Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic transducers that harness electrostatic and hydraulic forces to achieve various actuation modes. Electrostatic forces between electrode pairs of the transducers generated upon application of a voltage to the electrode pairs draws the electrodes in each pair towards each other to displace a liquid dielectric contained within an enclosed internal cavity of the transducers to drive actuation in various manners. The electrodes and the liquid dielectric form a self-healing capacitor whereby the liquid dielectric automatically fills breaches in the liquid dielectric resulting from dielectric breakdown. Due to the resting shape of the cavity, a zipping-mechanism allows for selectively actuating the electrodes to a desired extent by controlling the voltage supplied.

A method for selectively coupling or uncoupling a coupling with a release, arranged between the supply conduit and a cylinder, on the basis of pressure in a supply conduit. The method includes providing an operating pressure prevailing in the supply conduit in order to provide hydraulic liquid to the cylinder on the basis thereof, and providing an uncoupling pressure prevailing in the supply conduit for the purpose of activating shut-off valves in the supply conduit and on the cylinder, and activating a release which uncouples the coupling. A coupling for respectively coupling and uncoupling a supply conduit which is connected to the coupling to/from a cylinder, as well as to an assembly including a pump, a cylinder, a supply conduit between the pump and the cylinder, and such a coupling.

A method for selectively coupling or uncoupling a coupling with a release, arranged between the supply conduit and a cylinder, on the basis of pressure in a supply conduit. The method includes providing an operating pressure prevailing in the supply conduit in order to provide hydraulic liquid to the cylinder on the basis thereof and providing an uncoupling pressure prevailing in the supply conduit for the purpose of activating shut-off valves in the supply conduit and on the cylinder and activating a release which uncouples the coupling. A coupling for respectively coupling and uncoupling a supply conduit which is connected to the coupling to/from a cylinder, as well as to an assembly including a pump, a cylinder, a supply conduit between the pump and the cylinder, and such a coupling.

Provided are embodiments for a system including an adaptive controller, wherein the system includes a hydraulic actuator including a fluid medium, and a sensor that is disposed on the hydraulic actuator, wherein the sensor is configured to obtain sensor data of the actuator. The system also includes a processor configured to calculate an ultrasonic velocity in the fluid medium using the sensor data, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a temperature of the fluid medium based at least in part on the calculated velocity, and a controller coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator based at least in part on the calculated velocity and determined temperature. Also provided are embodiments for a method for operating the adaptive controller.

An actuator includes first and second ends defining an axis there between, and at least four inflatable chambers. Each inflatable chamber is resiliently deformable, elongate, and extends axially between the first and second ends and circumferentially about a central core defined between the ends and by the inflatable chambers. A first pair of the four inflatable chambers is contra rotatory about the core to a second pair of the four inflatable chambers. A pressure change in one or more of the inflatable chambers causes motion of the first end relative to the second end. The actuators can be employed in robots or robotic arms.

Provided are embodiments for a system including an adaptive controller, wherein the system includes a hydraulic actuator including a fluid medium, and a sensor that is disposed on the hydraulic actuator, wherein the sensor is configured to obtain sensor data of the actuator. The system also includes a processor configured to calculate an ultrasonic velocity in the fluid medium using the sensor data, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a temperature of the fluid medium based at least in part on the calculated velocity, and a controller coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator based at least in part on the calculated velocity and determined temperature. Also provided are embodiments for a method for operating the adaptive controller.

Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic transducers that harness electrostatic and hydraulic forces to achieve various actuation modes. Electrostatic forces between electrode pairs of the transducers generated upon application of a voltage to the electrode pairs draws the electrodes in each pair towards each other to displace a liquid dielectric contained within an enclosed internal cavity of the transducers to drive actuation in various manners. The electrodes and the liquid dielectric form a self-healing capacitor whereby the liquid dielectric automatically fills breaches in the liquid dielectric resulting from dielectric breakdown. Due to the resting shape of the cavity, a zipping-mechanism allows for selectively actuating the electrodes to a desired extent by controlling the voltage supplied.

An example apparatus includes: a plate configured to move along an underlying surface via a layer of fluid disposed in a gap between the plate and the underlying surface, where pressurized fluid forms the layer of fluid in the gap; a first rack gear coupled to the plate and meshing with a first gear; and a second rack gear coupled to a second gear. The second rack gear is fixed, and the second gear is coupled to the first gear. The pressurized fluid in the gap repels the plate away from the underlying surface, thereby causing (i) the first rack gear to move linearly and the first gear to rotate, (ii) the second gear to rotate and move along the second rack gear, and (iii) the plate to move along the underlying surface.

An actuator includes first and second ends defining an axis there between, and at least four inflatable chambers. Each inflatable chamber is resiliently deformable, elongate, and extends axially between the first and second ends and circumferentially about a central core defined between the ends and by the inflatable chambers. A first pair of the four inflatable chambers is contra rotatory about the core to a second pair of the four inflatable chambers. A pressure change in one or more of the inflatable chambers causes motion of the first end relative to the second end. The actuators can be employed in robots or robotic arms.