Cylinder with Check Valve

Abstract

A harvester head having at least one hydraulic actuator with a cylinder and a piston. The hydraulic actuator having at least a cylinder chamber and a piston rod chamber, both chambers being connected to a hydraulic circuit. The piston separating the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber, a cavity provided in the piston, hydraulically connecting the cylinder chamber with the piston rod chamber and a check valve in connection with the cavity that allows hydraulic medium flow in an opening direction of the check valve.

Claims

1. A harvester head for forestry applications comprising: at least one hydraulic actuator with a cylinder and a piston, the hydraulic actuator having at least a cylinder chamber and a piston rod chamber, the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber being connected to a hydraulic circuit, an additional hydraulic connection being parallel to the hydraulic actuator and to the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber.

2. The harvester head of claim 1, wherein the piston is separating the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber, a cavity is provided in the piston, hydraulically coupling the cylinder chamber with the piston rod chamber, a check valve is in connection with the cavity, allowing a hydraulic medium flow in an opening direction of the check valve, so that hydraulic medium can flow through the cavity and the check valve.

3. The harvester head of claim 1, wherein the piston is separating the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber, the additional hydraulic connection is provided on the outside of the hydraulic actuator, hydraulically coupling the hydraulic circuit parallel to the hydraulic actuator, a check valve is in connection with the additional hydraulic connection, allowing a hydraulic medium flow in an opening direction of the check valve, so that hydraulic medium flows through the additional hydraulic connection and the check valve.

4. The harvester head of claim 2, wherein the check valve is arranged to close a hydraulic medium flow when the hydraulic actuator is in a working position, and open the hydraulic medium flow when the hydraulic actuator is in a non-working position.

5. The harvester head of claim 2, wherein an orifice is provided downstream next to the check valve in the flow direction of the hydraulic medium through the check valve.

6. The harvester head of claim 5, wherein the orifice has a smaller diameter than the cavity.

7. The harvester head of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic actuator is connected with one end of the cylinder side or the piston rod side to an articulated frame and connected on the other side to a harvester head frame, so that the hydraulic actuator is adapted to move the articulated frame from a working position into a non-working position or the opposite in relation to the harvester head frame.

8. The harvester head of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic actuator is adapted to move into a working position, when the cylinder chamber is pressurized, and adapted to move into a non-working position when the piston rod chamber is pressurized.

9. The harvester head of claim 1, wherein a measuring apparatus is attached to the articulated frame, so that the measuring apparatus is moveable from a working position to a non-working position or the opposite.

10. The harvester head of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic medium flows from a pressurized side of the hydraulic actuator to a non-pressurized side of the hydraulic actuator through the check valve, so that a constant flow of hydraulic medium is maintained.

11. The harvester head of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic medium flow is reduced downstream of the check valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a harvester comprising a harvester head.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the harvester head of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a measuring apparatus of the harvester head of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a hydraulic actuator of the harvester head of FIG. 1.

[0027] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Further embodiments of the invention may include any combination of features from one or more dependent claims, and such features may be incorporated, collectively or separately, into any independent claim.

[0028] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists with elements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., and) and that are also preceded by the phrase at least one of or one or more of indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially include individual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. For example, at least one of A, B, and C or one or more of A, B, and C indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a forest machine 10, to which a harvester head 11 may be coupled. The illustrated forest machine 10 is a harvester which comprises a boom assembly. The harvester head 11 for the processing of trunks may be coupled to an end of the boom assembly. The forest machine 10 can also be an ordinary construction machine, yet instead of a bucket the harvester head 11 is present.

[0030] A hydraulic circuit is used to enable working attachments of machines to actuate the necessary tools, like the harvester head 11 on the forest machine 10. A hydraulic actuator is provided to control the harvester head 11 and is a part of the hydraulic circuit. An ordinary hydraulic circuit comprises a pump which supplies a continuous flow of a hydraulic medium. The flow is returned to a tank or reservoir through a control valve path. During use of the harvester head 11, the control valve is actuated so that the hydraulic medium is supplied from the pump to the hydraulic actuator.

[0031] A hydraulic actuator normally comprises a cylinder and a piston which is connected to a piston rod. The piston seals a cylinder sided chamber and in the case of a double acting cylinder also seals a piston rod chamber. Additional seals are provided on the cylinder to form both chambers. By applying hydraulic pressure to the separate chambers the piston is forced in one direction and transfers its force to the working attachments.

[0032] Depending on the attachments on the cylinder and on the piston rod side, it is possible to move machine parts so that various machines and working heads for machines may be implemented like a bucket for excavators.

