A linear actuator system includes a linear actuator and an integrated pump assembly connected to the linear actuator to provide fluid to operate the linear actuator. The integrated pump assembly includes a pump with two fluid drivers, each fluid driver comprising a prime mover and a fluid displacement assembly to be driven by the prime mover such that fluid is transferred from a first port of the pump to a second port of the pump. The pump assembly also includes two valve assembles to isolate the pump from the system. The linear actuator system also includes a controller that establishes the pump in a normal mode of operation in which the prime movers are independently driven and switches to a fail-safe mode of operation in which only one prime mover is operated.

This disclosure includes systems and methods for actuating hydraulically-actuated devices.

A linear actuator system includes a linear actuator and at least one integrated pump assembly connected to the linear actuator to provide fluid to operate the linear actuator. The integrated pump assembly includes a pump with at least one fluid driver comprising a prime mover and a fluid displacement assembly to be driven by the prime mover such that fluid is transferred from a first port of the pump to a second port of the pump. The pump assembly also includes two valve assembles to isolate the pump from the system. The linear actuator system also includes a controller that establishes at least one of a speed and a torque of the at least one prime mover to exclusively adjust at least one of a flow and a pressure in the linear actuator system to an operational set point.

A baler includes a chamber having a fixed size that receives crops and houses a formed bale. A tailgate is connected to a frame and is movable between a closed position, for cooperating with the frame to delimit the chamber, and an open position, for discharging the formed bale. A conveying assembly delimits the chamber for imparting a rotating movement to the crops contained in the chamber, and has a first portion provided in the frame and a second portion provided in the tailgate. An actuator includes a closing chamber and moves the tailgate from the open position to the closed position upon receiving an actuating fluid in the closing chamber. A binder binds the formed bale, and a pressure sensor detects a control signal representative of a pressure inside the closing chamber of the actuator. A control unit generates an alert signal as a function of the control signal.

Some of the present systems include a hydraulic power storage system having an accumulator configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulically actuated device to actuate the hydraulically actuated device and a drain in fluid communication with the accumulator and including a valve that is actuatable to drain hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power storage system such that an internal pressure of the accumulator is reduced and a flow restrictor configured to reduce a flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the valve, a hydraulic pump configured to pressurize the accumulator, a pressure sensor configured to capture data indicative of the internal pressure of the accumulator, and a processor configured to actuate the hydraulic pump to increase the internal pressure of the accumulator if the internal pressure of the accumulator, as indicated in data captured by the pressure sensor, falls below a threshold pressure.

A method of deactivating an underwater hydraulic device includes providing a hydraulic device operable under water, the device having a hydraulic cylinder with a pushrod and a piston. The device is lowered below a water surface with a hose reel that is located at the water surface area such as on a marine vessel. The hose reel includes first and second hydraulic hoses that connect to the cylinder on opposing sides of the piston. Fluid flow in the first and second hydraulic hoses is continuously monitored. The ratio of the volume of fluid flowing into the cylinder from one side of the piston to the volume of fluid flowing into the cylinder from the other side of the cylinder is continuously calculated with a computer or controller. The hydraulic device is deactivated if the ratio varies from a preset value.

A system for detecting leaks in a hydraulic supply system for a double-acting hydraulic actuator is disclosed. The system may include a first conduit in fluid communication with a first chamber of the actuator, and with a second chamber of the actuator, and a directional control valve coupled with the first conduit and the second conduit. A directional control valve may be in fluid communication with a hydraulic oil supply line and may switch between the hydraulic oil being sent and received via the first conduit and second conduit. A valve can be associated with the oil supply line. A first and second flow meter can generate a first signal and a second signal, respectively, indicating flow rate within the first conduit and the second conduit. A controller may receive the first signal and the second signal, calculate their ratio, and cause the valve to inhibit flow within the oil supply line upon the ratio differing from a given ratio by more than a predetermined threshold.

A linear actuator system includes a linear actuator and at least one integrated pump assembly connected to the linear actuator to provide fluid to operate the linear actuator. The integrated pump assembly includes a pump with at least one fluid driver comprising a prime mover and a fluid displacement assembly to be driven by the prime mover such that fluid is transferred from a first port of the pump to a second port of the pump. The pump assembly also includes two valve assembles to isolate the pump from the system. The linear actuator system also includes a controller that establishes at least one of a speed and a torque of the at least one prime mover to exclusively adjust at least one of a flow and a pressure in the linear actuator system to an operational set point.

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.

The invention relates to a method for providing at least one piece of information about a hydraulic apparatus (1), wherein the following stages are performed: Performing a detection (201) of detection values (210) at the apparatus (1), wherein the detection values (210) are specific for measurements at different measuring points and at different apparatus components (120) of the apparatus (1), Performing a transmission (202) of the detected detection values (210) to a processing component (300), Providing an apparatus information (211) about a specification of the apparatus (1) and/or the measurements, wherein providing the apparatus information (211) is performed at the processing component (300) to provide the transmitted detection values (210) with the apparatus information (211).