System for recovering energy in hydraulic circuit

A method for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit including a pump and a motor in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator via a valve, the method comprising:

• sensing an overrunning load condition in the hydraulic circuit;
• actuating the valve to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the motor under the overrunning load condition;
• and
• producing a torque output from the fluid provided to the motor.

A system for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit, comprising:

• a pump having a swashplate tiltable to direct flow between a valve and a reservoir;
• a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the pump via the valve and a conduit, the valve being configured to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the pump under an overrunning load condition;
• a sensor assembly in communication with the hydraulic circuit;
• a control unit electrically coupled to the valve and the sensor and assembly;
• and
• a fluid supply valve in fluid communication with the pump, the fluid supply valve being configured to open to supply fluid to the conduit when the overrunning load condition ends and fluid pressure in the conduit reaches to a fluid supply pressure.

A system for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit, comprising:

• a pump;
• a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the pump via a valve and a conduit;
• a motor in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator via the valve, the valve being configured to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the motor under an overrunning load condition;
• a sensor assembly in communication with the hydraulic circuit;
• and
• a control unit electrically coupled to the valve and the sensor assembly.