A hydraulic accumulator, especially a hydraulic damper, includes a connecting piece for producing fluid communication between the interior of the hydraulic accumulator and at least two fluid connecting lines in a fitting. The connecting piece is connected to the fitting. The connecting piece is provided with at least one annular channel in its outer periphery in such a way that the connecting section of the connecting piece leading to the interior of the hydraulic accumulator is in fluid communication with the connecting line in the fitting through the annular channel. A compact construction is obtained that avoids the disadvantages of long lines.

A hydraulic priority switch for preferential feeding of a low consumption primary loop in fluid communication with a hydraulic reservoir which is chargeable from a pressure medium source via a flow control means, against a non-preferential secondary loop which can be switched in with the aid of a priority value when said primary loop is sufficiently pressurized, said hydraulic priority switch having protecting means for protecting both loops from excess pressure comprising a pressure-limiting valve which functions to make an outlet flow path available when pressure is excessive.

A hydraulic circuit and charging valve arrangement is disclosed for charging an accumulator where the accumulator is used to power an additional function such as a brake valve. The accumulator charging circuit is connected to a load sensing power steering circuit including a flow divider that controls the flow of a fixed displacement pump to selectively effect actuation of a power steering motor and an auxiliary device such as a bucket loader or backhoe control valve. The charging circuit includes a pilot operated charging valve which controls the flow divider of the load sensing steering circuit for the purpose of recharging the accumulator. The charging valve includes a valve member that is biased against a coil spring to a neutral position when the accumulator is charged. When the accumulator pressure drops below a preset level, the valve member is shifted thereby permitting fluid flow through the charging valve to the flow divider in the load sensing steering circuit. This results in the buildup of pressure in the hydraulic circuit which recharges the accumulator and shifts the charging valve member back to its neutral position. The charging valve is constructed to effectively raise the reset pressure required to shift the charging valve member back to its neutral position, thereby creating a controlled hysteresis in the operation of the charging valve.

The invention relates to a priority valve for a hydraulic installation having a main circuit and an auxiliary circuit. The priority valve has a slide member which primarily has a controlled throttle for dividing the supply fluid between the main and auxiliary circuits in accordance with the priority demands of the main circuit. The priority valve has a flow path leading to the auxiliary circuit which has throttle elements in series which provide pressure drops in steps to minimize cavitation when there is a rapid flow of fluid in the auxiliary circuit.

A suction container for two hydraulic circuits, particularly for a steering circuit and a control circuit has a housing lower portion closed with a cover. A suction tube is inserted into the housing lower portion, which tube is connected to a first consumer line. The container also includes connections which are in communication with a second consumer line and with a fluid supply container. During operation the suction container is under predetermined pressure. A filter device is disposed in the cover before the connection to the second consumer line. A pressure-limiting valve and a reverse valve openable into the container housing are also mounted in the cover.