Dynamic fluid power monitoring system for separate actuators

A method of controlling first and second fluid-driven actuators comprising the steps of:

• coupling a first double valve to control said first actuator and a second double valve to control said second actuator, wherein each double valve has a respective inlet, outlet, exhaust, and pair of crossover passages, wherein each double valve has a respective pilot valve with a pilot inlet, and wherein each double valve has a deactuated state, an actuated state, and a faulted state;
• pressurizing said inlets with a pressurized fluid;
• pressurizing said crossover passages using said pressurized fluid from said inlets while said double valves are each in a state other than said faulted state;
• supplying pressurized fluid from each respective crossover passage of said first double valve to a respective pilot inlet of said second double valve;
• supplying pressurized fluid from each respective crossover passage of said second double valve to a respective pilot inlet of said first double valve;
• energizing each respective pilot valve according to a desired operation of said first and second actuators to controllably move said double valves between said respective deactuated and actuated states;
• and
• if one of said double valves enters a faulted state then depressurizing a respective crossover passage, thereby removing said pressurized fluid from a respective one of said pilot inlets to cause the other one of said double valves to assume said faulted state.

A machine press system operable from a source of pressurized fluid comprising:

• a brake actuator;
• a clutch actuator;
• a first double valve comprising:
• a first inlet for receiving said pressurized fluid;
• a first outlet for coupling with said first actuator;
• a first exhaust;
• a first valve element having a first inlet poppet and a first flow restrictor;
• a second valve element having a second inlet poppet and a second flow restrictor;
• a first crossover passage fluidically coupling said first flow restrictor to said second inlet poppet, and
• a second crossover passage fluidically coupling said second flow restrictor to said first inlet poppet;
• a second double valve comprising:
• a second inlet for receiving said pressurized fluid;
• a second outlet for coupling with said second actuator;
• a second exhaust;
• a third valve element having a third inlet poppet and a third flow restrictor;
• a fourth valve element having a fourth inlet poppet and a fourth flow restrictor;
• a third crossover passage coupling said third flow restrictor to said fourth inlet poppet;
• and
• a fourth crossover passage coupling said fourth flow restrictor to said third inlet poppet;
• a first pilot fluidically coupled to said first valve element, said first pilot having a first pilot fluid inlet;
• a second pilot fluidically coupled to said second valve element, said second pilot having a second pilot fluid inlet;
• a third pilot fluidically coupled to said third valve element, said third pilot having a third pilot fluid inlet;
• a fourth pilot fluidically coupled to said fourth valve element, said fourth pilot having a fourth pilot fluid inlet;
• a first interconnection fluidically coupling said first crossover passage with said third pilot fluid inlet;
• a second interconnection fluidically coupling said second crossover passage with said fourth pilot fluid inlet;
• a third interconnection fluidically coupling said third crossover passage with said first pilot fluid inlet;
• and
• a fourth interconnection fluidically coupling said fourth crossover passage with said second pilot fluid inlet.