Techniques for variable retarder control

Abstract

Technologies for variable retarder control include a control valve for controlling operation of a hydraulic retarder. The control valve includes a valve body having a retarder valve including a plurality of ports and a valve bore extending through the ports. A spool is located in the valve bore and is movable to selectively block or connect the one or more ports. The ports include a decelerator output port and a discharge port fluidly coupled to each other via a discharge passage. In use, as the spool moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the drain passage drains lubricating fluid from the retarder output port to the drain port. The discharge passage is shaped to provide a linear relationship between positioning of the spool between the fully closed position and the fully open position and power of the hydraulic retarder. The control valve may also include a lubrication regulator valve configured to supply lubricating oil to the system when the hydraulic retarder is discharged to the discharge port via the discharge passage to maintain an appropriate lubrication pressure in the system.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 651,377, entitled “TECHNOLOGIES FOR VARIABLE RETARDER CONTROL,” filed May 23, 2024, and U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 775,739, entitled “TECHNOLOGIES FOR VARIABLE RETARDER CONTROL,” filed July 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to hydraulic control valves and related systems, and more specifically to hydraulic control valves for controlling the operation of hydraulic or hydrodynamic reducers. Background Technology

[0003] Hydraulic reducers are commonly used in vehicles, especially heavy-duty commercial vehicles, as components of automatic transmissions to assist in braking. The reducer is typically coupled to either the input or output of the transmission and is configured to convert the rotational energy of the drivetrain into heat via the rotation of components located within the reducer itself, thereby aiding in vehicle deceleration. The generated heat is carried away by lubricating oil retained within the reducer and removed by an associated oil cooling system. The braking assistance provided by the reducer can improve the function and lifespan of the vehicle's friction braking system.

[0004] A gear reducer control system is used to control the operation of an associated hydraulic gear reducer and typically includes gear reducer valves for supplying and removing lubricating oil from the associated hydraulic gear reducer. A typical gear reducer valve is controlled using an on / off control strategy. That is, a typical gear reducer valve can move to either a fully open or fully closed position or mode. However, this binary control strategy does not provide variability in the braking power provided by the hydraulic gear reducer and can result in significant and sudden braking activity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a control valve for controlling the operation of a hydraulic reducer includes a valve body and a valve spool. The valve body includes a reducer valve having a plurality of ports and a valve bore extending through the plurality of ports. The valve spool is located in the valve bore and includes a plurality of shoulders. The valve spool is movable within the valve bore to position the plurality of shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of ports. The plurality of ports includes a reducer output port and a discharge port, the reducer output port being configured to be fluidly coupled (connected) to an output end of the hydraulic reducer, and the discharge port being configured to be fluidly coupled to an oil reservoir. The valve body includes an inner wall separating the reducer output port and the discharge port, and the inner wall includes a discharge passage fluidly coupling the reducer output port to the discharge port.

[0006] In some embodiments, the discharge channel includes an elongated slit. For example, the discharge channel may include a base opening, and the elongated slit may be in fluid communication with the base opening and extend away from the base opening. In such an embodiment, the base opening may have an elliptical shape including a major axis whose length is greater than the width of the elongated slit.

[0007] Additionally, in some embodiments, the valve spool can move between a fully closed position, a fully open position, and a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions. In the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port. In the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port. In the partially open position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through a discharge channel. In such embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel that fluidly couples the reducer output port to the discharge port can decrease as the valve spool moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position. Furthermore, the discharge port can be configured to provide a linear relationship between the position of the valve spool and the power (capacity, power) of the hydraulic reducer.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plurality of ports may further include a cooler input configured to be fluidly coupled to an oil cooler input. In such an embodiment, the reducer output port may be fluidly coupled to the cooler input port when the valve spool is moved to the fully open position. Additionally, in some embodiments, the control valve may further include a biasing member located within the valve orifice and configured to bias the valve spool to the fully closed position.

