Tiltrotator arrangement including a tiltrotator and a valve arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tiltrotator arrangement comprising a valve arrangement and a tiltrotator 2. The valve arrangement comprises a first hydraulic valve device 6 arranged on an upper portion 29 of the tiltrotator 2. The first hydraulic valve device 6 is connected to a hydraulic source P via a pressure line P' and to a tank T via a tank line T'. The first hydraulic valve device (6) is configured to selectively connect the pressure line (P') to a first line (11A) of a first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) to supply a first supply flow via said line (11A) or to a first line (12A) of a second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) to supply a second supply flow to the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) via said line (12A), and simultaneously connect the second lines (11B, 12B) of each of the two pairs of swivel lines (11A, 11B; 12A, 12B) to the tank line (15). A second hydraulic valve device (7) is arranged in the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) for connecting a first line (11A) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) and a first line (12A) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) to the high demand hydraulic tool connections (EA, EB; EA', EB') for providing a consolidated supply flow to said high demand hydraulic tool connections (EA, EB; EA', EB').

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tiltrotator arrangement including a tiltrotator and a valve arrangement. [Background technology]

[0002] In forestry, construction, and the like, it has become increasingly common to use tiltrotators on the outer ends of work arms of work vehicles such as excavators. Tiltrotators have lower holders for carrying tools such as compactors, hydraulic hammers, grapples, buckets, and the like. Tiltrotators feature hydraulic tool couplers that simplify tool changes and provide both tilting and infinite rotational motion, simplifying the use of a variety of tools. Attaching a tiltrotator to the work arm of an excavator and mounting a tool to the tiltrotator increases the functionality of the tool, making the excavator a more useful tool carrier.

[0003] A hydraulic source supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the tiltrotator to drive a tilt motor and a rotation motor, which are typically two hydraulic cylinders. The tiltrotator also includes a hydraulic swivel to drive tool functions located below the tiltrotator. Conventional tiltrotators often include a first pair of lines passing through the swivel to drive a grapple module, which may be a complement to the tiltrotator. A second pair of lines passing through the swivel to drive tool functions located below the tiltrotator. A third pair of lines passing through the swivel may also be provided to drive a hydraulic cylinder configured to lock a tool to a tool coupler located below the tiltrotator.

[0004] To limit the number of hydraulic hoses along the work arm from the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid on the work machine, a valve assembly with multiple control valves is located near or as an integral part of the tiltrotator to control hydraulic flow to the various hydraulic functions of the tiltrotator and, if the tool attached to the tiltrotator is a hydraulic tool, to control the hydraulic functions of the tool. Two hydraulic hoses run to this valve assembly: one from the pressure source and one for return flow to the tank.

[0005] Tiltrotators are designed to meet the needs of most types of implement operators working in various construction or woodworking fields. However, due to limited space inside and around the tiltrotator, the valve system is limited in the amount of hydraulic flow it can deliver to various hydraulic applications. Traditionally, the maximum flow rate that a valve system can deliver is approximately 60 to 100 liters per minute per line. This is sufficient for most hydraulic applications.

[0006] However, some hydraulic tools, such as cutters, compactors, hydraulic hammers, grapples, etc., require a hydraulic flow rate greater than can be conventionally supplied, typically about 150-200 liters per minute.

[0007] Therefore, to provide dedicated flow for such applications, two additional lines may be placed in the hoses along the crane, one to supply pressurized hydraulic oil and one for return flow, bypassing the valve arrangement and connecting via swivels directly to the high-demand hydraulic tools located below the tiltrotator.

[0008] However, the placement of these additional hoses is costly, and in addition, these lines must be connected separately to the tiltrotator swivel, which has proven difficult to achieve without interfering with the tiltrotator's range of motion.

