A modular control apparatus for actuating hydraulic valve systems includes an actuating section including a tilting control member and a plurality of control rods provided with a pusher, which interacts with the control member so as to translate the control rods in the longitudinal direction, a sensor section including a plurality of sensor members suitable to detect a movement in the longitudinal direction of said control rods and a blocking section comprising a blocking device that is capable of individually blocking in the longitudinal direction each of said control rods. The actuating section can be alternately connected to the blocking section or to the sensor section so that the sensor section can be directly connected to the actuating section, detecting the longitudinal movement of the control rods also if the blocking section is not present.

A hydraulic excavator 1 includes an engine 16, a main hydraulic pump 17 driven by the engine 16, a plurality of hydraulic actuators driven with pressure oil discharged from the main hydraulic pump 17, a plurality of flow rate control valves adapted to control the flow rate of pressure oil to be supplied from the main hydraulic pump 17 to the respective hydraulic actuators, a pilot hydraulic pump 18 adapted to supply pressure oil for driving the flow rate control valves, and a controller 15 configured to control the discharge flow rate of the pilot hydraulic pump 18. The controller 15 controls the discharge flow rate of the pilot hydraulic pump 18 such that it becomes equal to the sum of requested pilot flow rates determined in accordance with control commands for the respective flow rate control valves and a preset standby flow rate.

Devices for controlling movement of aerial buckets via hydraulic systems. Each hydraulic system has valves that control movement of the aerial bucket. A control head of the device has a joystick that is moveable and encoders that detect movement of the joystick. A valve actuator manifold of the device is coupled between the control head and the hydraulic system and supports valve actuators moveably coupled to the valves. Servo drive systems supported by the valve actuator manifold are coupled to the valve actuators and are controllable to move the valve actuators. A processor module of the device is in communication with the encoders and the servo drive systems. The processor module controls the servo drive systems based on input from the encoders such that moving the joystick controls movement of the aerial bucket.

Devices for controlling movement of aerial buckets via hydraulic systems. Each hydraulic system has valves that control movement of the aerial bucket. A control head of the device has a joystick that is moveable and encoders that detect movement of the joystick. A valve actuator manifold of the device is coupled between the control head and the hydraulic system and supports valve actuators moveably coupled to the valves. Servo drive systems supported by the valve actuator manifold are coupled to the valve actuators and are controllable to move the valve actuators. A processor module of the device is in communication with the encoders and the servo drive systems. The processor module controls the servo drive systems based on input from the encoders such that moving the joystick controls movement of the aerial bucket.

A hydraulic system for a working machine includes first and second hydraulic actuators actuated by hydraulic fluid delivered by a hydraulic pump, a first flow rate controller to control a first supply flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the first hydraulic actuator to match a first required flow rate, a second flow rate controller to control a second supply flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the second hydraulic actuator to match a second required flow rate, and a special flow rate control system to, if a sum of the first and second required flow rates is greater than a maximum delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump, reduce the first supply flow rate to allow the second supply flow rate to approach the second required flow rate.

An engine idling control method for a construction machine includes setting, by an E-ECU, an initial engine RPM as a starting mode (S mode) by receiving a signal from a V-ECU at the time of an engine startup; receiving, by the E-ECU, a first instruction via an engine speed control switch in a state other than an automatic idle mode; activating the automatic idle mode when the first instruction is not input to a machine during a certain time period, and setting the engine RPM as the starting mode (S mode); deactivating the automatic idle mode when a second instruction is input to the machine via the engine speed control switch while the automatic idle mode is activated; and calculating, by the V-ECU, an actual torque required for a pump for starting the machine according to the second instruction when the automatic idle mode is deactivated, and sending the actual torque to the E-ECU.

A position control system for an implement of a work vehicle. The implement, such as a blade, is operatively connected to a push arm rotatably coupled to a frame of the work vehicle. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the push arm and is configured to adjust the position of the push arm with respect to the frame. A controller generates a control command to adjust the position of the hydraulic actuator to thereby raise and lower the blade. A proportional quick drop valve, coupled to the hydraulic actuator and to the controller, directs a flow of fluid to the hydraulic actuator in response to the operator control command. The proportional quick drop valve reduces a drop speed of the blade, reduces cavitation of the actuator valves, and also reduces the pressure drop and fluid flow forces acting on the spools of the actuator valves.

A position control system for an implement of a work vehicle. The implement, such as a blade, is operatively connected to a push arm rotatably coupled to a frame of the work vehicle. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the push arm and is configured to adjust the position of the push arm with respect to the frame. A controller generates a control command to adjust the position of the hydraulic actuator to thereby raise and lower the blade. A proportional quick drop valve, coupled to the hydraulic actuator and to the controller, directs a flow of fluid to the hydraulic actuator in response to the operator control command. The proportional quick drop valve reduces a drop speed of the blade, reduces cavitation of the actuator valves, and also reduces the pressure drop and fluid flow forces acting on the spools of the actuator valves.

A working machine including a movable implement, a hydraulic actuator for displacing the implement, and a hydraulic control system for enabling an operator to control movement of the implement. The control system allows the implement to be returned to a desired position or state, such as a return to dig position or a return to float state, in a single automated operation that is initiated by the operator actuating a switch at the same time as moving a joystick in a desired direction. A pilot-operated valve is used to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the actuator acting on the implement and the operation of the joystick is detected by means of a pressure sensor connected to a control line of the pilot-operated valve.

A modular control apparatus for actuating hydraulic valve systems includes an actuating section including a tilting control member and a plurality of control rods provided with a pusher, which interacts with the control member so as to translate the control rods in the longitudinal direction, a sensor section including a plurality of sensor members suitable to detect a movement in the longitudinal direction of said control rods and a blocking section comprising a blocking device that is capable of individually blocking in the longitudinal direction each of said control rods. The actuating section can be alternately connected to the blocking section or to the sensor section so that the sensor section can be directly connected to the actuating section, detecting the longitudinal movement of the control rods also if the blocking section is not present.