A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second independent control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). The actuator includes first and second corresponding chambers. In a first mode, the second counter-balance valve is opened by the first control valve, and the first counter-balance valve is opened by the second control valve. In a second mode, at least one of the counter-balance valves is closed. A meter-out control valve (800, 700) may be operated in a flow control mode, and/or a meter-in control valve (700, 800) may be operated in a pressure control mode. Boom dynamics reduction may occur while the boom is in motion (e.g., about a worksite). By opening the counter-balance valves, sensors at the control valves may be used to characterize external loads. The control valves may respond to the external loads and at least partially cancel unwanted boom dynamics. The system may further detecting faults in actuators with counter-balance valves and prevent any single point fault from causing a boom falling event and/or mitigate such faults.

An example counterbalance valve includes: a poppet configured to be subjected to a fluid force by fluid received at a first port, and a fluid force by a pilot pressure fluid signal received at a pilot port; a first setting spring disposed in a first chamber and applying a first biasing force on the poppet; and a second setting spring disposed in a second chamber and applying a second biasing force on the poppet, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are vented to an external environment of the counterbalance valve, wherein the second setting spring is in parallel with the first setting spring such that an equivalent biasing force acting on the poppet in the distal direction comprises a sum of the first biasing force and the second biasing force.

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), and first and second control valves (700, 800). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic cylinder, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic cylinder may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first control valve may apply a holding pressure and thereby hold the first counter-balance valve closed and the second counter-balance valve open.

A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic actuator, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic actuator may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first blocking valve prevents the fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from opening the first counter-balance valve. The first blocking valve may drain leakage from the first counter-balance valve.

A fluid power system comprises a pump with multiple independently variable outlets, each of which is capable of delivering fluid in individually controllable volume units and a plurality of hydraulic loads. A system of switching valves is configured to create fluid connections between the pump outlets and the loads. A control system commands both the pump and the switching valves, so as to create valve state combinations to satisfy load conditions as demanded by an operator. The number of pump outlets connected to one or more of the loads is changeable to satisfy the flow required of the load due to the operator demand, each pump outlet being commanded to produce a flow depending on the status of other outlets connected a load to which the outlet is connected and the operator demand for that load.

A hydraulic system, mining machine and method of controlling a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system (HS) is provided with a control valve (23) for controlling movement direction and speed of a hydraulic actuator (HA) connected to the system. Generated force of the hydraulic actuator is controlled independently relative to the control valve by means of counterbalance valves (Cb1, Cb2) and servo valves (Sv1, Sv2) controlling their opening pressure. The counterbalance valves and the servo valves operate as a meter-out control assembly which controls flow of hydraulic fluid discharged from working pressure spaces (16a, 16b) of the hydraulic actuator. The disclosed system may be implemented to control a mining boom (3) of a mining machine (1).

A hydraulic system, mining machine and method of controlling a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system (HS) is provided with a control valve (23) for controlling movement direction and speed of a hydraulic actuator (HA) connected to the system. Generated force of the hydraulic actuator is controlled independently relative to the control valve by means of counterbalance valves (Cb1, Cb2) and servo valves (Sv1, Sv2) controlling their opening pressure. The counterbalance valves and the servo valves operate as a meter-out control assembly which controls flow of hydraulic fluid discharged from working pressure spaces (16a, 16b) of the hydraulic actuator. The disclosed system may be implemented to control a mining boom (3) of a mining machine (1).

An example counterbalance valve includes: a poppet configured to be subjected to a fluid force by fluid received at a first port, and a fluid force by a pilot pressure fluid signal received at a pilot port; a first setting spring disposed in a first chamber and applying a first biasing force on the poppet; and a second setting spring disposed in a second chamber and applying a second biasing force on the poppet, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are vented to an external environment of the counterbalance valve, wherein the second setting spring is in parallel with the first setting spring such that an equivalent biasing force acting on the poppet in the distal direction comprises a sum of the first biasing force and the second biasing force.

A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic actuator, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic actuator may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first blocking valve prevents the fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from opening the first counter-balance valve. The first blocking valve may drain leakage from the first counter-balance valve.

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.