction by an angle cylinder (S2) is supported on the dozer frame through a vertical shaft (Y). A blade vertically rocked by a tilt cylinder (S3) is supported on the supporting body through a longitudinal shaft (Z). The supporting body supports the longitudinal shaft (Z) below and in front of the vertical shaft (Y), and the tilt cylinder (S3) is mounted at a position which is above and in front of the vertical shaft (Y) and above the longitudinal shaft (Z).
[025] Publication No. JP2010285847 relates to a dozer device which can perform ridge-surface formation work easily at low cost. The dozer device is provided with right- and left-side frames, a boom, a boom cylinder, a dozer blade, and a tilt cylinder. The right- and left-side frames are attached to a tractor, and the base ends of the boom are pivotally fixed to the side frames. The boom cylinder is arranged between the boom and the side frame, and the dozer blade is pivotally fixed at the tip of the boom. The tilt cylinder is arranged between the dozer blade and the boom. Then an angle-setting means is provided between the dozer blade and the boom, and the angle-setting means sets the dozer blade moved by the tilt cylinder at an angle for forming the ridge surface, and regulates the tilt-down operation of the dozer blade exceeding the angle.
[026] Publication No. US2023103653 relates to a crawler dozer includes a main frame having a longitudinal central axis. A push frame includes left and right push beams. A dozer blade is pivotally connected to the left and right push beams. At least one tilt cylinder is connected between the dozer blade and at least one of the left and right push beams. The tilt cylinder includes a larger cylinder portion pivotally connected to the dozer blade and a smaller piston portion pivotally connected to the at least one of the left and right push beams. The tilt cylinder includes a cylinder axis diverging laterally outward relative to the longitudinal central axis of the main frame in a forward direction by a splay angle of at least degrees.
[027] Publication No. USRE31642 relates to an implement assembly includes an implement, such as, for example, a blade of a work vehicle, pivotally connected to a frame for supporting said blade. The blade and frame are closely positioned to the front of the. Work vehicle for maximum stability and balande of the vehicle. In the implement assembly first apparatus tilts the blade generally vertically. Second apparatus, such as, for example, angling cylinders, moves the blade to preselected angles relative to the vehicle. A sub frame is pivotally connected to the frame and second apparatus. The blade moves along the sub frame during tilting and with the sub frame to the preselected angles. Use of the sub frame substantially eliminates lateral movement of the angle cylinders during tilting for close mounting of the blade and frame without interference with the tractor while, minimizing weight of the implement assembly.
[028] Patent No. US3705631 relates to a fluid control system for a load handling implement such as a dozer blade carried by means of a universal joint on a load handling machine which comprises a pair of double-acting fluid cylinders having one end attached to the implement and the other end to a stationary part of the machine; the pair of fluid cylinders are each connected at opposite ends by a pair of fluid lines to a source of fluid under pressure including a main control valve and a selector valve; the main control valve and the selector valve are actuated by a single control lever which when pivoted in one direction positions the main control valve for tilting the implement clockwise and if pivoted in the opposite direction positions the main control valve for tilting the implement counterclockwise; and the control lever is provided with an actuator to condition the selector valve for pitching of the implement in either forward or rearward inclination by actuation of the control lever actuator coupled with pivotal movement of the control lever in one or the other of the tilt-controlling directions.
[029] Publication No. US2008210446 relates to a bulldozer blade having a blade tilt function effected by independently functioning lift cylinders thereby eliminating separate tilt hardware and controls.
[030] Patent No. US4424871 relates to a dozer blade is attached to a support frame for movement about a universal connection. Angling actuators are connected between the frame and the blade so as to define a tilt axis which passes through the universal connection between the frame and blade.
[031] In conventional system blade angling operation to perform there is a need to change the mounting positions of the braces which provides fixed position support to the blade. To change the blade position, manually required to remove the pins and pin locking of the braces, then manually need to reposition the blade to another fixed angle. For these activities to carry out there is lot of man power and effort required.
[032] In existing system, blade angling operation to perform there is a need to change the mounting positions of the braces which provides fixed position support to the blade. To change the blade position, manually required to remove the pins and pin locking of the braces, then manually need to reposition the blade to the another fixed angle. For these activities to carry out there is lot of man power and effort required. For tilt operation also there is a need to adjust the brace lengths manually to get the desired tilt operation.