[0009] Additionally, in some embodiments, the valve body may further include a lubrication regulator valve and a regulator valve spool. The lubrication regulator valve may include a plurality of regulator ports and a regulator valve orifice extending through the plurality of regulator ports. The regulator valve spool may be located within the regulator valve orifice and may include a plurality of regulator shoulders. Furthermore, the regulator valve spool may be movable within the regulator valve orifice to position the plurality of regulator shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of regulator ports. The plurality of regulator ports may include a lubrication regulator output port fluidly coupled to a lubrication regulator input port among the plurality of ports of the reducer valve, and a system lubrication input port configured to be fluidly coupled to a system lubrication supply line. In such an embodiment, when the reducer valve spool is moved to a partially open position, the regulator valve spool may be moved to a position that fluidly couples the lubrication regulator output port to the system lubrication input port to provide a quantity of lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reducer valve may be implemented as a manually controlled valve.

[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for controlling the operation of a hydraulic reducer may include: moving a reducer valve from a fully closed position to a fully open position; and simultaneously, while moving the reducer valve from the fully closed position to the fully open position, draining lubricating oil from a reducer output port of the reducer valve, which is fluidly coupled to the output end of the hydraulic reducer, to a drain port of the reducer valve, which is fluidly coupled to an oil sump. In some embodiments, draining the lubricating oil may include a discharge passage that allows a certain amount of lubricating oil to be fluidly coupled between the reducer output port and the drain port.

[0011] Additionally, in some embodiments, the discharge passage may include a base opening and an elongated slit in fluid communication with the base opening and extending away from it. In some embodiments, the movable reducer valve may include a valve spool of the movable reducer valve, and venting lubricating oil may include maintaining a linear relationship between the position of the valve spool and the power of the hydraulic reducer.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a hydraulic reducer control system may include a hydraulic reducer, an oil sump, a reducer valve, and a valve spool. The hydraulic reducer may include an input end and an output end, and the oil sump may be configured to collect and store lubricating oil. The reducer valve may be configured to control the operation of the hydraulic reducer and may include multiple ports and a valve orifice extending through the multiple ports. The valve spool may be located in the valve orifice and may include multiple shoulders. Additionally, the valve spool may move within the valve orifice to position the multiple shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the multiple ports. The multiple ports may include a reducer output port fluidly coupled to the output end of the hydraulic reducer and a discharge port fluidly coupled to the oil sump. The reducer output port may be fluidly coupled to the discharge port via a discharge passage of the reducer valve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the discharge channel may be configured to provide a linear relationship between the position of the reducer valve spool and the power of the hydraulic reducer as the reducer valve spool moves from a fully closed position to a fully open position. In the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port (channel). In the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port. Additionally, in some embodiments, the valve spool may move between (i) a fully closed position, (ii) a fully open position, and (iii) a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions. In the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port (channel). In the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port. In the partially open position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through the discharge channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the hydraulic reducer control system may further include a system lubrication supply line, a lubrication regulator valve, and a regulator spool. The system lubrication supply line may be configured to supply a quantity of lubricating oil to components of the hydraulic reducer control system. The lubrication regulator valve may have multiple regulator ports and a regulator valve orifice extending through the multiple regulator ports. The regulator spool may be located within the regulator valve orifice and may include multiple regulator shoulders. In such embodiments, the regulator spool may be movable within the regulator valve orifice to position the multiple regulator shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the multiple regulator ports.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plurality of regulator ports may include a lubrication regulator output port fluidly coupled to a lubrication regulator input port among a plurality of ports of the reducer valve, and a system lubrication input port configured to be fluidly coupled to a system lubrication supply line. Additionally, in some embodiments, when the reducer valve spool is moved to a partially open position, the regulator spool may be moved to a position that fluidly couples the lubrication regulator output port to the system lubrication input port to provide a quantity of lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The concepts described herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings by way of example rather than limitation. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where deemed appropriate, reference numerals are repeated in the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an automatic transmission assembly, including a hydraulic reducer and associated system control valve components.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A plan view of the system control valve assembly, wherein the cover is removed to visualize the internal ports, valve orifices, and associated valve spools of the reducer valve and lubrication regulator valve included in the system control valve assembly;

[0019] Figure 3 It is roughly cut along line 3-3. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the system control valve assembly;

[0020] Figure 4 It roughly corresponds to Figure 2 dashed box 4 Figure 2 An enlarged view of the reducer output port of the reducer valve body in the system control valve assembly;

[0021] Figure 5 It can be used for control Figure 1 The operation of the hydraulic reducer and includes Figure 2 A simplified diagram of the hydraulic reducer control system of the system control valve assembly;

[0022] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Is using Figure 2 The system control valve assembly is used to control Figure 1 A simplified flowchart of the operation method of the hydraulic reducer;

[0023] Figure 8 It is in the fully closed position or mode. Figure 2 A simplified operating diagram of the system control valve assembly in the fully closed position or mode. Figure 3 The reducer output port of the reducer valve body of the system control valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the discharge port of the reducer valve body;

[0024] Figure 9 It is in a partially open position or mode. Figure 3 A simplified operating diagram of the reducer control valve body, showing the open position or mode of this part. Figure 3 The output port of the reducer valve of the system control valve is vented or leaked to the discharge port of the reducer valve.

