Method of controlling a fluid motor

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid is a liquid.

Claim 4

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated continuously by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, comprising: a motor-stop fluid passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486) selectively communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction; said rotating member being operable to select, by rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid passage with said at least one advancing fluid chamber or said at least one reversing fluid chamber; and a motor-stop fluid control circuit (56, 58, 60, 64, 68, 76, 78, 84, 86, 92, 96, 98, 100, 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 130, 132, 136, 138, 144, 162, 164, 166, 170, 172, 176, 178, 182, 186, 230, 234, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 382, 488, 500) connected to said motor-stop fluid passage, for permitting the fluid to flow therethrough for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber, so as to rotate said rotating member in a direction toward said desired predetermined angular position and thereby stop said rotating member at said desired angular position.

Claim 5

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated continuously by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, comprising: a motor-stop fluid passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486) selectively communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction; said rotating member being operable to select, by rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid passage with said at least one advancing fluid chamber or said at least one reversing fluid chamber; and a motor-stop fluid control circuit (56, 58, 60, 64, 68, 76, 78, 84, 86, 92, 96, 98, 100, 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 130, 132, 136, 138, 144, 162, 164, 166, 170, 172, 176, 178, 182, 186, 230, 234, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 382, 488, 500) connected to said motor-stop fluid passage, for permitting the fluid to flow therethrough for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber, so as to rotate said rotating member in a direction toward said desired predetermined angular position and thereby stop said rotating member at said desired angular position.

Claim 6

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 3, wherein said motor-stop fluid passage consists of a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448) which is controlled by the rotation of said rotating member, so as to communicate with said at least one advancing fluid chamber if said desired angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, and communicate with said at least one reversing fluid chamber if the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, and wherein said motor-stop fluid control circuit is connected to a pressure source (62) for pressuring the fluid and a reservoir (70), and is operable to bring said motor-stop fluid supply passage into communication with said pressure source, when the motor is commanded to stop, for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one advancing fluid chamber through said motor-stop fluid supply passage while permitting the fluid to be discharged from said at least one reversing fluid chamber to said reservoir if said desired angular position is ahead of said current position of the rotating member, and for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one reversing fluid chamber through said motor-stop fluid supply passage while permitting the fluid to be discharged from said at least one advancing fluid chamber to said reservoir if said current position of the rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position.

Claim 7

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 3, wherein said motor-stop fluid passage consists of a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) which is controlled by the rotation of said rotating member, so as to communicate with said at least one reversing fluid chamber if said desired angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, and communicate with said at least one advancing fluid chamber if the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, and wherein said motor-stop fluid control circuit is connected to a pressure source (62) for pressuring the fluid and a reservoir (70), and is operable to bring said motor-stop fluid discharge passage into communication with said reservoir, when the motor is commanded to stop, for discharging the fluid from said at least one reversing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage while supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one advancing fluid chamber if said desired angular position is ahead of said current position of the rotating member, and for discharging the fluid from said at least one advancing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage while supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one reversing fluid chamber if said current position of the rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position.

Claim 8

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 3, wherein said motor-stop fluid control circuit includes restrictor means (76, 78, 106, 108) for causing flows of the fluid to and from said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber so as to rotate said rotating member toward said desired angular position, depending upon said current position of the rotating member relative to said desired angular position when the motor is commanded to stop.

Claim 9

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 3, wherein said motor-stop fluid passage consists of (a) a motor-stop fluid supply passage (226, 348, 352) which is controlled by the rotation of said rotating member, so as to communicate with said at least one advancing fluid chamber if said desired angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, and communicate with said at least one reversing fluid chamber if the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, (b) a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (228, 236, 238, 240, 350, 354) which is controlled by the rotation of said rotating member, so as to communicate with said at least one reversing fluid chamber if said desired angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, and communicate with said at least one advancing fluid chamber if the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, and wherein said motor-stop fluid control circuit is connected to a pressure source (62) for pressuring the fluid and a reservoir (70), and is operable to bring said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said motor-stop fluid discharge passage into communication with said pressure source and said reversoir, respectively, when the motor is commanded to stop, for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one advancing fluid chamber through said motor-stop fluid supply passage while discharging the fluid from said at least one reversing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage if said desired angular position is ahead of said current position of the rotating member, and for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one reversing fluid chamber through said motor-stop fluid supply passage while discharging the fluid from said at least one advancing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage if said current position of the rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position.

