Abstract: In a method of detecting a fault in a fluid-working machine including a plurality of working chambers of cyclically varying volume, each working chamber is operable to displace a volume of working fluid which is selectable for each cycle of working chamber volume to carry out a working function responsive to a received demand signal. An output parameter of the fluid working machine, which is responsive to the displacement of working fluid by one or more of the working chambers to carry out the working function, is measured. It is determined whether the measured output parameter fulfils at least one acceptable function criterion, taking into account the previously selected net displacement of working fluid by a working chamber during a cycle of working chamber volume to carry out the working function.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve includes a valve member moveable between a first position and a second position. A valve member moving mechanism is operable to receive energy from a fluid-working machine crankshaft, or other rotating shaft, and to provide a valve member moving force to urge the valve member from the first position to the second position using the received energy. Thus, the energy used for movement of the valve against a pressure gradient is derived from the crankshaft. Energy received from the crankshaft can be stored and used subsequently to urge the valve member from the first position, allowing the valve to function despite timing differences between the availability of energy from the crankshaft and the requirement for energy to move the valve member.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterised in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile.

Abstract: A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve for regulating the supply of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid working machine and a manifold, which valve includes a pilot valve and a pilot valve elastic member charged in use by the movement of the armature towards the electromagnet during closure of the valve to provide a return force urging the pilot valve sealing member away from the pilot valve seat. The valve is especially useful as the low pressure valve of a fluid working motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve includes a travelling member with a sealing member and operable between a closed position in which the sealing member forms a seal with a valve seat, and an open position. The valve further has a decelerating mechanism operable to slow the movement of the armature during closure of the valve. The sealing member and armature are decoupled and thereby moveable relative to each other such that the armature can continue to move and decelerate due to the action of the damping mechanism after the sealing member has impacted the valve seat. The peak deceleration force on the armature is thereby reduced, increasing the lifetime of the valve or the maximum rate at which it can be closed without damage.

Abstract: A valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid-working machine and a fluid manifold. The valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising a valve seat, a fluid passage extending through the valve body, and a travelling member comprising a valve member and operable between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the valve seat and fluid can flow through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the valve member is in sealing contact with the valve seat preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passage. The valve assembly further defines a fluid flow path passing in a first fluid flow mode, between the valve member and the valve seat, and into the fluid passage. The valve assembly is characterised by a barrier upstream of the valve member, to the barrier reduces one or more forces which would otherwise act on the valve member as a result of the flow of fluid to urge the valve member towards the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve assembly suitable for regulating the flow of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid-working machine and a fluid manifold. The valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising a valve seat, a fluid passage extending through the valve body, and a travelling member comprising a valve member, which valve member is operable between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the valve seat and fluid can flow through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the valve member is in sealing contact with the valve seat preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passage. The valve assembly defining a fluid flow path passing, in a first fluid flow mode, between the valve member and the valve seat, and into the fluid passage.

Abstract: A fluid working machine, operable to carry out a motoring cycle under at least some circumstances, comprises a controller (12) and a working chamber (2) of cyclically varying volume. The working chamber has a high pressure valve (18) associated therewith to control the connection of the working chamber to a high pressure manifold (20), and an electronically controllable primary low pressure valve (14) to control the connection of the working chamber to a low pressure manifold. The controller is operable to actively control at least the primary low pressure valve, in phased relationship to cycles of working chamber volume, to determine the net displacement of fluid by the working chamber on a cycle by cycle basis. The fluid working machine is adapted to release pressurised fluid from the working chamber prior to the opening of the primary low-pressure valve, during a motoring cycle. This facilitates the opening of the primary low pressure valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve actuator (2), comprising a magnetic core (6) with an interspace (8) and at least one bifurcating branch (7), at least one variable magnetic field generating device (16), at least one permanent magnetic field generating device (13) and at least one movable magnetic component (12), wherein the bifurcating branch (7) defines a first region (4) and a second region (5) of said magnetic core (6).