[0033] In an ordinary hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic medium will flow through the pipes and hoses connected to the hydraulic actuator only until the hydraulic actuator has reached its end stop or when the hydraulic actuator is moving. The hydraulic medium that was pushed in a cylinder chamber for example, will flow in the opposite direction when the piston rod is retracting again. These conditions allow the hydraulic medium only to flow back and forth inside the hydraulic lines or hoses as far as the volumes of the hydraulic chambers are filled and emptied. In case of low temperature conditions, the hydraulic medium cannot travel through pumps or motors and exchange heat. This applies also in case when the hydraulic lines and hoses are very long and hold more hydraulic fluid volume that the whole hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic medium will remain at low temperatures for a long time period after starting the machine or never reach a sufficient working temperature with a certain viscosity level that ensures quick control response. This affects the positioning of the hydraulic actuator and the force that may be used for in the working position.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a harvester head 11 which is in accordance with the present invention. The harvester head 11 is suitable for cutting, delimbing and debarking of trunks. The harvester head 11 comprises a harvester head frame 22 which processes the tree stem or log and to which mounting arms 23 of feed members 24 are coupled. Furthermore, the harvester head frame 22 comprises either supporting surfaces or supporting rollers, or both, against which the trunk is pressed. A measuring wheel 31 of the measuring apparatus 25 is provided on the harvester head 11.

[0035] The feed members 24 are rotatable by a motor, cylindrical in shape, and their outer jacket is equipped with devices and a pattern for cutting through the bark and/or for gripping the trunk for feeding. Normally, at least two feed members 24 are provided, one on each side of the tree trunk. The rotation axes of the feed members 24 are oblique, transverse or perpendicular to a longitudinal direction 26. The feed members 24 may also be made in the shape of a link chain or a crawler. The measuring apparatus 25 is placed in the harvester head frame 22, where it is located in the area between grapple members 27, 28. The grapple members 27, 28 support the trunk and secure the placement of the trunk.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of a measuring apparatus 25. The measuring apparatus 25 is suitable for use with a harvester head, for example with the above-presented harvester head 11.

[0037] The measuring apparatus 25 comprises an articulated frame 29 and a rotating measuring wheel 31 which is coupled to the articulated frame 29 in such a way that the measuring wheel 31 is free to rotate. The measuring wheel 31 is mounted on e.g. a shaft 32 with both ends of the shaft mounted on the articulated frame 31 via a bearing such to rotate around the axis of the shaft 32. The shaft 32 is parallel to a rotation axis 33, and the shaft 32 may rotate together with the measuring wheel 31 around the rotation axis 33. The measuring wheel 31 is placed between the ends of the shaft 32.

[0038] The rotation axis 33 of the measuring wheel 31 is normally placed in such a way that it is perpendicular or extends transversely to the longitudinal direction 26 of the tree trunk. The width of the measuring wheel 31 is configured so that it can be equipped with a desired pattern by means of e.g. elongated blades or cogs which are parallel or oblique to the rotation axis 33. The measuring apparatus 25 may comprise sensors to find the rotational angle of the measuring wheel 31 in the working position.

[0039] The articulated frame 29 may be mounted on the harvester head frame 22, wherein the measuring wheel 31 and the articulated frame 29 are allowed to swing relative to the harvester head frame 22. Said swinging motion allows the movement of the measuring wheel 31 along the varying contour of the tree trunk. The articulated frame 29 swings with respect to a rotation axis 34. The measuring wheel 31 can be mounted on the harvester head frame 22 on both sides of the articulated frame 29.

[0040] The measuring apparatus 25 is mounted on the harvester head frame 22 in such a way that the measuring wheel 31 can swing to a position in which it is pressed against the tree stem or log held in the harvester head 11. If the tree stem or log has a shape that brings it further away from the harvester head frame 22, the swinging motion of the measuring apparatus 25 can be used to keep the measuring wheel 31 pressed against the trunk. The rotation axis 34 of said swinging motion is parallel to the rotation axis 33.

[0041] A hydraulic actuator 35 is also connected to the measuring apparatus 25. Preferably, a first end 36 of the hydraulic actuator 35 is mounted on the articulated frame 29 by means of a joint 38. The rotation axis of the joint 38 is parallel to the rotation axis 33.

[0042] There is one hydraulic actuator 35. According to another embodiment, there may be two hydraulic actuators 35 and they may be placed in parallel, next to each other.

