System for recovering energy in hydraulic circuit

The present invention is directed to a system and method for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit. A method is provided for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump having a swashplate and being in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator via a valve. The method includes sensing an overrunning load condition in the hydraulic circuit, actuating the valve to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the pump under the overrunning load condition, and producing a torque output from the fluid provided to the pump. Also, a method is provided for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit including a pump and a motor in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator via a valve. The method includes sensing an overrunning load condition in the hydraulic circuit, actuating the valve to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the motor under the overrunning load condition, and producing a torque output from the fluid provided to the motor.