Importance

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Abstract

A hydraulic circuit (32), for example, remotely controls a work element (14) and contains first apparatus (34), such as a master cylinder (42), which passes a fluid pressure signal through a fluid pathway (38, 40) in response to an input signal. Second apparatus (36), such as a slave cylinder (44), correspondingly delivers an output signal for controlling the work element (14). Temperature variation can cause fluid volume changes which disrupt synchronized operation of the master and slave cylinders (42, 44). Third apparatus (74) positions the fluid pathways (38, 40) in fluid communication with a tank (28) in the absence of the fluid signal. If the signal passes through one pathway (38, 40), that pathway (38, 40) is automatically blocked from communication with the tank (28). Thus, when the fluid signal is absent from the fluid pathways (38, 40), volume compensation occurs because of dilution of the fluid in the circuit (32) with the tank fluid. This substantially overcomes volumetric problems from fluid temperature changes.

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First Claim