US 12,286,982 B1
Modular hydraulic manifold
John Ferraz, Jr., Itasca, IL (US); William O'Neill, Eureka, IL (US); and Michael Thomas Jackson, Hanna, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/385,379.
Int. Cl. F15B 13/04 (2006.01); F15B 13/02 (2006.01); F16K 11/07 (2006.01); F16K 27/04 (2006.01)
CPC F15B 13/0402 (2013.01) [F15B 13/024 (2013.01); F16K 11/0716 (2013.01); F16K 27/041 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control module for a hydraulic actuator, the control module comprising:
a body having a length, a width, and a height including:
a spool chamber extending at least partially along the length of the body along a first axis and coupled to a spring at a first end of the body;
a load sensing passage associated with the spool chamber and extending at least partially along the length of the body parallel with the first axis;
a first outlet port on a first surface of the body in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber;
a second outlet port on the first surface of the body in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber;
an inlet chamber positioned parallel with the spool chamber and in fluid communication with the spool chamber via a spool supply passage;
a first side port on a second surface of the body, the first side port in fluid communication with the spool chamber and disposed along the first axis of the spool chamber, wherein the second surface is perpendicular to the first surface;
a second side port on the second surface of the body, the second side port in fluid communication with the spool chamber and disposed along the first axis of the spool chamber;
a third side port on a third surface of the body, the third side port in fluid communication with the spool chamber and disposed along the first axis of the spool chamber, wherein the third surface is perpendicular with the first surface and parallel with the second surface; and
a fourth side port on the third surface of the body, the fourth side port in fluid communication with the spool chamber and disposed along the first axis of the spool chamber;
a spool positioned axially within the spool chamber; and
a pair of spool actuators located at a second end of the body, the spool actuators are operable to displace the spool within the spool chamber.