An example valve assembly includes a first workport fluidly coupled to a first actuator; a second workport fluidly coupled to the first actuator; a third workport fluidly coupled to a second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage; a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage; and a spool axially movable in a bore within the valve assembly, wherein when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage.

An example valve assembly includes a first workport fluidly coupled to a first actuator; a second workport fluidly coupled to the first actuator; a third workport fluidly coupled to a second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage; a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage; and a spool axially movable in a bore within the valve assembly, wherein when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage.

A system for storing and releasing hydraulic energy having a controller, a pressure source, a bidirectional valve fluidly connected to the pressure source, an expandable vessel fluidly connected to the bidirectional valve having a plurality of axial folds between first and second ends, and a bidirectional port connected to the pressure source. As the plurality of axial folds expand, a contracted volume of pressure expands increasing stored hydraulic fluid energy in the expandable vessel. As the plurality of axial folds contract, the expanded volume reduces, releasing stored hydraulic fluid energy to nearby subsea equipment on demand as changes in hydraulic fluid energy requirements for the subsea equipment changes. Simultaneously, hydrostatic seawater pressure of seawater on the expandable vessel is counteracted with the hydrostatic pressure of fluid inside the expandable vessel.

A system for storing and releasing hydraulic energy having a controller, a pressure source, a bidirectional valve fluidly connected to the pressure source, an expandable vessel fluidly connected to the bidirectional valve having a plurality of axial folds between first and second ends, and a bidirectional port connected to the pressure source. As the plurality of axial folds expand, a contracted volume of pressure expands increasing stored hydraulic fluid energy in the expandable vessel. As the plurality of axial folds contract, the expanded volume reduces, releasing stored hydraulic fluid energy to nearby subsea equipment on demand as changes in hydraulic fluid energy requirements for the subsea equipment changes. Simultaneously, hydrostatic seawater pressure of seawater on the expandable vessel is counteracted with the hydrostatic pressure of fluid inside the expandable vessel.

Some of the present systems include a hydraulic power storage system having an accumulator configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulically actuated device to actuate the hydraulically actuated device and a drain in fluid communication with the accumulator and including a valve that is actuatable to drain hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power storage system such that an internal pressure of the accumulator is reduced and a flow restrictor configured to reduce a flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the valve, a hydraulic pump configured to pressurize the accumulator, a pressure sensor configured to capture data indicative of the internal pressure of the accumulator, and a processor configured to actuate the hydraulic pump to increase the internal pressure of the accumulator if the internal pressure of the accumulator, as indicated in data captured by the pressure sensor, falls below a threshold pressure.

Some of the present systems include a hydraulic power storage system having an accumulator configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulically actuated device to actuate the hydraulically actuated device and a drain in fluid communication with the accumulator and including a valve that is actuatable to drain hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power storage system such that an internal pressure of the accumulator is reduced and a flow restrictor configured to reduce a flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the valve, a hydraulic pump configured to pressurize the accumulator, a pressure sensor configured to capture data indicative of the internal pressure of the accumulator, and a processor configured to actuate the hydraulic pump to increase the internal pressure of the accumulator if the internal pressure of the accumulator, as indicated in data captured by the pressure sensor, falls below a threshold pressure.

A hydraulic control apparatus includes: a branch path that branches from a passage connected to an oil pump and equipment to which oil is supplied by the oil pump; an accumulator connected to the branch path to accumulate and discharge high-pressure oil supplied from the branch path; a check valve provided in an oil inlet path through which oil flows into the accumulator; a balance valve unit including a reference pressure chamber, a balance valve body that is biased toward an opening side by an opening compression spring, and a control pressure chamber; and a control solenoid that introduces or discharges the high-pressure oil into or from the control pressure chamber.

A drive train (1) includes an internal combustion engine (2) and working hydraulics (4) having at least one hydraulic pump (7). When operated as a pump, the hydraulic pump (7) sucks hydraulic fluid from a tank (9) and delivers into a delivery line (10) that leads to the working hydraulics (4). When operated as a motor, the hydraulic pump (7) is supplied with hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic accumulator (25). The drive train (1) has a charge pump (20) to supply a charging circuit (23). The charge pump (20), when operated as a pump, sucks hydraulic fluid out of the tank (9) and delivers into a charge pressure line (22) that leads to a charging circuit (23), and the charge pump (20) when operated as a motor is supplied with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic accumulator (25).

A hydrostatic drive includes a diesel engine and a hydrostatic adjustable machine which supplies multiple consumers in normal operation as a pump. The machine has a pressure/flow regulator to which is communicated, according to the load-sensing principle, the highest load pressure of the consumers, in particular when the machine is operated as a pump. In order to realize a start/stop function of the diesel engine, a previously charged high-pressure reservoir supplies the hydrostatic machine, which then acts as a starter motor for the diesel engine. In order to switch from pump to starter motor, the hydro-machine is adjusted over zero. In order for this switch to take place quickly and reliably, the pressure/flow regulator is deactivated by means of a switching valve and the adjustment device is supplied with an adjustment pressure medium via the switching valve, which medium is taken from the high-pressure reservoir or from an auxiliary reservoir.

A hydrostatic drive includes a diesel engine and a hydrostatic adjustable machine which supplies multiple consumers in normal operation as a pump. The machine has a pressure/flow regulator to which is communicated, according to the load-sensing principle, the highest load pressure of the consumers, in particular when the machine is operated as a pump. In order to realize a start/stop function of the diesel engine, a previously charged high-pressure reservoir supplies the hydrostatic machine, which then acts as a starter motor for the diesel engine. In order to switch from pump to starter motor, the hydro-machine is adjusted over zero. In order for this switch to take place quickly and reliably, the pressure/flow regulator is deactivated by means of a switching valve and the adjustment device is supplied with an adjustment pressure medium via the switching valve, which medium is taken from the high-pressure reservoir or from an auxiliary reservoir.