Abstract: A fluid working machine comprises a controller (12) and a working chamber (2) of cyclically varying volume. The working, chamber has both an electronically controllable primary low pressure valve (14) and a secondary low pressure port (22) associated therewith, each of which is openable and closable in phased relation to cycles of working chamber volume to bring the working chamber into fluid communication with a low pressure manifold (16, 26). At least the primary low pressure valve is under the active control of the controller to enable the controller to determine the net displacement of fluid by the working chamber on a cycle by cycle basis. The primary low pressure valve and the secondary low pressure port are openable concurrently during a portion of at least some cycles of working chamber volume to enable fluid to flow into or out of the working chamber concurrently through both the primary low pressure valve and the secondary low pressure port.

Abstract: An electronically actuatable valve assembly having a primary face seating valve, including a primary valve member, and a secondary valve, including a secondary valve member. The secondary valve opens before the primary valve to equilibrate pressure across the primary valve member and thereby facilitate opening of the primary valve member. The secondary valve is coupled to an armature which moves from a first position to a second position, in use, attracted by an electromagnet. The coupling between the armature and the secondary valve is configured to enable the armature to begin to move from the first position without movement of the secondary valve.

Abstract: An electronically actuatable valve assembly including a valve member comprising a ferromagnetic member, and a magnetic circuit adapted to direct magnetic flux through the ferromagnetic member when the valve member is spaced apart from its valve seat, to hold the primary valve open.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine has a plurality of working chambers, e.g., cylinders, of cyclically changing volume, a high-pressure fluid manifold and a low-pressure fluid manifold, at least one valve linking each working chamber to each manifold, and electronic sequencing means for operating said valves in timed relationship with the changing volume of each chamber, wherein the electronic sequencing means is arranged to operate the valves of each chamber in one of an idling mode, a partial mode in which only part of the usable volume of the chamber is used, and a full mode in which all of the usable volume of the chamber is used, and the electronic sequencing means is arranged to select the mode of each chamber on successive cycles so as to infinitely vary the time averaged effective flow rate of fluid through the machine.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine has at least one working chamber (11) of cyclically changing volume, and low- and high-pressure valve means (15, 13) to control the connection of the or each chamber to low- and high-pressure lines (16, 14) respectively. A method of operating the machine includes holding the low-pressure valve means (15) closed during at least an entire cycle of the chamber (11), starting at minimum chamber volume, such that gas dissolved in liquid in the chamber is released therefrom during an expansion of the chamber volume and re-dissolved during a reduction thereof.

Abstract: A piston ring (10) for forming a seal between a piston (26) and piston housing (28). The piston ring (10) has first and second orthogonal axes (12, 14) and a body portion (18) which is resiliently deformable in the direction of the first axis (12) and is substantially rigid in the direction of the second axis (14).

Abstract: In a fluid-working machine having a high-pressure line and a working chamber, a valve arrangement is arranged to control fluid flow from the high-pressure line to the working chamber. The valve arrangement comprises a main valve having a valve element arranged to provide sealing contact with a valve seat, and an auxiliary valve comprising an electromagnetically-movable valve member for equalising pressure on either side of the main valve by placing the working chamber in direct fluid communication with the high-pressure line. The electromagnetically-movable valve member may comprise a spool valve member or a poppet valve member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic pump for use in driving a load with a control modulation system which modulates a primary control signal in order to accommodate variations in secondary changeable parameters which require control at a higher frequency or have a lower latency.

Abstract: A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).

Abstract: A valvetrain control arrangement for an internal combustion engine. A fluid-working machine (1) has working chambers (3) of cyclically varying volume, each connected to a piston actuator (4) which is capable of moving an intake or exhaust valve in the internal combustion engine. The engine crankshaft (2) drives a crankshaft of the fluid-working machine at the same speed as the engine. Each working chamber (3) is linked to a low-pressure manifold (7) by a venting valve (6), the venting valve being normally open but electromagnetically closable by a signal from an electronic sequencing means (8) which operates in timed relationship to the engine crankshaft phase.