A hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic circuit fluidly connected to a hydraulic actuator, and a control device to control the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic oil tank, a hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator from the hydraulic oil tank, a discharge flow path fluidly connecting a discharge side of the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic actuator, a valve that blocks a flow of the hydraulic oil in the discharge flow path, and a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the hydraulic oil the discharge flow path. In a pressure holding state, when a rotational frequency of the hydraulic pump exceeds a predetermined first determination rotational frequency or when a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump exceeds a predetermined first determination discharge flow rate, the control device determines that the hydraulic circuit is abnormal.

An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

An exemplary valve bank and/or modular control valve having a valve body, a valve member movable in a fluid flow of the valve body to control flow of fluid, and an onboard electronic controller that is operably mounted to the valve bank or valve body. The onboard controller is operably connected to at least one actuator of the valve, which is configured to control movement of the valve member in response to commands from the onboard controller. The onboard controller may provide diagnostics, feedback and/or control of the control valve, such as via inputs from one or more sensors that may be included in the valve. The modular control valve may be used with conventional non-intelligent valve banks to thereby impart smart diagnostics and/or feedback into the valve bank in a plug-and-play manner. A communications interface may be provided in the control valve to interface and communicate with an upper-level PLC controller.

A fluid leakage detection system has a detection space to which working oil leaked out through a rod seal is guided; the rod seal being configured to seal an annular gap between a piston rod and a cylinder head; a sensor unit configured to detect pressure in the detection space; and a controller configured to acquire detected result from the sensor unit, wherein the controller has: a calculation unit configured to calculate a pressure parameter representing a pressure fluctuation in the detection space; a determination unit configured to determine occurrence of leakage of the working oil based on the pressure parameter; and the pressure parameter includes an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the pressure fluctuation obtained from the detected result detected by the sensor unit within a predetermined detection period.

A hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic circuit fluidly connected to a hydraulic actuator, and a control device to control the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic oil tank, a hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator from the hydraulic oil tank, a discharge flow path fluidly connecting a discharge side of the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic actuator, a valve that blocks a flow of the hydraulic oil in the discharge flow path, and a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the hydraulic oil the discharge flow path. In a pressure holding state, when a rotational frequency of the hydraulic pump exceeds a predetermined first determination rotational frequency or when a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump exceeds a predetermined first determination discharge flow rate, the control device determines that the hydraulic circuit is abnormal.

A hydraulic tool with a protective box assembly including a control circuit and hydraulic pressure sensors is used to operate a prime mover. The control circuit and the hydraulic pressure sensors are used to monitor performance of the hydraulic tool. Systems and methods implemented in a cloud monitor the performance of the hydraulic tool. The systems and methods utilize data collected by the hydraulic pressure sensors, processed by the control circuit, and transmitted via an antenna from the hydraulic tool to the cloud. A first set of systems and methods detect and predict a jam condition in blades associated with the hydraulic tool using statistical analysis of the data. A second set of systems and methods detect faults associated with the hydraulic tool including hydraulic leakage, mechanical wear, and friction.

A method is provided for detecting a reciprocal position between a cylinder and a piston of a piston-cylinder unit of a vehicle. The method includes measuring, by means of an optical sensor, a value of an indicative parameter of a color of a reference mark positioned on a portion of the piston. The method also includes comparing the measured value with at least a predetermined threshold value thereof different to a minimum detected threshold of the indicative parameter by the optical sensor; and

emitting an alarm signal perceptible by a driver of a vehicle if the measured value is comprised between the threshold value and the minimum value.

A stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuator is operable for actuating a flight control surface of an aircraft. The SCAS actuator includes an actuator housing having a first aperture, a second aperture and a hydraulic chamber therebetween. A piston extends through the actuator housing. Fluid inlets are in fluid communication with regions of the hydraulic chamber. A first end portion of the piston is arranged to slide through the first aperture without a seal between the first end portion and the first aperture. A second end portion of the piston is arranged to slide through the second aperture without a seal between the second end portion and the second aperture. An intermediate portion of the piston is arranged to slide in the hydraulic chamber without a seal between the intermediate portion and the hydraulic chamber.

In a fluid circuit for an air cylinder connected to a switching valve provided with exhaust ports, a head-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a first pipe, and a rod-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a second pipe. A first restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the first pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a first output port of the switching valve, and a second restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the second pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a second output port of the switching valve.

A method and a system are disclosed for detecting, isolating and estimating a degradation of a corresponding component of an actuator controlled by an actuator command signal, the method comprising obtaining a control signal of the actuator; obtaining a signal indicative of a displacement of the actuator; computing an envelope of admissible values for the displacement of the actuator; determining if the displacement of the actuator is outside the computed envelope and in the case where the displacement of the actuator is outside the computed enveloped computing an estimation of each parameter and state of the actuator; identifying at least one corresponding parameter responsible for causing the actuator displacement to be outside the computer envelope and providing an indication of the at least one corresponding parameter.