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.

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 lift apparatus includes a lift assembly and a servo-control system. The lift assembly includes at least one pneumatic actuator including a movable member to provide a load to transfer a substrate between a support and a transfer plane. The lift assembly further includes at least one proportional pneumatic valve to control fluid flow between the actuator and a pressurized fluid supply or a vent, a plurality of pressure sensors each to measure pressure in a respective supply line to the actuator, and at least one position sensor to measure a position of the movable member. The servo-control system includes a controller to determine an output force based on a commanded force and an estimated force, generate a control signal based on the output force, and apply the control signal to the proportional valve to move the movable member.

A rotary actuator includes a central housing; an output shaft that extends through the central housing; a vane that is mechanically coupled to the output shaft and divides the central housing into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a flow control mechanism that is moveable within the central housing and including a high pressure port and a low pressure port for communicating hydraulic fluid into and from the first and second chambers. The flow control mechanism is moveable to position the high pressure port and low pressure port relative to the first chamber and the second chamber for communication of the hydraulic fluid, thereby generating a pressure differential across the chambers. The vane rotates within the central housing in response to the pressure differential, and rotation of the vane drives the output shaft. A motor is configured to receive control signals to drive the movement of the flow control mechanism.

A rotary actuator includes a central housing; an output shaft that extends through the central housing; a vane that is mechanically coupled to the output shaft and divides the central housing into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a flow control mechanism that is moveable within the central housing and including a high pressure port and a low pressure port for communicating hydraulic fluid into and from the first and second chambers. The flow control mechanism is moveable to position the high pressure port and low pressure port relative to the first chamber and the second chamber for communication of the hydraulic fluid, thereby generating a pressure differential across the chambers. The vane rotates within the central housing in response to the pressure differential, and rotation of the vane drives the output shaft. A motor is configured to receive control signals to drive the movement of the flow control mechanism.

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 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.