Claim 10

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 4, wherein said motor-stop fluid supply passage (50-8-46-48) is provided for each of at least two of said fluid chambers (8a-8e), and wherein said rotating member (22, 34) is stopped at one of a plurality of angular positions which correspond to said at least two fluid chambers, said motor-stop fluid control circuit (56, 58, 60, 64, 68) connecting each of said motor-stop fluid supply passage to said pressure source (62), for selective communication of one of the motor-stop fluid supply passages to said pressure source when the motor is commanded to stop, to thereby stop said rotating member at one of said angular positions.

Claim 11

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 5, wherein said motor-stop fluid discharge passage is provided for each of at least two of said fluid chambers (8), and wherein said rotating member is stopped at one of a plurality of angular positions which correspond to said at least two fluid chambers, said motor-stop fluid control circuit connecting each of said motor-stop fluid discharge passage to said reservoir (70), for selective communication of one of the motor-stop fluid discharge passages with said reservoir when the motor is commanded to stop, to thereby stop said rotating member at one of said angular positions.

Claim 12

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at one of a first and a second predetemined angular position, comprising: a motor-stop fluid supply passage (180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448) and a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448) selectively communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 326, 328, 394, 426) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 392, 404, 422) in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction; said rotating member being operable to select, by rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages with said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber; switching means (114, 182, 184) operable between a first position in which said motor-stop fluid supply passage communicates with a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid, and a second position in which said motor-stop fluid discharge passage communicates with a reservoir (70); first fluid supply/discharge means (56, 58, 92, 96, 100, 106, 108, 110, 112, 186), operable when said switching means is placed in said first position, for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to at least one approaching fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers through said motor-stop fluid supply passage to rotate said rotating member toward said first predetermined position, while permitting the fluid to be discharged from at least one departing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers, said at least one approaching fluid chamber serving to rotate said rotating member in a direction toward said one of the first and second predetermined angular positions, while said at least one departing fluid chamber serving to rotate said rotating member in a direction away from said one predetermined angular position; and second fluid supply/discharge means (56, 58, 106, 108, 174, 186), operable when said switching means is placed in said second position, for discharging the fluid from said at least one departing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage while supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one approaching fluid chamber to rotate said rotating member toward said second predetermined position.

Claim 13

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at one of a first and a second predetemined angular position, comprising: a motor-stop fluid supply passage (180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448) and a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448) selectively communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 326, 328, 394, 426) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 392, 404, 422) in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction; said rotating member being operable to select, by rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages with said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber; switching means (114, 182, 184) operable between a first position in which said motor-stop fluid supply passage communicates with a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid, and a second position in which said motor-stop fluid discharge passage communicates with a reservoir (70); first fluid supply/discharge means (56, 58, 92, 96, 100, 106, 108, 110, 112, 186), operable when said switching means is placed in said first position, for supplying the fluid from said pressure source to at least one approaching fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers through said motor-stop fluid supply passage to rotate said rotating member toward said first predetermined position, while permitting the fluid to be discharged from at least one departing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers, said at least one approaching fluid chamber serving to rotate said rotating member in a direction toward said one of the first and second predetermined angular positions, while said at least one departing fluid chamber serving to rotate said rotating member in a direction away from said one predetermined angular position; and second fluid supply/discharge means (56, 58, 106, 108, 174, 186), operable when said switching means is placed in said second position, for discharging the fluid from said at least one departing fluid chamber to said reservoir through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage while supplying the fluid from said pressure source to said at least one approaching fluid chamber to rotate said rotating member toward said second predetermined position.

Claim 14

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 10, wherein said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said motor-stop fluid discharge passage are provided by a common motor-stop passage (180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448) which is held in communication with a predetermined one of said plurality of fluid chambers.

Claim 15

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 10, wherein said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said motor-stop fluid discharge passage are provided by separate fluid passages (352, 354), respectively.

