Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of an off-highway vehicle are provided. A control method includes receiving an input command that includes at least one of a manual input command and an automatic input command, determining if an operator attention level is at a first attention level, a second attention level, or a third attention level, generating at least one output parameter based on the determined operator attention level and the input command, generating an output command based on the at least one output parameter, and outputting the output command to the first work function to control operation of the first work function based on the output command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for control of multi-function hydraulic commands of a multi-function electrohydraulic system are provided. In one aspect, a system for hydraulic control includes a first function in fluid communication with a first electrohydraulic control valve and a second function in fluid communication with a second electrohydraulic control valve. The system includes a controller in communication with the first electrohydraulic control valve and the second electrohydraulic control valve. The controller can be configured to receive an input target command, determine an achievable function rate based on the input target command, where the achievable function rate maintains a proportional relationship between the input target command and the achievable function rate.

Abstract: A load sense pressure regulating system is provided. The load sense pressure regulating system can be operable between a flow regulation mode and a pressure limiting mode. When the load sense pressure control system is in the flow regulation mode, flow between a load sense inlet and a pilot vent are metered by a main poppet. The load sense pressure regulating system can also include a control valve downstream from the pilot vent that is configured to control a relief setting of a relief valve to regulate the load sense pressure within a desired operating range.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided. The hydraulic system may include a fluid pressure source in fluid communication with a supply line, a return line in fluid communication with a tank, a hydraulic function having a workport, a first control valve having a first proportional solenoid, a second control valve having a second proportional solenoid, and a controller. The controller being configured to selectively energize the first proportional solenoid, the second proportional solenoid, or the first proportional solenoid and the second proportional solenoid to control a system pressure differential, defined between the return line and the workport, within a range that is defined by a sum of a first predefined range defined by the first control valve and a second predefined range defined by the second control valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, a load sense conduit, a tank conduit, a function workport, and a function control valve. The hydraulic system further includes a function poppet valve arranged between the function workport and the function control valve and having a function poppet vent passage, and a system control valve arranged downstream of the function control valve. The system control valve is biased into a first position where fluid communication between the function poppet vent passage and the tank conduit is prevented and fluid communication between the load sense conduit and the tank conduit is provided. The system control valve is selectively movable to a second position where fluid communication between the function poppet vent passage and the tank conduit is allowed and fluid communication between the load sense conduit and the tank conduit is prevented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrohydraulic valve calibration are provided. In one aspect, a calibration circuit includes a calibration conduit isolated from a supply conduit, a first calibration orifice configured to provide fluid communication between the calibration conduit and a fluid source, and a second calibration orifice arranged in series with the first calibration orifice. The second calibration orifice is on a spool of a electrohydraulic control valve and is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the calibration conduit and a low pressure source. The calibration circuit further includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the calibration conduit between the first calibration orifice and the second calibration orifice. The second calibration orifice is isolated from the at least one workport of the electrohydraulic control valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibration of an electrohydraulic control valve are provided. In one aspect, a method for calibrating an electrohydraulic control valve includes providing fluid communication between the pump and the reservoir through a bypass calibration orifice. The bypass calibration orifice defines a known restriction. The method further includes measuring a pressure drop across the bypass calibration orifice, commanding the electrohydraulic control valve, calculating a pressure drop across the electrohydraulic control valve, recording the command applied to the electrohydraulic control valve corresponding with the calculated pressure drop across the electrohydraulic control valve, and calibrating the electrohydraulic control valve based on at least two of the recorded command, the known restriction, the measured pressure drop across the bypass calibration orifice, and the calculated pressure drop across the electrohydraulic control valve.

Abstract: A system and method for machinery performing work with hydraulic actuators. Radial hydraulic pumps are aligned end-to-end along a common driveshaft axis to form a multi-pump assembly having a plurality of piston/cylinder units extending in a radial direction. Two or more piston/cylinder units are associated with one another to form multiple piston/cylinder groups. A plurality of control valves combines individual output flows from the two or more associated piston/cylinder units into respective common output flows for each respective piston/cylinder group. A plurality of flow control devices varies the common output flow from each respective piston/cylinder group by throttling inlet flow to the two or more associated piston/cylinder units in each respective piston/cylinder group. Each respective common output flow is directed from each respective piston/cylinder group to a hydraulic actuator on the heavy machinery to control its direction of movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for using the same are provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, a first actuator having a first head chamber and a first rod chamber, and a second actuator having a second head chamber and a second rod chamber. The hydraulic system further includes a first control valve and a second control valve. The second control valve to selectively provide regeneration fluid flow from the first rod chamber to the first head chamber in response to a first function command is less than a first function command limit, a second function command is greater than a second function command limit, and a second function load is greater than a second function load limit.

Abstract: Systems and methods use selective regeneration to aid in controllability and efficiency of a hydraulic circuit. A regeneration deactivation valve can react to a differential pressure when the function is in free air and at risk of cavitating or when then function is doing positive work and needs to be efficient. When the function is at risk of cavitating, the regeneration deactivation valve can react to the potential for cavitation and the regeneration deactivation valve closes so the function regenerates. The regeneration deactivation valve can also react when the function is not at a risk of cavitating and can open up allowing the function to move with more power and efficiency.

Abstract: A hydraulic control valve assembly to be integrated into a pressure compensated load sensing system including a fluid source is provided. The hydraulic control valve assembly includes a first working unit to control a first hydraulic function of a machine. The first working unit includes a first directional and return flow control in the form of a first spool, a first function flow control to selectively communicate a working pressure of the first function to the fluid source, and a first downstream flow control. The hydraulic control valve assembly further includes a second working unit arranged downstream of the first working unit. The second working unit to control a second hydraulic function of the machine. The first downstream flow control to selectively restrict a flow a fluid from the fluid source to the second working unit.

