Patent · US Expired

Optical-hydraulic control system

US4538633A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
10References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1983
Grant dateSep 3, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86614
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An optical hydraulic control wherein the flow of hydraulic fluid is controlled by movement of a valve spool 12. Movement of the valve spool is initiated by a hydraulic pressure differential that is established by moving a control member 34 out of an equilibrium position. Movement of the control member from its equilibrium position is accomplished by illumination of a beam support structure 36 with an optical command signal. The control member 34 is returned to its equilibrium position after appropriate movement of a valve spool 12 by mechanical linkage between control member 34 and valve spool 12 or, alternatively, by modulation of the optical command signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.