Claim 16

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, comprising at least one of: a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448) having at one of opposite ends thereof a connection port (52, 80, 223, 306, 318, 346, 356, 406, 408, 446) adapted to be connected to a pressure source (62) for pressuring the fluid, the other of said opposite ends communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) in an operating direction of the motor when said desired predetermined angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member, said other end of said motor-stop fluid supply passage communicating with at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member from said desired angular position in a direction opposite to said operating direction, when said current position of the rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, said rotating member being operable to select, by means of rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid supply passage with said at least one advancing fluid chamber or said at least one reversing fluid chamber; and a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) having at one of opposite ends thereof a connection port (306, 318, 408, 446, 484) adapted to be connected to a reservoir (70), the other of said opposite ends communicating with said at least one reversing fluid chamber when said desired angular position is ahead of said current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, said other end of said motor-stop fluid discharge passage communicating with said at least one advancing fluid chamber when the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position.

Claim 17

A positive-displacement fluid motor having a a plurality of fluid chambers, and a rotating member which is rotated by means of flows of a pressurized fluid to and from said fluid chambers, and which can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, comprising at least one of: a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448) having at one of opposite ends thereof a connection port (52, 80, 223, 306, 318, 346, 356, 406, 408, 446) adapted to be connected to a pressure source (62) for pressuring the fluid, the other of said opposite ends communicating with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470) which serves to rotate said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) in an operating direction of the motor when said desired predetermined angular position is ahead of a current position of said rotating member, said other end of said motor-stop fluid supply passage communicating with at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member from said desired angular position in a direction opposite to said operating direction, when said current position of the rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position, said rotating member being operable to select, by means of rotation thereof, the fluid communication of said motor-stop fluid supply passage with said at least one advancing fluid chamber or said at least one reversing fluid chamber; and a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) having at one of opposite ends thereof a connection port (306, 318, 408, 446, 484) adapted to be connected to a reservoir (70), the other of said opposite ends communicating with said at least one reversing fluid chamber when said desired angular position is ahead of said current position of said rotating member in said operating direction of the motor, said other end of said motor-stop fluid discharge passage communicating with said at least one advancing fluid chamber when the current position of said rotating member is ahead of said desired angular position.

Claim 18

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a fixed-cylinder type piston motor having (a) a fixed cylinder (4), (b) a plurality of pistons (6) received within said fixed cylinder, (c) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (8) defined by said fixed cylinder and said pistons, (d) a plurality of fluid-chamber ports (48) formed in fluid communication with said fluid chambers, respectively, (e) a rotary valve member (34) constituting a part of said rotating member (22, 34), and having an entrance port (38, 40) and a discharge port (38, 40) formed therein so that said entrance and discharge ports sequentially communicate with said fluid-chamber ports as said rotary valve member is rotated, and (f) a converting mechanism (28, 32) for convering linear movements of said pistons produced by the flows of the fluid to and from said fluid chambers, into a rotary movement of said rotating member, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is formed in communication with a predetermined one of said fluid-chamber ports, such that said connection port (52, 80) as said one end is open in an outer surface of said fixed cylinder, while said predetermined one of said fluid-chamber ports forms said other end, said each of said at least one of the motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages selectively communicating with said plurality of fluid chambers through said entrance or discharge port as said rotary valve member is rotated.

Claim 19

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a fixed-cylinder type piston motor having (a) a fixed cylinder (4), (b) a plurality of pistons (6) received within said fixed cylinder, (c) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (8) defined by said fixed cylinder and said pistons, (d) a plurality of fluid-chamber ports (48) formed in fluid communication with said fluid chambers, respectively, (e) a rotary valve member (34) constituting a part of said rotating member (22, 34), and having an entrance port (38, 40) and a discharge port (38, 40) formed therein so that said entrance and discharge ports sequentially communicate with said fluid-chamber ports as said rotary valve member is rotated, and (f) a converting mechanism (28, 32) for convering linear movements of said pistons produced by the flows of the fluid to and from said fluid chambers, into a rotary movement of said rotating member, and wherein said other end of at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is open in said rotary valve member, so that said other end sequentially communicates with said plurality of fluid-chamber ports and thereby selectively communicates with said entrance and discharge ports, as said rotary valve member is rotated.