[033] In order to overcome above listed prior art, the present invention aims to provide hydraulic power-based system for automatic dozer blade angling & tilting. This invention facilitates position of the blade angle and tilt at infinite position by using the hydraulic power with feather touch joystick control system.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[034] The principal object of the present invention is to provide hydraulic power-based system for automatic dozer blade angling & tilting.
[035] Another object of the present invention is to facilitate position of the blade angle and tilt at infinite position using the hydraulic power with feather touch joystick control system.
[036] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide equipment operation versatile, highly productive and reduces the operator fatigue, which increases the overall efficiency of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[037] The present invention relates to the hydraulic power-based system for automatic dozer blade angling & tilting. The system uses the hydraulic power for blade angling & tilting operation with new kinematics and hydraulic system. This is a modular system which can be used as a fit-on attachment on the existing dozer equipment.
[038] In an aspect, the C-Frame with centre king post structure arrangement, which supports the blade assembly with three hydraulic cylinders to facilitate the movement of the blade hydraulically with feather touch joystick control system.
[039] In an aspect, the blade is mounted on a spherical joint in place of existing cylindrical joint of C-frame structures, which allows the blade movement in all three rotational directions. The angling movement, the blade is controlled through 2 angle cylinders mounted at LH and RH side of the blade. The tilting of the blade is controlled through one tilt cylinder mounted at RH side of the blade. All these three cylinders are hinged to a centre king post structure which provides support for all the blade movements. The king post structure is designed to handle all the forces and reactions generated during heavy dozing operations through hydraulic cylinders powered by hydraulic energy.
[040] In an aspect, the main hydraulic pump powers energy to blade lift circuit and Power angle and tilt circuit. The hydraulic oil delivered from main hydraulic pump goes to main hydraulic control valve where the system power and flow are controlled and directed to respective hydraulic cylinders to perform blade movements. The angling operations are controlled very precisely on either side by angling cylinders where it is possible to positioning the blade without any manual set up. Similarly, the blade tilt operations on the either side are achieved through feather touch joystick controls without manual set up work.
[041] Based on the operators requirement, all the operations are controlled through joystick movement by the operator.
[042] In an aspect, the hydraulic system consists of hydraulic oil reservoir (tank), gear pumps to discharge oil flow, direction control valve for oil flow path control, hydraulic cylinders for movement of blade, pilot oil control system for actuation of control valve spools and pipes & hoses for conducting of oil flow path connections.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[043] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[044] Figure 1 shows hydraulic system according to the present invention;
[045] Figure 2 shows flow chart hydraulic power for power angle tilt dozer blade versatile operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[046] The present invention provides a hydraulic power-based system for automatic dozer blade angling & tilting. The system uses the hydraulic power for blade angling & tilting operation with new kinematics and hydraulic system. This is a modular system which can be used as a fit-on attachment on the existing dozer equipment.
[047] The kinematic design involves the C-Frame with centre king post structure arrangement, which supports the blade assembly with three hydraulic cylinders to facilitate the movement of the blade hydraulically with feather touch joystick control system.
[048] The blade is mounted on a spherical joint in place of existing cylindrical joint of C-frame structures, which allows the blade movement in all three rotational directions. The angling movement, the blade is controlled through 2 angle cylinders mounted at LH and RH side of the blade. The tilting of the blade is controlled through one tilt cylinder mounted at RH side of the blade. All these three cylinders are hinged to a centre king post structure which provides support for all the blade movements. The king post structure is designed to handle all the forces and reactions generated during heavy dozing operations through hydraulic cylinders powered by hydraulic energy.
[049] Main hydraulic pump powers energy to blade lift circuit and Power angle and tilt circuit. The hydraulic oil delivered from main hydraulic pump goes to main hydraulic control valve where the system power and flow are controlled and directed to respective hydraulic cylinders to perform blade movements. The angling operations are controlled very precisely on either side by angling cylinders where it is possible to positioning the blade without any manual set up. Similarly, the blade tilt operations on the either side are achieved through feather touch joystick controls without manual set up work.
[050] Based on the operators requirement, all the operations are controlled through joystick movement by the operator.
