Abstract: In at least some implementations, a retainer for a fuel system component having an electrically conductive portion accessible from the exterior of the component includes a retaining feature and a grounding feature. The retaining feature is adapted to maintain the location of the fuel system component and the grounding feature electrically couples a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel system component. The fuel system component is grounded through a path including the grounding feature and ground wire.

Abstract: An EFI-ECU determines an initial value of a correction value ekthwst for correcting an injection correction amount with reference to a non-heating initial value map if a heater is in operation, and determines the initial value of the correction value ekthwst for correcting the injection correction amount with reference to a heating initial value map if the heater is out of operation. It should be noted herein that the initial value of the correction value ekthwst is set lower under the same condition in the heating initial value map than in the non-heating initial value map.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for controlling fuel pressure in a control chamber of a fuel injector. The control valve assembly comprising a valve member arranged in a bore provided in a valve housing, at least one of the valve member and the valve housing being moveable with respect to the other, wherein the valve member comprises a fuel-receiving cavity arranged to receive fuel that distorts at least a portion of the valve member so as to increase an external dimension thereof.

Abstract: A valve body for a fluid injector includes a central longitudinal axis and a one-piece base body. The base body has a side wall defining a recess extending from a fluid inlet side to a fluid outlet side of the base body. The side wall has a thin portion having a decreased wall thickness relative to further portions of the side wall that adjoin the thin portion along the longitudinal direction towards the fluid inlet side and the fluid outlet side. The valve body includes a metallic reinforcement jacket that is rigidly coupled to the base body and which axially overlaps the thin portion having the decreased wall thickness.

Abstract: A nozzle body for a fluid injection includes a cavity and a bottom wall delimiting the cavity at a fluid outlet end. The bottom wall is perforated by an injection hole having an inlet opening at an inner surface of the bottom wall and an outlet opening at an outer surface of the bottom wall. The outlet opening has an elongated slit shape having a centerline which is a circular arc with respect to the longitudinal axis. The inlet opening is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a radial distance. The inner surface has a concave shape extending away from the fluid outlet end from an apex of the inner surface. Further, the inlet opening is spaced apart from the apex by an axial distance that is smaller than said radial distance.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a fluid, e.g., fuel, has a closing element and a valve seat. The valve seat has a sealing region and a valve seat region adjoining the sealing region. The closing element seals on the sealing region, the sealing region and the valve seat region merging with one another directly and without a step. A hardness of the sealing region is less than a hardness of the closing element.

Abstract: A stop control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine (11) whose crankshaft (11a) is connected to an input shaft (15) via a torsional damper (14), wherein the direction in which the crankshaft (11a) rotates while the operation of the internal combustion engine (11) is assumed to be the positively rotating direction, and a state of the torsional angle of the torsional damper (14) when the crankshaft (11a) is advancing in the positively rotating direction with respect to the input shaft (15) is assumed to be positive. When a predetermined engine stop condition is satisfied, a stop control for outputting torque from a first MG (12) such that the crankshaft (11a) decelerates is executed. The timing at which the torque is output from the first MG (12) is controlled such that the positive peak of the torsional angle of the torsional damper (14) occurs in the expansion stroke of the internal combustion engine (11).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a starter is shown. A method for monitoring the starter includes determining electrical energy consumed by pinion and motor solenoids operative to activate and rotate a pinion gear of an electrically-powered motor meshingly engageable to a starter ring gear portion of a flywheel of the engine during an engine starting event. Current ringing in the pinion and motor solenoids is monitored during the engine starting even, and a fault is identified in the pinion and motor solenoids based upon the current ringing and the electrical energy consumption of the starter during the engine starting event.

Abstract: Described is a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, wherein an ignition control device is prompted by control signals of an engine control device to activate an ignition device by means of which an ignition of a fuel-air mixture in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine is affected. It is provided according to this disclosure, that the engine control device communicates a target ignition angle or information about an operating condition of the internal combustion engine to the ignition control device, and the ignition control device sets an operating parameter of the ignition device in dependence on the target ignition angle or the information about the operating condition of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A pod of an ocean current power generation device which is serving as an underwater floating-type underwater device is provided with a ballast tank and an air storage tank. When discharging water from the ballast tank, by opening a water discharge valve and driving a water discharge pump, water inside the ballast tank is discharged to the outside through a water conduit. When supplying water, by opening a water supply valve while the water pressure outside the pod is greater than the water pressure inside the ballast tank, water is made to flow from the outside of the pod through an aperture portion, and into the ballast tank via the water conduit.