Claim 20

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a rotary-cylinder type piston motor having (a) a rotary cylinder block (202), (b) a plurality of pistons (204) received within said rotary cylinder block, (c) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (208) defined by said cylinder block and said pistons, (d) a plurality of fluid-chamber ports (222) formed in fluid communication with said fluid chambers, respectively, (e) a fixed valve member (214) having an entrance port (218, 220) and a discharge port (218, 220) formed therein so that said entrance and discharge ports sequentially communicate with said fluid-chamber ports as said cylinder block is rotated, and (f) a converting mechanism for convering linear movements of said pistons produced by the flows of the fluid to and from said fluid chambers, into a rotary movement of said cylinder block, and wherein said other end (224, 225, 226, 228, 236, 238, 240) of at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is open in said fixed valve member, so that said other end sequentially communicates with said plurality of fluid-chamber ports and thereby selectively communicates with said entrance and discharge ports, as said cylinder block is rotated.

Claim 21

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a rotary-cylinder type piston motor having (a) a rotary cylinder block (202), (b) a plurality of pistons (204) received within said rotary cylinder block, (c) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (208) defined by said cylinder block and said pistons, (d) a plurality of fluid-chamber ports (222) formed in fluid communication with said fluid chambers, respectively, (e) a fixed valve member (214) having an entrance port (218, 220) and a discharge port (218, 220) formed therein so that said entrance and discharge ports sequentially communicate with said fluid-chamber ports as said cylinder block is rotated, and (f) a converting mechanism for convering linear movements of said pistons produced by the flows of the fluid to and from said fluid chambers, into a rotary movement of said cylinder block, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages (305, 319) is held in communication with a predetermined one of said fluid-chamber ports, and said predetermined one of said fluid-chamber ports forms said other end, so that said each of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages selectively communicates with said plurality of fluid chambers through said entrance or discharge port.

Claim 22

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a trochoid motor having a rotor (392) and a stator (390) which have respective external and internal teeth whose profiles are generated following a trochoid curve or an equivalent thereof, said rotor being disposed within said stator in eccentric relation with each other such that said external teeth of said rotor is in partial contact with said internal teeth of said stator, so as to define therebetween a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (394), one cycle of supply and discharge flows to and from each of said fluid chambers causing said rotor to be rotated, by an angle determined by a difference between numbers of said external and internal teeth of the rotor and stator.

Claim 23

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a gear motor having a casing (320), and at least two gears (322, 324) which are disposed within said casing such that said gears mesh with each other so as to cooperate with said casing to define an inlet fluid chamber (326, 328) and an outlet fluid chamber (326, 328), so that said gears are rotated by supply and discharge flows of the fluid into and from said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, meshing engagement of said gears providing a boundary between said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, and wherein said other end (348, 352) of said motor-stop fluid supply passage is open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which neighbors said boundary, said other end being positioned and dimensioned so that said other end is substantially closable by an end face of one of the teeth of said gears which is located at said desired angular position of the motor.

Claim 24

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a gear motor having a casing (320, 366), and at least two gears (322, 324, 368, 370) which are disposed within said casing such that said gears mesh with each other so as to cooperate with said casing to define an inlet fluid chamber (326, 328, 374, 376) and an outlet fluid chamber (326, 328, 374, 376), so that said gears are rotated by supply and discharge flows of the fluid into and from said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, meshing engagement of said at least two gears providing a boundary between said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, and wherein said other end (350, 354, 380) of said motor-stop fluid discharge passage is open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which neighbors said boundary, said other end being positioned and dimensioned so that said other end can communicate with a space formed between a tooth of one of said gears which is located at said desired angular position of the motor, and a bottom land between the teeth of the other gear meshing said one gear.

Claim 25

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a gear motor having a casing (320), and at least two gears (322, 324) which are disposed within said casing such that said gears mesh with each other so as to cooperate with said casing to define an inlet fluid chamber (326, 328) and an outlet fluid chamber (326, 328), so that said gears are rotated by supply and discharge flows of the fluid into and from said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, meshing engagement of said at least two gears providing a boundary between said inlet and outlet fluid chambers; and wherein said other end (348, 352) of said motor-stop fluid supply passage is open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which neighbors said boundary, said other end being positioned and dimensioned so that said other end is substantially closable by an end face of one of the teeth of said gears which is located at said desired angular position of the motor, said other end (350, 345) of said motor-stop fluid discharge passage being open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which is aligned with said boundary, said other end being positioned and dimensioned so that said other end can communicate with a space formed between a tooth of one of said gears which is located at said desired angular position of the motor, and a bottom land between the teeth of the other gear meshing with said one gear.