[051] The hydraulic system of dozer consists of prime mover of 180 HP which drives the hydraulic gear pump through PTO which in-tern delivers hydraulic oil flow to hydraulic system. The main parts of a hydraulic system are listed below (fig 1).
[052] 1. Hydraulic pump, 2 Pilot pump, 3. Main control/direction control valve, 4. Filters, 5. Pilot manifold logic control block, 6. Connecting devices, hoses, adapters, pipes, O-rings etc., 7. Accumulator, 8. Joystick, 9. Hydraulic cylinders, 10. C-Frame structure, 11. Pins, pin locks, fasteners.
[053] The hydraulic system consists of main hydraulic pump and pilot hydraulic pump.
[054] Main hydraulic pump delivers oil flow to blade lift circuit and Power angle and tilt circuit. The Power Angle and Tilt circuit hence forth call it as PAT circuit system which controls hydraulically angling and tilt operation of the blade and lift circuit controls the blade lift operation. The hydraulic oil delivered from main hydraulic pump flows to hydraulic control valve which consists of 3 spool system assisted by pilot control system directs oil to lift and PAT circuits with feather touch joystick control system.
[055] Based on the operators requirement, all the operations are controlled through joystick movement by the operator. The Main hydraulic system pressure is set at 140 bar and pilot system pressure set at 30 bar for optimum utilization of the hydraulic power.
[056] By operating the joystick the positioning of the blade for angling is achieved through angle cylinders and tilting of the blade through tilt cylinders on either directions.
[057] In present dozer hydraulic system consists of hydraulic oil reservoir (tank), gear pumps to discharge oil flow, direction control valve for oil flow path control, hydraulic cylinders for movement of blade, pilot oil control system for actuation of control valve spools and pipes & hoses for conducting of oil flow path connections.
[058] Figure 2 shows flow chart hydraulic power for power angle tilt dozer blade versatile operation. The steps include:
[059] Step 1. The Hydraulic reservoir provides the required hydraulic oil to hydraulic main and pilot pumps which intern facilitates energy for Dozer blade lifting, lowering angling and tilt operations by means of hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic tank comprises the hydraulic oil with filters and breathers to maintain trouble free system for equipment operation.
[060] Step 2. The main hydraulic pump driven from PTO which intern gets drive from engine will gives hydraulic oil flow to hydraulic control valve for implement circuit operation. (Lift &PAT system).
[061] Step 3. When equipment to perform the Dozing operation, the pilot pump supplies hydraulic oil to PPC / logic valves/ joystick (proportional pressure reducing valve is used to control implement operations of hydraulic dozer) through pilot manifold block where pilot pressure is maintained to 30±5 bar and also back up energy provided by accumulator for uninterrupted operation of joystick. This joystick is a feather touch control system device by means of which the operator can control all the operations of the implements like blade up/lower, blade tilt, angling, etc., from cabin. The joy stick controls the pilot operations of main control valve for all the implement operation.
[062] Step 4. The hydraulic control valve consists of primary and secondary relief valves to maintain the hydraulic system pressure. The control valves consist of 3 spools with three sections and also Inlet and outlet sections for controlling blade operations. The inlet section receives oil from main hydraulic pump maintains system pressure with primary relief valve and connects oil to three sections of the valve. The hydraulic oil after passing through sections flows to outlet section and then from outlet section oil delivers to hydraulic tank.
[063] The control valve spools are moved to different positions by using pilot hydraulic system through joystick to direct oil to implement operations. The each control section consists of secondary relief valves to control surge pressure to safe guard the hydraulic system and equipment. The control valves are capable of handling flow up to 400 lpm and pressure up to 315 bar enables the system application at a wide range of operating conditions.
[064] Step 5 & 6. The hydraulic system consists of robust design hydraulic cylinders caters for implement operation. Two lift cylinders mounted either side of radiator guard and connects to C-Frame structure for providing lift/lowering operations of the blade. C -Frame structure is a state of art design to accommodate all the blade movement kinematics very effectively. C-Frame structure built with king post design to facilitate rigid support for angling and tilt cylinders. The hinge points are designed in such way that easily different angling positions and tilt positions of the blade are possible with respective cylinder operations. The two angle cylinders are provided to give infinite angling positions and support blade structure to carry out dozing operations with different terrain conditions. One number tilt cylinder is provided to achieve infinite positions over the range and also to provide support to blade structure during dozing operations. The centre supported with adjustable length connector to support blade and also for blade pitching position control. Blade mounted on a spherical joint will allows movement in all the directions makes more flexible in nature.
