Abstract: A steering device includes: a cylinder demarcated into first and second chambers by a piston; a main valve having first and second shuttle chambers; a hydraulic source having first and second discharge ports; a first oil passage configured to connect the first chamber and the first shuttle chamber; a second oil passage configured to connect the second chamber and the second shuttle chamber; a third oil passage configured to connect the first shuttle chamber and the first discharge port; a fourth oil passage configured to connect the second shuttle chamber and the second discharge port; and a tank connected to the main valve via the third oil passage and the fourth oil passage. One of the first shuttle chamber and the second shuttle chamber of the main valve is in an opened state when the hydraulic source is stopped.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electric oil pump (EOP), which is configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to a vehicle, includes a controller that controls driving of the EOP based on lighting information of a traffic light corresponding to a travel direction of the vehicle in a state in which an engine of the vehicle is stopped as an Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system of the vehicle is operated.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit, a heater, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The hydraulic circuit includes a reservoir configured to store hydraulic fluid, a pump coupled to the reservoir, a driver positioned to drive the pump to pump the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and throughout the hydraulic circuit, and an actuator positioned to selectively receive the hydraulic fluid from the pump to operate a controllable machine component. The driver is independent of a prime mover of the machine. The heater is positioned to facilitate selectively heating the hydraulic fluid. The temperature sensor is positioned to acquire temperature data indicative of a temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The controller is configured to monitor the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and selectively activate at least one of the heater or the pump to thermally regulate the hydraulic fluid to maintain the hydraulic fluid within a target temperature range.

Abstract: High strain hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic transducers having increased maximum theoretical and practical strains are disclosed. In particular, the actuators include electrode configurations having a zipping front created by the attraction of the electrodes that is configured orthogonally to a strain axis along which the actuators. This configuration produces increased strains. In turn, various form factors for the actuator configuration are presented including an artificial circular muscle and a strain amplifying pulley system. Other actuator configurations are contemplated that include independent and opposed electrode pairs to create cyclic activation, hybrid electrode configurations, and use of strain limiting layers for controlled deflection of the actuator.

Abstract: Working equipment including a hydraulically movable arm arrangement for a crane, an electric motor, a hydraulic pump, and a pump controller. An equipment controller is arranged to determine a maximum flow limit from the pump in dependence of a comparison of a current limit received from a battery system and a current consumption monitored by the pump controller, and to compare the determined limit with required flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump needed to move the movable arm arrangement in accordance with operating signals, and if the result does not fulfil a rule of a set of fluid control rules, the controller adapts the operating signals to reduce flow of hydraulic fluid to at least one of a plurality of actuators according to a rule of a set of adaptation rules, such that at least one rule of the set of fluid control rules is fulfilled.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device including a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate and the second plate, a bladder positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the bladder housing a fluid, a first fixed electrode coupled to the second plate, and a flexible electrode coupled to the first plate and extending along the first fixed electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical impulse motor for producing kinetic rotational energy by driving one or more pulleys using compressed air comprising: an air compressor powered by an electric battery; two pneumatic pistons configured to receive compressed air from the air compressor; two lever arms each of which driven by one of the pneumatic pistons; two ratchets each of which driven by one of the level arms; a shaft securely connected to the two ratchets, the shaft being driven by the lever arms to rotate in a direction constrained by the two ratchets; and a pulley securely connected to the shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of monitoring an electrohydrostatic actuator, wherein the electrohydrostatic actuator comprises a hydraulic pump drivable by an electric motor and a hydraulic activator drivable by means of the hydraulic pump to move a component, in particular an aircraft part. The method include detecting the instantaneous speed of the electric motor; detecting an instantaneous position of the activator; detecting a parameter that relates to an instantaneous operating point of the electrohydrostatic actuator; determining a state variable relating to an efficiency of the electrohydrostatic actuator on the basis of at least the detected speed and the detected position in dependence on the detected parameter; and determining a state of the electrohydrostatic actuator on the basis of the currently determined value.

Abstract: A master cylinder for a brake may include: a cylinder housing a first piston installed in the cylinder housing, and movable by an operation force received from a brake pedal; and a second piston within the cylinder housing, and movable in connection with the first piston, wherein the first piston comprises: a first piston body partially within the cylinder housing; and a booster connection within the direction opposite to that in which the first piston body faces the second piston, integrated with the first piston body, and connected to a booster so as to receive the operation force of the brake pedal.

Abstract: An electrohydrostatic actuator system comprising: a volume- and/or speed-variable hydraulic machine which is driven by an electric motor, for providing a volumetric flow of a hydraulic fluid; a differential cylinder with a piston side and a ring side; and at least one pretensioning source. The actuator system has a closed hydraulic circuit, wherein, during operation, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit is pressurized by means of the hydraulic machine and/or the pretensioning source. Furthermore, according to the invention, the differential cylinder provides a power motion operating mode and a rapid motion operating mode. In order to balance a volume of the hydraulic fluid in the closed hydraulic circuit, according to the invention an expansion reservoir is connected to the piston side of the differential cylinder via a valve.