[0009] It would be advantageous to have an arrangement configured to provide a greater flow rate than has traditionally been provided to a tiltrotator without requiring additional hoses along the work arm. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of supplying a flow rate to a hydraulic tool disposed below a tiltrotator that is greater than the flow rate conventionally supplied to the tiltrotator. This object is achieved by the present invention through first and second aspects.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a tiltrotator arrangement comprising a valve arrangement and a tiltrotator, the tiltrotator comprising a tool coupler for carrying a hydraulic tool and a hydraulic swivel including at least a first pair of swivel lines and a second pair of swivel lines for conveying hydraulic fluid between an upper portion of the tiltrotator and a lower portion of the tiltrotator rotatably coupled to the upper portion. a first hydraulic valve device disposed on an upper portion of the tiltrotator, the first hydraulic valve device being connected to a hydraulic source via a pressure line and to a tank via a tank line; a first valve for connecting a pressure line to a first line of a first pair of swivel lines to supply a first supply flow to a lower portion of the tiltrotator via said first line, and simultaneously connecting a second line of the first pair of swivel lines to a tank line; a second valve for connecting a pressure line to a first line of a second pair of swivel lines to supply a second supply stream to the lower part of the tiltrotator via said second line, and simultaneously connecting the second line of the second pair of swivel lines to a tank line; Equipped with The valve arrangement further includes a second hydraulic valve device disposed below the tiltrotator for interconnecting a first line of the first pair of swivel lines with a first line of the second pair of swivel lines, and for interconnecting a second line of the first pair of swivel lines with a second line of the second pair of swivel lines to provide a combined supply flow to the high-demand hydraulic tool connection.

[0012] The tiltrotator configuration according to the present invention allows high demand hydraulic tools to be placed on and driven by a conventional tiltrotator without the need to modify the conventional tiltrotator, or allows additional hydraulic hoses to the tiltrotator to be placed along the work arm of the work machine.

[0013] In specific embodiments of the invention, the second hydraulic valve arrangement comprises an auxiliary valve configured to connect the third pair of swivel lines to an auxiliary hydraulic function.

[0014] In these embodiments, hydraulic connections for auxiliary hydraulic functions are provided at the bottom of the tiltrotator using existing hydraulic lines that run through the tiltrotator swivel, without requiring any modification or adaptation of the tiltrotator other than the implementation of the second hydraulic valve arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] This is useful because it is often desirable to have auxiliary hydraulic functions available at the bottom of the tiltrotator. Given that the interconnection of two pairs of swivel lines eliminates one connection for one hydraulic function, an auxiliary valve in the second valve arrangement is convenient for providing an auxiliary hydraulic connection for the additional hydraulic function.

[0016] In specific embodiments of the invention, a locking block for locking and unlocking the hydraulic tool to the tool coupler is located on the bottom of the tiltrotator, and a third valve is configured to adjust the locking block by connecting a pressure line to either a first side of the hydraulic cylinder to push the locking block to a closed position or a second side of the hydraulic cylinder to push the locking block to an open position.

[0017] In specific embodiments of the invention, a third valve is disposed in the first hydraulic valve arrangement and provides supply flow to the lower portion of the tiltrotator via a pair of swivel lines passing through the swivel.

[0018] In specific embodiments, the auxiliary hydraulic function and the hydraulic cylinder share a swivel line connected to the auxiliary valve and a first side of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing the locking block to the closed position, and the auxiliary valve is configured to be operable only when the tool coupler is in the closed position.

[0019] This is advantageous because the auxiliary hydraulic function and the tool coupler are never activated at the same time. The auxiliary hydraulic function is activated only when the tool coupler hydraulic cylinder is pressurized to maintain the locking block in the closed position. Therefore, the auxiliary hydraulic function cannot be activated when the locking block is not in its closed position.

[0020] In alternative embodiments, the third valve is disposed in the second hydraulic valve arrangement, and an extended pressure line and an extended tank line are provided through the swivel to the third valve.

[0021] In embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary hydraulic function is a grapple module located underneath the tiltrotator.

[0022] The grapple module is a common auxiliary hydraulic function, and therefore it is advantageous that this function can be provided in combination with high demand hydraulic tools without requiring any modification to the tiltrotator or any adaptation other than the implementation of a second hydraulic valve system.

[0023] In embodiments of the present invention, the first hydraulic valve arrangement is configured to provide a flow rate of at least 75 liters per minute, preferably at least 90 liters per minute, through both the first swivel line and the second swivel line, respectively, to provide a combined supply flow of at least 150 liters per minute, preferably at least 180 liters per minute, to a high demand hydraulic tool.

