FAULT ISOLATION & DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES FOR ELECTROHYDRAULIC VALVES

A method for isolating a fault or blocked work port in an electro-hydraulic system is disclosed. In one step, a system pump is set to a first predetermined pressure and a valve assembly is commanded to a center position. In another step, the center position of the valve is recorded. In one step, the valve assembly is opened to place a work port associated with the valve in fluid communication with the pump, after which a first end position of the valve, a first work port pressure, and a first pump supply pressure are recorded. In another step, the valve assembly is opened to place the work port to a tank reservoir, after which a second end position of the valve and a fluid pressure associated with the work port are recorded. The recorded and measured data can then be analyzed to identify the fault condition or blocked work port.