Patent ID: 11913477
Assignee: nan
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  E | IPC E  F

Claim 0:
1. A controller for a hydraulic apparatus, the hydraulic apparatus comprising:
a prime mover;
a hydraulic circuit through which hydraulic fluid can flow;
a hydraulic machine in the hydraulic circuit and having a rotatable shaft in driven engagement with the prime mover, the hydraulic machine configured such that, in operation, the hydraulic machine exchanges energy with the hydraulic circuit and the prime mover by flow of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic machine and the hydraulic circuit and via movement of the rotatable shaft,
wherein the hydraulic machine comprises a plurality of chamber groups, each comprising at least one working chamber in the hydraulic circuit;
at least one hydraulic actuator having at least a first actuator chamber and a second actuator chamber, each actuator chamber in the hydraulic circuit, the at least one hydraulic actuator to be used in a hydraulic work function of the hydraulic apparatus, wherein the first actuator chamber is partially defined by a first actuator working surface and the second actuator chamber is partially defined by a second actuator working surface, the second actuator working surface arranged to act at least partially in opposition to the first actuator working surface;
at least one further hydraulic fluid consumer in the hydraulic circuit and selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic machine, wherein the at least one further hydraulic fluid consumer is to be used in a further hydraulic work function; and
a valve arrangement in the hydraulic circuit for selectively routing the hydraulic fluid between the first actuator chamber and one or more of: the hydraulic machine; and the second actuator chamber, and for selectively routing the hydraulic fluid between the second actuator chamber and one or more of: the first actuator chamber; and a low pressure fluid reservoir, the controller configured to:
determine that a mode change criteria has been met for the hydraulic apparatus in response to an increase in demand for the further hydraulic work function; and
in response to the determination:
control the valve arrangement to change the first actuator chamber between being fluidly connected to the hydraulic machine and fluidly isolated from the second actuator chamber, and being fluidly connected to both the second actuator chamber and the hydraulic machine; and
control the hydraulic machine to change a flow rate of hydraulic fluid flowing through the hydraulic machine and a portion of the hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with the first actuator chamber, to thereby regulate a movement of the at least one hydraulic actuator during the control of the valve arrangement,

wherein controlling the valve arrangement to change the first actuator chamber between being fluidly connected to the hydraulic machine and fluidly isolated from the second actuator chamber, and being fluidly connected to both the second actuator chamber and the hydraulic machine comprises controlling the hydraulic apparatus to isolate at least one chamber group of the hydraulic machine from the first actuator chamber of the at least one hydraulic actuator, the at least one chamber group among at least two of the plurality of chamber groups previously together in fluid communication with the first actuator chamber of the at least one hydraulic actuator.