An open center hydraulic system (100) includes a tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid, a pump configured to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid from the tank, and a shunt valve configured to adapt a first opening area between a first input port and a first output port of the shunt valve dependent on a first control signal. The first input port is coupled to the pump, and the first output port is coupled to the tank. A first actuator valve is coupled to the first input port and configured to adapt a second opening area of the first actuator valve dependent on a second control signal. A hydraulic valve control unit is configured to determine a first opening area value and a second opening area value based on user input data and a predetermined relation dependent on the user input data, sending the first control signal, indicative of the first opening area value and sending the second control signal indicative of the second opening area value.

The system is an improved valve/actuator architecture using a 4-way blocked-port architecture and area asymmetry providing numerous advantages over the conventional practice. The system uses fewer control circuits and provides for reduced component parts—it reduces hose, tubing and fitting requirements (lower cost, improved packaging, less installation labor and less leakage due to fewer connections). It also eliminates the need for a spring for static load support and other suspension control components (such as a sway bar). The system simplifies the mechanical design thereby reducing cost, aids in packaging, eliminates hysteresis losses of the spring and reduces moving mass thereby lowering response time. The system further allows regeneration of hydraulic power thereby increasing overall efficiency. The system further eliminates one half of throttling loss in a servo-valve.

A spool valve is provided. A valve housing has a pilot fluid passage, and a first portion and a second portion lengthwisely spaced apart from each other. A spool is movably inserted in the valve housing, and includes a plug able to enter the pilot fluid passage between the first portion and the second portion to change a flow area of the pilot fluid passage following movement of the spool. A hydraulic machine provides that when pilot fluid is supplied to the pilot fluid passage through the first portion, at least a portion of the supplied pilot fluid is provided to the holding valve through the second portion. The holding valve allows a flow of working fluid from the first chamber to the spool valve, and the spool moves to a third position to forward working fluid to the second chamber.

This industrial apparatus (2) comprises a pneumatic system (4), a first mechanical device (36) and a second mechanical device (38). The pneumatic system (4) includes: a first pneumatic actuator (6) for commanding the first mechanical device (36), a second pneumatic actuator (8) for commanding the second mechanical device (38), a pneumatic control valve (10) switchable between several states to command of the first and second actuators (6, 8). The control valve (10) comprises an actuation portion (56), movable in translation between: a resting position, corresponding to a first state (S1), a first pushed position, corresponding to a second state (S2), and a second pushed position, corresponding to a third state (S3). The first pushed position corresponds to an intermediary position between the resting position and the second pushed position.

A hydraulic valve control unit is for an open center hydraulic system including a pump, a shunt valve and one or more actuator valves coupled to the shunt valve. Each actuator valve controls a corresponding actuator's position. The hydraulic valve control unit has a processor and a memory, containing instructions executable by the processor, and is configured to obtain user input data indicative of a desired actuator's position, determining opening area values of the one or more actuator valves using a predetermined relation dependent on the user input data, determining an opening area value of the shunt valve using the predetermined relation dependent on the user input data, controlling the shunt valve based on the opening area value of the shunt valve, and controlling the one or more actuator valves based on the opening area values of the one or more actuator valves.

A valve, which is characterized in that between a neutral position (38) of a control spool (STS) and one of its end positions (34, 42) a regeneration position (36) is provided. In the regeneration position, two utility ports (A, B) are interconnected in a fluid-conveying manner, or a floating position (40) is provided, in which these utility ports (A, B) are interconnected in a fluid-conveying manner. A further valve is characterized in that by a further motion of the control spool (STS) in the same direction, as that, in which a fluid connection is established between the utility ports (A, B) starting from the neutral position (38), this fluid connection is interrupted.

An example valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid, a second port fluidly coupled to an actuator, a third port fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and a fourth port configured to export a load-sense (LS) fluid signal. The valve can operate in: a neutral state, wherein fluid is allowed to flow from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port are blocked; a first actuated state, wherein fluid flow is throttled from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port remain blocked; or a second actuated state, wherein fluid flow from the second port to the third port is blocked, while fluid flow is allowed from the first port to the second port and from the second port to the fourth port.

A hydraulic system for a working machine includes a hydraulic actuator configured to be operated by operation fluid, a control valve connected to the hydraulic actuator, and a communication fluid line for fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the control valve. The control valve includes a first supply path to guide the operation fluid toward the hydraulic actuator; a regeneration path to guide the operation fluid having been returned to the control valve from the hydraulic actuator, to the first supply path; and a branched path that branches from the regeneration path and supplies operation fluid to outside of the control valve.

A selector control that is manually operable by a user for activating or deactivating a primary control or a secondary control. The selector control may include a first state for activating the primary control and deactivating the secondary control, a second state for activating the secondary control and deactivating the primary control, and a failsafe state for deactivating both the primary control and the secondary control. The selector control may be configured to maintain the second state independent of continuous user input being applied to the selector control, and configured to maintain the first state when continuous user input is applied to the selector control. The selector control is normally biased toward the failsafe state such that the selector control automatically selects the failsafe state when the user discontinues applying the user input for maintaining the first state. The selector control has particular application for use in controlling a boom of a work vehicle.

A method of controlling a hydraulic valve includes putting a first control chamber under pressure and putting a second control chamber to return so as to cause a slide to move into one of two end positions, putting a second control chamber under pressure and putting the first control chamber to return, thereby causing the slide to move into the other one of the two end positions. An intermediate step of applying pressure to the one of the first or second control chamber that was connected to return can be provided so that both control chambers are maintained simultaneously under pressure for a determined length of time.