Void protection system

• Main Authors: Barnes Brandon Z, Ferraz, Jr. John
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.05.2017
• Subjects: BLASTING; BRAKES; CLUTCHES; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DREDGING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVO-MOTORS; FOUNDATIONS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SOIL SHIFTING; SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A void protection system includes a valve assembly, a second fluid source configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, an auxiliary valve configured to fluidly connect the hydraulic cylinder to the second fluid source, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor fluid pressure within the hydraulic cylinder based on signals from the sensor assembly, based on a determination that pressure in a rod end or a head end of the hydraulic cylinder is below a first fluid pressure threshold, configure the valve assembly to fluidly connect the corresponding end to the first fluid source, and if the first fluid source is not operational, increase an opening of the auxiliary valve to fluidly connect the corresponding end to the second fluid source and cause the second fluid source to provide fluid until pressure in the corresponding end is above a second fluid pressure threshold.