Abstract: An assembly system for components of a pressurized fluid supply system for an agricultural vehicle includes a body having at least one fluid duct connectable at one end to a pressurized fluid supply and having a socket at the other end. A detachable component such as an accumulator or oil filter is connectable in releasable mechanical engagement with the body to receive pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid duct. The engagement results from insertion of at least a portion of the component into the socket and rotation of the component to a locked position. The body has at least one discharge duct extending therethrough. In a partially rotated position of the component portion within the socket, the component remains mechanically attached to the body and the fluid duct and discharge duct are in fluidic connection, discharging accumulated pressure in the fluid duct.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate. A first alignment aid is positioned between the first plate and the first electrode, the first alignment aid having an inner surface facing the first plate and an outer surface facing the first electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic cylinder, for example for use with a hydraulic tool, which hydraulic tool is provided with a frame and an element which is movable with respect to the frame by means of the hydraulic cylinder. A hydraulic tool which is operated by means of a hydraulic cylinder as described above is known from, for example, European patent no. 0641618. This patent discloses a frame which is coupleable to a jib of an excavator or the like and to which an assembly of two jaws can be coupled. One of the jaws is pivotable with respect to the other jaw by means of a hydraulic adjusting cylinder (a double-acting piston/cylinder combination).

Abstract: A pressure regulator for an x-ray apparatus includes a piston housing having a recess formed therein and a piston seated in the recess. The piston is free to reciprocate, and define a variable volume chamber, within the recess. A circumferential groove is formed in an exterior surface of the piston, and a seal is seated in the circumferential groove. A manifold in the piston housing places the chamber in fluid communication with an exterior of the piston housing.

Abstract: A pilot hydraulic system may include a pilot pressure source, a pilot pressure return tank, a pilot valve, a pilot pressure supply line connecting the pilot pressure source to the pilot valve, and a pilot pressure return line connecting the pilot pressure return tank to the pilot valve. A main control valve may include a pilot chamber. A pilot pressure control line connects the pilot valve to the pilot chamber. A hydraulic sub-system is provided for modifying pilot pressure provided to the pilot chamber of the main control valve. The hydraulic sub-system may include a variable orifice valve disposed in the pilot pressure control line, a pilot pressure bypass line communicating the pilot pressure control line downstream of the variable orifice valve with the pilot pressure return line, and an electrohydraulic pressure reducing valve (EHPRV) disposed in the pilot pressure bypass line.

Abstract: A hydraulic tank for a bicycle that has a compensation chamber within the tank. The tank also has a ventilation hole and a ventilation channel, which is in fluid communication with the ventilation hole, and has an inlet opening arranged on a side wall of the tank.

Abstract: An output member (7) is inserted in a housing (5) so as to be movable in a left-right direction. A lock chamber (20) is provided to the right of the output member (7), as a first actuation chamber. Compressed air is supplied to and discharged from the lock chamber (20) through a first supply and discharge passage (24) provided in the housing (5). A first holding valve (30) provided to an intermediate portion of the first supply and discharge passage (24) is configured to close and open the first supply and discharge passage (24).

Abstract: Master cylinder assemblies, particularly for operation of the brake or clutch of motorcycles or other ATVs, are susceptible to a reduction in pressure due to the introduction of unwanted gases within the hydraulic lines. As a result, the brake or clutch system may not operate as designed. The present disclosure describes master cylinder assemblies that include one or more fluid separators, with a separator at least at the compensating port of the fluid reservoir to inhibit or prevent air or other gases from entering the piston channel through the compensating or inlet ports.

Abstract: An aircraft assembly having: a first part; a second part, the second part being movably mounted with respect to the first part; an electro-hydraulic actuator coupled between the second part and a first anchor point, the actuator comprising a cylinder defining a bore and a piston and rod assembly slidably mounted within the bore and an active chamber within which an increase in fluid pressure causes the actuator to change during a first phase between first and second extension states to move the second part relative to the first part. The electro-hydraulic actuator further includes a hydraulic fluid supply circuit comprising a piezo-electric pump operable to supply pressurised fluid to the active chamber to change the actuator between first and second extension states.

Abstract: A hydraulic tank has an elastically deformable membrane defining a variable compensation chamber within the tank. The membrane has a fixed perimeter portion and a thrusting portion. A perimeter inlet portion is arranged between the perimeter fixing portion and the thrusting portion. In the condition of minimum expansion of the compensation chamber, the thrusting portion is completely arranged between the perimeter inlet portion of the membrane and a wall of the tank.