A fluid control valve can suppress heat generation when discharging charges from a piezo actuator for contraction and reduce energy necessary to drive the piezo actuator. The fluid control valve includes a piezo actuator and a drive circuit connected to the piezo actuator is adapted so that the drive circuit includes: a flyback transformer including a primary side coil connected to a DC power supply DV and a secondary side coil connected to the piezo actuator; a charge switch that is connected to the primary side coil and switched from on to off when the piezo actuator charges; a discharge switch that is connected to the secondary side coil and switched from off to on when the piezo actuator discharges; and a regenerative capacitor that is connected to the primary side coil and into which electric energy due to the discharge of the piezo actuator is regenerated.

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.

The present invention relates to an electronically controlled valve for a variable displacement pump, a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic pump system with switchable control functions. Multiple control functions of different types of hydraulic pumps can be implemented via one single electronically controlled valve combined with control elements and sensors. The hydraulic pump systems can be easily integrated into the overall application systems for intelligent control.

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 computer-implemented method and/or system for controlling a material handler comprises: processing, by an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of electronic input signals from at least one joystick; determining an adjustment for at least one of a pair of solenoids based on at least the plurality of electronic input signals from the joystick; controlling the pair of solenoids by the ECU and each solenoid acting in opposition to each of a pair of biasing elements of an open-center directional control valve to move the directional control valve to an extension position or a retraction position from a central position; determining a setpoint buildup pressure for a central passageway of the directional control valve; and actuating a constrictive solenoid of a pressure buildup valve to constrict the central passageway based on the setpoint buildup pressure whereby the constrictive passageway increases a pressure in the central passageway of the directional control valve.

A method for operating a valve device for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumer includes the method comprising 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.

In a method for the automated, measurement data-based configuration of an electronic controller for a hydraulic system, a predefined measurement routine is performed on the hydraulic system, during which measurement data of measurement parameters of the hydraulic system are automatically acquired. This measurement data is used to train a computer-based model structure, i.e. to automatically identify the behavior of the hydraulic system. On the basis of system equations automatically extracted from the computer-based model structure, an electronic controller is automatically synthesized and then automatically embedded in a control unit of the hydraulic system in order to control at least one control variable, such as a pressure, a volume flow, a position or a displacement, in the hydraulic system. The automated steps of the method can be performed by an external device, which is connected to the hydraulic system via a data communication interface.

Universal control circuitry for an electro-hydraulic valve actuator system includes logic gate circuitry to control one or more of a closing solenoid valve, an opening solenoid valve, an emergency shutdown solenoid valve, and a hydraulic fluid pump motor to route hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic circuit to actuate a valve via a hydraulic actuator according to received commands. The universal control circuitry is configured to control operation for multiple different configurations of a hydraulic valve actuator system including double-acting configurations, single-acting spring-to-open configurations, and single-acting spring-to-close configurations, each with or without an emergency shutdown arrangement (which may be configured to trip based on an external shutdown input alone or in combination with a local system power failure), a hydraulic accumulator, and maintained or momentary input commands.

Agricultural planting implements, as well as other ground-engaging implements, can utilize supplemental force assemblies to provide up and/or down force at the row or rows of the implements. The force can be used to overcome changing field conditions, obstructions, as well as changing particulate amounts and weights carried by the rows of the implements, and the implement itself. The up force can be set at system pressure, or can include control valves at each of the row units to control the amount of up force provided. The down force can be controlled by control valves at each of the row units, and can be used to overcome the up pressure or provide a designated amount of down force to the row.

The present invention relates to an electronically controlled valve for a variable displacement pump, a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic pump system with switchable control functions. Multiple control functions of different types of hydraulic pumps can be implemented via one single electronically controlled valve combined with control elements and sensors. The hydraulic pump systems can be easily integrated into the overall application systems for intelligent control.