[0025] Figure 10 It is in a fully closed position or mode. Figure 3 A simplified operating diagram of the reducer control valve body in the fully closed position or mode. Figure 3 The reducer output port of the system control valve assembly is fluidly disconnected from the discharge port of the reducer valve body. Detailed Implementation

[0026] While the concepts of this disclosure are readily adapted and presented in various forms, specific embodiments thereof have been illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the concepts of this disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with this disclosure and the appended claims.

[0027] References to "an embodiment," "embodiment," "illustrative embodiment," etc., in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic; however, each embodiment may or may not include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether explicitly described or not, it is assumed that implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be understood that items included in the list in the form of "at least one A, B, and C" can refer to (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of "at least one of A, B, or C" can refer to (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).

[0028] In some cases, some of the disclosed techniques and embodiments can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments can also be implemented as instructions carried or stored thereon on a transient or non-transient machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage medium that can be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium can be embodied in any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, media disk, or other media device) for storing or transmitting information in a machine-readable form.

[0029] In the accompanying drawings, some structural or methodological features may be shown in a specific arrangement and / or order. However, it should be understood that such a specific arrangement and / or order may not be necessary. Instead, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and / or order than shown in the illustrative drawings. Furthermore, the inclusion of structural or methodological features in a particular drawing does not imply that such features are required in all embodiments, and in some embodiments, these features may not be included or may be combined with other features.

[0030] Now for reference Figure 1The illustrative automatic transmission assembly 100 includes an automatic transmission 102, a hydraulic reducer 104 mechanically coupled to the automatic transmission 102, a torque converter 106 mechanically coupled to the hydraulic reducer 104, and a system control valve assembly 110 fluidly coupled to various components of the assembly 100, as described below. Figure 5 This is shown and discussed in more detail. In use, the system control valve assembly 110 is configured to control the chamber pressure inside the hydraulic reducer 104 (which limits the current reducer power of the hydraulic reducer 104) by controlling the oil output flow of the hydraulic reducer 104, thereby providing variable control of the hydraulic reducer 104. For this purpose, the system control valve assembly 110 is designed to have a partially open position or mode in which lubricating oil held in the hydraulic reducer 104 is discharged to an oil sump via a discharge passage of the system control valve assembly 110, as discussed in more detail below. The amount of lubricating oil discharged from the hydraulic reducer 104 is also controlled by controlling the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge passage. Therefore, the internal pressure of the hydraulic reducer 104 and thus the reducer power (power, capacity) can be decreased or increased by increasing or decreasing the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge passage, respectively.

[0031] However, it should be understood that during the partially open position / mode described above, the venting of the hydraulic reducer 104 to the oil sump may undesirably reduce the total lubricating oil pressure of assembly 100. Therefore, the system control valve assembly 110 is also configured to supply lubricating oil from the torque converter line in excess when operating in the partially open position / mode (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5 The lubrication supply line is supplemented or otherwise provided to the system. In this way, the lubricating oil pressure of the system is maintained, while providing variable control of the power of the hydraulic reducer 104.