Abstract: An electrical generation system based on tidal flow includes a reservoir and a fluid inlet tube extending between a tidal source and the reservoir. The inlet tube has at least one inlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid inlet tube extends along a first level. A fluid outlet tube extends between the reservoir and the tidal source. The fluid outlet tube has at least one outlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid outlet tube extends along a second level vertically lower than the first level. During high tide at the tidal source, tidal fluid flows from the tidal source, into the fluid inlet tube, past the at least one inlet turbine generator, and into the reservoir and during a low tide at the tidal source, the tidal fluid flows from the reservoir, into the fluid outlet tube, past the at least one outlet turbine generator, and to the tidal source.

Abstract: A system for transporting a wind turbine blade includes a first support subsystem disposed on a first movable platform, which allows a first point on the wind turbine blade to pivot in response to the first movable platform traversing a curve. A second support subsystem is disposed on a second movable platform spaced, which allows a second point of the wind turbine blade to move laterally in response to the pivoting of the first point on the wind turbine blade on the first movable platform.

Abstract: An intake assembly for a wind-energy conversion system has a substantially vertical converging nozzle, an object extending into the nozzle, and a converging flow passage between the object and the nozzle. For some embodiments, the object may be another nozzle. There may be vanes in one or both nozzles in further embodiments. The object may be configured to move in yet other embodiments.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a core for a composite material sandwich panel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of balsawood with opposite major surfaces, with vessels and axial parenchyma cells of the balsawood extending between the opposite major surfaces in a thickness direction of the sheet; coating a layer of a curable resin composition onto respective opposite major surfaces of the sheet of balsawood; and curing the curable resin composition, wherein the resin composition is applied and cured so that the coating layer of cured resin composition unevenly fills or only partly fills outermost ends of at least some of the vessels in the balsawood and thereby provides, at least in the vicinity of at least some of the vessels, a non-planar outer surface of the coating layer of the cured resin composition over the opposite major surfaces.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade vortex generator unit and a method for installing it, where a wind turbine blade has at least one series of vortex generator units formed of fins extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the airfoil and substantially in a direction from the leading edge towards the trailing edge of the wind turbine blade. The vortex generator units each comprises a fin connected to an outer side of the fin base, and where the fin is delta shaped tapering from a trailing edge towards a leading edge and where each of the vortex generator units has a layer of adhesive on an inner side of the base that extends to an outermost periphery of the base. The vortex generator unit has exactly one fin, and the base has an airfoil shaped periphery with a rounded leading edge and a trailing edge.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a hub sub-system comprising a main hub and a shaft adapted to rotate about an axis, and a plurality of turbine blades having a pitch angle. The blades are adapted to drive the rotation of the hub sub-system to a first speed. The wind turbine further includes a pitch drive sub-system including a driving element adapted to rotate about the axis at a second speed, and further adapted to control the pitch angle of the turbine blades in relation to a difference between the first speed and the second speed. A slip enhanced generator enables the hub sub-system to rotate at a different speed than the pitch drive sub-system. The difference in speed is governed by a slip function. The wind turbine further includes an active control system adapted to control the second speed of the driving element.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to inspect equipment and a method of inspecting equipment with the UAS are described. The UAS includes a scanner to obtain images of the equipment and a memory device to store information for the UAS. The UAS also includes a processor to determine a real-time flight path based on the images and the stored information, and a camera mounted on the UAS to obtain camera images of the equipment as the UAS traverses the real-time flight path.

Abstract: Drive device for a wind mill comprising a large pulley disposed on a main shaft and at least one belt or chain adapted to transfer rotation from the pulley to a generator. The pulley is rotationally coupled to at least two secondary shafts, which are disposed parallel to the main shaft. One or more belts, which transfer the rotation, extend over the pulley and the secondary shafts. The secondary shafts are in turn rotationally coupled to at least one, preferably two, electric generators.

