A hydraulic method for opening and closing a ram and operating a wedge lock and unlock mechanism using only an open port and a close port. To close the rams and lock the rams in a closed position, hydraulic fluid is directed to the close port where the rams close and then are locked in the closed position. To open the rams, hydraulic fluid is direct to the open port whereupon the wedge locks are unlocked. Afterward the wedge locks are unlocked, hydraulic fluid is utilized to open the rams.

A valve control module includes a controller storing a real time operating system for controlling operation of the valve control module, at least one command signal input connector in circuit communication with the controller and connectable with an external device for receiving command signal pulses from the external device, at least one driver circuit in circuit communication with the controller and connectable with a pilot valve of a valve assembly for transmitting to the pilot valve actuation signal pulses generated by the controller, and at least one digital input connector in circuit communication with the controller and connectable with a position sensor of the valve assembly for receiving stroke signal pulses from the position sensor and communicating the stroke signal pulses to the controller.

A locking mechanism for a base plate of a vibratory compactor includes a locking actuator configured to alternately lock and unlock the base plate relative to the vibratory compactor, and a hydraulic control circuit in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the locking actuator. The hydraulic control circuit includes a hydraulic pilot-pressure-actuated, 2-position spool valve, wherein the spool valve is configured to move to a first position when pressurized hydraulic fluid from the source is supplied to the spool valve in a first direction, and move to a second position when the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the source is supplied to the spool valve in a second direction. In the first position of the spool valve the pressurized hydraulic fluid moves the locking actuator to a locked position, and after the locking actuator is in the locked position, the pressurized hydraulic fluid operates a hydraulic motor configured to power the vibratory compactor. In the second position of the spool valve the pressurized hydraulic fluid moves the locking actuator to an unlocked position.

A locking mechanism for a base plate of a vibratory compactor includes a locking actuator configured to alternately lock and unlock the base plate relative to the vibratory compactor, and a hydraulic control circuit in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the locking actuator. The hydraulic control circuit includes a hydraulic pilot-pressure-actuated, 2-position spool valve, wherein the spool valve is configured to move to a first position when pressurized hydraulic fluid from the source is supplied to the spool valve in a first direction, and move to a second position when the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the source is supplied to the spool valve in a second direction. In the first position of the spool valve the pressurized hydraulic fluid moves the locking actuator to a locked position, and after the locking actuator is in the locked position, the pressurized hydraulic fluid operates a hydraulic motor configured to power the vibratory compactor. In the second position of the spool valve the pressurized hydraulic fluid moves the locking actuator to an unlocked position.

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system with at least two main control valves and with a hydraulic pilot control system for actuating the main control valves, wherein the hydraulic pilot control system and/or the main control valves are constructed such that the at least two main control valves open one after the other.

A hydraulic system, wherein an actuating cylinder and an accelerating cylinder each includes a piston, a rod, and a tube. When the rod of the actuating cylinder extends in an unloaded condition, a circuit is configured such that oil discharged from the bottom-side section of the accelerating cylinder is supplied to the bottom-side section of the actuating cylinder through a bottom line. When the rod of the actuating cylinder extends in a loaded condition, a circuit is configured such that oil supplied to the bottom line without passing through the accelerating cylinder is supplied to the bottom-side section of the actuating cylinder. The circuit for the unloaded condition and the circuit for the loaded condition is switched based on a pressure sensing in the bottom line.

In an embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media stores computer instructions executable by a processor and configured to increase a first signal pressure to a first actuating element of a directional control valve until the directional control valve is about to shift positions. The first signal pressure is greater than a second signal pressure to a second actuating element of the directional control valve by a signal pressure differential. The computer instructions are also configured to increase the first and second signal pressures equally while maintaining the signal pressure differential to cause a first pilot stage check valve and a second pilot stage check valve to shift positions, and, within a threshold time thereafter, increase the first signal pressure while maintaining the second signal pressure to increase the signal pressure differential to a value sufficient to cause the directional control valve to shift positions.

A method of controlling a plurality of downhole tools in a wellbore, using first and second codes transmitted by hydraulic line to first address and then actuate the desired tool. A dedicated line is provided for terminating all actuated tools.