Caterpillar Inc.
Hammer temperature protection system and method

Abstract:

A hydraulic hammer including a housing, a piston arranged for reciprocating movement within the housing, a hydraulic circuit within the housing. The hydraulic circuit is configured for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic circuit includes an inlet passage configured to provide a hydraulic fluid to the piston, an outlet passage configured to provide a return flow path for the hydraulic fluid from the piston a bypass passage selectively connecting the inlet passage to the outlet passage and a thermostatic valve assembly configured to connect the inlet passage to the piston when the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is below a threshold temperature and connect the inlet passage to the bypass passage when the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is above the threshold temperature.