Abstract: A post-tensioned precast segmental concrete tower has a stack of annular segments with uniform cross-sections which varies over the tower height. The transition between tower segments occurs in stages and is achieved using annular members or segments which support and anchor post-tensioning tendons that transfer loads passing through the tower as a result of a change in tower geometry. The tower segments are match cast against one another in fabrication to create tight matching opposing surfaces when placed into the tower and to create tight joints. The match casting eliminates the need for grout between precast segments, resulting in a faster tower erection time and high durability of the joints. All annular segments have horizontal joints and no vertical joints. The tower geometry simplifies the formwork system used to precast the segments, and the post-tensioning tendons tie all segments together and to the foundation.

Abstract: A power plant includes a solar receiver heating solid particles, a standpipe receiving solid particles from the solar receiver, a pressurized heat exchanger heating working fluid by heat transfer through direct contact with heated solid particles flowing out of the bottom of the standpipe, and a flow path for solid particles from the bottom of the standpipe into the pressurized heat exchanger that is sealed by a pressure P produced at the bottom of the standpipe by a column of heated solid particles of height H. The flow path may include a silo or surge tank comprising a pressure vessel connected to the bottom of the standpipe, and a non-mechanical valve. The power plant may further include a turbine driven by heated working fluid discharged from the pressurized heat exchanger, and a compressor driven by the turbine.

Abstract: Shape memory polymers featuring reversible actuation capability under ambient stimulus for integration with apparel. One approach is to use a multiblock polymer consisting of two (or potentially more) blocks in which the one block is the crystalline switching block with relatively low melting transitions, the other block has a higher thermal transition, and the two blocks are linked together by a linker molecule. Another approach is to use a graft copolymer having high and low melting transitions where the graft copolymer has a first polymer serving as cool heat the backbone and a second polymer being grafted to or from the backbone at certain graft locations. A further approach is to use latent crosslinking of a semicrystalline polymer with reactive groups placed on the backbone. Finally, these polymers may be formed as actuators that undergo curling, twisting and even volumetric expansion.

Abstract: The refrigeration compressor includes a cylinder block carrying a crankshaft and a stator of an electric motor, whose rotor is mounted to the crankshaft. An oil pump including: a tubular sleeve affixed to the crankshaft or to the rotor with a pump body internal to the tubular sleeve and connected to the cylinder block. A fixation rod is articulated to the cylinder block or stator and has a lower portion angularly and freely displaced orthogonally to the rotational axis and around which the lower end portion of the pump body is axially retained and slidably mounted, orthogonally and coplanar to the rotation axis of the rotor.

Abstract: An linear compressor and a linear motor for a linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor may include a shell, in which a suction inlet may be provided, a cylinder disposed in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a frame coupled to an outer side of the cylinder, a piston reciprocated in an axial direction within the cylinder, a stator cover coupled to the frame, and a linear motor supported by the frame and the stator cover to provide power to the piston. The stator cover may include a body, and at least one frame coupling portion coupled to the frame. The at least one frame coupling portion may extend from the body toward the frame.

Abstract: A linear compressor and a linear motor for a linear compressor are provided. The linear motor may include a first stator, a second stator spaced apart from the first stator, and at least one permanent magnet disposed between the first stator and the second stator. The first stator may include a bobbin around which a coil may be wound, and a plurality of core blocks that surrounds the bobbin. In at least one core block of the plurality of core blocks, a distance between a first surface that faces the second stator and a second surface of the second stator that faces the first surface varies in a circumferential direction of the second stator.

