Abstract: A counter pressure valve arrangement for controlling a pressure level of a hydraulic fluid in a return line from a hydraulic actuator arrangement. The counter pressure valve arrangement comprises a counter pressure valve having: a moveable valve member; a counter pressure regulating port configured for being connected to the hydraulic actuator arrangement via the return line; a tank port configured for being connected to a tank or low pressure reservoir for storing low pressure hydraulic fluid; and a pump port configured for being connected to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid. A first position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the pump port and the counter pressure regulating port for supplying pressurised hydraulic fluid to the return line (4), and a second position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the counter pressure regulating port and the tank port for discharging hydraulic fluid from the return line to the tank.

Abstract: A counter pressure valve arrangement for controlling a pressure level of a hydraulic fluid in a return line from a hydraulic actuator arrangement. The counter pressure valve arrangement comprises a counter pressure valve having: a moveable valve member; a counter pressure regulating port configured for being connected to the hydraulic actuator arrangement via the return line; a tank port configured for being connected to a tank or low pressure reservoir for storing low pressure hydraulic fluid; and a pump port configured for being connected to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid. A first position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the pump port and the counter pressure regulating port for supplying pressurised hydraulic fluid to the return line, and a second position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the counter pressure regulating port and the tank port for discharging hydraulic fluid from the return line to the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising an electric machine, where in the electric machine has a first shaft and a hydraulic unit, wherein the hydraulic unit has a second shaft, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are connected to one another to form a shaft-hub connection, the shaft-hub connection has a central recess and the shaft-hub connection is connected fluidically to the interior of the hydraulic unit for lubrication.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting particles within a fluid, the sensor system comprising: i) a gauge body having a working surface for receiving a particle containing fluid; ii) an impactor spaced apart from the working surface of the gauge body defining a spacing between the impactor and the working surface of the gauge body through which particle containing fluid can pass, wherein the sensor system is configured such that as the particle containing fluid passes through the spacing between the impactor and the working surface of the gauge body, particles disposed over the working surface are impacted by the impactor generating a signal which is dependent on one or both of the size and concentration of particles in the fluid; and iii) a sensor configured to detect the signal generated by the particles impacting the impactor and provide an output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic valve arrangement comprising a first pilot operated proportional directional control valve having a first valve member that is displaceable in a first and a second axial direction for controlling direction of supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator, a first proportional electro-hydraulic control valve for controlling displacement of the first valve member in the first axial direction, a second proportional electro-hydraulic control valve for controlling displacement of the first valve member in the second axial direction, and a second pilot operated proportional control valve having a second valve member configured to be controlled by the first and second proportional electro-hydraulic control valves via a shuttle valve arrangement.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electro-hydraulic control system for directing fluid to at least one hydraulic actuator, the system comprising at least one electronic controller; first and second pilot valves being electrically connected to the at least one electronic controller which is arranged to control the operation of the first and second pilot valves, third and fourth pilot valves being electrically connected to the at least one electronic controller which is arranged to control operation of the third and fourth pilot valves. A pilot operated main valve is configured to control fluid flow to at least one hydraulic actuator. Each of the first and second pilot valves and the third and fourth pilot valves is a fail-safe pilot valve arranged to drain a regulated outlet port to a low pressure reservoir if a spool of the fail-safe pilot valve becomes stuck in an open state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring water content in a hydrocarbon fluid is provided. The method comprises: taking a first infrared measurement of the hydrocarbon fluid at a first temperature across at least one infrared absorption wavelength of water; taking a second infrared measurement of the hydrocarbon fluid at a second temperature across the at least one infrared absorption wavelength of water, the second temperature being different to the first temperature; determining a change between said first and second infrared measurements; and using the change between said first and second infrared measurements to determine the water content in the hydrocarbon fluid. Apparatus configurations for performing the method are described.

Abstract: An actuator for a separator for separating contaminants from a fluid stream which includes entrained contaminants. The actuator is arranged to move along an actuator axis to adjust an open cross-sectional area of at least one aperture of the separator, and comprises a flexible diaphragm, and a support assembly for the flexible diaphragm. The support assembly is movable along the actuator axis carrying the flexible diaphragm and has an upper support member mounted on a lower support member. A portion of the flexible diaphragm is located between the upper and lower support members. The lower support member comprises an axially extending support portion coupled to a radially extending support portion. The upper support member comprises a diaphragm anti-inversion feature coupled to a radially extending support portion. The diaphragm anti-inversion feature extends such that it axially overlaps at least part of the axially extending support portion of the lower support member.

Abstract: A diffuser for a jet pump of a separator comprises an inlet defining a first flow area; an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet through which fluid exits the diffuser, in which a flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet, and in which the outlet defines a second flow area greater than the first flow area so that a velocity of fluid flowing through the inlet is greater than a velocity of fluid flowing through the outlet; and a communication port extending through a wall of the diffuser with an inlet in communication with an interior of the diffuser and an outlet in communication with an exterior of the diffuser, in which the communication port inlet is between the diffuser inlet and the diffuser outlet, so that contaminants separated from the fluid stream are removed through the communication port.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting particles within a fluid, the sensor system comprising: i) a gauge body having a working surface for receiving a particle containing fluid; ii) an impactor spaced apart from the working surface of the gauge body defining a spacing between the impactor and the working surface of the gauge body through which particle containing fluid can pass, wherein the sensor system is configured such that as the particle containing fluid passes through the spacing between the impactor and the working surface of the gauge body, particles disposed over the working surface are impacted by the impactor generating a signal which is dependent on one or both of the size and concentration of particles in the fluid; and iii) a sensor configured to detect the signal generated by the particles impacting the impactor and provide an output signal.

Abstract: A container system for liquids includes a container body with a mouth, a resilient stopper and a cap. The stopper has a body portion closely received within the mouth, and an annular flange projecting radially outward from the body. A resilient annular spring element is located between the flange of the stopper and the cap, and biases the flange against the mouth of the container when the container is assembled and maintains a seal between the flange and cap. In one embodiment, the spring element has a unitary, tear-drop shaped geometry in cross-section with a rounded bulbous body portion smoothly tapering to a curved, radially-inwardly projecting lip, although the spring element could have other asymmetrical configurations such as a cone, helical, V, S or C shape in cross-section. The spring element defines at least two separate points of contact between the flange of the stopper and cap.