[065] Step 7. The dozer blade PAT operations are performed through joystick operations. When operating the joystick for angling operation oil flows from control valve to hydraulic cylinder at rated pressure and flow to angling cylinder for extend or retract of cylinder rod to move the blade to get desired angle. This system enables the positioning of the blade at different angles easily and the return oil from the cylinder is directed to hydraulic tank through control valve and return line oil filter. When operating the joystick for tilt operation oil flows from control valve to hydraulic cylinder at rated pressure and flow to tilt cylinder for extend or retract of cylinder rod to move the blade to get the desired tilt position and returns oil to hydraulic tank through control valve and return line oil filter.
[066] The angle and tilt cylinders are designed well to take all the dynamic loads during dozing operation.
[067] Step 8. All the hydraulic oil after passing through the implement circuit returns to filter through control valve. The filter is a high efficiency filter with 10 micron rating capable to maintain the cleanliness of the hydraulic oil which filters all the oil and sends to hydraulic tank.
[068] The invention facilitates position of the blade angle and tilt at infinite position by using the hydraulic power with feather touch joystick control system. By using this system, the equipment’s operation becomes more versatile, highly productive and reduces the operator fatigue, which increases the overall efficiency of the product.
[069] These operations are effortless and leads to increase in productivity and efficiency.
[070] Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A hydraulic power-based system for automatic dozer blade angling & tilting comprises-
a) Hydraulic system consists of hydraulic pump (2), pilot pump (3), hydraulic oil reservoir (tank 1), gear pumps to discharge oil flow, direction control valve for oil flow path control, hydraulic cylinders for movement of blade, pilot oil control system for actuation of control valve spools and pipes & hoses for conducting of oil flow path connections. wherein the main hydraulic pump delivers oil flow to blade lift circuit and Power angle and tilt circuit.
b) Main control/direction control valve (4), hydraulic cylinders (5), operation blade (7), return block (8) pilot manifold logic control block, (11) connecting devices, hoses, adapters, pipes, O-rings etc, (12) accumulator (13) joystick (14) ,and filters (10).
c) C-Frame structure (6), with centre king post structure arrangement,, Pins, pin locks, and fasteners characterized in that blade mounted on a spherical joint in place of existing cylindrical joint of C-frame structures, which allows the blade movement in all three rotational directions wherein the C-Frame with centre king post structure arrangement, which supports the blade assembly with three hydraulic cylinders to facilitate the movement of the blade hydraulically with feather touch joystick control system.
2. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angular movement, the blade is controlled through left hand and right hand side angle cylinders mounted at left hand and right hand side of the blade.
3. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tilting of the blade is controlled through one tilt cylinder mounted at RH side of the blade and all these three cylinders are hinged to a centre king post structure which provides support for all the blade movements.
4. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Main hydraulic pump powers energy to blade lift circuit and Power angle and tilt circuit and delivers hydraulic oil from main hydraulic pump goes to main hydraulic control valve where the system power and flow are controlled and directed to respective hydraulic cylinders to perform blade movements.
5. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angling operations are controlled very precisely on either side by angling cylinders where it is possible to positioning the blade without any manual set up and similarly the blade tilt operations on the either side are achieved through feather touch joystick controls without manual set up work.
6. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main hydraulic pump delivers oil flow to blade lift circuit and power angle and tilt circuit which controls hydraulically angling and tilt operation of the blade and lift circuit controls the blade lift operation and hydraulic oil delivered from main hydraulic pump flows to hydraulic control valve which consists of three spool system assisted by pilot control system directs oil to lift and PAT circuits with feather touch joystick control system.
7. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the operations are controlled through joystick movement by the operator and the positioning of the blade for angling is achieved through angle cylinders and tilting of the blade through tilt cylinders on either direction.
8. The hydraulic power-based system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is a modular system which can be used as a fit-on attachment on the existing dozer equipment.