An integrated hybrid energy recovery and storage system for recovering and storing energy from multiple energy sources is disclosed. The system includes an accumulator unit having a high pressure accumulator and a low pressure accumulator. At least one piston is mounted for reciprocation in the high pressure accumulator. The accumulator unit is configured to receive, store, and transfer energy from the hydraulic fluid to the energy storage media. The system further includes two or more rotational directional control valves, in which at least one rotational directional control valve is positioned on each side of the accumulator unit. Each rotational directional control valve includes multiple ports. The system also includes two or more variable displacement hydraulic rotational units. At least one variable displacement hydraulic rotational unit is positioned adjacent each of the rotational directional control valves.

Passenger restraint systems are provided. The restraint systems can include: a passenger seat supported by a frame; a restraint bar pivotably attached to the frame; and at least one piston operably engaged between the restraint bar and the frame. Restraint system pistons are provided. The pistons can include: a central chamber housing a piston head and rod; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the central chamber; and at least one electromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position. Methods for restraining a passenger within a seat are also provided.

Provided is an electrohydrostatic actuation system including an emergency shut-off circuit to be actuated stably with a simple configuration. The electrohydrostatic actuation system includes: a hydraulic cylinder (24) including a piston (25) to which a valve element is connected, a first chamber (24A), and a second chamber (24B); a hydraulic pump (21) configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the first chamber (24A) or the second chamber (24B); a servo motor (M) configured to drive the hydraulic pump (21); a shuttle valve (11) configured to establish communication to a downstream side under a state in which a hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump (21) is maintained; a solenoid valve (12) configured to receive the hydraulic pressure via the shuttle valve (11) as a pilot pressure; and a logic valve (13) including a first port configured to receive the pilot pressure from the solenoid valve (12), and a second port to be communicated to the first chamber (24A) of the hydraulic cylinder (24). When the solenoid valve (12) is brought to a de-energized state, the pilot pressure of the logic valve (13) is released, and the logic valve (13) causes the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber (24A) communicated to the second port to flow into the second chamber (24B) so that emergency shut-off of the valve element is achieved by a return spring (26).

A hydraulic circuit includes a prime mover that is configured to generate an oscillating flow of hydraulic fluid, and an actuator that is driven by the prime mover and configured to provide oscillating motion and to be connected to a load in each direction of the motion. The hydraulic circuit also includes a reclamation device that is disposed in the hydraulic circuit between the prime mover and the actuator. The reclamation device captures and stores a portion of hydraulic fluid displaced from the actuator during a transition between opposed motions, where the portion of hydraulic fluid corresponds to an amount of hydraulic fluid equal to a volume of fluid required to compensate for compression of fluid within the hydraulic circuit due to system pressure and load pressure. The stored fluid is used by the circuit in a subsequent motion.

A vehicle includes: a prime mover; a hydraulic fluid manifold; a hydraulic machine; a hydraulic accumulator; one or more hydraulic actuators; a valve arrangement; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an actuator demand signal indicative of a demand to move the one or more hydraulic actuators; and to control the hydraulic machine and the valve arrangement to cause movement of the one or more actuators in accordance with the actuator demand signal by bringing the hydraulic accumulator into fluid communication with a first actuator chamber of the one or more hydraulic actuators, and to synchronise therewith changing a pressure in a second actuator chamber of the one or more hydraulic actuators. The second actuator chamber is in fluid communication with the hydraulic machine.

An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve controls fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator. A downforce return valve controls fluid communication between the downforce accumulator and the tank.

An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame of the machine. A first rod side accumulator and a second rod side accumulator are both in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A first accumulator control valve is positioned to control the first rod side accumulator, and is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder, and closed position blocking fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. The system provides a slower first float response with the first accumulator control valve open, and a faster second float response with the first accumulator control valve closed.

A hydraulic system for a working machine includes a hydraulic actuator having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, an accumulator, an outputting fluid tube to output an operation fluid, and a switching valve to be switched between a first position and a second position. The first position allows the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber to be communicated with the outputting fluid tube and thereby allowing a floating operation. The second position allows the first fluid chamber and the accumulator to be communicated with each other, allows the second fluid chamber and the outputting fluid tube to be communicated with each other, and thereby allows an anti-vibration operation.

A balancing valve includes four ports. While the pressures at a pair of balancing ports of a hydraulic balancing valve are equal, the valve maintains two other ports in a closed position. Upon a pressure differential between the balancing ports, fluid communication can occur between one of the balancing ports and either of the other ports based upon the direction of the pressure differential. A hydraulic ride control system utilizes the balancing valve together with other control valves to provide ride control functionality.

An example valve assembly includes a housing having an accumulator fluid passage configured to be fluidly coupled to an accumulator, a supply fluid cavity configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid, a reservoir fluid cavity configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir of fluid, a head fluid cavity configured to be fluidly coupled to a head-side chamber of a hydraulic actuator, and a rod fluid cavity configured to be fluidly coupled to a rod-side chamber of the hydraulic actuator; a main spool that is axially-movable within the housing; and a balancing spool that is axially-movable within the housing based on an axial position of the main spool.