[0032] Now for reference Figure 2 In an illustrative embodiment, the system control valve assembly 110 includes a valve body 200 having a reducer valve 202 and a lubrication regulator valve 204. The reducer valve 202 is configured to variably control the operation of the hydraulic reducer 104, and the lubrication regulator valve 204 is configured to replenish lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line during the partially open position / mode of the reducer valve 202 as described above. Although the reducer valve 202 and the lubrication regulator valve 204... Figure 2 The valves are shown as being integrated into the system control valve assembly 110 (i.e., into the valve body 200), but it should be understood that valves 202, 204 may be implemented as separate valves having individual valve bodies but fluidly coupled to each other to perform the operations described herein in other embodiments.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the reducer valve 202 is formed in the valve body 200 by a plurality of ports 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and valve bores 230 extending through the ports 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222. The reducer valve core 240 is located in the valve bores 230 and includes a plurality of shoulders 242, 244, 246 defined along the length of the valve core 240 (see...). Figure 3 In use, valve core 240 is configured to slide or otherwise move within valve port 230 to position shoulders 242, 244, 246 to selectively block or connect one or more of ports 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222. (See below for details.) Figure 5 Discussed in more detail, each of the ports 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222 of the reducer valve 202 can be coupled to a corresponding lubricating oil line of the hydraulic reducer control system 500, so as to couple the corresponding ports 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222 to other components of the hydraulic reducer control system 500. For example, in the illustrative embodiment and as... Figure 5 As shown, the reducer valve 202 includes a discharge port 210 configured to couple to the lubricating oil sump 502, a reducer output port 212 configured to couple to the output of the hydraulic reducer 104, a cooler input port 214 configured to couple to the input of the lubricating oil cooler 504, a lubricating regulator port 216 configured to couple (via internal piping) to the lubricating oil regulator valve 204's lubricating regulator input port 260, an excess output port 218 configured to couple to the torque converter supply line, a reducer input port 220 configured to couple to the input of the hydraulic reducer 104, and a cooler output port 222 configured to couple to the output of the lubricating oil cooler 504. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the reducer valve 202 may include additional ports, valve ports, valve cores, and / or other components.

[0034] As described above, the reducer valve 202 is operable to provide variable control of the power of the hydraulic reducer 104. For this purpose, the reducer valve spool 240 can move from a fully closed position through a series (range) of partially open positions to a fully open position, and vice versa. In the fully closed position (the reducer valve spool 240 moves through, as...), Figure 3When the bias spring or component 300 is biased to the fully closed position, the reducer output port 212 is fluidly coupled to the drain port 210 via the valve port 230, thereby removing lubricating oil from the hydraulic reducer 104 and reducing or minimizing the power of the hydraulic reducer 104. Conversely, in the fully open position, the reducer output port 212 is disconnected from the drain port 210, thereby retaining lubricating oil within the hydraulic reducer 104 and increasing or maximizing the power of the hydraulic reducer 104.

[0035] However, when the reducer valve 202 moves to a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions, the lubricating oil contained in the hydraulic reducer 104 is released or leaked from the reducer output port 212 to the discharge port 210 through the discharge passage 250, which fluidly couples the reducer output port 212 to the discharge port 210. Figure 4 As best shown, valve body 200 includes an inner wall 400 separating reducer output port 212 from discharge port 210. Discharge passage 250 is defined through inner wall 400 to fluidly couple reducer output port 212 to discharge port 210. Illustrative discharge passage 250 includes a base opening 252 and an elongated slit or opening 254 extending in fluid communication with and away from base opening 252. Thus, as reducer valve spool 240 moves from a fully closed position to a fully open position, shoulder 242 of valve spool 240 blocks an increased portion of discharge passage 250, thereby reducing the effective cross-sectional area of ​​discharge passage 250. This reduces the amount of oil discharged from reducer output port 212 to discharge port 210, which increases reducer pressure and thus increases braking power of hydraulic reducer 104.

[0036] The discharge passage 250 is designed to establish a linear relationship between the stroke position of the reducer valve 202 and the power generated by the hydraulic reducer 104 (e.g., the pressure built up within the hydraulic reducer 104). In an illustrative embodiment, the base opening 252 of the discharge passage 250 is elliptical and includes a major axis 402 (i.e., the larger of the two axes) and a minor axis 404 (i.e., the smaller of the two axes). Additionally, in an illustrative embodiment, the length of the major axis 402 is greater than the width 406 of the elongated slit 254. It should be understood that by designing the major axis 402 of the base opening 252 to have a dimension larger than the width 406 of the elongated slit 254, the discharge passage 250 provides a linear relationship between the stroke position of the reducer valve 202 and the power generated by the hydraulic reducer 104 when the shoulder 242 of the valve core 240 covers a portion of the elongated slit 254 of the discharge passage 250. However, a nonlinear relationship can be established when the shoulder 242 covers a portion of the base opening 252, relative to the coverage of the elongated slit 254. This relative nonlinearity between the coverage of the base opening 252 and the elongated slit 254 can improve the overall linear response of the reducer valve 202's stroke position by overcoming the potential boundary layer effect of the oil passing through the discharge passage 250. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the discharge passage 250 may have other shapes and / or dimensions. For example, in some embodiments, the elongated slit 254 may have a width that varies along the length of the elongated slit 254 to provide a nonlinear relationship between the stroke position of the reducer valve 202 and the power obtained by the hydraulic reducer 104.

