An electrohydrostatic actuator system comprising: a volume- and/or speed-variable hydraulic machine which is driven by an electric motor, for providing a volumetric flow of a hydraulic fluid; a differential cylinder with a piston side and a ring side; and at least one pretensioning source. The actuator system has a closed hydraulic circuit, wherein, during operation, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit is pressurized by means of the hydraulic machine and/or the pretensioning source. Furthermore, according to the invention, the differential cylinder provides a power motion operating mode and a rapid motion operating mode. In order to balance a volume of the hydraulic fluid in the closed hydraulic circuit, according to the invention an expansion reservoir is connected to the piston side of the differential cylinder via a valve.

An electro-hydrostatic actuation system and a method for driving a hydraulic actuator, e.g. a hydraulic cylinder, are described, wherein the system comprising a leakage branch, and wherein preferably an additional pump is arranged. The system further comprises a source for providing hydraulic liquid; a high-pressure circuit to direct the hydraulic liquid to a hydraulic actuator, such as e.g. a hydraulic cylinder; a low-pressure circuit having several branches; a main pump for hydraulic liquid arranged in the high-pressure circuit, comprising a housing having a high-pressure section and a low-pressure section, separated by gap sealings, wherein the high-pressure section comprises a first outlet and a second outlet to provide the hydraulic liquid flow in the high-pressure circuit; and wherein the low- pressure section comprises a leakage outlet; an electric motor driving the main pump.

Problem to be solved: To provide a hydraulic circuit for the construction machine which enables to use the relief valve of low capacity in the work tool circuit. Solution: The hydraulic circuit 2 for a construction machine has: a hydraulic pump 4 of variable capacity, a work tool 6 operated by hydraulic oil delivered by the hydraulic pump 4, a work tool operating device 10 to output a signal for operating the work tool 6, a control valve 14 allowing the hydraulic pump 4 to supply the hydraulic oil to the work tool 6 based on the signal output from the work tool operating device 10, a tool's relief valve 44 to release the hydraulic oil flowing between the control valve 14 and the work tool 6, a pressure sensor 46 to detect a pressure of hydraulic oil flowing into the work tool 6, and a controller 48 to reduce a delivery rate from the hydraulic pump 4 when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 46 exceeds a predetermined value.

Actuator systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The systems include a hydraulic actuator having a primary piston having a piston head arranged within a housing defining retract and extend chambers on opposite sides of the piston head. A control element is configured to control a supply of pressure to each of the retract and extend chambers. An actuator valve is coupled to the housing and includes a secondary piston that is biased into the retract chamber in an open flow state and when the primary piston is in a fully retracted state the piston head urges the secondary piston into a closed flow state. The actuator valve defines a flow chamber where, in an open flow state, fluid can be passed through the flow chamber and in a closed flow state the fluid is prevented from passing through the flow chamber.

An artificial muscle system includes a collapsible skeleton, a flexible skin, and a muscle actuation mechanism. The collapsible skeleton is contained inside a volume defined, at least in part, by the flexible skin. The flexible skin and the collapsible skeleton are configured for the flexible skin to provide a pulling force on the collapsible skeleton when a pressure difference exists between the inside of the sealed volume and a surrounding environment to change at least one of the dimensions and thus geometry of the collapsible skeleton. The muscle actuation mechanism includes at least one of the following to deploy or contract the collapsible skeleton: (a) a fluid displacing, releasing, or capturing mechanism configured to increase or decrease fluid pressure inside the sealed volume; and (b) a heating or cooling element configured to change the temperature of fluid in the sealed volume.

A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit, a heater, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The hydraulic circuit includes a reservoir configured to store hydraulic fluid, a pump coupled to the reservoir, a driver positioned to drive the pump to pump the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and throughout the hydraulic circuit, and an actuator positioned to selectively receive the hydraulic fluid from the pump to operate a controllable machine component. The driver is independent of a prime mover of the machine. The heater is positioned to facilitate selectively heating the hydraulic fluid. The temperature sensor is positioned to acquire temperature data indicative of a temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The controller is configured to monitor the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and selectively activate at least one of the heater or the pump to thermally regulate the hydraulic fluid to maintain the hydraulic fluid within a target temperature range.

A control circuit for changing the angle of propeller blades includes a propeller control unit controlling a supply of oil to modify an angle of propeller blades, and a fixed-displacement pump providing the supply of oil from an engine oil return system to the propeller control unit. An oil cooling line extends between an outlet of the pump and the engine oil return system. The oil cooling line defines an oil leakage path leading to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil. A flow regulator between the pump and the propeller control unit is operable between an open position where oil is directed through the oil cooling line to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil, and a closed position blocking the oil cooling line and directing oil toward the propeller control unit to modify the angle of the propeller blades.

An actuator includes a housing, a first chamber inside the housing, a cylinder within the housing, and a second chamber within the housing. The cylinder fluidically isolates the first chamber from the second chamber. The actuator also includes a rod connected to the cylinder and extending through the second chamber and the housing. A shell is spaced apart from the housing and defines a fluid gap between the shell and the housing. The shell includes a shell inlet fluidically connected to the fluid gap and a shell outlet fluidically connected to the fluid gap.

There is provided a control module for a hydraulic system. The module comprises a tank and a plurality of valves. The tank is configured to store hydraulic fluid and is substantially cylindrical. The plurality of valves fluidly connect with the tank and are configured to control distribution of hydraulic fluid from the tank to one or more components of the system. The plurality of valves are spaced around a circumference of the tank. One or more passages fluidly connect the tank with at least one of the plurality of valves and/or a first of the plurality of valves with a second of the plurality of valves.

A fluid control apparatus includes: a metal plate; a heater configured to heat the metal plate; a first joint block and a second joint block provided on an installation surface of the metal plate, extending in a predetermined direction, and formed with a flow passage therein; a first pipe extending along the predetermined direction between the first joint block and the second joint block; a heat transfer cover provided on the installation surface of the metal plate; and a first fluid control device mounted to the first joint block and the second joint block so as to straddle over the first pipe. The heat transfer cover has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, extends along the predetermined direction, and includes a first cover member and a second cover member mounted around an outer circumference of the first pipe in contact with each other. The first cover member covers a part in a cross section of the first pipe and has a first abutment surface abutting on the installation surface of the metal plate. The second cover member covers another part in a cross section of the first pipe and has a second abutment surface abutting on the first fluid control device.