Method for preventing and recognising coolant discharges from complex hydraulic systems

A method for preventing and detecting coolant discharges from coolant-carrying hydraulic systems, comprising:

• dividing the hydraulic system into a plurality of circuits each circuit containing a volume of coolant less than a total volume of coolant in the hydraulic system;
• isolating each circuit from the remainder of the hydraulic system and each other circuit by a first valve and a second valve;
• providing a relief valve in each circuit intermediate the first valve and the second valve, the relief valve opening at a first pressure;
• providing a pressure sensor in each circuit intermediate the first valve and the second valve;
• providing a check valve in each circuit located intermediate the first valve and the second valve, the check valve opening at a second pressure lower than the first pressure;
• providing an accumulator in fluid communication with the check valve in each circuit;
• monitoring the pressure sensor in each circuit to identify a pressure drop in the circuit;
• and
• determining whether a leak is present in any of the plurality of circuits.