[0037] Return to reference Figure 2 And similar to the reducer valve 202, the lubrication regulator valve 204 is formed in the valve body 200 by a plurality of regulator ports 260, 262 and a regulator valve bore 270 extending through the ports 260, 262. A regulator valve spool 280 is located in the regulator valve bore 270 and includes a plurality of shoulders (not shown) defined along the length of the regulator valve spool 280. In use, the regulator valve spool 280 is configured to slide or otherwise move within the regulator valve bore 270 to position the shoulders to selectively block or engage one or more of the ports 260, 262. Again, as follows regarding... Figure 5 Discussed in more detail, each of ports 260, 262 of the lubrication regulator valve 204 is coupled to a corresponding lubrication oil line of the hydraulic reducer control system 500, thereby coupling the corresponding ports 260, 262 to other components of the hydraulic reducer control system 500. For example, in the illustrative embodiment and as... Figure 2As shown, the lubrication regulator valve 204 includes a lubrication regulator input port 260 fluidly coupled (via internal piping) to the lubrication regulator port 216 of the reducer valve 202, and a lubrication regulator output port 262 configured to fluidly couple to the system lubrication supply line 524 (see [link]). Figure 5 Of course, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the lubrication regulator valve 204 may include additional ports, valve orifices, valve cores and / or other components.

[0038] In use, the lubrication regulator valve 204 is configured to supply or otherwise replenish lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line 524 when the reducer valve 202 is in a partially open position or mode. To this end, when the reducer valve 202 is in the partially open position, the regulator valve spool 280 moves to a position that fluidly couples the lubrication regulator input port 260 to the lubrication regulator output port 262, thereby replenishing the lubricating oil in the system lubrication supply line 524 and maintaining the system's lubricating oil pressure.

[0039] Now for reference Figure 5 The system control valve assembly 110 forms a component of the hydraulic reducer control system 500. The hydraulic reducer control system 500 also includes a hydraulic reducer 104, a torque converter 106, an oil tank 502, and an oil cooler 504. As described above, the system control valve assembly 110 is fluidly coupled to various pipes of the hydraulic reducer control system 500 to control the operation of the hydraulic reducer 104. For example, the discharge port 210 of the reducer valve 202 is coupled to the oil tank 502 via an associated discharge pipe (not shown). Additionally, the reducer output port 212 of the reducer valve 202 is fluidly coupled to the reducer output pipe 510 and the converter output pipe 512, with the reducer output pipe 510 fluidly coupled to the output of the hydraulic reducer 104 and the converter output pipe 512 fluidly coupled to the output of the torque converter 106. The cooler input port 214 of the reducer valve 202 is fluidly coupled to the cooler input pipe 514, which is fluidly coupled to the input of the oil cooler 504. Oil cooler 504 is configured to cool the lubricating oil supplied by system control valve 110.

[0040] The excess output port 218 of reducer valve 202 is fluidly coupled to excess conduit 516, which is fluidly coupled to converter supply conduit 518 that supplies lubricating oil to torque converter 106. Additionally, the reducer input port 220 of reducer valve 202 is fluidly coupled to reducer input conduit 520, which is fluidly coupled to the input end of hydraulic reducer 104. The cooler output port 222 of reducer valve 202 is fluidly coupled to cooler output conduit 522, which is fluidly coupled to the output end of oil cooler 504. Furthermore, the lubrication regulator output port 262 of lubrication regulator valve 204 is fluidly coupled to system lubrication supply line 524.

[0041] Now for reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 This illustrates a method 600 for controlling the operation of a hydraulic reducer 104 using a system control valve assembly 110. The method 600 begins at block 602, in which the reducer valve 202 of the system control valve assembly 110 is positioned in a fully closed position or mode, such as... Figure 8 As shown. In the fully closed position / mode, in block 604, the reducer input port 220 is disconnected from the cooler output port 222. Additionally, in block 606, the reducer output port 212 is connected to the drain port 210. In block 608, the system lubrication input port is connected to the cooler output port 222, and in block 610, the excess output port 218 is disconnected from the lubrication regulator port 216 of the reducer valve 202. Furthermore, in block 612, the lubrication regulator input port 260 of the lubrication regulator valve 204 is disconnected from the lubrication regulator output port 262 of the lubrication regulator valve 204. Therefore, in the fully closed position / mode, the lubricating oil of the hydraulic reducer 104 is drained to the drain port 210, and the lubrication regulator valve 204 does not supply supplemental lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line 524.