Claim 26

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a gear motor having a casing (320), and at least two gears (322, 324) which are disposed within said casing such that said gears mesh with each other so as to cooperate with said casing to define an inlet fluid chamber (326, 329) and an outlet fluid chamber (326, 328), so that said gears are rotated by supply and discharge flows of the fluid into and from said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, meshing engagement of said two gears providing a boundary between said inlet and outlet fluid chambers, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is formed through one (324) of said gears and is open in an outer surface of said one gear.

Claim 27

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a vane motor having (a) a casing (420), (b) a rotor (422) disposed rotatably within the casing, (c) a plurality of vanes (424) supported by said rotor such that the vanes are movable in substantially radial directions of the rotor, (d) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (426) defined by said casing, rotor and vanes, and (e) an entrance port (428) and a discharge port (430) which are formed in said casing, and wherein at least one (448) of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which is located between said entrance and discharge ports.

Claim 28

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a vane motor having (a) a casing (420), (b) a rotor (422) rotatably disposed within the casing, (c) a plurality of vanes (424) supported by said rotor such that the vanes are movable in substantially radial directions of the rotor, (d) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (426) defined by said casing, rotor and vanes, and (e) an entrance port (428) and a discharge port (430) which are formed in said casing, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is formed through said rotor and is open in an outer surface of the rotor.

Claim 29

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a cam rotor vane motor having (a) a casing (460), (b) at least one vane (464, 466) supported by said casing such that the vane is movable in substantially radial direction of the casing, (c) a cam rotor (462) disposed rotatably within the casing, (d) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (468, 470) defined by said casing, rotor and vane, and (e) an entrance port (472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (472, 474, 476, 478) which are formed in said casing, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is open in a portion of an inner surface of said casing which is located between said entrance and discharge ports.

Claim 30

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which is a cam rotor vane motor having (a) a casing (460), (b) at least one vane (464, 466) supported by said casing such that the vane is movable in substantially radial direction of the casing, (c) a cam rotor (462) disposed rotatably within the casing, (d) a plurality of variable-volume fluid chambers (468, 470) defined by said casing, rotor and vane, and (e) an entrance port (472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (472, 474, 476, 478) which are formed in said casing, and wherein at least one of said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages is formed through said cam rotor and is open in an outer surface of the cam rotor.

Claim 31

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which includes a first motor portion (490, 520) having said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), and said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages (52-50-8-46, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 160-8-4-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486), so that said rotating member can be stopped at said desired angular position, said motor further including a second motor portion (492, 522) which has said at least one advancing fluid chamber and said at least one reversing fluid chamber, and which is mechanically coupled to said first motor portion, said at least one advancing fluid chamber of said first motor portion communicating with said at least one advancing fluid chamber of said second motor portion, while said at least one reversing fluid chamber of said first motor portion communicating with said at least one reversing fluid chamber of said second motor portion, so that said second motor portion can be stopped at an angular position thereof in synchronization with a stopping action of said first motor portion, such that said angular position of the second motor portion is determined by said first motor portion.

Claim 32

A positive-displacement fluid motor according to claim 13, which includes a motor portion (506) having said rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 404, 422, 462), and said at least one of said motor-stop fluid supply and discharge passages (52-50-8-46, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 160-8-4-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486), so that said rotating member can be stopped at said desired angular position, said motor further including a cylinder portion (508), and a converting mechanism (514) for converting a rotary movement of said motor portion into a linear movement of said cylinder portion, said cylinder portion is connected to said motor portion such that said at least one advancing fluid chamber of said motor portion communicates with a corresponding advancing fluid chamber of said cylinder portion while said at least one reversing fluid chamber of said motor portion communicates with a corresponding reversing fluid chamber of said cylinder portion, so that said cylinder portion can be stopped at a linear position thereof in synchronization with a stopping action of said motor portion, such that said linear position of said cylinder portion is determined by said motor portion.

