Claims:We claim:
1. A hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit, for actuating an IPTO clutch assembly (110), comprising of:

a. a reservoir (505), for holding the fluid;
b. a filter (520), associated with the reservoir (505);
c. a fluid compressing device (150), connected with the filter (520);
d. a steering unit (570), connected with the fluid compressing device (150) via a steering input line (575); and
e. an integrated side cover (650), connected to the steering unit (570) via a steering output line (580);
characterized in that, the steering unit (570) is associated with the fluid compressing device (150) and the fluid pressure regulator (515) via a steering input line (575) and a steering output line (580) respectively, wherein the fluid coming out of the steering unit (570) is used as input for the integrated side cover (650) to actuate the IPTO clutch assembly (110).
2. The hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, wherein the said integrated side cover (650) comprises of a flow control valve (510) and a fluid pressure regulator (515).

3. The hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit according to claim 1 and claim 2, characterized in that, wherein the said fluid pressure regulator (515), comprises of:
a. a direction control valve (545), to receive the fluid from the flow control valve (510) and control the direction of the from the reservoir (505) to the IPTO clutch-brake assembly (110) during the engagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110);
b. a pressure limiting valve (555), to regulate the pressure of the fluid to predefined pressure level; and
c. a modulation valve (565), to modulate the pressure of the fluid and control the time of engagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110) by controlling the flow of the fluid to the IPTO clutch assembly (110).

4. The hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, wherein the said fluid compressing device (150) is preferably an auxiliary gear pump.