[0042] Return to reference Figure 6 When the reducer valve 202 moves from the fully closed position / mode to the fully open position / mode, in block 614, the reducer valve moves through the various open positions / modes, such as... Figure 9As shown. In the partially open position / mode, in block 616, the reducer input port 220 is connected to the cooler output port 222. Additionally, in block 618, the reducer output port 212 drains or leaks to the discharge port 210 via the drain passage 250. In block 620, the system lubrication input port is connected to the cooler output port 222, and in block 622, the excess output port 218 is connected to the lubrication regulator port 216 of the reducer valve 202. Furthermore, in block 624, the lubrication regulator input port 260 of the lubrication regulator valve 204 is connected to the lubrication regulator output port 262 of the lubrication regulator valve 204. Therefore, in each partially open position / mode, the lubricating oil of the hydraulic reducer 104 drains to the discharge port 210 via the drain passage 250, and a replenished amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the system lubrication supply line 524 via the lubrication regulator valve 204. As described above, the amount of lubricating oil discharged from the hydraulic reducer 104 to the discharge port 210 depends on the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 250, which in turn depends on the stroke position of the reducer valve core 240.

[0043] Now for reference Figure 7 In block 626, reducer valve 202 can be fully moved to the fully open position / mode through various partial open positions / modes. In the fully open position / mode, in block 628, reducer input port 220 is connected to cooler output port 222. Additionally, in block 630, reducer output port 212 is disconnected from discharge port 210. In block 632, system lubrication input port is connected to cooler output port 222, and in block 634, excess output port 218 is disconnected from lubrication regulator port 216 of reducer valve 202. Furthermore, in block 636, lubrication regulator input port 260 of lubrication regulator valve 204 is disconnected from lubrication regulator output port 262 of lubrication regulator valve 204. Therefore, in the fully open position / mode, lubricating oil in hydraulic reducer 104 remains in hydraulic reducer 104, and lubrication regulator valve 204 does not supply supplemental lubricating oil to system lubrication supply line 524. The reducer valve 202 can then move back to the fully closed position / mode as needed, passing through the partially open position / mode.

[0044] Although this disclosure has been shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. It should be understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, and protection is intended for all changes and modifications falling within the spirit of this disclosure.

[0045] Several advantages of this disclosure arise from the various features of the methods, apparatus, and systems described herein. It should be noted that alternative embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and systems of this disclosure may not include all of the described features, but will still benefit from at least some of the advantages of those features. Those skilled in the art can readily devise their own implementations of methods, apparatus, and systems that incorporate one or more features of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A control valve for controlling the operation of a hydraulic reducer, the control valve comprising: A valve body, the valve body including a reducer valve having a plurality of ports and a valve orifice extending through the plurality of ports; as well as A valve core, located within the valve bore and including a plurality of shoulders, wherein the valve core is movable within the valve bore to position the plurality of shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of ports. The plurality of ports include a reducer output port and a discharge port, the reducer output port being configured to be fluidly coupled to the output end of the hydraulic reducer, the discharge port being configured to be fluidly coupled to an oil sump, wherein the valve body includes an inner wall separating the reducer output port from the discharge port, and wherein the inner wall includes a discharge channel fluidly coupling the reducer output port from the discharge port.

2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein, The emission channel includes a narrow, elongated slit.

3. The control valve according to claim 2, wherein, The discharge channel also includes a base opening, wherein the elongated slit is in fluid communication with the base opening and extends away from the base opening.

4. The control valve according to claim 3, wherein, The base opening has an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape including a major axis, the length of which is greater than the width of the elongated slit.

5. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein, The valve core is movable between (i) a fully closed position, (ii) a fully open position, and (iii) a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions, wherein in the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port; in the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port; and in the partially open position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through the discharge passage.

