Abstract: A temperature controlled axle cooling system and method is disclosed. Axle hydraulic circuits cool oil circulating through vehicle axles, and sensors monitor axle temperatures. Pumps are activated to circulate the oil through the axle circuits based on the axle temperatures. Each axle circuit can be a separate closed-loop hydraulic system, not sharing fluid with any other vehicle or axle hydraulic systems. All axle cooling system pumps can be activated when any axle temperature exceeds a high threshold. All pumps can be deactivated when all axle temperatures are below a low threshold. Each pump can be activated and deactivated based only on that axle's temperature. The axle cooling system pumps can be driven by motors powered by the main vehicle hydraulic system flow. A valve can be controlled based on axle temperature to allow main vehicle hydraulic system flow. Multiple pumps can be driven by a single motor.

Abstract: A temperature controlled axle cooling system and method is disclosed. Axle hydraulic circuits cool oil circulating through vehicle axles, and sensors monitor axle temperatures. Pumps are activated to circulate the oil through the axle circuits based on the axle temperatures. Each axle circuit can be a separate closed-loop hydraulic system, not sharing fluid with any other vehicle or axle hydraulic systems. All axle cooling system pumps can be activated when any axle temperature exceeds a high threshold. All pumps can be deactivated when all axle temperatures are below a low threshold. Each pump can be activated and deactivated based only on that axle's temperature. The axle cooling system pumps can be driven by motors powered by the main vehicle hydraulic system flow. A valve can be controlled based on axle temperature to allow main vehicle hydraulic system flow. Multiple pumps can be driven by a single motor.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fluid circuit comprising a fluid actuator and a valve operable to control an operational parameter associated with the fluid actuator, a sensor positioned to sense the operational parameter and to generate a parameter signal indicative of the operational parameter, and an electronic control system coupled electrically to the valve and the sensor. The control system is configured to override a setpoint control signal by outputting a dislodgement control signal to oscillate the valve to attempt to dislodge contamination that may have collected in the valve. An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: Parasitic hydraulic loading on an engine is significantly reduced during cold starts by using an unloader valve to divert the flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic actuator, i.e., load source, recirculating the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the unloader valve.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fluid circuit comprising a fluid actuator and a valve operable to control an operational parameter associated with the fluid actuator, a sensor positioned to sense the operational parameter and to generate a parameter signal indicative of the operational parameter, and an electronic control system coupled electrically to the valve and the sensor. The control system is configured to override a setpoint control signal by outputting a dislodgement control signal to oscillate the valve to attempt to dislodge contamination that may have collected in the valve. An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: Parasitic hydraulic loading on an engine is significantly reduced during cold starts by using an unloader valve to divert the flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic actuator, i.e., load source, recirculating the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the unloader valve.