[0024] Previously, there was room for two valves each delivering about 100 liters per minute, but not for one valve delivering about 200 liters per minute, as some high-demand hydraulic functions require. It would not be possible to remove one or both of the two valves each delivering about 100 liters per minute and replace them with one valve delivering about 200 liters per minute.

[0025] Therefore, by providing a second hydraulic valve device at the bottom of the tiltrotator, the present invention enables the supply of at least 150 liters per minute, preferably at least 180 liters per minute, to high demand hydraulic tools using the existing space of the tiltrotator.

[0026] In some embodiments of the invention, two alternative connections are provided for high-demand hydraulic tool connections: a first high-demand hydraulic tool connection on the outside of the lower part of the tiltrotator, and a second high-demand hydraulic tool connection located on the underside of the lower part.

[0027] In particular, the second high-demand hydraulic tool connection is configured to provide a multi-coupling configuration in which a hydraulic tool is hydraulically connected to the high-demand hydraulic tool connection during a tool coupling process, such as movement provided by a hydraulic cylinder of the tool coupler, when the locking block is moved to its closed position to engage the hydraulic tool.

[0028] Other embodiments and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description and appended claims.

[0029] In the following, several specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 shows a compactor disposed on a tiltrotator on the work arm of a work machine. [Figure 2] Shows the grapple deployed on the tiltrotator. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tiltrotator as seen from above, showing the position of the first hydraulic valve device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tiltrotator as seen from below, showing the position of the second hydraulic valve device. [Figure 5] 1 is a hydraulic circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a hydraulic circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first hydraulic valve device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second hydraulic valve device shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In Figure 1 there is shown a work machine 1 having a work arm 18. Arranged at the outer end of the work arm 18 is a tiltrotator 2. The tiltrotator 2 carries a hydraulic tool 4, in this illustration in the form of a compactor. Along the work arm 18 there are arranged a number of hydraulic lines 22, generally in the form of hoses: one hose from a pressure source P and one hose for return flow to a tank T. The pressure source P and the tank T are arranged on the work machine 1.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a separated tiltrotator 2 carrying a hydraulic tool 4 in the form of a grapple. The tiltrotator 2 is provided with a coupling unit 19 at its upper end. The coupling unit 19 has a number of pivot pins 16 for connection to tool couplers provided at the outer end of the work arm of the work machine as shown in Figure 1. A tilt motor 24 in the form of two hydraulic cylinders is arranged in an upper part 29 of the tiltrotator 2. By actuation of the tilt motor 24, the main part of the tiltrotator 2 can be tilted relative to the coupling unit 19.

[0033] A lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2 is rotatably arranged relative to its upper part 29. The lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2 is mainly composed of a tool coupler 5 for attaching a hydraulic tool 4. The hydraulic tool 4 includes a coupling unit 21 having a plurality of axle pins 20 arranged for attachment to the tool coupler 5. In the illustrated embodiment, a grapple module 10 is arranged on the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2. Both the hydraulic tool 4 and the grapple module 10 are hydraulically driven and are supplied with hydraulic oil via the tiltrotator 2.

[0034] 3 is a perspective view of the tiltrotator 2 from above, without the tilt motor or grapple module. A first hydraulic valve device 6 is disposed on the upper part 29 of the tiltrotator 2, i.e., on the upstream side thereof, and is connected to a hydraulic source P. The first hydraulic valve device 6 is connected to the hydraulic source P and to a tank T via separate hoses 22 (see FIG. 1).

[0035] The first hydraulic valve arrangement 6 is configured to selectively connect a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pressure source P to various hydraulic functions located on and below the tiltrotator 2. The tiltrotator 2 includes a hydraulic swivel 3 for conveying hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic valve arrangement 6 located on an upper portion 29 of the tiltrotator 2 to a lower portion 30 of the tiltrotator 2. The lower portion 30 is configured to rotate relative to the upper portion 29.

[0036] The hydraulic swivel 3 is housed inside the tiltrotator 2 and is shown schematically in Figure 3, but is not visible from the outside of the tiltrotator 2. The hydraulic swivel 3 has a number of lines for carrying hydraulic fluid in both directions across the rotational interface between the upper and lower parts 29 and 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0037] The connection ports for the lines from the valves inside the first hydraulic valve device 6 are arranged on the side of the valve device 6 facing the upper part 29 of the tiltrotator 2 so that the lines can pass through the swivel 3 to reach the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2. These connection ports are therefore not visible in Figure 3. A hydraulic tool connection EA, which is connected to the first hydraulic valve device 6 via the swivel 3, is provided on the outside of the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0038] Lines 14A and 14B run from the valves in the first hydraulic valve unit 6 that control the rotation motor of the tiltrotator 2. Because this rotation motor can be controlled from above the swivel 3, these lines do not need to run through the swivel.

[0039] Figure 4 shows the tiltrotator 2 viewed from below, together with the grapple module 10. According to the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, a second hydraulic valve device 7 is arranged in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2. Considering that the second hydraulic valve device 7 is arranged downstream of the swivel 3, the second hydraulic valve device 7 is connected to the first hydraulic valve device 6 via a plurality of swivel lines that connect the upper and lower parts 29 and 30, which rotate relative to each other, via the swivel 3.

[0040] 4 also shows a tilt motor 24 in the form of two hydraulic cylinders for effecting tilting movement of the tiltrotator. Also shown is an arrangement with a hydraulic cylinder 9 for locking a hydraulic tool to the tool coupler 5. The hydraulic cylinder 9 is configured to drive a locking block 8, which generally includes a pair of locking wedges 8a and 8b, between a locked position and an unlocked position. In particular, the hydraulic cylinder 9 is not visible in this view as it is located inside the locking block in line with the locking wedges 8a and 8b. The position of the hydraulic cylinder 9 is indicated by the dashed arrow 9.

[0041] The shape of the wedges 8a and 8b of the locking block 8 is preferably such that they fit into the cylindrical shape of the coupling pin of the coupling unit provided on the tool attached to the tiltrotator. Figure 4 shows the locking wedges 8a and 8b of the locking block 8 in the unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking wedges 8a and 8b extend outward from their respective openings and block the first axial pin of the tool connector. The second axial pin is configured to be received in a recess 28 arranged in the tool coupler 5 for this purpose.

[0042] An embodiment of the first hydraulic valve arrangement 6 is shown in perspective view in Figure 7 and an embodiment of the second hydraulic valve arrangement 7 is shown in perspective view in Figure 8, which are described further below, but first the hydraulic connections of the valve arrangement will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a hydraulic circuit diagram showing how the first and second hydraulic valve arrangements 6 and 7 are connected to each other and to the various hydraulic functions of the tiltrotator valve arrangement.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the first hydraulic valve arrangement 6 includes four different valves 31-34. However, this is a simplification for purposes of illustrating the functionality of the invention. Other embodiments with more or fewer valves are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. For example, the tilt motor or the valves for regulating this tilt motor are not shown in Figure 5.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, a first valve 31 is configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a first hydraulic function, and a second valve 32 is configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a second hydraulic function. Both hydraulic functions are double-acting functions located in the lower portion 30 of the tiltrotator 2, i.e., downstream of the hydraulic swivel 3.

[0046] A third valve 33 is configured to supply a hydraulic cylinder 9 configured to lock and unlock a hydraulic tool 4 to a tool coupler 5 located below the tiltrotator 2 .

[0047] Furthermore, a fourth valve 34 is arranged in the first valve arrangement 6 for supplying the tiltrotator's own rotation motor 23. The rotation of the rotation motor 23 is preferably driven from upstream of the tiltrotator 2 so that the lines 14A and 14B supplying the rotation motor 23 in both directions do not have to pass through the swivel 3 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0048] A fifth valve (not shown) may be arranged to supply the tiltrotator 2's own tilting hydraulic cylinder 24. The tilting hydraulic cylinder 24 may consist of two double-acting hydraulic cylinders, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Both hydraulic cylinders may be supplied from the same fifth valve.

[0049] The swivel 3 includes a first pair of swivel lines 11A, 11B and a second pair of swivel lines 12A, 12B for carrying hydraulic fluid between an upper portion 29 of the tiltrotator 2 and a lower portion 30 thereof.