[0043] The joint 38 is spaced from rotation axis 34, wherein the force generated by the hydraulic actuator 35 produces a torque that is capable of rotating the articulated frame 29 in respect of harvester head frame 22. The hydraulic actuator 35 is placed in the harvester head frame 22 in such a way that the hydraulic actuator 35 generates a force that presses the measuring wheel 31 against the tree trunk.

[0044] An opposite second end 37 of the hydraulic actuator 35 is supported to the harvester head frame 22 or another corresponding element that provides a sufficient counter force for the force generated by the hydraulic actuator 35. The force generated by the hydraulic actuator 35 pushes the measuring wheel 31 against the tree trunk. The generated force is transmitted via the joint 38 and the articulated frame 29.

[0045] The swinging motion of the measuring apparatus 25 is limited as desired, for example by means of the hydraulic actuator 35 or by providing a stopping member in the harvester head frame 22, for example a stopper, a barrier or another device for limiting the movement.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a hydraulic actuator 35 according to the present invention. The hydraulic actuator 35 can be used with a hydraulic pressure medium, preferably hydraulic oil. The illustrated hydraulic actuator 35 comprises a cylinder 41 and a piston 42 which is connected to a piston rod. The piston 42 separates the hydraulic actuator 35 in two distinct chambers, a cylinder chamber 43 and a piston rod chamber 44. Both chambers 43, 44 are connected to a hydraulic circuit by commonly known connections.

[0047] The piston 42 has a cavity 45 which is connected to the piston rod chamber 44 and allows hydraulic medium to flow inside the cavity 45 and to a check valve 46 which is also provided inside the piston 42 and connected to the cavity 45. The check valve 46 allows the flow of hydraulic medium in one direction and blocks the flow of the hydraulic medium in the opposite direction. In the embodiment, the check valve 46 enables hydraulic flow from the piston rod chamber 44 to the cylinder chamber 43. It is possible to switch the position and opening direction of the check valve 46 so that the hydraulic flow allowed by the check valve 46 may flow from the cylinder chamber 43 to the piston rod chamber 44 depending on the requirement.

[0048] Seen in the direction of the flow there is an orifice 47 behind the check valve 46. The orifice 47 limits the diameter for the flow path behind the check valve 46. The diameter can be dimensioned so that the hydraulic actuator 35 will travel at an acceptable rate, depending on the usage, and still allow an adequate amount of hydraulic medium to flow through the connection comprising the cavity 45, the check valve 46 and the orifice 47.

[0049] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the hydraulic actuator 35 has an end stop when the piston rod is fully extended and an end stop when the piston rod is fully retracted into the cylinder 41. Such a hydraulic actuator 35 may be used for moving and acting on the measuring apparatus 25 for the harvester head 11. Yet, it may also be used for various other applications, such as actuating feeding members, opening and closing grapping members or controlling tilt arms. The use may also extend to hydraulic actuators in constructions machines or off-road machines in general.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the hydraulic actuator 35 acts on the articulated frame 29 to which the measuring apparatus 25 is attached. When the hydraulic actuator 35 is extending, the measuring apparatus 25 is in a working position. The working position is not limited to the end stop but to the cylinder chamber 43 being under pressure by the hydraulic medium when the measuring apparatus 25 is pressed against the tree stem surface. Consequently, the measuring apparatus 25 is in a non-working position when the piston rod chamber 44 is under pressure or the measuring apparatus 25 is not pressed against the tree stem surface.

[0051] When the hydraulic actuator 35 is in the working position, the cylinder chamber 43 is under hydraulic pressure and the piston rod is extending or at least is forcing the articulated frame 29 and the measuring wheel 31 towards the surface of a tree stem or log. The check valve 46 blocks any hydraulic medium flow so that the pressure can be used without loss. When the measuring apparatus 25 is not in use, the hydraulic pressure is built inside the piston rod chamber 44 and the piston rod will begin to retract. When a certain pressure limit is reached, the check valve 46 will open and allow the flow from one chamber 43, 44 to the other. Yet, even with the check valve 46 in open condition, the pressure may be adjusted by the diameter of the orifice 47 so that the retraction in ensured while the hydraulic flow is happening.

[0052] The embodiment enables the hydraulic medium to travel or flow continuously in one direction when the hydraulic actuator 35 is in non-working position. This flow ensures that the hydraulic medium can reach heat exchangers, motors and pumps so that the temperature can be increased in a short period of time after work starts so that the viscosity can be reduced at a faster rate and the low temperature conditions are limited to the beginning of the work phase of the machine only.

[0053] Additional sensors for the hydraulic circuit may be provided. These sensors may a temperature of the hydraulic medium. An additional circuit control may be provided so that the flow rate of the circuit may be controlled in relation to a temperature level of the hydraulic medium.