A failsafe vale provides “Hole-In-The-Wall” failsafe functionality for thin-wing aircraft control surface actuation systems having a geared rotary actuator powered by a hydraulic rotary motor. The failsafe valve is associated with the hydraulic rotary motor and mechanically connected to the control surface, and enables the flight control surface to return to an aerodynamically neutral failsafe position if electrical control and/or hydraulic pressure is lost. When the failsafe valve receives a normal command pressure from the hydraulic system, the valve is inactive and the actuation system operates normally. However, if there is a loss of electrical command capacity to control hydraulic valves and/or a loss of hydraulic pressure, the failsafe valve is activated and connects one of the motor hydraulic control lines to the case return line for the motor if the control surface is away from its failsafe position. Consequently, the control surface will be hydraulically powered or aerodynamically ratcheted to its failsafe position in the failure event.

The present invention relates to a method and system for optimizing the joint hinge point position of a hydraulic tandem mechanism based on lightweight. The method comprises: determining rotational load characteristics of each joint in the hydraulic tandem mechanism using dynamics simulation software based on said end load characteristics and said structural parameters of the tandem mechanism; establishing a fixed coordinate system between two adjacent rods in each joint and a joint global coordinate system, and determining the relationship between hinge point coordinates, joint rotation angle and joint drive force arm of each joint; calculating linear load characteristics of each joint according to said rotational load characteristics and said joint drive force arm to calculate hydraulic cylinder structural parameters and hydraulic oil source flow rate for each joint; determining a lightweight index for the joint hinge point position of the hydraulic tandem mechanism according to said hydraulic cylinder structural parameters and said hydraulic oil source flow rate; solving the coordinates of each joint hinge point of the tandem mechanism corresponding to the minimum of said lightweight index, using said lightweight index as a fitness function, so that the overall weight of the tandem mechanism is minimized.

The present invention relates to a method and system for optimizing the joint hinge point position of a hydraulic tandem mechanism based on lightweight. The method comprises: determining rotational load characteristics of each joint in the hydraulic tandem mechanism using dynamics simulation software based on said end load characteristics and said structural parameters of the tandem mechanism; establishing a fixed coordinate system between two adjacent rods in each joint and a joint global coordinate system, and determining the relationship between hinge point coordinates, joint rotation angle and joint drive force arm of each joint; calculating linear load characteristics of each joint according to said rotational load characteristics and said joint drive force arm to calculate hydraulic cylinder structural parameters and hydraulic oil source flow rate for each joint; determining a lightweight index for the joint hinge point position of the hydraulic tandem mechanism according to said hydraulic cylinder structural parameters and said hydraulic oil source flow rate; solving the coordinates of each joint hinge point of the tandem mechanism corresponding to the minimum of said lightweight index, using said lightweight index as a fitness function, so that the overall weight of the tandem mechanism is minimized.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a redundant control system for a vehicle. The redundant control system includes first and second actuator pistons mechanically coupled to one another and disposed in respective first and second fluid chambers. The first and second actuator pistons are movable by first and second primary stages. One of the primary stages includes a bypass valve with a pilot valve actuatable in response to movement of the first actuator piston.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a redundant control system for a vehicle. The redundant control system includes first and second actuator pistons mechanically coupled to one another and disposed in respective first and second fluid chambers. The first and second actuator pistons are movable by first and second primary stages. One of the primary stages includes a bypass valve with a pilot valve actuatable in response to movement of the first actuator piston.

A hydraulic system is arranged to control a plurality of drive motors suitable for driving conveying apparatus such as a conveyor belt. The hydraulic system includes a modular master and slave hydraulic units implemented as hydraulic circuits in which pressure sensors and pressure reducing valves provide speed, torque and directional control.

This disclosure includes manipulating apparatuses and related methods. Some manipulating apparatuses include an actuator having a semi-rigid first segment, a semi-rigid second segment, and one or more flexible cells disposed between the first segment and the second segment, where the actuator is configured to be coupled to a fluid source such that the fluid source can communicate fluid to vary internal pressures of the one or more cells, and where each cell is configured such that adjustments of an internal pressure of the cell causes angular displacement of the second segment relative to the first segment.

This disclosure includes manipulating apparatuses and related methods. Some manipulating apparatuses include an actuator having a semi-rigid first segment, a semi-rigid second segment, and one or more flexible cells disposed between the first segment and the second segment, where the actuator is configured to be coupled to a fluid source such that the fluid source can communicate fluid to vary internal pressures of the one or more cells, and where each cell is configured such that adjustments of an internal pressure of the cell causes angular displacement of the second segment relative to the first segment.

A hydraulic system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic monitoring control unit configured to receive an operational signal from a sub-system of the vehicle and control flow of hydraulic fluid to actuators of components based on the operational signal. The hydraulic monitoring control unit is configured to bypass the flow of the hydraulic fluid in relation to a subset of the actuators in response to the operational signal indicating an altered operational state of the sub-system.

The inventive technology, in certain of its many embodiments, may present a y-number of physically biased, pressurized positioner assemblies, in a single positioner zone, where each assembly includes, inter alia, a plurality of n number of non-precision springs configured in a bimodal or trimodal configuration, and wherein an average of the absolute values of individual deviations, from a design effective spring rate, of the measured, effective spring rates of said positioner assemblies of said zone is less than an average of the absolute values of individual deviations, from said design effective spring rate, of y-number of non-precision springs manufactured to have said design effective spring rate. Spring configurations may be, e.g.: single/double/triple cylinder; single/double pressure cylinder; unimodal/bimodal/trimodal parallel, series and/or nested; internal/external; and/or symmetric/asymmetric. Certain embodiments may include an anti-buckling disc established between series configured springs. Additional aspects of the inventive technology may relate to, e.g., ability to use shorter springs to achieve an intended rate, inter alia.