[0050] The first valve 31 of the valve arrangement is configured to supply a first supply flow to the hydraulic function 4 located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2 via either the first line 11A or the second line 11B of the first swivel line pair 11A, 11B, thereby connecting a pressure line P' from a pressure source P to the first hydraulic function 4 located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2, and simultaneously connecting the other line of the first swivel line pair 11A, 11B to a tank line T' to a tank T. Of course, the first valve 31 can also be controlled to a static position to stop the first supply flow and keep the first hydraulic function static. If the first hydraulic function is a double-acting hydraulic function, such as a hydraulic cylinder, the first valve 31 controls the operation of the first hydraulic function to operate this hydraulic function.

[0051] The second valve 32 of the valve arrangement, like the first valve 31, is configured to connect a pressure line P' from the pressure source P to a second hydraulic function (not shown) located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2, and supplies a first supply flow via either the first line 12A or the second line 12B of the second swivel line pair 12A, 12B to the second hydraulic function located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0052] Conventionally, these two pairs of swivel lines 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B are each configured to supply two separate hydraulic functions, which may or may not be located on the same hydraulic tool. However, in many cases, the first pair of swivel lines 11A, 11B is configured to drive a grapple module 10 located on the lower portion 30 of the tiltrotator 2, and the second pair of swivel lines 12A, 12B is configured to drive a hydraulic tool attached to a tool coupler on the lower portion 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0053] In accordance with the present invention, first and second swivel line pairs 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B may both be configured to supply a single hydraulic function 4, typically a high-demand hydraulic function requiring at least 150 liters per minute, or at least 180 liters per minute. In one particular embodiment, to produce a total flow rate of 200 liters per minute, each swivel line pair 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B may be configured to supply 100 liters per minute from first and second valves 31 and 32, respectively.

[0054] According to the invention, this high flow rate is achieved in that the valve arrangement comprises a second hydraulic valve arrangement 7 located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2, i.e., downstream of the swivel 3. The second hydraulic valve arrangement 7 is configured to provide a combined supply flow to the high demand hydraulic tool connection pair EA, EB by connecting both a first line 11A of the first swivel line pair 11A, 11B and a first line 12A of the second swivel line pair 12A, 12B to the high demand hydraulic tool connection EA of the tool connection pair EA, EB at a first connection point 26, and connecting both a second line 11B of the first swivel line pair 11A, 11B and a second line 12B of the second swivel line pair 12A, 12B to the other high demand hydraulic tool connection EB of the tool connection pair EA, EB at a second connection point 27.

[0055] Two alternative connections can be provided for connecting high-demand hydraulic tools: a first high-demand hydraulic tool connection EA, EB arranged on the outside of the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2, and a second high-demand hydraulic tool connection EA', EB' arranged on the underside of the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2. Typically, the first high-demand hydraulic tool connection EA, EB is configured to couple to hydraulic functions by separate hoses, while the second high-demand hydraulic tool connection EA', EB' is adapted for a quick-coupling configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic tool 4 is arranged at the second high-demand hydraulic tool connection EA', EB'.

[0056] As shown in the hydraulic circuit diagram of FIG. 5, the hydraulic swivel 3 includes a third pair of swivel lines 13A, 13B supplying a hydraulic cylinder 9 configured to drive a locking block 8, generally in the form of two locking wedges, for locking and unlocking a hydraulic tool 4 to a tool coupler 5 located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0057] The first swivel line 13A of the third swivel line pair 13A, 13B is connected to a first pressure chamber 9A of the hydraulic cylinder 9, i.e., the chamber of the hydraulic cylinder that pushes the locking block 8 towards its closed position, and the second swivel line 13B is connected to the opposite second chamber 9B that can be actuated to push the locking block 8 towards its open position.

