A hydraulic system embodying a method for combining two or more hydraulic functions from operatively associated distributor valves to selectively increase fluid flow using only hydraulic switches and valves is provided. Each two or more preselected hydraulic functions may each have a piloted diverter valve operatively associated with the other(s) so that when a control valve of the first hydraulic function is selectively positioned to a maximum pressure the first diverter valve actuates the second (and other) diverter valve(s) to couple to the first hydraulic function. Solving the problem where a user has two hydraulic flows that are limited by the diameter/distance of the hoses or pipes to a maximum flow rate almost regardless of pressure but needs to increase that flow to efficiently perform a task.

A fluid pressure control device includes a first switching valve provided on a downstream of a first travel control valve in the first main passage and having an open position and a priority position, a second switching valve provided on a downstream of a second travel control valve in the second main passage and having an open position and a priority position, and a merging passage connecting a downstream of the first switching valve and a downstream of the second switching valve. In a state where first work control valves and second work control valves are not operated and the first travel control valve is operated, the first switching valve is at a priority position, and in a state where the first work control valves and the second work control valves are not operated and the second travel control valves is operated, the second switching valve is at a priority position.

A dual mode control system for a work vehicle includes a hydraulic system configured to drive a loader assembly and a dozer assembly coupled to the work vehicle. The hydraulic system includes a fluid delivery system comprising a plurality of flow paths fluidly coupled to a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic system includes a valve assembly configured to regulate diversion of fluid into a first and a second hydraulic cylinders coupled to the fluid delivery system to adjust the loader assembly, or into a third cylinder coupled to the fluid delivery system to adjust the dozer assembly. The dual mode control system also includes a controller operably coupled to the valve assembly, and one or more user interfaces coupled to the controller to enable an operator to provide inputs to cause the controller to adjust the valve assembly, and to thereby adjust the loader assembly or the dozer assembly.

An actuation pressure to actuate one or more hydraulic actuators may be determined based on a load on the one or more hydraulic actuators of a robotic device. Based on the determined actuation pressure, a pressure rail from among a set of pressure rails at respective pressures may be selected. One or more valves may connect the selected pressure rail to a metering valve. The hydraulic drive system may operate in a discrete mode in which the metering valve opens such that hydraulic fluid flows from the selected pressure rail through the metering valve to the one or more hydraulic actuators at approximately the supply pressure. Responsive to a control state of the robotic device, the hydraulic drive system may operate in a continuous mode in which the metering valve throttles the hydraulic fluid such that the supply pressure is reduced to the determined actuation pressure.

A hydraulic system embodying a method for combining two or more hydraulic functions from operatively associated distributor valves to selectively increase fluid flow using only hydraulic switches and valves is provided. Each two or more preselected hydraulic functions may each have a piloted diverter valve operatively associated with the other(s) so that when a control valve of the first hydraulic function is selectively positioned to a maximum pressure the first diverter valve actuates the second (and other) diverter valve(s) to couple to the first hydraulic function. Solving the problem where a user has two hydraulic flows that are limited by the diameter/distance of the hoses or pipes to a maximum flow rate almost regardless of pressure but needs to increase that flow to efficiently perform a task.

Disclosed embodiments include power machines, and hydraulic systems for power machines, in which a controller is configured to monitor the power in each of an implement circuit and a drive circuit and to adjust pump flow to manage engine power consumption.

A hydraulic system for a work machine includes a first control valve including a first direction switch to switch a direction in which the operation fluid is to flow through a first hydraulic actuator and a pressure compensator to maintain a differential pressure to a constant pressure, the differential pressure being a difference between a pressure of the operation fluid to be inputted to the pressure compensator and a pressure of the operation fluid to be outputted from the pressure compensator. And, the hydraulic system includes a second control valve including a second direction switch to switch a direction in which the operation fluid is to flow through a second hydraulic actuator and a flow rate prioritizer to prioritize a flow rate of the operation fluid to be outputted to the second hydraulic actuator.

A hydraulic system for a working machine includes first and second hydraulic actuators actuated by hydraulic fluid delivered by a hydraulic pump, a first flow rate controller to control a first supply flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the first hydraulic actuator to match a first required flow rate, a second flow rate controller to control a second supply flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the second hydraulic actuator to match a second required flow rate, and a special flow rate control system to, if a sum of the first and second required flow rates is greater than a maximum delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump, reduce the first supply flow rate to allow the second supply flow rate to approach the second required flow rate.

Disclosed embodiments of power machines, implements and hydraulic systems utilize a hydraulic flow control circuit and method to implement multiple modes of operation while optimizing hydraulic fluid flow to either or both of primary and secondary function actuators. In a first mode the hydraulic flow control circuit is configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid flow from a first conduit and to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the primary and secondary function actuators. In the first mode, the circuit is configured to direct return flow from the primary and secondary function actuators through the second conduit for return to the power machine. In a second mode, the circuit receives flow from the second conduit, provides the flow only to the secondary function actuator, and directs the return flow to the power machine through the first conduit.

A hydraulic system for a machine includes a first pump, an implement pump, a control valve, and an auxiliary circuit. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow to a first circuit, such as a steering circuit. The implement pump is configured to supply a second fluid flow to an implement circuit to actuate a primary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is configured to deliver fluid flow to actuate an auxiliary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is fluidly coupled to the implement circuit. The auxiliary circuit is also coupled to the first circuit by the control valve. The control valve is located downstream, in the direction of fluid flow, of the implement pump and the first pump. The control valve is configured to allow at least a portion of the first fluid flow to enter the auxiliary circuit and be delivered to the auxiliary implement function.