A monitoring device and a method for determining operating health of a pressure medium operated device. The monitoring device is configured for processing input measuring data relating to operation of the pressure medium operated device. An operating condition value is determined in the monitoring device, where after the operating condition value is compared to an input reference data in order to determine current operating health. The reference data is determined by utilizing strength analysis, which is executed for a design model of the associated pressure medium operated device.

In one aspect, a system (110) for performing an action is disclosed. In one arrangement and embodiment, the system (110) comprises: a tool (118) operable to perform at least the action; a controller (122); storage (124) storing electronic program instructions for controlling the controller (122); and an input/output means (126). In one form, the controller (122) is operable, under control of the electronic program instructions, to: receive input via the input means; process the input, and on the basis of the processing, control the tool to perform the action. In one embodiment, the action comprises a hydraulic tuning action in respect of a system, such as a hydraulic pump (114), comprising a hydraulic circuit.

An EHA system (10) for lifting or lowering a leg of an aircraft includes a hydraulic circuit (101) having a hydraulic actuator (a hydraulic cylinder 2) configured to lift or lower the leg, at least one electric hydraulic pump (3), and a hydraulic path, a pressure sensor (38, 83), a temperature sensor (84), and a control unit (a controller 9) configured to output a control signal for operating the electric hydraulic pump in leg lifting or lowering. The hydraulic circuit includes a pressure increasing element. The control unit performs health monitoring regarding the performance of the electric hydraulic pump based on the pressure of hydraulic fluid, the temperature of hydraulic fluid, and the speed of the electric hydraulic pump during operation of the electric hydraulic pump.

Prognostication and amelioration of gas ingress in hydraulic systems can be provided by identifying a stable reading window when operating a carrying system comprising a hydraulic system; collecting a set of fluid level readings of a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system during a plurality of stable reading windows across a corresponding plurality of operational instances of the carrying system; calculating median fluid levels in each stable reading window of the plurality of stable reading windows; identifying an increasing trend in the median fluid levels when analyzed as time series data that satisfies a trend threshold of at least a predefined number successive indications of increased fluid levels in the hydraulic fluid within an analysis window; and generating an alert of gas ingress to the hydraulic system.

A method is provided for detecting and quantifying leaks in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may have a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, consumer areas or applications. The method includes: a start-up phase; a training or estimation phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group of sensors; calculating or determining the value of a second group of sensors from the readings from the first group of sensors; comparing the calculated or determined values of the second group of sensors with the read values of the second group of sensors and determining the difference between them; determining, on the basis of a residual value analysis, whether there is a leak in the gas network; generating an alarm and/or generating a leakage rate and/or generating the corresponding leakage cost if a leak is detected.

A method is provided for detecting and quantifying obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may be provided with a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, or consumer areas. The method includes: a possible start-up phase; a baseline or zero phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group and second group of sensors; re-estimating, determining or calculating the physical model or mathematical relationship on the basis of the read measurements from the sensors; determining or calculating of the existence of an obstruction in the system based on the difference and/or its derivatives between the parameters of the physical model or mathematical relationship as determined during the baseline or zero phase and the operational phase; generating an alarm and/or generating a degree of obstruction and/or generating the corresponding obstruction if an obstruction is detected.

A system for automatic calibration of an actuator, where the system has an actuator and a computer, and the computer further includes a PID controller. A sensor connected to the actuator transmits values representing the motion of the actuator to the input of the PID controller. The computer is programmed to compare the values representing the motion of the actuator to the output of the PID controller, thus outputting an error signal representing the difference between the output of the PID controller and the values representing the motion of the actuator. The computer stores this difference as a calibrated set point for the actuator when the difference is less than a predetermined amount. This calibrated set point is used to initialize the operation of a machine propelled by the actuator.

A valve arrangement for a fluidic supply of a fluid load, with several main valves designed for influencing fluid flows at the fluid ports, and with electrically controllable pilot valves designed for fluidic control of the main valves. A base body is assigned a connection plate lying opposite a connection face and having a fluid passage which leads into an operating port for the connection of a fluid load wherein, between the connection face and the connection plate there is provided a separate passage body which has at least one connection passage for a fluidically communicating link between at least one of the fluid ports and the operating port, and at least one connecting conduit for a fluidic coupling of at least two fluid ports.

A monitoring device and a method for determining operating health of a pressure medium operated device. The monitoring device is configured for processing input measuring data relating to operation of the pressure medium operated device. An operating condition value is determined in the monitoring device, where after the operating condition value is compared to an input reference data in order to determine current operating health. The reference data is determined by utilizing strength analysis, which is executed for a design model of the associated pressure medium operated device.

A method for controlling a cylinder includes providing a cylinder having a piston, a servo valve and a measuring device having at least one first position sensor and one second position sensor, measurements are taken of the position of the piston in the cylinder body simultaneously with the first position sensor and the second position sensor, at least one first displacement speed of the piston is determined on the basis of the piston position measurements obtained with the first position sensor, at least one second displacement speed of the piston is determined on the basis of the piston position measurements obtained with the second position sensor, and each of the first and second determined displacement speeds of the piston are compared with a modelled or predetermined displacement speed of the piston, in such a way as to identify the most reliable position sensor.