Claim 33

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 2428, 450, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 344, 358, 406-369, 410, 448) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid into the motor through said motor-stop fluid supply passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60, 162, 186, 230) for connecting said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said pressure source; shutoff means (64, 84, 86, 98,102, 164, 176, 178, 182, 234, 250, 500) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; restrictor means (76, 78, 106, 108) disposed in each of said first and second fluid passages; and selector means (68, 84, 86, 98, 114, 166, 178, 250, 500) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, without restricting the fluid flows through said first and second fluid passages by said restrictor means, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to effect restricted fluid communication of said first and second fluid psssages with said reservoir through said restrictor means, at least when the motor is stopped.

Claim 34

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 2428, 450, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 344, 358, 406-369, 410, 448) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid into the motor through said motor-stop fluid supply passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60, 162, 186, 230) for connecting said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said pressure source; shutoff means (64, 84, 86, 98,102, 164, 176, 178, 182, 234, 250, 500) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; restrictor means (76, 78, 106, 108) disposed in each of said first and second fluid passages; and selector means (68, 84, 86, 98, 114, 166, 178, 250, 500) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, without restricting the fluid flows through said first and second fluid passages by said restrictor means, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to effect restricted fluid communication of said first and second fluid psssages with said reservoir through said restrictor means, at least when the motor is stopped.

Claim 35

A fluid control circuit according to claim 29, wherein said restrictor means restricts the flows of the fluid through said first and second fluid passages, such that a cross sectional area of flow of said first and second fluid passages is smaller than a maximum cross sectional area of communication between said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said entrance or discharge port when the motor is stopped.

Claim 36

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired angular position by means of a flow of the fluid from the motor through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60, 162, 186, 232, 242, 244) for connecting said motor-stop fluid discharge passage and said reservoir; shutoff means (164, 176, 178, 184, 234, 246, 488) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; restrictor means (76, 78, 106, 108) disposed in each of said first and second fluid passages; and selector means (114, 166, 178, 246, 250, 488) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, without restricting the fluid flows through said first and second fluid passages by said restrictor means, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to effect restricted fluid communication of said first and second fluid psssages with said pressure source through said restrictor means, at least when the motor is stopped.

Claim 37

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired angular position by means of a flow of the fluid from the motor through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (56, 58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60, 162, 186, 232, 242, 244) for connecting said motor-stop fluid discharge passage and said reservoir; shutoff means (164, 176, 178, 184, 234, 246, 488) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; restrictor means (76, 78, 106, 108) disposed in each of said first and second fluid passages; and selector means (114, 166, 178, 246, 250, 488) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, without restricting the fluid flows through said first and second fluid passages by said restrictor means, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to effect restricted fluid communication of said first and second fluid psssages with said pressure source through said restrictor means, at least when the motor is stopped.

Claim 38

A fluid control circuit according to claim 31, wherein said restrictor means restricts the flows of the fluid through said first and second fluid passages, such that a cross sectional area of flow of said first and second fluid passages is smaller than a maximum cross sectional area of communication between said motor-stop fluid discharge passage and said entrance or discharge port when the motor is stopped.

Claim 39

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) that can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 406-396, 410, 448) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated against said load torque by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid into the motor through said motor-stop fluid supply passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60) for connecting said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said pressure source; shutoff means (144) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; and selector means (144) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to close said first fluid passage and maintain the fluid communication between said second fluid passage and said reservoir when the motor is stopped.

Claim 40

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) that can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (d) a motor-stop fluid supply passage (52-50-8-46-48, 80-46-48, 50-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 227, 305, 319, 344, 406-396, 410, 448) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated with said rotating member rotated against said load torque by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid into the motor through said motor-stop fluid supply passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (60) for connecting said motor-stop fluid supply passage and said pressure source; shutoff means (144) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; and selector means (144) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to close said first fluid passage and maintain the fluid communication between said second fluid passage and said reservoir when the motor is stopped.

Claim 41

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor wherein a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, and which has (a) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (b) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (c) a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated against a load torque with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid from the motor through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (162) for connecting said motor-stop fluid discharge passage and said reservoir; shutoff means (178) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; and selector means (178) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to maintain the fluid communication between said first fluid passage and said pressure source and close said second fluid passage when the motor is stopped.