[0058] The third valve 33 of the valve arrangement is configured to connect the pressure line P' to the locking hydraulic cylinder 9 and provides a first supply flow to the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2 via either the first line 13A or the second line 13B of the third swivel line pair 13A, 13B to the hydraulic cylinder 9 for locking and unlocking the hydraulic tool 4 to the tool coupler 5 located in the lower part 30 of the tiltrotator 2. The third valve 33 provides a constant pressure to one of the pressure chambers 9A or 9B of the hydraulic cylinder 9. The third valve 33 does not need to include a static position like the first and second valves 31 and 32. Instead, the initial position of the third valve 33 can be defined as when the pressure line P' is connected to the first pressure chamber 9A of the hydraulic cylinder 9 to maintain the locking block 8 in its closed position.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the second hydraulic valve device 7 includes an auxiliary valve 35 configured to drive the auxiliary hydraulic function 17. The auxiliary valve 35 connects the line 13A of the third pair of swivel lines 13A, 13B to the actuation side of the auxiliary hydraulic function 17. The first swivel line 13A is routed to the first pressure chamber 9A of the hydraulic cylinder 9. When the hydraulic cylinder 9 is in the closed position and the locking block is in its locked position, the first pressure chamber 9A is pressurized. Thus, in this configuration, the auxiliary hydraulic function 17 can only be activated when the hydraulic cylinder 9 is in the locked position. This, of course, is only possible when a tool is attached to the tool coupler 5 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0060] Of course, the auxiliary hydraulic function 17 can be used even when no tool is connected to the tool coupler 5, as long as the hydraulic cylinder 9 is in the locked position.

[0061] In specific embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the auxiliary hydraulic function 17 may be configured in a grapple module 10 located in the lower portion 30 of the tiltrotator 2.

[0062] The auxiliary valve 35 is configured to connect the pressure side 13A of the hydraulic cylinder 9 of the tool coupler 5 to the auxiliary hydraulic function 17. The auxiliary hydraulic function 17 is therefore dependent on the third valve 33 being in a position to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the pressure side 9A of the hydraulic cylinder 9, i.e., the chamber of the hydraulic cylinder 9 that pushes the tool coupler 5 towards its closed position. The auxiliary hydraulic function 17 is therefore only operable when the locking block 8 is in its closed position or is at least pressurized towards the closed position. The control unit 25 may be configured to control a number of safety valves (not shown) to prevent the tool coupler 5 from opening during operation. In general, when the locking block 8 is in its closed position, the pressure side 9A of the hydraulic cylinder 9 is always pressurized.

[0063] The auxiliary valve 35 is controlled by a valve actuator 36 (see FIG. 8) arranged in the second hydraulic valve device 7 .

[0064] In addition to the third pair of swivel lines 13A, 13B, there is also a discharge line 13T for delivering return flow from the auxiliary hydraulic function 17 to tank T. Since all these lines, including the three pairs of swivel lines 11, 12, and 13 and the discharge line 13T, are lines that have conventionally been provided through the tiltrotator's swivel 3, no adaptation of the tiltrotator is required to implement the valve arrangement of the present invention. In fact, most existing valve arrangements of tiltrotators can be upgraded to the valve arrangement of the present invention by implementing and connecting the second hydraulic valve device 7 to the existing valve arrangement.

[0065] A hydraulic circuit diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the third valve 33' is located in the second hydraulic valve arrangement 7, and an extended pressure line P" and an extended tank line T" are provided through the swivel 3 to the third valve 33'.

[0066] Furthermore, the auxiliary valve 35' in this embodiment is also connected to the extended pressure line P" and the extended tank line T". Therefore, in this embodiment, one less line is used through the swivel 3. On the other hand, the second hydraulic valve device 7 is slightly larger than the embodiment shown in Figure 5 because it has one additional valve.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7, each valve of the first hydraulic valve arrangement 6 can be controlled between one rest position and two operating positions by a dedicated valve actuator 31A-31B, 32A-32B, 33A-33B, and 34A-34B, which controls the respective valve slide. Connections 14A' and 14B' to the tiltrotator rotation motor are visible at the proximal end of the first hydraulic valve arrangement 6.

[0068] One possible embodiment of the second hydraulic valve device 7 is shown in a perspective view in Figure 8. The connections for the various swivel lines, i.e., three pairs of swivel lines 11, 12 and 13, and the discharge line 13T, are provided on a side of the valve device 7 (not shown), which is configured to face upwards towards the lower part 30 of the swivel 2 in operation.

