A drive control method of a hydraulic actuator of a construction machine includes: determining whether a rotation operation lever and a working device operation lever are operated; calculating the required pressure of a hydraulic cylinder fix a working device according to the operation amount of the rotation operation lever; calculating the required flow rates of a swing motor and the hydraulic cylinder for the working device, the required flow rates corresponding to the operation amounts of the working device operation lever and the rotation operation lever; calculating the opening areas of the first and second proportional solenoid valves of an inlet side and an outlet side by using the calculated required pressure and required flow rates of the hydraulic cylinder for the working device and the swing motor; and calculating current values to be inputted into the first and second proportional solenoid valves of the inlet side and the outlet side according to preset data values or a table in comparison with the calculated opening areas of the first and second proportional solenoid valves of the inlet side and the outlet side.

Systems and methods for auto-commissioning first and second valve assemblies associated with an actuator in an electro-hydraulic system are disclosed. In one method, a controller performs an automatic test protocol to determine a bulk modulus over fluid volume parameter used by the controller to control the valve assemblies. In one aspect, the test protocol can include pressurizing each side of the actuator to two different pressures with one of the first and second valve assemblies and blocking the other side of the actuator with the other of the first and second valve assemblies. The bulk modulus over fluid volume parameter for each valve assembly can be calculated based on recorded fluid pressures at the actuator and consumed flow at the first and second valve assemblies.

A method for operating a valve device for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumer includes the steps of: determination of a first fluid pressure in a first section of a fluid passage of a valve assembly, which extends between an inlet port, and a valve element, determination of a second fluid pressure in a second section of the fluid passage of the valve assembly, which extends between the valve element and an outlet port, determination of a flow value for the valve element from the two fluid pressures and of a flow function, relating of the flow value with a presettable volumetric fluid flow rate or mass fluid flow rate for the pressurised fluid, which flow rate is provided for flow through the fluid passage, to a guide value and determination of a required actuating energy for an actuating device, and provision of the actuating energy to the actuating device.

An actuator arrangement, having a drive for providing a rotational movement about an axis of rotation and which includes an actuator housing whose outer surface extends with a curved profiling along the axis of rotation and which delimits a working space, in which a working element is rotatably accommodated, which includes a drive shaft which penetrates a front surface of the actuator housing, wherein the actuator housing is penetrated by a working port, which is designed for a connection of the working space with a valve arrangement, and with a valve arrangement, which is designed for a provision of a fluid flow at the working port and which includes a valve module, which is accommodated in a valve shaft of a valve housing and which has a fluid port, wherein the valve housing extends with a profiling in the form of a circular ring section along the axis of rotation.

A hydraulic system and a method comprising a linear actuator 23 for generating discrete sum forces, chambers A-D for generating discrete force components, at least two charging circuits 3,4 configured to maintain predetermined pressure levels of hydraulic fluid, independent control interfaces 9-16 configured to open and close connections of the first and second charging circuits to the chambers, and an electronic control unit 50 for controlling the control interfaces. At least two control interfaces are proportional valves which are used as shut-off valves and are independently switchable to the open and closed positions in a controlled manner. Moreover, non-throttled control and secondary control are implemented in the hydraulic system and the method.

An actuator controller for actuating an actuator which can be operated fluidically, having a feed line for an inflow of the working fluid to an actuator connector and having a discharge line for an outflow of the working fluid to a fluid outlet, wherein the feed line is assigned a feed line valve and the discharge line is assigned a discharge valve, which valves are configured in each case to influence a volumetric fluid flow at the actuator connector, and having a control device for actuation of the feed line valve and the discharge valve. A throughflow sensor is arranged in a line section between the discharge valve and the fluid outlet, which throughflow sensor is configured for determining a volumetric fluid flow in the discharge line and for providing a throughflow signal.

An electropneumatic valve assembly comprises an electropneumatic pilot stage and a pneumatic power stage which is actuated by the pilot stage. Each pilot valve switches at least two power valves, and the valve assembly has a housing with an electrical signal input, with a compressed-air port, at least one vent port and at least one working outlet. The housing is layered with a pilot stage housing and a power stage housing connected along a substantially planar parting surface. At least one sealing element is between the pilot stage housing and power stage housing surrounding a control pressure region between the pilot stage housing and power stage housing. The control pressure region has two actuation regions for two power valves and has a duct-like connection with a defined flow cross section between the two actuation regions. An outlet of the associated pilot valve opens into the control pressure region.

Systems and methods for auto-commissioning first and second valve assemblies associated with an actuator in an electro-hydraulic system are disclosed. In one method, a controller performs an automatic test protocol to determine a bulk modulus over fluid volume parameter used by the controller to control the valve assemblies. In one aspect, the test protocol can include pressurizing each side of the actuator to two different pressures with one of the first and second valve assemblies and blocking the other side of the actuator with the other of the first and second valve assemblies. The bulk modulus over fluid volume parameter for each valve assembly can be calculated based on recorded fluid pressures at the actuator and consumed flow at the first and second valve assemblies.

The present invention provides a controller for a hydraulic apparatus. The controller is configured to determine (410) that a mode change criteria has been met for the hydraulic apparatus. In response to the determination, the controller is configured to control (420) a valve arrangement to change a first actuator chamber of a hydraulic actuator between being fluidly connected to a hydraulic machine and fluidly isolated from a second chamber of the hydraulic actuator, and being fluidly connected to both the second actuator chamber and the hydraulic machine. Further in response to the determination, the controller is configured to control (430) the hydraulic machine to change a flow rate of hydraulic fluid flowing through the hydraulic machine to regulate a movement of the hydraulic actuator during the control of the valve arrangement.

A stage assembly (10) includes a stage (14), and a fluid actuator assembly (24) that moves the stage (14). The fluid actuator assembly (24) includes a piston housing (32) that defines a piston chamber (34); (ii) a piston (36) that separates the piston chamber (34) into a first chamber (34A) and a second chamber (34B); (iii) a supply valve (38C) that controls the flow of the working fluid (40) into the first chamber (34A); and (iv) an exhaust valve (38D) that controls the flow of the working fluid (40) out of the first chamber (34A). The supply valve (38C) has a supply orifice (250G) having a supply orifice area, and the exhaust valve (38D) has an exhaust orifice (352G) having an exhaust orifice area. Moreover, the supply orifice area is different from the exhaust orifice area. Further multiple valves of different sizes can be used in combination for the supply and exhaust for each chamber (34A), (34B).