Method and device for determining the operating time and the operating condition of a hydraulic percussion unit

This application claims the right of priority of German patent application No. 199 23 680.1, filed May 22, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A method and a device for determining the operating time and the operating condition of a hydraulic percussion unit, in particular a hydraulic hammer, having a percussion piston which is guided inside a housing and, under the effect of a controller, alternately performs an operating stroke in an impact direction and a return stroke in a return direction. The method and device obtain information to determine whether the percussion unit requires maintenance operations. Signals are generated during the consecutive, individual operational segments of the percussion unit. The number of signals is proportional to the strokes performed by the percussion piston in one movement direction. The number of the signals is continuously added and is stored as a total number. The current total number of signals can be displayed at least at times for indicating the operating condition of the percussion unit.