Remotely controlled brake system

Abstract

A remotely controlled brake system is provided to permit braking control of a machine from a remote location while still permitting an operator located on the machine to control the braking function of the machine. Remote control is accomplished by providing a source of pressurized fluid on the machine with an electrically controlled proportional valve arrangement that is responsive to a remote signal to direct pressurized fluid to the brakes of the machine in parallel with the pressure control being directed to the machine brakes by an operator input mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A remotely controlled brake system adapted to control the brakes of a machine and operate in parallel with an onboard brake control, the brakes of the machine including fluid pressure controlled brakes with an operator controlled pressure input arrangement operative to direct a pressurized fluid volume to the fluid pressure controlled brakes, the remotely controlled brake system, comprising: a source of pressurized fluid;   an electrically controlled proportional fluid control valve arrangement disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and a connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement;   an electronic controller operative to receive a signal from a remote location and deliver an electrical signal to the electrically controlled proportional fluid control valve arrangement.   
     
     
       2. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 1 wherein the electrically controlled proportional fluid control valve arrangement includes an electrically controlled proportional two position valve movable from a first position at which fluid flow from the source of pressurized fluid is blocked from the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement towards a second position at which fluid flow from the source of pressurized fluid is open to the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement. 
     
     
       3. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 2 including an electrically controlled poppet valve disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the electrically controlled two position valve, the electrically controlled poppet valve is movable from a flow blocking position to a position to permit flow from the source of pressurized fluid to the electrically controlled proportional two position valve. 
     
     
       4. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 3 including a second electrically controlled poppet valve disposed between the electrically controlled two position valve and the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement, the second electrically controlled poppet valve is movable from a flow blocking position to a position to permit flow from the electrically controlled proportional two position valve to the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement. 
     
     
       5. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 4 including an accumulator arrangement disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the first electrically controlled poppet valves. 
     
     
       6. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 5 including a power source driving the source of pressurized fluid, a pressure sensor arrangement connected to the accumulator arrangement and operative to direct an electrical signal to the electronic controller representative of the pressure level of the fluid from the accumulator arrangement, and an accumulator charging arrangement disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the accumulator arrangement, the power source driving the source of pressurized fluid is engaged and disengaged in response to the sensed pressure signal. 
     
     
       7. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 2 including a pressure intensifier disposed between the electrically controlled proportional fluid control valve arrangement and the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement. 
     
     
       8. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 2 wherein the brakes of the machine includes a second set of pressure controlled brakes and the operator controlled pressure input arrangement is operative to direct a second pressurized fluid volume to the second set of pressure controlled brakes and the electrically controlled proportional fluid control valve arrangement includes a second electrically controlled proportional two position valve disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and a connection with the second pressurized fluid volume, the second electrically controlled proportional two position valve is movable from a first position at which fluid flow from the source of second pressurized fluid is blocked from the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement towards a second position at which fluid flow from the source of second pressurized fluid is open to the connection with the pressurized fluid volume from the operator controlled pressure input arrangement. 
     
     
       9. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 8 wherein the accumulator arrangement includes a first accumulator disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the first electrically controlled two position valve and a second accumulator disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the second electrically controlled two position valve. 
     
     
       10. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 9 including a third electrically controlled poppet valve disposed between the second accumulator and the second electrically controlled two position valve. 
     
     
       11. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 10 including a fourth electrically controlled poppet valve disposed between the second accumulator and the connection with the second pressure fluid volume. 
     
     
       12. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 11 wherein the accumulator charging arrangement includes a first charging valve disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the first accumulator and a second charging valve disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the second accumulator. 
     
     
       13. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 12 wherein the first and second sets of brakes are pressurized applied and spring released. 
     
     
       14. The remotely controlled brake system of claim 13 wherein the first set of brakes is mechanical dry-brakes and the second set of brakes is fluid wet-brakes.