Offers New Closed-Loop Electro-Hydraulic Control Option For Eaton Series 1 Pumps

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced a new closed-loop electro-proportional control option for its Series 1 hydrostatic pumps that adds an electronically monitored “fail-safe” system to prevent uncommanded vehicle motion in case of failure in the control spool or primary mechanical control linkage. The new control components also provide enhanced pressure-side filtration to improve overall reliability while fitting in the same physical envelope as mechanical-only controls.

”Vehicles using a hydrostatic transmission can experience uncommanded vehicle movement often caused by a failure in the control spool or mechanical feedback system.,” said Jeff Indahl, Eaton lead engineer, closed circuit heavy-duty piston products. “Obviously, this presents a safety hazard on any vehicle, but it’s particularly dangerous on agricultural equipment because the operator is much more likely to be interacting with this kind of vehicle when it’s stopped. We developed this product as a direct result of a customer request for us to develop an economical, “fail-safe” solution to meet the increasing safety requirements of the market by preventing uncommanded movement of their vehicles.”

Eaton’s new closed-loop electro-proportional control option adds an electronic swashplate position sensor and a de-stroking valve to the company’s existing electro-proportional pump control. It also adds pressure-side filtration elements to enhance contamination resistance. Because it fits inside the existing pump envelope, the new control system allows users to include an electronically-monitored fail-safe in the propulsion system of their vehicles without redesigning anything beyond a few connections to the existing onboard electronics.

If uncommanded vehicle motion is detected by the electronic monitor, the de-stroking valve is actuated to stop the motion within six inches, as specified by Eaton’s customer.

“This technology has uses beyond the initial “fail-safe” application,” Indahl noted. “It could, for example, provide a ‘limp home’ mode for vehicles experiencing control failures in the field. The precision with which the swashplate sensor can control pump output also makes this an excellent candidate for a range of dual-path control on propel systems found on a wide variety of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. It’s also an obvious choice for inclusion in advanced whole-vehicle electrohydraulic systems.”

Eaton’s Hydraulics Group is a segment of the company’s Industrial Sector. The business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components for use in mobile and stationary applications. Mobile and stationary markets include agriculture, alternative energy, construction, forestry, manufacturing, material handling, mining, oil and gas, processing, transportation and utility equipment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Group provides customer-driven solutions under product names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydrokraft®, Hydrowa®, Hydro-Line®, Integrated Hydraulics®, Synflex®, Vickers®, Walterscheid™, and Weatherhead®. For more information, visit www.eaton.com/hydraulics.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.