5. The hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, wherein the said fluid is a hydraulic fluid.
, Description:HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR INDEPENDENT POWER TAKE-OFF (IPTO)
FILED OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to independent power take-off unit, particularly to an independent power take-off unit in which the clutch assembly is actuated by utilizing the return hydraulic fluid from the steering unit through control valves which are integrated with the side cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Independent power take-off (IPTO) unit is used along with sources of rotational power, such as an engine of a vehicle, for rotationally driving implements such as hydraulic pumps, blower systems, etc. A typical IPTO unit includes a hydraulically actuated clutch-brake assembly, in addition to the components of the power take-off unit. The clutch-brake assembly selectively engages or disengages an input shaft connected to the engine with an output shaft connected to the implement. Such an engagement and disengagement of the clutch-brake assembly is independent of the transmission clutch of the vehicle. In this way, the IPTO unit can draw power irrespective of the state of motion of the vehicle. This IPTO clutch-brake assembly is typically operated through the control valves which are integrated with the side cover. The hydraulic fluid input for each of the valves in the control system is from the auxiliary hydraulic pump situated inside the center housing driven by the gear train compounded with a scotch yoke pump shaft. The gear train assembly and the auxiliary hydraulic pump situated inside the center housing produces undesirable noise during continuous operation. Moreover, there is considerable power loss due to the set of rotating gears. Further, the auxiliary hydraulic pump and the gear train assembly employs a large number of components. Thus, they have a high manufacturing cost and are bulky.
There is therefore a need in the art for an improved IPTO that solves the above mentioned problems and has the below mentioned objectives.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic system for the improved IPTO in which the control valves, which are used for supplying the hydraulic fluid to the clutch assembly, are integrated with the vehicle side cover.
Another objective of the present invention is to use the return hydraulic fluid from the steering unit to actuate the clutch assembly through the said controls valves integrated with side cover.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved IPTO in which undesirable noise produced during continuous operation of the gear train assembly is minimal or negligent.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved IPTO in which power loss due to the set of rotating gears is minimal or negligent.
Additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved IPTO which is compact and has a low manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit, for actuating an IPTO clutch assembly (110) of the present invention comprising of :a reservoir (505) ; a filter (520); a fluid compressing device (150) ; a steering unit (570); and an integrated side cover (650), characterized in that, wherein the said integrated side cover (650), consists of a flow control valve (510) and a fluid pressure regulator (515), comprising of: a direction control valve (545); a pressure limiting valve (555); and a modulation valve (565), characterized in that, wherein the said steering unit (570) is associated with the fluid compressing device (150) and the fluid pressure regulator (515) via a steering input line (575) and a steering output line (580) respectively, wherein the fluid coming out of the steering unit (570) is used as input for the integrated side cover (650) to actuate the IPTO clutch assembly (110). The integrated side cover having the flow control device (510), which supplies the hydraulic fluid at a preset flow and the fluid pressure regulator (515) comprising of a plurality of sub valves (545, 555, 565), controls and modulates the supply of hydraulic fluid to the IPTO clutch assembly (110) during the engagement and disengagement process. The directional control valve (545) allows the hydraulic fluid to actuate the clutch assembly during the engagement and directs the oil to the reservoir during the disengagement condition. The flow control valve (510) maintains a constant rate of the hydraulic fluid flow. The pressure relief valve (555) maintains a constant pressure of the hydraulic fluid and a Modulation valve (565) controls the rate of engagement of the clutch assembly, during the engagement process. The present invention has the advantages of reduced power loss, minimized noise production, compactness and low manufacturing cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts the improved IPTO of the present invention comprising a hydraulic system in which the return hydraulic fluid from the steering unit being used as an input for actuation of the clutch assembly.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS
The present invention as embodied by hydraulic system for independent power take-off unit for utility vehicles, succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.
The present invention provides a hydraulic system (600) for the independent power take-off (IPTO) unit, for actuating an IPTO clutch assembly (110), comprising of :a reservoir (505), for holding the fluid; a filter (520), associated with the reservoir (505); a fluid compressing device (150), connected with the filter (520); a steering unit (570), connected with the fluid compressing device (150) via a steering input line (575); and an integrated side cover (650), connected to the steering unit (570) via a steering output line (580), wherein the said steering unit (570) is associated with the fluid compressing device (150) and the fluid pressure regulator (515) via a steering input line (575) and a steering output line (580) respectively, wherein the fluid coming out of the steering unit (570) is used as input for the integrated side cover (650) to actuate the IPTO clutch assembly (110).
In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said integrated side cover (650) consists of a flow control valve (510) and a fluid pressure regulator (515), comprising of: a direction control valve (545), for receiving the fluid from the flow control valve (510); a pressure limiting valve (555), for regulating the pressure of the fluid to a predefined pressure level; and a modulation valve (565), for modulating the pressure of the fluid.
The hydraulic system (600) supplies the hydraulic fluid (240) for operation of the IPTO clutch assembly (110). Preferably, the fluid compressing device (150) may be an auxiliary gear pump.
The reservoir (505) stores the hydraulic fluid and the fluid compressing device (150) draws the hydraulic fluid (240) from the reservoir (505) though a fluid transport line. While flowing through the fluid transport line, the hydraulic fluid first passes the filter (520) before entering the fluid compressing device (150).
In an embodiment of the present invention, during the operation of the IPTO clutch assembly (110), the fluid compressing device (150) pumps the hydraulic fluid (240) to the steering unit (570) via the steering input line (575) and the steering output line (580) emerging from the steering unit (570), supplies the hydraulic fluid to the flow control device (510) and the fluid pressure regulator (515) comprising of a plurality of sub valves (545, 555, 565). The integrated side cover having the flow control device (510), which supplies the hydraulic fluid at a preset flow and the fluid pressure regulator (515) comprising of a plurality of sub valves (545, 555, 565), controls and modulates the supply of hydraulic fluid to the
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the direction control valve (545) controls the direction of the hydraulic fluid by allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow from the reservoir (505) to the clutch-brake assembly (110) during the engagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110). The direction control valve (545) also bypasses the hydraulic fluid, while flowing back from the clutch-brake assembly (110) to the reservoir (505) during the disengagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110).
The pressure limiting valve (555) maintains the hydraulic fluid (240) supplied to the IPTO clutch assembly (110) at a certain predetermined constant pressure. The modulation valve (565) controls the time of engagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110) by controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid to the IPTO clutch assembly (110). The modulation valve (565) ensures a safe engagement of the IPTO clutch assembly (110) and prevents any damage to the implement or the IPTO unit.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

110 - IPTO Clutch Assembly
150 - Fluid Compressing Device
505 - Reservoir
510 - Flow Control Device
515 - Fluid Pressure Regulator
520 - Filter
545 - Direction Control Valve
555 - Pressure Limiting Valve
565 - Modulation Valve
570 - Steering Unit
575 - Steering input line
580 - Steering output line
600 - Hydraulic System employed in the improved IPTO
650 - Integrated side cover