Claim 42

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor wherein a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462) can be stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position, and which has (a) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (b) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 478), and (c) a motor-stop fluid discharge passage (160-8-46-48, 180-8-46-48, 305, 319, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serves to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said motor being normally operated against a load torque with said rotating member rotated by means of flows of a fluid to and from the motor through said entrance and discharge ports, said rotating member being stopped at said desired predetermined angular position by means of a flow of the fluid from the motor through said motor-stop fluid discharge passage, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) for connecting said entrance port and a pressure source (62) for pressurizing the fluid; a second fluid passage (58) for connecting said discharge port and a reservoir (70); a third fluid passage (162) for connecting said motor-stop fluid discharge passage and said reservoir; shutoff means (178) for closing said third fluid passage when the motor is normally operated, and opening said third fluid passage when the motor is commanded to stop; and selector means (178) for effecting fluid communication between said entrance port and said pressure source through said first fluid passage, and between said discharge port and said reservoir through said second fluid passage, while said motor is normally operated, said selector means being operable to maintain the fluid communication between said first fluid passage and said pressure source and close said second fluid passage when the motor is stopped.

Claim 43

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 476, 478) which selectively communicate with said plurality of fluid chambers, and (d) a motor-stop fluid passage (52-50-8-46-145, 80-46-145, 50-8-46-145, 160-8-46-145, 180-8-46-145, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one fluid advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) whose one end is adapted to be connected to said entrance port; a second fluid passage (58) whose one end is adapted to be connected to said discharge port; a third fluid passage whose one end is adapted to be connected to said motor-stop fluid passage; first switching means (144) connected to the other ends of said first and second fluid passages, said first switching means being operable between a first position in which said first fluid passage communicates with a pressure source (62) while said second fluid passage communicates with a reservoir (70), and a second position in which said first fluid passage is closed while said second fluid passage is held in communication with said reservoir; and second switching means (134) connected to said first fluid passage, and receiving a pressure in said third fluid passage as a pilot pressure, said second switching means being normally closed, and being opened when said pilot pressure exceeds a predetermined limit and thereby connecting said first fluid passage which has been disconnected from said pressure source by said first switching means, to said pressure source, said rotating member being rotated in said operating direction against said load torque while said first switching means is placed in said first position, and being stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position when said first switching means is operated to said second position.

Claim 44

A fluid control circuit for controlling a positive-displacement fluid motor which has (a) a rotating member (22, 34, 202, 322, 324, 330, 368, 370, 378, 392, 398, 404, 422, 462), (b) a plurality of fluid chambers (8, 208, 326, 328, 374, 376, 394, 426, 468, 470), (c) an entrance port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 476, 478) and a discharge port (38, 40, 218, 220, 326, 328, 362, 364, 400, 402, 428, 450, 430, 452, 472, 474, 476, 476, 478) which selectively communicate with said plurality of fluid chambers, and (d) a motor-stop fluid passage (52-50-8-46-145, 80-46-145, 50-8-46-145, 160-8-46-145, 180-8-46-145, 227, 305, 319, 344, 358, 406-396, 410, 448, 486) which selectively communicates with at least one fluid advancing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in an operating direction of the motor against a load torque, or at least one reversing fluid chamber of said plurality of fluid chambers which serve to rotate said rotating member in a direction opposite to said operating direction, said fluid control circuit comprising: a first fluid passage (56) whose one end is adapted to be connected to said entrance port; a second fluid passage (58) whose one end is adapted to be connected to said discharge port; a third fluid passage whose one end is adapted to be connected to said motor-stop fluid passage; first switching means (144) connected to the other ends of said first and second fluid passages, said first switching means being operable between a first position in which said first fluid passage communicates with a pressure source (62) while said second fluid passage communicates with a reservoir (70), and a second position in which said first fluid passage is closed while said second fluid passage is held in communication with said reservoir; and second switching means (134) connected to said first fluid passage, and receiving a pressure in said third fluid passage as a pilot pressure, said second switching means being normally closed, and being opened when said pilot pressure exceeds a predetermined limit and thereby connecting said first fluid passage which has been disconnected from said pressure source by said first switching means, to said pressure source, said rotating member being rotated in said operating direction against said load torque while said first switching means is placed in said first position, and being stopped at a desired one of at least one predetermined angular position when said first switching means is operated to said second position.