Hydraulic Fluid Flow Management System and Method

Abstract

A hydraulic fluid flow management system and method includes three subsystems. The first subsystem is an engine mounted hydraulic fluid pump electrically operated flow control proportioning valve combination. The second subsystem is a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold assembly. The third subsystem is a computer operated controller and display which governs the operation of the electrically operated flow control proportioning valve combination.

1 . A hydraulic fluid flow management system for use on a vehicle having an engine positioned in an engine compartment, a compartment for the driver of the vehicle, and a space for the mounting of equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid, said hydraulic fluid flow management system comprising:
 a hydraulic fluid pump system; said hydraulic fluid pump system including a pump mounted to the engine of the vehicle in a position enabling the receipt of rotational power from the engine and an electrically operated flow control proportioning valve;   a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold for guiding the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid pump system to the equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid;   a controller located in the compartment for the driver of the vehicle to enable the driver to control said electrically controlled flow control proportioning valve.   
     
     
         2 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said pump mounted to the engine of the vehicle is a variable displacement hydraulic piston pump. 
     
     
         3 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold is a modular unit mountable in the space for mounting equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 1  where said controller enables control of the flow of hydraulic fluid in substantially ten percent increments. 
     
     
         5 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 1  further including at least one auxiliary hydraulic fluid power port 
     
     
         6 . A pavement sweeping vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle chassis and drive train, said vehicle chassis and drive train including a frame, a set of supporting wheels attached to said frame, an engine and transmission combination for propelling the pavement sweeping vehicle attached to said frame;   a driver's compartment mounted to said frame, said driver's compartment containing controls for operating the pavement sweeping vehicle;   a hydraulically operated pavement sweeping system attached to said frame, said hydraulically operated pavement sweeping system including a fan, a positionable debris pick-up head assembly and at least one positionable curb broom assembly;   a hydraulic pump system, said hydraulic pump system including a pump mounted to said engine in a position enabling the receipt of rotational power from the engine and an electrically controlled hydraulic fluid flow proportioning valve;   a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold for guiding the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid pump system to said fan, said positionable debris pick-up head assembly and said positionable curb broom assembly;   a controller located in the driver's compartment to enable the driver to electrically control said fluid proportioning valve.   
     
     
         7 . The pavement sweeping vehicle as defined in  claim 6  wherein said pump mounted to said engine is a variable displacement hydraulic piston pump. 
     
     
         8 . The pavement sweeping vehicle as defined in  claim 6  wherein said hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold is a modular unit mounted within the hydraulically operated pavement sweeping system. 
     
     
         9 . The pavement sweeping vehicle as defined in  claim 6  wherein said controller enables control of the flow of hydraulic fluid in substantially ten percent increments. 
     
     
         10 . A method for managing the flow of hydraulic fluid for use on a vehicle having an engine positioned in an engine compartment, a compartment for the driver of the vehicle, and a space for the mounting of the equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
 mounting a hydraulic fluid pump system in a position to be driven by the engine, said hydraulic fluid pump system including a pump and an electrically controlled fluid flow proportioning valve;   mounting a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold to the vehicle for receipt of hydraulic fluid from said flow proportioning valve and guiding the hydraulic fluid to equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid;   mounting a controller in the compartment for the driver of the vehicle to enable the driver to electrically control said fluid flow proportioning valve.   
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said pump is a variable displacement hydraulic piston pump. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold is a modular unit mountable within the space for the mounting of the equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said controller enables control of the flow of hydraulic fluid in substantially ten percent increments. 
     
     
         14 . A hydraulic fluid flow management system including an engine and equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid, said hydraulic fluid flow management system comprising:
 a hydraulic fluid pump system; said hydraulic fluid pump system including a pump mounted to the engine to enable the receipt of rotational power from the engine and an electrically operated flow control proportioning valve;   a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold assembly for guiding the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid pump system to the equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid;   a controller to enable the control of said electrically controlled flow control proportioning valve.   
     
     
         15 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 14  wherein said pump is a variable displacement hydraulic piston pump. 
     
     
         16 . The hydraulic fluid flow management system as defined in  claim 14  further including as least one auxiliary hydraulic fluid power port 
     
     
         17 . A method for managing the flow of hydraulic fluid for use with equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
 mounting a hydraulic fluid pump system in a position to be driven by an engine, said hydraulic fluid pump system including a pump and an electrically controlled fluid flow proportioning valve;   mounting a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold to the engine for receipt of hydraulic fluid from said flow proportioning valve and guiding the hydraulic fluid to equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid;   positioning a controller to enable electrical control of said fluid flow proportioning valve.   
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 17  wherein said pump is a variable displacement hydraulic piston pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 17  wherein said hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold is a modular unit mountable within the space for the mounting of the equipment made operable by the use of flowing hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 17  wherein said controller enables control of the flow of hydraulic fluid in substantially ten percent increments.