Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked. A controller includes a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic flux through at least a portion of a solenoid linear actuator that moves the valve. A magnetic flux value measured by the magnetometer corresponds to a linear position of the regulating member relative to the port.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked. A controller includes a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic flux through at least a portion of a solenoid linear actuator that moves the valve. A magnetic flux value measured by the magnetometer corresponds to a linear position of the regulating member relative to the port.

Abstract: A variator includes an epicyclic gear set that has at least three nodes. The variator includes a pumping unit connected to a first node of the epicyclic gear set. The variator includes a clutch connected to a second node of the epicyclic gear set. The clutch is selectively movable between three positions. When in the first position, the clutch allows the second node to freewheel. When in the second position, the clutch connects the second node to a fixed surface. When in the third position, the clutch connects the second node to an electric motor. The variator includes a receiver connected to the third node of the epicyclical gear set. The receiver is configured to receive a drive shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control module having a connector and a housing. The housing defining a first opening that receives the connector, and a hermetically sealed interior housing at least one electronic component. The electronic component is electrically coupled to the connector. The control module further includes a retaining clip in physical contact with the housing and mechanically coupling the at least one electronic component to the connector.

Abstract: A variator includes an epicyclic gear set that has at least three nodes. The variator includes a pumping unit connected to a first node of the epicyclic gear set. The variator includes a clutch connected to a second node of the epicyclic gear set. The clutch is selectively movable between three positions. When in the first position, the clutch allows the second node to freewheel. When in the second position, the clutch connects the second node to a fixed surface. When in the third position, the clutch connects the second node to an electric motor. The variator includes a receiver connected to the third node of the epicyclical gear set. The receiver is configured to receive a drive shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked. A controller includes a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic flux through at least a portion of a solenoid linear actuator that moves the valve. A magnetic flux value measured by the magnetometer corresponds to a linear position of the regulating member relative to the port.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control module having a connector and a housing. The housing defining a first opening that receives the connector, and a hermetically sealed interior housing at least one electronic component. The electronic component is electrically coupled to the connector. The control module further includes a retaining clip in physical contact with the housing and mechanically coupling the at least one electronic component to the connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.

Abstract: A variator includes an epicyclic gear set that has at least three nodes. The variator includes a pumping unit connected to a first node of the epicyclic gear set. The variator includes a clutch connected to a second node of the epicyclic gear set. The clutch is selectively movable between three positions. When in the first position, the clutch allows the second node to freewheel. When in the second position, the clutch connects the second node to a fixed surface. When in the third position, the clutch connects the second node to an electric motor. The variator includes a receiver connected to the third node of the epicyclical gear set. The receiver is configured to receive a drive shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic system that includes a rotating group with a plurality of fluid chambers and a plurality of valve sets that valve a corresponding one of the fluid chambers is disclosed. The hydraulic system may function as a hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic system may transfer energy between a high pressure fluid supply (e.g., from a pump), an accumulator, a hydraulic component (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic motor, and/or a hydraulic pump-motor), and/or an input/output shaft. The hydraulic system may include a single rotating group with a common axis. Each of the valve sets may include a first valve that fluidly connects to the pump, a second valve that fluidly connects to a tank, a third valve that fluidly connects to the accumulator, and a fourth valve that fluidly connects to the hydraulic component. The valves may have a valving period set to less than half or one-third of a rotational period of the rotating group.

Abstract: A hydraulic system adapted to recover inertial energy is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a pump, a variable displacement pump/motor having an input/output shaft, an accumulator, and a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is operable in: a) a first mode where the variable displacement pump/motor is driven by the pump to rotate the input/output shaft and the load; b) a second mode where the variable displacement pump/motor uses inertial energy from a deceleration of the load to charge the accumulator; and c) a third mode where the variable displacement pump/motor is driven by the accumulator to rotate the input/output shaft and the load. The hydraulic system also includes a controller for controlling operation of the pump, the variable displacement pump/motor and the valve arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer is disclosed. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to an external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer coordinates flow sharing within the hydraulic system. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to a first external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank. A second external load may be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system. Energy may be transferred to/from the pump, the accumulator, the first external load, and/or the second external load, as directed by the control system.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer coordinates flow sharing within the hydraulic system. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to a first external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank. A second external load may be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system. Energy may be transferred to/from the pump, the accumulator, the first external load, and/or the second external load, as directed by the control system.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer coordinates flow sharing within the hydraulic system. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to a first external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank. A second external load may be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system. Energy may be transferred to/from the pump, the accumulator, the first external load, and/or the second external load, as directed by the control system.

Abstract: A hydraulic system that includes a rotating group with a plurality of fluid chambers and a plurality of valve sets that valve a corresponding one of the fluid chambers is disclosed. The hydraulic system may function as a hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic system may transfer energy between a high pressure fluid supply (e.g., from a pump), an accumulator, a hydraulic component (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic motor, and/or a hydraulic pump-motor), and/or an input/output shaft. The hydraulic system may include a single rotating group with a common axis. Each of the valve sets may include a first valve that fluidly connects to the pump, a second valve that fluidly connects to a tank, a third valve that fluidly connects to the accumulator, and a fourth valve that fluidly connects to the hydraulic component. The valves may have a valving period set to less than half or one-third of a rotational period of the rotating group.

Abstract: A hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer is disclosed. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to an external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank.