F15B2211/634

Smart Valve with Integrated Electronics

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: a valve stem, wherein the valve stem is connected to the control element; a cavity defined within the valve stem; an electronics module embedded within the cavity of the valve stem, wherein the electronics module further has one or more sensors within the valve stem; and wherein the electronic module further has a microprocessor within the valve stem; and a conductor connecting the electronics module to the actuator.

Turbine speed detection and use

A speed control system and a power load balance detector for a turbine is provided. The speed control system includes a speed wheel with a plurality of teeth. A timer stores a time stamp when each of the teeth passes by a speed probe. A first speed estimate is determined for overspeed protection, and a second speed estimate is determined for operational speed control. The power load balance detector trips or shuts down the turbine when an unbalance is above a first threshold and the speed of the turbine is above a second threshold.

SWITCHING UNIT AND PNEUMATIC SYSTEM
20220049721 · 2022-02-17 · ·

A switching unit may be provided for connecting a first pneumatic unit and a second pneumatic unit of a pneumatic system together. The switching unit comprises a main body having: a channel structure which extends through the main body; a first and a second inlet for introducing a pressure into the channel structure; a first and a second outlet for discharging at least some of the pressure from the channel structure; and a first and a second valve; wherein the first inlet can be brought into a pressure-exchange connection to the first outlet via a first channel by setting a first switch position of the first valve or to the second outlet via a second channel by setting a second switch position of the first valve, and wherein the second inlet can be brought into a pressure-exchange connection to the first outlet via a third channel by setting a first switch position of the second valve or to the second outlet via a fourth channel by setting a second switch position of the second valve.

APPARATUS WITH HYDRAULIC MACHINE CONTROLLER
20220049462 · 2022-02-17 ·

A prime mover and a plurality of hydraulic actuators, a hydraulic machine having a rotatable shaft in driven engagement with the prime mover and comprising a plurality of working chambers, a hydraulic circuit extending between a group of one or more working chambers of the hydraulic machine and one or more of the hydraulic actuators, each working chamber of the hydraulic machine comprising a low-pressure valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the working chamber and a low-pressure manifold and a high-pressure valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the working chamber and a high-pressure manifold. The hydraulic machine being configured to actively control at least the low-pressure valves of the group of one or more working chambers to select the net displacement of hydraulic fluid by each working chamber on each cycle of working chamber volume, and thereby the net displacement of hydraulic fluid by the group of one or more working chambers, responsive to a demand signal, wherein the apparatus further comprises a controller configured to calculate the demand signal in response to a measured property of the hydraulic circuit or one or more actuators.

System and method for spool fault detection of solenoid valves using electrical signature

The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a solenoid operated valve including at least one coil and at least one spool. The system compares a normalized current signature and a normalized current signature comparator to determine a spool fault condition.

Electro-hydraulic servovalve control with input
11428247 · 2022-08-30 · ·

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a controller apparatus that includes a digital controller configured to provide a digital position signal based on a setpoint and a differential analog feedback signal, and a converter circuit configured to provide a differential analog electrohydraulic servo valve position control signal based on the digital position signal, and provide the differential analog feedback signal based on the differential analog electrohydraulic servo valve position control signal.

Horizontal stabilizer trim actuator systems and methods

A vehicle control surface, such as an aircraft horizontal stabilizer, is hydraulically controlled using solenoid operated valves (SOVs) controlling directional control valves and/or rate control valves with small numbers of ports, e.g. a four port three position directional control value and/or a four port two position rate control valve.

Apparatus with hydraulic machine controller

A prime mover and a plurality of hydraulic actuators, a hydraulic machine having a rotatable shaft in driven engagement with the prime mover and comprising a plurality of working chambers, a hydraulic circuit extending between a group of one or more working chambers of the hydraulic machine and one or more of the hydraulic actuators, each working chamber of the hydraulic machine comprising a low-pressure valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the working chamber and a low-pressure manifold and a high-pressure valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the working chamber and a high-pressure manifold. The hydraulic machine being configured to actively control at least the low-pressure valves of the group of one or more working chambers to select the net displacement of hydraulic fluid by each working chamber on each cycle of working chamber volume, and thereby the net displacement of hydraulic fluid by the group of one or more working chambers, responsive to a demand signal, wherein the apparatus further comprises a controller configured to calculate the demand signal in response to a measured property of the hydraulic circuit or one or more actuators.

System and method including a fluidic actuator and a pressurized fluid provision device

A system, including: a fluidic actuator which can be acted upon by a pressurized fluid and has an actuator member, a pressurized fluid provision device which is adapted to carry out a position control of the actuator member and, within the position control, to act upon the fluidic actuator with the pressurized fluid in order to move the actuator member into a prescribed position, and a hose arrangement, including at least one hose via which the fluidic actuator is fluidically connected to the pressurized fluid provision device, wherein the pressurized fluid provision device is adapted to carry out the position control taking into account a system model describing the hose arrangement, the actuator and/or the pressurized fluid provision device.

Methods and apparatus to enable boom bounce reduction and prevent un-commanded motion in hydraulic systems

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.