Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

A hydrostatic pressure to kinetic energy conversion system comprises a hydraulic head water column having a lower end which diverges to a pair of pressure channels. A valve system interfaces the water column and the pressure channels so that hydrostatic pressure from the water column alternately pressurises each channel. The system further comprises racks forced by pistons to act oppositely to rotate a driveshaft therebetween. Furling bladders within the channels forcibly unfurl under pressure to force the pistons. Proximal ends of the pistons may comprise sufficiently small diameter for envelopment by the furling bladders.

A hydrostatic pressure to kinetic energy conversion system comprises a hydraulic head water column having a lower end which diverges to a pair of pressure channels. A valve system interfaces the water column and the pressure channels so that hydrostatic pressure from the water column alternately pressurises each channel. The system further comprises racks forced by pistons to act oppositely to rotate a driveshaft therebetween. Furling bladders within the channels forcibly unfurl under pressure to force the pistons. Proximal ends of the pistons may comprise sufficiently small diameter for envelopment by the furling bladders.

A pulsating pneumatic motor, comprising a housing, an output shaft and a rotor assembly wherein the rotor assembly includes: a plurality of cantilevers (2); a plurality of roller sets, each of which comprises a pair of rollers arranged on one said cantilever (2) in one-to-one correspondence, wherein each roller set comprises a fixed roller (3) and a movable roller (4); a plurality of elastic members (6), each connected between one movable roller (4) and one cantilever (2); an air pipe (5), passing through the plurality of roller sets in sequence, wherein the fixed roller (3) and the movable roller (4) of each of the roller sets are respectively in contact with the air pipe (5). The present disclosure can prevent the problem of air leakage, and avoid the mechanical energy loss caused by the friction, thereby improving the work conversion efficiency of the pneumatic motor.

A pulsating pneumatic motor, comprising a housing, an output shaft and a rotor assembly wherein the rotor assembly includes: a plurality of cantilevers (2); a plurality of roller sets, each of which comprises a pair of rollers arranged on one said cantilever (2) in one-to-one correspondence, wherein each roller set comprises a fixed roller (3) and a movable roller (4); a plurality of elastic members (6), each connected between one movable roller (4) and one cantilever (2); an air pipe (5), passing through the plurality of roller sets in sequence, wherein the fixed roller (3) and the movable roller (4) of each of the roller sets are respectively in contact with the air pipe (5). The present disclosure can prevent the problem of air leakage, and avoid the mechanical energy loss caused by the friction, thereby improving the work conversion efficiency of the pneumatic motor.