Apparatus and method for recuperation of hydraulic energy

1. A method for recuperation of hydraulic energy from an actuator during load conditions wherein at least one hydraulic pump is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the actuator, the method comprising:

mechanically coupling a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump for torque transmission therebetween;

positioning a first valve in an actuator pipe between the actuator and the second hydraulic pump;

actuating the first valve to divert hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic pump away from the actuator when the actuator is supplying hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic pump;

hydraulically connecting the second hydraulic pump to an accumulator;

hydraulically communicating a second valve with the actuator and the accumulator;

actuating a second valve to an open position; and

allowing fluid to flow both from the actuator to the accumulator and from the accumulator to the actuator after and as a result of actuating the second valve to the open position.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a first drive coupled to the first hydraulic pump and a second drive coupled to the second hydraulic pump are mechanically connected to an electric motor, and wherein the first hydraulic pump is in hydraulic communication with the actuator, the method further comprising:

connecting a controller to the first and second hydraulic pumps and the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the displacement of the first hydraulic pump, the second hydraulic pump and the power of the electric motor;

supplying a value of a position of the load, a pressure of the actuator and a pressure of the accumulator to the controller; and

calculating a displacement of the first hydraulic pump, the second hydraulic pump and the power of the electric motor based on the values of the position of the load, the pressure in the actuator and the pressure in the accumulator.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying a type of cycle;

executing a control loop comprising:

estimating a recuperation potential;

reconfiguring the first and second hydraulic pumps and electric motor power; and

monitoring and controlling a charge of the accumulator; and

finishing the cycle.

4. An apparatus for recuperation of hydraulic energy from an actuator, the apparatus comprising:

a first hydraulic machine having a first drive;

a second hydraulic machine having a second drive coupled to the first drive;

wherein the first hydraulic machine is in hydraulic communication with the actuator and the second hydraulic machine is in hydraulic communication with an accumulator;

a first valve in hydraulic communication with the second hydraulic machine, the actuator and the accumulator, wherein the first valve is configured to transition between a first position with the second hydraulic machine in hydraulic communication with the accumulator and a second position with the second hydraulic machine in hydraulic communication with the actuator; and

a second valve in hydraulic communication with the actuator and the accumulator, wherein the second valve is configured to transition between an open and a closed position;

wherein when the second valve is in the open position, fluid flow is free to flow both from the accumulator to the actuator and from the actuator to the accumulator through the second valve; and

wherein the second valve is in direct communication with the actuator and in direct communication with the accumulator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein, the first and second drives are connected to an electric motor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:

a controller configured to receive information relating to a position of a load and a hydraulic pressure in the accumulator, and configured to control the displacement of the first and second hydraulic machines and the power of the electric motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:

a third valve hydraulically positioned between the first hydraulic machine or the second hydraulic machine and a reservoir;

wherein the third valve is in hydraulic communication with the reservoir and is configured to transition between a first position with the return flow between the first or second hydraulic machine and the reservoir open and hydraulic communication with the accumulator is closed, and a second position with flow from the first or second hydraulic machine diverted to the accumulator.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first valve is disposed along an accumulator line extending from the accumulator to the second hydraulic machine; and

wherein the second valve is disposed along an actuator line extending from the accumulator line to the actuator.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the actuator line is connected to the accumulator line at a point between the first valve and the accumulator.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the first valve is in the first position, fluid is free to flow from the second hydraulic machine to the accumulator along the accumulator line and through the first valve; and

wherein when the first valve is in the second position, fluid is free to flow from the second hydraulic machine, through the first valve, to the actuator line and is prevented from the flowing from the second hydraulic machine, through the first valve, to the accumulator along the accumulator line.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein when the first valve is in the second position, fluid is free to flow from the second hydraulic machine, through the first valve, to the actuator line at a point between the second valve and the actuator.

12. An apparatus for recuperation of hydraulic energy from an actuator, the apparatus comprising:

a first hydraulic pump having a first drive, wherein the first hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the actuator;

a second hydraulic pump having a second drive coupled to the first drive;

an accumulator line extending from the second hydraulic pump to an accumulator;

a first valve disposed along the accumulator line;

an actuator line extending from the accumulator line, at a point between the first valve and the accumulator, to the actuator; and

a second valve disposed along the actuator line;

wherein the first valve is configured to transition between:

a first position to allow fluid to flow from the second hydraulic pump to the accumulator along the accumulator line and through the first valve; and

a second position to allow fluid to flow from the second hydraulic pump through the first valve to the actuator line at a point between the second valve and the actuator.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second valve is configured to transition between an open position and a closed position;

wherein the second valve is in the closed position, fluid is prevented from flowing from the accumulator along the accumulator line to the actuator.