Method for filling a hydraulic circuit of an electro-hydrostatic system using a filling device

A method for filling a hydraulic circuit of an electro-hydrostatic system provided with a discharge valve and a filling valve, the method using a filling device comprising:

• a vacuum generator designed to be connected to the discharge valve via a first shut-off valve in order to eliminate air or gases present in the hydraulic circuit, and
• a source for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid, the source being designed to be connected to the filling valve via a second shut-off valve and to the discharge valve and the first shut-off valve via a third shut-off valve in order to fill the hydraulic circuit,
• and the method comprising:
• connecting the first and third shut-off valves to the discharge valve, and connecting the second shut-off valve to the filling valve;
• while the second and third shut-off valves are closed, opening the filling valve, the discharge valve and the first shut-off valve and operating the vacuum generator;
• once a vacuum has been established in the hydraulic circuit, opening the second shut-off valve in order to fill the hydraulic circuit with the pressurized hydraulic fluid while the vacuum generator is still in operation;
• once the hydraulic circuit has been filled with fluid, closing the first shut-off valve and then opening the third shut-off valve in order to bypass the vacuum generator and circulate the fluid through the electro-hydrostatic system until the fluid contained in the hydraulic circuit reaches a predetermined pressure;
• and
• closing the discharge valve and the filling valve.