A single-use pressure-controlled actuator for downhole well tools or mechanisms is provided. The actuator is configured for control of activation/deactivation by agency of wellbore fluid pressure (e.g., pressure levels of drilling fluid or drilling mud in the wellbore). The actuator is further configured for hydraulic actuation by agency of the wellbore fluid. The actuator comprises a plunger displaceably mounted on a sealed cylinder body, with a non-reclosable frangible device closing off wellbore fluid access to an interior of the cylinder body. The frangible device is configured for automatic in response to exposure of wellbore fluid pressures exceeding a predetermined activation threshold. Failure of the frangible device causes exposure of the plunger to the wellbore fluid, resulting in actuated movement of the plunger by hydraulic action of the wellbore fluid.

A single-use pressure-controlled actuator for downhole well tools or mechanisms is provided. The actuator is configured for control of activation/deactivation by agency of wellbore fluid pressure (e.g., pressure levels of drilling fluid or drilling mud in the wellbore). The actuator is further configured for hydraulic actuation by agency of the wellbore fluid. The actuator comprises a plunger displaceably mounted on a sealed cylinder body, with a non-reclosable frangible device closing off wellbore fluid access to an interior of the cylinder body. The frangible device is configured for automatic in response to exposure of wellbore fluid pressures exceeding a predetermined activation threshold. Failure of the frangible device causes exposure of the plunger to the wellbore fluid, resulting in actuated movement of the plunger by hydraulic action of the wellbore fluid.

A header is supported by a pair of hydraulic float cylinders, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration and/or velocity. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. A lift force greater than that required to lift the header can be provided by a lift cylinder and can be opposed in a controlled manner to apply a controlled downforce by the back of the same cylinder or by a separate component.

A combined valve for insertion into an elongated bore of a power unit body of a hydraulic power unit may have an elongated carrier for receiving a relief and a check valve. The valve may also have a register arranged at a first axial position of a longitudinal axis of the carrier for calibration of the relief valve. The valve may also have a check valve coupled to the carrier at a second axial position along the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The valve may also have a relief valve coupled to the carrier at a third axial position along the longitudinal axis of the carrier. A minimal distance between the first and the second axial position may be less than a minimal distance between the first and the third axial position.

A combined valve for insertion into an elongated bore of a power unit body of a hydraulic power unit may have an elongated carrier for receiving a relief and a check valve. The valve may also have a register arranged at a first axial position of a longitudinal axis of the carrier for calibration of the relief valve. The valve may also have a check valve coupled to the carrier at a second axial position along the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The valve may also have a relief valve coupled to the carrier at a third axial position along the longitudinal axis of the carrier. A minimal distance between the first and the second axial position may be less than a minimal distance between the first and the third axial position.

An actuator includes a housing defining an inlet port, a piston and a return spring disposed within the housing, and an elastically deformable element. The return spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the piston to move the piston to a spring return position. A first fluid pressure applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the biasing force of the return spring to a first actuated position in which the piston indirectly engages a stop portion of the actuator housing. A second fluid pressure, greater than the first fluid pressure, applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the elastically deformable element to compress the elastically deformable element to move the piston to a second actuated position beyond the first actuated position.

A method is for controlling an actuation force exerted by an actuating device having a first working chamber and a second working chamber supplied with pressurized air from a source of pressurized air by a first pressure regulator and a second pressure regulator. The method includes calculating, by an optimization algorithm based on a dynamic model of the actuating device and of the first and second pressure regulators, desired values for control signals for the first and second pressure regulators to generate an actuation force equal to a desired value for the actuation force. An estimated value for the actuation force, estimated values for pressures inside the first and second working chambers and for first derivatives of the pressures, are determined by a state observer based on a measured value for the actuation force and on measured values for the pressures in the first and second working chambers.

The vehicle can have an engine and a moveable lift gate, a power unit driving the movement of the lift gate, the power unit including an electric motor and a capacitor pack, the capacitor pack being connected for powering the electrical motor, and being connectable to a DC alternator source of the engine.

The vehicle can have an engine and a moveable lift gate, a power unit driving the movement of the lift gate, the power unit including an electric motor and a capacitor pack, the capacitor pack being connected for powering the electrical motor, and being connectable to a DC alternator source of the engine.

A hydraulic actuator is disclosed that comprises a first, fixed portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion. The second portion comprises a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a component, and the actuator further comprises an intermediate member configured to interconnect the first portion with the second portion and permit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. The intermediate member is configured to convey hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuating device of the second portion through a body of the intermediate member.