Fluid power systems are widely used in agricultural and construction equipment for power and energy conversion, transmission and distribution. Through fluid power systems, the mechanical energy produced by a combustion engine is used to control the machine implement motion and consequently perform useful work as designed. Recently, as more and more environmental protection and energy conservation concerns arise, applications of fluid power systems have even expanded to energy recovery and reuse. Caterpillar, as a pioneer in this area, has developed a hydraulic hybrid swing system and successfully applied it to its excavator production line. In this paper, a hydraulic hybrid system for recovery and reuse of swing kinetic energy will be presented, including its configuration, operation and application. Major components in the system and their functions will be discussed. A sample control algorithm for the system will also be explained and a practical case of application on hydraulic excavator will be demonstrated.
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