A hydraulic control unit (4) for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a volumetric flow rate control valve (49). The hydraulic control unit (4) is configured for delivering hydraulic fluid to an inlet (59) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (49). An outlet (31, 71) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (18, 49) is connected to a torque converter torus of the automatic transmission. In addition, the volumetric flow rate control valve (59) is configured for directing the hydraulic fluid across an orifice (66), so that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is reduced and a constant flow of hydraulic fluid is feedable to a torque converter torus.

A hydraulic control unit (4) for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a volumetric flow rate control valve (49). The hydraulic control unit (4) is configured for delivering hydraulic fluid to an inlet (59) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (49). An outlet (31, 71) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (18, 49) is connected to a torque converter torus of the automatic transmission. In addition, the volumetric flow rate control valve (59) is configured for directing the hydraulic fluid across an orifice (66), so that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is reduced and a constant flow of hydraulic fluid is feedable to a torque converter torus.

A rotary joint, including: a hydraulic follow-up mechanism and a rotary transmission mechanism. The hydraulic follow-up mechanism includes a cylinder body, a valve sleeve, a valve core, a valve body, a left end cover and a right end cover. The rotary transmission mechanism includes a tray, a stabilizing ring, a follow-up disk, a torque transfer disk and a stable supporting wheel mechanism. The left end cover and the right end cover are arranged at the left and right ends of the cylinder body, respectively. The valve body is concentrically mounted in a cylindrical hollow chamber of the cylinder body. The output shaft at the right end of the valve body projects out of the right end cover. The right end of the valve core is provided with a valve core torque transfer shaft extending rightwards through the right end of the valve body.

A rotary joint, including: a hydraulic follow-up mechanism and a rotary transmission mechanism. The hydraulic follow-up mechanism includes a cylinder body, a valve sleeve, a valve core, a valve body, a left end cover and a right end cover. The rotary transmission mechanism includes a tray, a stabilizing ring, a follow-up disk, a torque transfer disk and a stable supporting wheel mechanism. The left end cover and the right end cover are arranged at the left and right ends of the cylinder body, respectively. The valve body is concentrically mounted in a cylindrical hollow chamber of the cylinder body. The output shaft at the right end of the valve body projects out of the right end cover. The right end of the valve core is provided with a valve core torque transfer shaft extending rightwards through the right end of the valve body.

A hydraulic control circuit for a hydraulic on-vehicle winch comprises a winch control circuit interposed between a main circuit pressure inlet and the hydraulic connectors on the winch and governed by a pilot-operated directional valve. When a reel-out pilot valve shifts the pilot-operated directional valve, hydraulic flow to a reel-out port is permitted while flow to a reel-in port is obstructed. Conversely, when a reel-in pilot valve shifts the pilot-operated directional valve, hydraulic flow to the reel-in port is permitted while flow to the reel-out port is obstructed. A selectively configurable enabling circuit is interposed between the main circuit pressure inlet and the winch control circuit. In an enabling configuration, hydraulic flow from the main circuit pressure inlet to the pilot-operated directional valve, the reel-out pilot valve and the reel-in pilot valve is permitted. In a disabling configuration in which hydraulic flow to the pilot-operated directional valve is obstructed.

A hydraulic control circuit for a hydraulic on-vehicle winch comprises a winch control circuit interposed between a main circuit pressure inlet and the hydraulic connectors on the winch and governed by a pilot-operated directional valve. When a reel-out pilot valve shifts the pilot-operated directional valve, hydraulic flow to a reel-out port is permitted while flow to a reel-in port is obstructed. Conversely, when a reel-in pilot valve shifts the pilot-operated directional valve, hydraulic flow to the reel-in port is permitted while flow to the reel-out port is obstructed. A selectively configurable enabling circuit is interposed between the main circuit pressure inlet and the winch control circuit. In an enabling configuration, hydraulic flow from the main circuit pressure inlet to the pilot-operated directional valve, the reel-out pilot valve and the reel-in pilot valve is permitted. In a disabling configuration in which hydraulic flow to the pilot-operated directional valve is obstructed.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a lift apparatus and systems containing a support and at least one lift apparatus for moving a substrate between the support and a transfer plane, using a servo-control system. Further disclosed herein are methods for servo control of a lift apparatus and lifting a substrate off of a support or lowering the substrate onto the support.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system includes a modular multicopter, a storage and launch system, an anchor system, a flexible capture member, and an aircraft-landing structure. The multicopter is attachable to the fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launching the fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight. The storage and launch system is usable to store the multicopter (when disassembled) and to act as a launch mount for the fixed-wing aircraft by retaining the fixed-wing aircraft in a desired launch orientation. The anchor system is usable with the multicopter, the flexible capture member, and the aircraft-landing structure to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system includes a modular multicopter, a storage and launch system, an anchor system, a flexible capture member, and an aircraft-landing structure. The multicopter is attachable to the fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launching the fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight. The storage and launch system is usable to store the multicopter (when disassembled) and to act as a launch mount for the fixed-wing aircraft by retaining the fixed-wing aircraft in a desired launch orientation. The anchor system is usable with the multicopter, the flexible capture member, and the aircraft-landing structure to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight.

A hydraulic control unit (4) for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a volumetric flow rate control valve (49). The hydraulic control unit (4) is configured for delivering hydraulic fluid to an inlet (59) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (49). An outlet (31, 71) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (18, 49) is connected to a torque converter torus of the automatic transmission. In addition, the volumetric flow rate control valve (59) is configured for directing the hydraulic fluid across an orifice (66), so that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is reduced and a constant flow of hydraulic fluid is feedable to a torque converter torus.