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.

An apparatus for monitoring the pressurisation of a control valve for a hydraulic actuator and a control valve. The apparatus including a spool movable along an axis (X), wherein the spool is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid through the control valve based on its position along the axis (X), and wherein in an unpressurised state of the control valve the spool occupies a first axial position, and in a pressurised state of the control valve the spool occupies a second, different axial position. The apparatus also including a position sensor configured to monitor the position of the spool within the control valve and detect whether the spool occupies the first axial position or the second axial position, wherein the first axial position and the second axial position correspond to neutral positions of the spool.

[Object] To make it possible to detect, with a single pressure sensor, a malfunction of two solenoid valves for switching flow paths and to quickly and reliably exhaust residual pressure in an air device through a solenoid valve.

[Solution] A residual pressure exhaust air circuit 1 includes: a main flow path 9 through which air from an air source 2 is supplied to an air cylinder 100; an exhaust flow path 10 through which air in the air cylinder 100 is exhausted; a first sensor 8 for detecting a malfunction of solenoid valves 12, 13; a detection flow path 11 through which air from the air source 2 is supplied to the first sensor 8; and the two solenoid valves 12, 13 that switch communication states among the main flow path 9, the exhaust flow path 10, and the detection flow path 11. The two solenoid valves 12, 13 are formed of two-position valves having first positions 12a, 13a at the time of OFF and second positions 12b, 13b at the time of ON and are synchronously ON/OFF controlled. When the two solenoid valves 12, 13 do not operate in synchronization with each other, the air from the air source 2 is supplied to the first sensor 8 to detect a malfunction of the two solenoid valves 12, 13, and at the same time, the air in the air cylinder 100 is exhausted through the solenoid valve 12, 13.

An electropneumatic positioner for a pneumatic actuator to operate a control device of a processing plant can include two modular pneumatic slots and a pneumatic control output. The two modular pneumatic slots can engage with a respective modular pneumatic component. The two pneumatic slots and the pneumatic components can be modularly matched to one another such that their respective pneumatic interfaces merge into one another when a pneumatic slot is engaged. The pneumatic control output can output a pneumatic control pressure signal to the pneumatic actuator. The two modular pneumatic slots and the pneumatic control output can form a pneumatic series connection.

A safety valve which has two fluidically interconnected safety valves, each of which has a 4/2-way valve function. Each safety valve has a first connecting port and a second connecting port, which are connected to each other in such a way that a fluid flow through the two safety valves, controlled by means of a control valve, to a fluid-actuated drive is prevented if the two safety valves simultaneously adopt a first switching position and such a fluid flow is possible if both valves simultaneously have a second switching state. One safety aspect results from the fact that the above-mentioned fluid flow is also prevented if the two safety valves adopt different switching states.

A sleeve includes: a supply port communicated with a hydraulic oil supply source; a primary control port communicated with a retard chamber, a secondary control port communicated with an advance chamber; and a drain port communicated with an outside of a valve timing adjustment device. A spool includes: a pressure accumulation space formed at an inside of the spool; a supply passage configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and the supply port; a primary control passage configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and the primary control port; a secondary control passage configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and the secondary control port; and a recycle passage configured to connect between the primary control port or the secondary control port and the pressure accumulation space. The recycle passage and the drain port are connected with each other at the inside of the sleeve.

Systems and methods are provided for a hydraulic stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). The HSTA may operate one or more movable control surfaces. The HSTA operate responsive to commands issued by the pilot and/or by a controller and may include hydraulic architecture that minimizes the probability of an un-commanded movement or movement in the opposite direction of such commands.

A dual spool valve and methods of controlling hydraulic fluid that is moved to a hydraulic actuator of an aircraft. The dual spool valve may include first and second manifolds that each includes a movable spool. Multiple ports are positioned in each of the manifolds. The movable spools are positionable within their respective manifolds to control the movement of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to and removed from the hydraulic actuator.

A switching valve module is provided in a connecting rod of a reciprocating internal combustion engine in order to control a distributing device for changing the compression ratio of a cylinder unit of the reciprocating internal combustion engine. In order to provide an arrangement of a mechanically actuated switching valve module which can be advantageously integrated into the connecting rod, the switching valve module should be arranged in a module housing of which at least partly has an outer cylindrical contour and a transverse through-bore for receiving a control slide valve, and the cylindrical section of the switching valve module can be inserted into a receiving bore in the connecting rod that is transverse to a longitudinal central axis of a connecting rod bearing eye.

A flow rate control apparatus for construction equipment includes: a boom cylinder driven by hydraulic fluid; a first control valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow supplied to the boom cylinder; an option actuator driven by hydraulic fluid; a second control valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow supplied to the option actuator; a boom cylinder manipulation lever and an option actuator manipulation lever; a confluence line selectively confluence the hydraulic fluid supplied to the boom cylinder with the hydraulic fluid of the option actuator; a center bypass switching valve provided at the furthest downstream side of a fluid supply path of the first hydraulic pump; a confluence switching valve selectively opening and closing the confluence line; a confluence selection valve applying a pilot pressure to the confluence switching valve; and a controller for controlling the confluence selection valve.