Abstract: A slide member of the present invention is used in a slide unit which is included in a refrigerant compressor for compressing a refrigerant and provided inside a sealed container which reserves lubricating oil therein. The slide member is provided with an oxide coating film on a surface of a base material. The oxide coating film is configured such that (1) when the base material comprises an iron based material, the oxide coating film has a three-layer structure including a first layer comprising Fe2O3, a second layer comprising Fe3O4, and a third layer comprising FeO in this order from an outermost surface, (2) the oxide coating film has a dense structure having minute concave/convex portions with a height difference which falls within a range of 0.01 ?m to 0.1 ?m, or (3) when the base material comprises the iron based material, the oxide coating film has a three-layer structure in which the three layers comprise the iron oxides and are different in hardness.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided that may include a shell in which a discharge port may be provided, a cylinder disposed in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a piston disposed to be reciprocated in an axial direction within the cylinder, a discharge valve disposed on or at one side of the cylinder to selectively discharge the refrigerant compressed in the compression space, a valve spring coupled to the discharge valve to provide a restoring force, and a stopper coupled to the valve spring to restrict deformation of the valve spring. The stopper may include a guide recessed in a direction in which the valve spring is deformed to reduce an impulse between the stopper and the valve spring.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor may include a shell including a discharge outlet, a cylinder provided in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a frame to fix the cylinder to the shell, a piston reciprocated within the cylinder in an axial direction, a discharge valve disposed on or at one side of the cylinder to selectively discharge the refrigerant compressed in the compression space, a discharge cover coupled to the frame, the discharge cover having at least one chamber to reduce pulsation of the refrigerant discharged through the discharge valve, and a valve spring disposed on the discharge cover to provide a restoring force to the discharge valve.

Abstract: A linear compressor and a refrigerator including a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor may include a compressor casing connected to each of a suction inlet, through which a refrigerant may be introduced, and a discharge outlet, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, a compressor body mounted within the compressor casing, within which the refrigerant suctioned in through the suction inlet may be compressed due to a linear reciprocating motion of a piston in an axial direction of the compressor casing and discharged into the discharge outlet, and at least one plate spring disposed on each end of the compressor body in the axial direction.

Abstract: A linear compressor and a refrigerator including a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor may include a shell coupled to a suction inlet, through which a refrigerant may be introduced, and a discharge outlet, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, a cylinder disposed within the shell to accommodate a piston reciprocated to compress the refrigerant introduced through the suction inlet, a frame that accommodates the cylinder, the frame being mounted inside the shell, and a discharge cover coupled to a front surface of the frame to discharge the refrigerant compressed by the piston to the discharge outlet. A front surface of the cylinder that faces the discharge cover may be spaced a predetermined distance from the discharged cover.

Abstract: A triple action air pump includes a manual pump mechanism and an electrical pump mechanism. The mechanical pump mechanism has a piston mounted within a cylindrical housing, a shaft having a first end coupled to the piston and a second end that passes out of the cylindrical housing via an aperture in an end of the cylindrical housing, and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The mechanical pump mechanism operates on both upstrokes and down-strokes of the handle. In one embodiment, the cylindrical housing has a single inner chamber and the electrical pump mechanism is mounted within the same chamber as the piston. In a second embodiment, the cylindrical housing has two separate inner chambers, with the mechanical pump mechanism mounted within one chamber and the electrical pump mechanism mounted within the other chamber.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for supplying liquid color to a process machine, comprising a stepper motor including an output shaft, a drive roller mounted on the output shaft, and a collection of planetary rollers positioned about and frictionally contacting driven by the output shaft, for sequentially compressing a flexible tube carrying the liquid color thereby dispensing liquid color from the tube.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a bypass valve and spring that are easy to install and do not require support by a special plug or mounting bracket. The pump outlet is perpendicular to the input, causing the bypass valve and spring to operate laterally as seen from the pump base. When installed, the bypass spring is suspended between the bypass valve and a simple “T” insert that is held in place within the pump by interior elements of the pump, without need for a special plug or bracket. The longitudinal strength of the housing is increased by providing a cone-shaped outer wall having a scalloped inner surface. The conical shape enhances the housing's resistance to longitudinal forces applied to the diaphragm. The cusps of the scalloped shape provide wall support ribs and locations for assembly screws, while increasing the interior volume and reducing the pump weight.