Abstract: A system and method for machinery performing work with hydraulic actuators. Radial hydraulic pumps are aligned end-to-end along a common driveshaft axis to form a multi-pump assembly having a plurality of piston/cylinder units extending in a radial direction. Two or more piston/cylinder units are associated with one another to form multiple piston/cylinder groups. A plurality of control valves combines individual output flows from the two or more associated piston/cylinder units into respective common output flows for each respective piston/cylinder group. A plurality of flow control devices varies the common output flow from each respective piston/cylinder group by throttling inlet flow to the two or more associated piston/cylinder units in each respective piston/cylinder group. Each respective common output flow is directed from each respective piston/cylinder group to a hydraulic actuator on the heavy machinery to control its direction of movement.

Abstract: An apparatus has a pilot-operated spool valve connecting first and second work passages selectively to a supply conduit and a tank conduit. A first check valve normally allows fluid flow only in one direction from the first work passage to a first workport and when pilot-operated allows bidirectional fluid flow. A second check valve normally allows fluid flow only from the second work passage to a second workport and when pilot-operated allows bidirectional fluid flow. A first pilot valve selectively applies pressure to one end of the spool and to pilot operate the first check valve. A second pilot valve selectively applies pressure to another end of the spool and to pilot operate the second check valve. When fluid drains from a workport to the tank conduit, the associated check valve operates to maintain a predefined pressure in the first or second work passage through which that fluid flows.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a pump that furnishes pressurized fluid to a supply node connected to a plurality of functions. Each function includes hydraulic actuator and a control valve assembly through which fluid flows both from the supply node to the hydraulic actuator and from the hydraulic actuator to a return line. A control method involves receiving a plurality of commands, each designating desired operation of a function. Each command is separately used to derive a flow value designating an amount of flow for the respective function, a load value indicating a load magnitude related to the respective function, and a pressure value denoting a supply pressure for the respective function. Then, the control valve assembly for each given hydraulic function is operated in response to the flow and load values for that function and in response to the pressure value that is greatest among the plurality of functions.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a variable displacement pump that sends fluid from a tank into a supply conduit from which separate open-center control valves convey the fluid to each one of a plurality of hydraulic actuators. The control valves have open-center orifices connected in series between a bypass node and the tank, thereby forming a bypass passage. Pressure at the bypass node controls displacement of the pump. A valve arrangement is connected between an outlet of the pump and the bypass node and is responsive to an amount of fluid flow through the supply conduit to the plurality of hydraulic functions, wherein as the amount of fluid flow increases, the valve arrangement causes fluid flow to the bypass node to decrease. Thus the pressure at the bypass node varies as a function of the operation of the control valves.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a flow summation node coupled to a displacement control port of the first pump. Each valve in the assembly has a variable metering orifice controlling flow from an inlet to a hydraulic actuator and has a variable source orifice conveying fluid from a supply conduit to a flow summation node. The source orifice enlarges as the metering orifice shrinks. Each valve includes a variable bypass orifice and the bypass orifices of all the control valves are connected in series forming a bypass passage between a bypass node and a tank. The bypass node is coupled to the flow summation node and receives fluid from a second pump. At each valve, a source check valve conveys fluid from the supply conduit to the inlet and a bypass supply check valve conveys fluid from the bypass passage to the inlet.

Abstract: A pump system has a piston pump. The piston pump has a cylinder block with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a plurality of cylinders. Each cylinder in the plurality of cylinders is connected to the inlet port by an inlet passage and to the outlet port by an outlet passage. The piston pump has a plurality of pistons disposed in the plurality of cylinders. A drive shaft drives the pistons within the cylinders. A throttle member independently throttles flow in each inlet passage. The pump system has an electrohydraulic actuator governing movement of the throttle member.

Abstract: Fluid from two pumps is allocated to a plurality of hydraulic actuators based on a plurality of flow commands, each specifying a desired amount of flow to be applied to a different hydraulic actuator. For a given hydraulic actuator, the allocation involves (1) determining an apportionment of the desired amount of flow, if no other hydraulic actuator is active, and (2) altering the apportionment in response to all the plurality of flow commands, and (3) using the altered apportionment to determine a first amount of the flow for one pump to provide and a second amount of the flow for the other pump to provide. The process is repeated for all the hydraulic actuators. Supply valves for each hydraulic actuator are controlled by the associated first and second amounts and each pump is controlled in response to either the first or second amounts for all the hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A hitch on a vehicle is raised and lowered by a hydraulic actuator controlled by an electrically operated valve. A control system receives a command that indicates a designated velocity and uses the command to operate the valve. Based on a reference external force exerted on the hitch, the control system is configured with relationships for converting a plurality of command values to corresponding electric current levels for operating the valve. The control system compensates for effects due to differences between the actual force acting on the hitch and the reference external force. Velocity feedback adjusts the electric current level applied to the valve. The passive load force control provides a predictor of the hitch load force to eliminate overshoot/undershoot of hitch motion. During hitch motion, the velocity feedback also compensates for effects due to load and hitch geometry changes that occur.

Abstract: An apparatus has a pilot-operated spool valve connecting first and second work passages selectively to a supply conduit and a tank conduit. A first check valve normally allows fluid flow only in one direction from the first work passage to a first workport and when pilot-operated allows bidirectional fluid flow. A second check valve normally allows fluid flow only from the second work passage to a second workport and when pilot-operated allows bidirectional fluid flow. A first pilot valve selectively applies pressure to one end of the spool and to pilot operate the first check valve. A second pilot valve selectively applies pressure to another end of the spool and to pilot operate the second check valve. When fluid drains from a workport to the tank conduit, the associated check valve operates to maintain a predefined pressure in the first or second work passage through which that fluid flows.