The invention relates to a method (100) for processing operating data of a flow arrangement (2) of an apparatus (3) comprising a first conveying line (10) having a first flow resistor (11) and a second conveying line (20) having a second flow resistor (21) and being connected in parallel to the first conveying line (10) for a fluid flow (40) in the flow arrangement (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product, and to a flow system (1).

In one aspect, an actuator for actuating a device comprises driving means adapted to be operatively connected to the device, and operable to receive a reaction element for engaging the device. The driving means further comprises an output adapted to be operatively engaged with the device for actuation of the device whilst the reaction element is engaging the device.

An actuated valve system includes a valve including a flow controlling valve element, an actuator assembled with the valve and including an inlet port in fluid communication with a fluid driven actuator member operatively connected with the valve element and movable from a normal position to an actuated position in response to pressurization of the inlet port to at least a minimum actuating pressure, a pilot valve operable to supply pressurized fluid to the actuator inlet port in a first position and to exhaust pressurized fluid from the actuator inlet port through an exhaust port in the pilot valve in a second position, and a backpressure arrangement in fluid communication with the actuator inlet port to retain a positive pressure smaller than the minimum actuating pressure against the actuator member when the pilot valve is moved to the second position.

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

In an exemplary method of monitoring performance of a fluid driven actuator for a valve, pressurized fluid is supplied through an actuator supply line to an inlet port of the actuator during a first time period to operate the actuator. Changes corresponding to a fluid flow condition in the actuator supply line are measured during the first time period, and the measured changes are analyzed to identify a non-compliant condition in at least one of the valve and the actuator. An output communicating the identified non-compliant condition is then generated.

An apparatus and system provide drag reduction and energy efficiency for a transport vehicle. Cover sections of transport vehicles are formed to include solar panels comprising photovoltaic cells and dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator arrays. The vehicle cover also generates electricity to charge onboard battery racks. The cover sections are integral with and shaped to conform with areas such as a trunk lid or roof. Fiber Bragg grating sensors are placed to detect formation of a separation layer. Plasma actuator arrays are actuated either to inhibit formation of the separation layer or to create span-wise waves to reduce skin drag.

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 apparatus and system provide drag reduction and energy efficiency for a transport vehicle. Cover sections of transport vehicles are formed to include solar panels comprising photovoltaic cells and dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator arrays. The vehicle cover al so generates electricity to charge onboard battery racks. The cover sections are integral with and shaped to conform with areas such as a trunk lid or roof. Fiber Bragg grating sensors are placed to detect formation of a separation layer. Plasma actuator arrays are actuated either to inhibit formation of the separation layer or to create span-wise waves to reduce skin drag.

An energy efficient fluid pressurization system includes a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston positioned within an interior cavity of the hydraulic pressure chamber, and a pump that conveys a hydraulic fluid into a portion of the interior cavity of the pressure chamber thereby moving the piston within the interior cavity. Movement of the piston results in compression of a working fluid within a pressure vessel. A motor coupled to the pump drives the pump resulting in conveyance of the hydraulic fluid. The system may detect a change in one or more parameters, caused by a fluctuation in demand for the pressurized working fluid, and vary a speed of the pump in response to the detected change. The one or more parameters include: flow rate of the hydraulic fluid; flow rate of the working fluid; angle of a swash plate of the pump; or any combination thereof.

An apparatus comprising a synthetically commutated machine with one or more services, a prime mover coupled to the machine, a hydraulic circuit extending between the services and hydraulic loads to fluidically connect the services to the hydraulic loads such that groups of one or more services are fluidically connected to respective groups of one or more hydraulic loads. The apparatus configured such that the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from a group of services of the machine is controlled responsive to measuring a flow rate and/or pressure requirement of the hydraulic loads which are fluidically connected to the services, or receiving a demand signal indicative of a demanded pressure and/or flow rate based on a pressure and/or flow demand of hydraulic loads which are fluidically connected to the services.