Hydraulic system based on load sensing technology

Marco has presented its new R&D&i project for a hydraulic system based on load sensing technology. The project is backed by the CDTI (Centre for Technological Development for Industry) and by the EEA (European Economic Area) Grants mechanism, with funding from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The project is now at the final stages of development. It was started up with the aim of producing a new variable flow-rate hydraulic system for tuna vessels that would enable several pumps to be controlled in parallel, in turn operating all the winches installed on board simultaneously or randomly.

Most of the world's tuna vessels have fixed flow-rate systems. This means that they are more limited when it comes to operating deck machinery than with the new, variable-rate system: their operations are slower and there is less flexibility in net hauling.

The new system also results in substantial energy savings, because unlike their fixed flow-rate counterparts, variable flow-rate systems produce only the flow-rate and pressure required to serve the machinery in operation at any given time.

The current final stage of development of the project involves trials on tuna vessels so that final adjustments can be made before it is put into the market.

Thanks to this new technology, Marco expects to reinforce its position in the European and Latin American markets and increase its presence in Asia.