[0069] Visible in the illustrated embodiment are connections 13A and 13B for auxiliary hydraulic functions 17 and a second pair of high demand hydraulic tool connections EA' and EB'. Located on either side of the second hydraulic valve arrangement 7 are valve actuators 35A-35B which control the valve slide of the auxiliary valve 35 between one rest position and two operating positions.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to several specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tiltrotator arrangement comprising a valve arrangement and a tiltrotator (2), the tiltrotator comprising: a tool coupler (5) for carrying a hydraulic tool; and a hydraulic swivel (3) including at least a first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) and a second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) for conveying hydraulic fluid between an upper part (29) of the tiltrotator (2) and a lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) rotatably coupled to the upper part (29), the valve arrangement comprising: a first hydraulic valve device (6) disposed on the upper portion (29) of the tiltrotator (2), the first hydraulic valve device (6) being connected to a hydraulic source (P) via a pressure line (P') and to a tank (T) via a tank line (T'); and the first hydraulic valve device (6) comprising: a first valve (31) for connecting the pressure line (P') to the first line (11A) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) to supply a first supply flow to the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) via the first line (11A) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B), and simultaneously for connecting the second line (11B) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) to the tank line (T); a second valve (32) for connecting the pressure line (P') to the second line (12A) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) to supply a second supply flow to the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) via the first line (12A) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B), and simultaneously for connecting the second line (12B) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) to the tank line (T'); In a tiltrotator configuration comprising: the valve arrangement further comprises a second hydraulic valve device (7) arranged in the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) for interconnecting the first line (11A) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) with the first line (12A) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) and for interconnecting the second line (11B) of the first pair of swivel lines (11A, 11B) with the second line (12B) of the second pair of swivel lines (12A, 12B) to supply a combined supply flow to a high-demand hydraulic tool connection (EA, EB; EA', EB').

2. 2. The tiltrotator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second hydraulic valve arrangement (7) comprises an auxiliary valve (35) configured to connect a third pair of swivel lines (13A, 13B) to an auxiliary hydraulic function (17).

3. 3. The tiltrotator arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a locking block (8) for locking and unlocking a hydraulic tool (4) to a tool coupler (5) is arranged in the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2), and a third valve (33, 33′) is configured to adjust the locking block (8) by connecting the pressure line (P′) to a first side (9A) of a hydraulic cylinder (9) to push the locking block (8) to a closed position or by connecting the pressure line (P′) to a second side (9B) of the hydraulic cylinder (9) to push the locking block (8) to an open position.

4. 4. The tiltrotator arrangement of claim 3, wherein the third valve (33) is arranged in the first hydraulic valve device (6) to supply a supply flow to the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) via a pair of swivel lines (13A, 13B') passing through the swivel (3).

5. 4. The tiltrotator arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the third valve (33′) is arranged in the second hydraulic valve device (7), and an extended pressure line (P″) and an extended tank line (T″) are provided through the swivel (3) to the third valve (33′).

6. 5. A valve arrangement according to claim 4 when dependent on claims 2 and 3, wherein the auxiliary hydraulic function (17) and the hydraulic cylinder (9) share a single swivel line (13A), the swivel line (13A) being connected to the auxiliary valve (35) and the first side (9A) of the hydraulic cylinder (9) for pushing the locking block (8) to a closed position, the auxiliary valve (35) being configured to be operable only when the tool coupler (5) is in a closed position.

7. The tiltrotator arrangement according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the auxiliary hydraulic function (17) is a grapple module (10) arranged on the tiltrotator (2).

8. The first hydraulic valve device (6) has a combined supply flow (F １＋２ 8. The tiltrotator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tiltrotator arrangement is configured to provide a flow rate of at least 75 liters per minute, preferably at least 90 liters per minute, via both the first swivel line (11) and the second swivel line (12) for supplying high-demand hydraulic tools (EA, EB).

9. 9. The tiltrotator arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein two alternative connections are provided for the high-demand hydraulic tool connections (EA, EB; EA', EB'), i.e. a first high-demand hydraulic tool connection (EA, EB) on the outside of the lower part (30) of the tiltrotator (2) and a second high-demand hydraulic tool connection (EA', EB') arranged on the underside of the lower part (30).

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