Abstract: Diaphragm pump features upper/lower diaphragm pumping assemblies (U/LDPAs) for pumping fluid and a manifold assembly arranged therebetween. The manifold assembly include a manifold body having an inlet with dual inlet ports and an inlet chamber to receive the fluid from a source; an inlet check valve assembly channel having an inlet duckbill check valve assembly (DCVA) arranged therein to receive the fluid from the dual inlet ports; U/LDPAs orifices having the U/LDPA arranged therein to receive the fluid from the inlet DCVA via first upper/lower manifold conduits and provide the fluid from the U/LDPAs via second upper/lower manifold conduits; an outlet check valve assembly channel having an outlet DCVA arranged therein to receive the fluid from the U/LDPAs; and an outlet having dual outlet ports and an outlet chamber to receive the fluid from the U/LDPAs and provide the fluid from the pump to a outlet source.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided that may include a shell in which a discharge port is provided, a cylinder disposed in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a piston disposed to be reciprocated in an axial direction within the cylinder, a discharge valve disposed on or at one side of the cylinder to selectively discharge the refrigerant compressed in the compression space, the discharge valve including an insertion protrusion, and a valve spring coupled to the discharge valve to provide a restoring force to the discharge valve. The valve spring may include a spring body having a central portion defined at a portion corresponding to a center of the cylinder, and an insertion hole defined in the spring body. The insertion hole may be coupled to the insertion protrusion of the discharge valve. The central portion of the spring body may be spaced apart from a central portion of the insertion hole.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump includes a rotor, vanes, a cam ring, pump chambers, a suction port, a discharge port, back pressure chambers, a plate that has a sliding contact surface and a penetrating hole, a suction-side back pressure port being configured to guide the working fluid in the suction port to the back pressure chambers in a suction section, a discharge-side back pressure port being configured to guide the working fluid that is discharged from the discharge port to the back pressure chambers in a discharge section, an additional groove provided on the sliding contact surface so as to extend from between the discharge-side back pressure port and the penetrating hole to between the suction-side back pressure port and the penetrating hole, and a connection groove that communicates the additional groove with the suction-side back pressure port.

Abstract: An electric vehicle vacuum pump assembly includes a combination, a separate acoustic barrier casing configured to encase the combination in each of a radially-spaced relationship and an axially-spaced relationship, and an annular gastight attenuation assembly radially arranged between the separate acoustic barrier casing on a first side and the combination on a second side. The combination comprises a pump unit and a drive motor comprising a rotor space, a stator space, a ventilation inlet, and a ventilation outlet. The rotor space comprises a motor rotor, and the stator space comprises a motor stator. The separate acoustic barrier casing comprises an intake connection and a discharge connection. The ventilation inlet and the ventilation outlet of the drive motor are configured to provide a forced ventilation past the annular gastight attenuation assembly and through at least one of the rotor space and the stator space.

Abstract: A temperature sensor on an outer surface of an upper shell at a location is associated with a discharge chamber. The temperature sensor includes electronics molded into an overmolded plastic and includes a spring member. The spring member snaps into a sensor housing connected to the outer surface.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a rotor and a rotor cover, defining a fluid chamber therebetween, and having openings or channels that are provided in either the rotor cover or the rotor, or both, to direct fluid from the fluid chamber into the rotor or rotor cover of the rotor assembly to provide reduction of increased pressure that is experienced within the fluid chamber, especially at or near the center of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal fluid machine includes a rotor, a low pressure compression unit provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotor, a high pressure compression unit provided on the other side in the axial direction of the rotor, a partition wall 13 that separates the low and high pressure compression units, and a high pressure-side discharge passage 54 formed on the side of the high pressure compression unit of the partition wall 13, extending in the radial direction of the rotor, and provided along the partition wall 13, wherein the partition wall 13 has a wall body 71, a passage deformation suppression member 72 that is provided between the wall body 71 and the high pressure-side discharge passage 54 and can deform the high pressure-side discharge passage 54, and an biasing mechanism 73 that is provided between the wall body 71 and the passage deformation suppression member 72.

Abstract: A signal processor receives signaling containing information about flow rates from sensorless converters in zone circulators in heating/cooling zones controlled by temperature sensors in a hydronic heating system in order to derive an adaptive pressure set point to meet the flow rates requested by the heating/cooling zones using an adaptive system and flow control curve equation, the signaling containing information about total flow rates requested by the zone circulators; determines desired pump speeds for the zone circulators to meet temperature requirements in heat zones; provides corresponding signaling containing information about the desired pump speeds; and/or determines the adaptive pump control curve equation based upon an adaptive system curve and as a moving maximum system flow rate depending on an adaptive pressure set point, a system flow rate requested by temperature loads, a minimum pressure at no flow, a control curve setting parameter, and an adaptive moving maximum flow and pressure.

