Top Innovations in Fluid Power Wall of Fame

Innovation
Sentry IQ Service

Description
Real-Time Hose Diagnostics and Monitoring System

What makes this innovative?
Sentry IQ monitors real-time diagnostic information about the current operating condition and performance of hose assemblies. The service continuously measures operating temperatures, pressures, impulse cycles, etc., to assess remaining hose life to alert users to replace hoses before a predicted hose failure.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Gates Corporation

Year of creation
2010

Innovation
Hydraulic Repair Estimator

Description
Hydraulic Repair Estimator provides instant Quotes (Prices) for the repair costs of Pumps, Motors, Rod Cylinders, Telescopic Cylinders, and Hose Assemblies. The Customer receives a General Price Range along with a Low, Median, and Upper Range with detail of work to be performed at each level of repair. Along with the Estimate they also will see a list of Local Shops that provide these services.

What makes this innovative?
Hydraulic Repair Estimator has developed the only customer interactive software application that creates an instant Estimate for the cost of repair of Pumps , Motors , Cylinders , and Hoses. We collected and analyzed thousands of repairs to begin our process. First we analyzed Labor, by determining the actual labor required to perform hundreds of different procedures required for thousands of different components. After analyzing the data that we created, we then developed hundreds of algorithms that automatically generate labor hours for various operations depending on components, size and complexity. We then did a nationwide survey and research to determine labor rates and created a national model that generates quotes relative to different areas of the country. Then we analyzed Parts, which again we took thousands of actual repairs and analyzed the parts that were typically required for various types of repairs for each type of component, along with actual material cost from various vendors nationwide and created algorithms and data bases to allow us to provide an accurate cost of parts relative to the repair being performed. We then put these elements together in a easy to use Software application that provides a consistent, accurate, and detailed Estimate of Repair for thousands of different components. Customers can easily access this Application by Desk Top, Laptop, Notebook or Smart Phone, the only thing required is internet access.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Jack Rupe

Year of creation
2010

Innovation
MHR Radio Controller

Description
Magnetek's sophisticated MHR Radio Controller combines the components of a radio receiver and hydraulic controller into a convenient single unit. It includes an informative graphic display for viewing system settings and machine functions, and the user interface features fully sealed pushbuttons for menu navigation and modifying system settings in the field.

What makes this innovative?
Magnetek's controller is the first to combine these two components into a single unit, reducing costs and freeing up valuable space. This revolutionary product closes the gap between traditional hydraulic and radio controls, providing the mobile marketplace with a complete control solution for a variety of mobile hydraulic applications.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Magnetek

Year of creation
2010

Innovation
Sealed electro-pneumatic control of hydraulic directional control valves

Description
Hydraulic control valves for truck applications with in-built IP69 sealed electro-pneumatic pilot valves.

What makes this innovative?
One air pressure inlet and one air return line - avoiding external vents on electro-pneumatic valves which can suck-in water and dirt. Reduces number of air-lines dramatically and avoids requirement for sealed cabinet for pilot valves.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Jaume Soler, Pedro Roquet, S.A.

Year of creation
2008

Innovation
2-speed monoblock valve for hook lifts

Description
Monoblock valve with direct-acting solenoids with first section acting as hi-lo speed control to switch between full flow and pre-set "creep" flow.

What makes this innovative?
First spool in block used as floe switch.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Jaume Soler, Pedro Roquet, S.A.

Year of creation
2007

Innovation
Addidrive Trailer Assistance

Description
An additional hydrostatic transmission offering trucks and convoys better mobility in difficult driving conditions such as: mud, snow, sand, etc. This hydraulic aid, installed on the front or rear axles is an ecological alternative to full-time all-wheel drive, engaging on-demand only when needed for higher torque and improved traction control.

What makes this innovative?
Providing dramatically reduced weight and improved center of gravity (because the cab height is identical to a non-driven front truck axle), improvements are realized in fuel consumption and additional payload while simultaneously improving vehicle stability and safety.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Poclain Hydraulics

Year of creation
2009

Innovation
Newly Patented Tank Cover System

Description
Tank Access System Patented in 2010

What makes this innovative?

• Reduces Manufacturing costs by elimination of weldments and additional parts to install tank covers.
• Reduces internal contamination by eliminating weldments and threaded holes to install cover.
• Increases through put during assembly.
• Conical shape allows 3 times the clamping force of competitors oval shaped covers.
• Captive o-ring seal bolt seal does not leak.
• Reduces tank field servicing costs by providing quicker access to tank and faster replacement of cover.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Jeff Fleenor

Year of creation
About 2004

Innovation
In-Board Trunnion Piston Pump

Description
Transition of the outboard trunnion mechanis for piston pump swash plate rotation to an in-board design allowing for compression versus moment loading.

What makes this innovative?
Extended life and reduced failures due to moment loading problems.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Don Bethke, Hartmann Controls

Year of creation
1993

Innovation
Lubritherm Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluid

Description
A hydraulic fluid that is a unique water/propylene glycol combination such that it is fireproof, non-toxic, works in extreme temperatures, from 15 to 6500 psi, and is fully compatible with all standard seals and metals.

What makes this innovative?
Certified by EcoLogo. Founded in 1988 by the Government of Canada but now recognized world-wide, EcoLogoTM is North America's largest, most respected environmental standard and certification mark. EcoLogo provides customers - public, corporate and consumer - with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Benjamin Vroon CEO LubeCorp

Year of creation
2001

Innovation
Valve-Mate II

Description
Electro-pneumatic on/off or proportional radio controls lever operated mobile hydraulic valves. Valve-Mate controls mount to the spring return side of the valve section, levers operate normally.

What makes this innovative?
The MCS Valve-Mate II system is the only product available to add radio control (on/off or proportional) to standard, non solenoid operated valves. www.mobilecontrolsystems.com

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Bob Kompar

Year of creation
2006

Innovation
EZ Trac Hydraulic AWD

Description
Hydraulic AWD for class 6, 7, and 8 on highway trucks. Replaces the trucks existing front axle with a hydraulically powered axle that can be engaged and disengaged on the go up to 20 mph. Maintains existing suspension, ride, turning angle and weighs less than mechanical axle systems.

What makes this innovative?
This is the first commercially available hydraulic AWD for trucks. The oil is delivered to the wheel motor through the wheel spindle.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
Tuthill Drive Systems

Year of creation
2008

Innovation
VOSS Zinc Nickel Corrosion Protection

Description
Application of Zinc Nickel plating system to various parts of the hydraulic system to cut costs for both manufacturers and end users.

What makes this innovative?
Accelerated the evolution of corrosion protection for hydraulic components from around 120 hours to over 720 hours based on global salt spray tests.

Company or engineer responsible for innovation
VOSS Fluid GmbH, Wipperfurth, Germany

Year of creation
2007