Title: Central hydraulic system for marine deck equipment

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Abstract: In a central hydraulic system for marine deck machinery, fixed displacement hydraulic motors are utilized to drive anchor winches and standard mooring winches, and variable displacement hydraulic motors are utilized to drive automatic mooring winches. This permits individual regulation of the line pull or tension of the mooring line of each automatic mooring winch. Variable displacement pressure compensated over center pumps are utilized to supply hydraulic fluid for operating the hydraulic motors by means of a closed loop circuit, and charging pumps are utilized to supply hydraulic fluid at charging pressure. Infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valves are used to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid from the variable displacement pressure compensated over center pumps to the hydraulic motors, thereby regulating the speed of operation of each hydraulic motor and the marine deck winch driven thereby. In certain embodiments pressurized hydraulic fluid from the variable displacement pressure compensated over center pumps is directed to the control ports of the valves, and pressure reducing apparatus is utilized to provide hydraulic fluid at working pressure. In other embodiments control pumps are utilized to direct hydraulic fluid at control pressure to the pilot ports of the valves. In either case hydraulic circuitry including at least one infinitely variable volume four-way directional valve and adapted for actuation from spaced points on the deck of a vessel is utilized to selectively reduce the pressure in the pilot ports of each infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valve, thereby actuating the valve to direct a predetermined volume of hydraulic fluid to the associated hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid is continuously drained through each hydraulic motor and through the hydraulic circuitry associated with each infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valve, thereby preventing any possibility that the drive system will be disabled due to clogging of the hydraulic lines with low temperature oil. A brake is utilized in conjunction with each marine deck winch, to prevent operation of the winch when the associated hydraulic motor is not operating. A hydraulic actuator is provided for disabling each brake whenever the associated infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valve is utilized to direct hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor that drives the marine deck winch. In certain embodiments pressurized hydraulic fluid directed from the valve to the motor is also directed through a relief valve to the hydraulic actuator of the associated brake to effect release of the brake. In other embodiments, pressurized hydraulic fluid is continuously supplied to the actuator and a valve is utilized to effect operation of the actuator to release the brake. In such cases the valve which controls the hydraulic actuator may either be coupled directly to the associated infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valve or may comprise a pilot operated valve connected in parallel with the infinitely variable volume pressure compensated pilot operated four-way directional valve for operation in synchronism therewith.


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