A flow controller that changes the flow rate of air exhausted from an air cylinder in mid-stroke includes a first switching valve displaced from a first position to a second position under the effect of pilot air, and causing one port of the air cylinder to communicate with a first channel at the first position, exhausting air exhausted from the one port of the air cylinder while reducing the flow rate of the air using a first regulating valve at the second position. Since the pilot air is taken into the first switching valve from a second channel in a system different from the system of the first channel, a second regulating valve can be adjusted without being affected by the degree of opening of the first regulating valve.

Provided is a hydraulic drive system for a work machine configured with a single solenoid proportional valve for a regeneration circuit, wherein substantially the same actuator speed can be secured irrespective of whether or not hydraulic fluid discharged from a hydraulic actuator is regenerated for driving of another hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic drive system includes: a regeneration line that connects a bottom-side hydraulic chamber of a hydraulic cylinder 4 to a portion between a hydraulic pump device 50 and a second hydraulic actuator 8, and a regeneration flow rate adjustment device that supplies, at an adjusted flow rate, at least part of the discharged hydraulic fluid to a portion between the hydraulic pump device 50 and the second hydraulic actuator; a discharge flow rate adjustment device that discharges, at an adjusted flow rate, the discharged hydraulic fluid to a tank; one electric drive device 22 that simultaneously controls the regeneration flow rate adjustment device and the discharge flow rate adjustment device; and a control unit 27 that outputs a control command to the electric drive device in such a manner that falling speed of a first driven body does not vary significantly, irrespective of the magnitude of the regeneration flow rate caused by the regeneration flow rate adjustment device.

Provided is a hydraulic control system for a construction machine, including: a control valve (31) for controlling supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to and from an arm cylinder (4); an operation lever (6) for controlling the position of a spool of the control valve (31); a meter-out flow passage (34) for passing therethrough hydraulic fluid discharged from the arm cylinder; a variable restrictor (23a) provided in the meter-out flow passage; pressure sensors (41, 42) for detecting a magnitude of a negative load applied by an external force to the arm cylinder in a same direction as an actuation direction of the arm cylinder; and a controller (45) for reducing an opening area of the variable restrictor (23a) according to an increase in the magnitude of the negative load calculated with a detection value from the pressure sensors (41, 42).

A hydraulic drive device includes a pump, a hydraulic machine, and a tank. The hydraulic machine is connected fluidically to first and second fluid lines, which are configured to be connected fluidically to the tank or the pump via an adjustable main valve. The device further includes a first valve with a continuously adjustable first orifice. Pressure fluid is configured to be conducted out of the second fluid line via the first orifice and into the tank. The first valve is acted upon in the closing direction of the first orifice by a first spring and acted upon in the opposite direction by the pressure at a control point. The control point is connected fluidically to the tank via a first throttle device, connected via a second throttle device to the first fluid line, and connected to the first fluid line via a third throttle device and a second valve.

A hydraulic drive device includes a pump, a hydraulic machine, and a tank. The hydraulic machine is connected fluidically to first and second fluid lines, which are configured to be connected fluidically to the tank or the pump via an adjustable main valve. The device further includes a first valve with a continuously adjustable first orifice. Pressure fluid is configured to be conducted out of the second fluid line via the first orifice and into the tank. The first valve is acted upon in the closing direction of the first orifice by a first spring and acted upon in the opposite direction by the pressure at a control point. The control point is connected fluidically to the tank via a first throttle device, connected via a second throttle device to the first fluid line, and connected to the first fluid line via a third throttle device and a second valve.

In a fluid circuit for an air cylinder connected to a switching valve provided with exhaust ports, a head-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a first pipe, and a rod-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a second pipe. A first restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the first pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a first output port of the switching valve, and a second restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the second pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a second output port of the switching valve.

A hydraulic control device for a forklift includes a hydraulic pump, a single electric motor for driving the hydraulic pump, an outflow control mechanism provided between a lift cylinder and the hydraulic pump, a flow control valve provided between the outflow control mechanism and a draining portion, and a controller. When a lowering operation of a fork and either forward or rearward mast tilting operations of a mast are performed at the same time, the controller controls the electric motor based on a target speed of the hydraulic pump. The flow control valve controls the flow rate of hydraulic fluid from the lift cylinder to the hydraulic pump and the flow rate from the lift cylinder to the draining portion in accordance with the difference between the actual rotation speed of the hydraulic pump and the target rotation speed of the hydraulic pump.

A hydraulic control device for a forklift includes a hydraulic pump, a single electric motor for driving the hydraulic pump, an outflow control mechanism provided between a lift cylinder and the hydraulic pump, a flow control valve provided between the outflow control mechanism and a draining portion, and a controller. When a lowering operation of a fork and either forward or rearward mast tilting operations of a mast are performed at the same time, the controller controls the electric motor based on a target speed of the hydraulic pump. The flow control valve controls the flow rate of hydraulic fluid from the lift cylinder to the hydraulic pump and the flow rate from the lift cylinder to the draining portion in accordance with the difference between the actual rotation speed of the hydraulic pump and the target rotation speed of the hydraulic pump.

A hydraulic control system for control of a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic control system comprises a fluid distribution assembly having a tank, a pump to pump fluid from the tank and a directional valve for distributing pressurised fluid from the pump and to return fluid to the tank; a valve assembly fluidly connected to the directional valve, the valve assembly having a first overcenter valve and a pressure reducing valve wherein a first main line connects the directional valve to the first overcenter valve and wherein a shuttle line connects the pressure reducing valve to the first main line; a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the valve assembly wherein the first main line connects the hydraulic motor to the first overcenter valve; and a brake assembly fluidly connected to the pressure reducing valve, wherein a drain line connects the pressure reducing valve to the hydraulic motor.

A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic cylinder (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second control valves (700, 800), and a selection valve set (850). The selection valve set is adapted to self-configure to a first configuration and to a second configuration when a net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic cylinder, respectively. When the selection valve set is enabled in the first and second configurations, the second and first control valve may fluctuate hydraulic fluid flow to the second and first chamber, respectively, to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) of the boom. When the selection valve set is not enabled, the first and second counter-balance valves are adapted to provide the hydraulic cylinder with conventional counter-balance valve protection.