Abstract: An oil leak prevention device for use on a pump assembly having a non-contacting bearing isolator. The device has an annular surface having a central opening and a second surface extending from the first surface. The second surface covers an opening of an outside leak path between the rotor and the stator of the bearing isolator when the central opening is placed about the shaft of the pump. A method for preventing the leakage of oil from the pump assembly includes forming an oil containment cup and then placing the oil containment cup in contact with the bearing isolator such that a shaft of the pump assembly passes through the central opening and the second surface of the oil containment cup covers the opening of the leak path. Preferably, the cup is removed from the pump before operation of the pump.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a housing and an electric motor in the housing. The electric motor has a shaft, a stator, and a rotor on the shaft. At least one impeller is arranged in a pump housing and driven by the shaft, the impeller having at least one ring of rotor blades delimiting a ring of blade chambers. A side channel is arranged in the pump housing opposite the ring of blade chambers and extends from the pump inlet as far as the pump outlet. A ramp is arranged at an end of the side channel in a radially inner half of the side channel. The ramp starts from a channel bottom, rises in a flow direction as far as the height of the pump housing wall, and merges with its radially outer half into the pump outlet.

Abstract: Blower includes: scroll casing, centrifugal impeller and a motor. Scroll casing includes: recessed portion formed outside lateral plate concentrically with centrifugal impeller; inner-circumferential flat portion disposed more on an inner circumference than recessed portion; and outer-circumferential flat portion disposed more on an outer circumference than recessed portion. Bottommost surface of recessed portion is disposed on a same plane as lateral plate end surface of lateral plate. Angle ?a made by inner-circumferential flat portion and recessed portion inner surface of recessed portion on an inner circumference is set to a value which falls within a range of 90° or more to 120° or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan frame for a plurality of fan modules, particularly for a radiator of a motor vehicle, comprising a first fan holder having a first outflow region, at least one further fan holder having a further outflow region, and an intermediate region that connects adjoining edge regions of the first and the further fan holders to each other. The fan frame is characterised in that a shielding device, which separates the first and a further outflow region from each other, is provided in the intermediate region. The present invention further relates to a fan module, particularly having such a fan frame.

Abstract: A vehicle coolant pump with heat protection for the internal electronics and circuit boards for operation of the coolant pump. Gap fillers positioned adjacent said electronics and circuit boards transfer heat to the coolant fluid in the engine.

Abstract: A fan assembly and a fan frame thereof are disclosed. The fan assembly includes a fan frame and an impeller disposed in the fan frame. The fan frame has an air inlet end and an air outlet end, and includes a sidewall, a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is disposed close to the air inlet end and connected to one end of the sidewall. The bottom portion is disposed close to the air outlet end and connected to the other end of the sidewall. The bottom portion has at least one silencing structure.

Abstract: A suction jet pump has a fuel line, a propulsion jet nozzle, an intake region, a mixing tube and a diffuser. The propulsion jet nozzle and the mixing tube are oriented rectilinearly with respect to one another. As viewed in the direction of flow, the diffuser has a course which differs from the course of the mixing tube.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve such problems associated with installing of a spool-type regenerative valve, in that an overall installation space of a hydraulic valve increases and processing that requires accuracy becomes complex. A regenerative circuit includes: a regenerative oil path provided in a valve body of a direction switching valve so as to connect a supply oil path connected to one side of a hydraulic actuator and a discharge oil path connected to the other side; and a regenerative valve which is a poppet-type flow regulating valve that is screwed into and attached to the valve body so as to control the flow of oil in the regenerative oil path according to an operation state of the direction switching valve.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve such problems associated with a merging circuit using a pair of spool-type direction switching valves, in that the installation space of a hydraulic valve device increases and the processing that requires accuracy becomes complex. A merging circuit includes a direction switching valve that merges oil discharged from first and second pumps to supply the oil to an actuator; and a controller. The direction switching valve includes a central bypass oil path connected to the discharge oil paths of the first and second pumps, a first parallel supply oil path connected to the discharge oil path of the first pump, and a second parallel supply oil path connected to the discharge oil path of the second pump and connected to a first parallel oil path via a poppet-type flow regulating valve. The poppet-type flow regulating valve regulates the flow rate to a predetermined magnitude according to a signal of the controller.

Abstract: A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described.