Hydraulic control system having energy recovery kit

Abstract

An energy recovery retrofit kit for a hydraulic control system is disclosed. The energy recover retrofit kit may have a first accumulator and a second accumulator. The energy recover retrofit kit may also have a recovery valve block fluidly connectable between an existing pump and an existing motor of the hydraulic system. The recovery valve block may be configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first and second accumulators with the existing motor.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of retrofitting an existing hydraulic control system with an energy recovery kit, comprising:
 disconnecting an existing motor from an existing control valve block;   connecting a recovery valve block to the existing control valve block;   connecting the existing motor to the recovery valve block;   connecting a first accumulator to the recovery valve block; and   connecting a second accumulator to an existing return line of the existing motor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the recovery valve block to the existing control valve block includes fluidly connecting a selector valve between existing first and second motor passages and the first accumulator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein connecting the recovery valve block to the existing control valve block further includes fluidly connecting at least one accumulator valve between the selector valve and the first accumulator. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including connecting a conduit between a makeup passage of the existing motor and the second accumulator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first accumulator has a volume about 5-20 times greater than a volume of the second accumulator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first accumulator has a pressure range about 5-60 times greater than a pressure range of the second accumulator.