Smart grids

Your smartphone has an integrated electronic power converter, transforming the voltage from the battery into the internal CPU’s required voltage. Similarly, your phone charger is also a power converter or inverter. Power converters are essential for most electronic devices, including electric cars, solar panels and many other applications. They’re the key technology behind modern smart grids.

In hydraulic systems, we don’t have hydraulic power converters. Instead, we control hydraulic power with valves. These valves act as resistances, dissipating energy and creating heat. Consequently, hydraulic systems are inefficient and require large coolers. Energy recuperation is virtually impossible, further reducing efficiency. Furthermore, the absence of hydraulic power converters prevents the development of smart hydraulic grids, robotics and autonomous control.

This is why we developed the hydraulic transformer: to bring the hydraulic industry to the modern world of smart grids. Efficient, continuously variable and extremely dynamic.

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New pump principle

In order to make a hydraulic transformer, we first needed to develop a new pump principle. Current pump principles are limited in the speed domain. Most can not be operated at high rotational speeds, and no pump can be operated from standstill without severe losses and wear. But a hydraulic cylinder always has stop-and-go operation. As a consequence, the hydraulic transformer that controls this cylinder, also needs to start frequently from zero speed, often combined with a high pressure level. Furthermore, current pump principles have high pressure and flow pulsations due to a limited number of pistons.

This is why we started with the development of the new floating cup principle. The floating cup principle is a true multi-piston principle, which strongly improves the controllability, and reduces any pulsations. It is also extremely efficient. There is almost no friction loss or wear, especially when being operated at close to zero rotational speeds.

We decided to develop first floating cup pumps and motors, before developing the hydraulic transformer. This resulted in a license agreement and close cooperation with Bucher hydraulics. Floating cup pumps and motors are on the market since 2019.

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Now everything changes

Having proven the technology in pumps and motors, we could now introduce the same principle in the hydraulic transformer. The FCT45 is the result of this work. It's the key enabling technology for the development of smart hydraulic grids. The backbone of this grid is the Common Pressure Rail or CPR. The CPR runs like a simple power grid through you machine. CPR-systems were not possible because there was no hydraulic transformer. Now there is the FCT45, and everything changes.

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Downloads

The FCT45 hydraulic transformer represents a fundamental shift in how we approach fluid power systems. Below you'll find the technical documentation, research papers, and multimedia materials that detail our work in developing this enabling technology for the next generation of CPR-systems.

We maintain an active library of technical materials because transparency builds trust. Whether you're an engineer evaluating our technology, an academic researcher studying hydraulic systems, or an industrial partner considering collaboration, these downloads provide the foundation for informed decision-making.

We encourage partners to explore these resources thoroughly. Questions often arise during technical review, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss any aspect of our work. The knowledge contained in these documents has been earned through rigorous development and real-world validation.

Our commitment to the off-highway industry extends beyond product development. By sharing detailed technical information, we're investing in the collective advancement of hydraulic technology. Better systems benefit everyone working in this field.

The downloads section continues to grow as we complete new research and gather additional performance data. Check back regularly for the latest materials, or contact us directly if you need specific information not yet available online.

Innovation requires partnership. We're building relationships with organizations that understand the potential of advanced hydraulic systems. These resources are our way of opening the door to that conversation.

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