6. The control valve according to claim 5, wherein, The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge passage that fluidly couples the reducer output port to the discharge port decreases as the valve core moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position.

7. The control valve according to claim 6, wherein, The discharge port is configured to provide a linear relationship between the position of the valve core and the power of the hydraulic reducer.

8. The control valve according to claim 5, wherein, The plurality of ports also includes a cooler input, which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the input of an oil cooler, and When the valve core moves to the fully open position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the cooler input port.

9. The control valve of claim 5, further comprising a biasing member located within the valve orifice and configured to bias the valve spool to the fully closed position.

10. The control valve according to claim 5, wherein, The valve body also includes: A lubrication regulator valve having a plurality of regulator ports and a regulator valve orifice extending through the plurality of regulator ports; and A regulator valve core, located within the regulator valve orifice and including a plurality of regulator shoulders, wherein the regulator valve core is movable within the regulator valve orifice to position the plurality of regulator shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of regulator ports. The plurality of regulator ports include a lubrication regulator input port fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of ports of the reducer valve and a lubrication regulator output port configured to fluidly couple to the system lubrication supply line.

11. The control valve according to claim 10, wherein, When the reducer valve core moves to the partially open position, the regulator valve core moves to a position that fluidly couples the lubrication regulator input port to the lubrication regulator output port, so as to provide a certain amount of lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line.

12. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein, The reducer valve is a manually controlled valve.

13. A method for controlling the operation of a hydraulic reducer, the method comprising: Move the reducer valve from the fully closed position to the fully open position; as well as As the reducer valve moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position, lubricating oil is fluidly coupled from the reducer valve to the reducer output port at the output end of the hydraulic reducer and then fluidly coupled to the drain port of the reducer valve to the oil sump.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The venting of the lubricating oil includes a venting channel that allows a certain amount of lubricating oil to be fluidly coupled to the output port of the reducer and the discharge port.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The discharge channel includes a base opening and an elongated slit, the elongated slit being in fluid communication with the base opening and extending away from the base opening.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein: Moving the reducer valve includes moving the valve core of the reducer valve, and Draining the lubricating oil includes maintaining a linear relationship between the position of the valve core and the power of the hydraulic reducer.

17. A hydraulic reducer control system, the hydraulic reducer control system comprising: A hydraulic reducer with input and output terminals; An oil tank configured for collecting and storing lubricating oil; A reducer valve, configured to control the operation of the hydraulic reducer, the reducer valve including a plurality of ports and a valve orifice extending through the plurality of ports; and A valve core, located within the valve bore and including a plurality of shoulders, wherein the valve core is movable within the valve bore to position the plurality of shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of ports. The plurality of ports include a reducer output port fluidly coupled to the output end of the hydraulic reducer and a discharge port fluidly coupled to the oil tank, wherein the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through the discharge channel of the reducer valve.

18. The hydraulic reducer control system according to claim 17, wherein, The discharge passage is configured to provide a linear relationship between the position of the reducer valve spool and the power of the hydraulic reducer as the reducer valve spool moves from a fully closed position to a fully open position, wherein in the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port, and in the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port.

19. The hydraulic reducer control system according to claim 17, wherein, The valve core is movable between (i) a fully closed position, (ii) a fully open position, and (iii) a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions, wherein in the fully closed position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through an opening other than the discharge port; in the fully open position, the reducer output port is disconnected from the discharge port; and in the partially open position, the reducer output port is fluidly coupled to the discharge port through the discharge channel.

20. The hydraulic reducer control system according to claim 19, further comprising: A system lubrication supply line is provided for supplying a certain amount of lubricating oil to the components of the hydraulic reducer control system. A lubrication regulator valve having a plurality of regulator ports and a regulator valve orifice extending through the plurality of regulator ports; as well as A regulator valve core, located within the regulator valve orifice and including a plurality of regulator shoulders, wherein the regulator valve core is movable within the regulator valve orifice to position the plurality of regulator shoulders to selectively block or connect one or more of the plurality of regulator ports. The plurality of regulator ports include a lubrication regulator input port fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of ports of the reducer valve, and a lubrication regulator output port configured to fluidly couple to the system lubrication supply line. When the reducer valve core moves to the partially open position, the regulator valve core moves to a position that fluidly couples the lubrication regulator input port to the lubrication regulator output port, so as to provide a certain amount of lubricating oil to the system lubrication supply line.

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