An intermittent air discharge apparatus has a main valve and a pilot valve, the main valve being switched between a discharge state and a discharge stop state. The pilot valve is switched between an air-supply state to supply air to a pilot chamber for air-discharge, and an air-supply stop state. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, an exhaust passage communicates with the pilot chamber for air-discharge. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, a supply or exhaust passage allows an air supply passage to communicate with the pilot chamber for air-discharge and a pilot chamber for stopping air-supply; when the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply stop state, communication with the air supply passage is blocked. A flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for air-discharge is set by the exhaust passage, and a flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for stopping air-supply is set by the supply or exhaust passage.

An intermittent air discharge apparatus has a main valve and a pilot valve, the main valve being switched between a discharge state and a discharge stop state. The pilot valve is switched between an air-supply state to supply air to a pilot chamber for air-discharge, and an air-supply stop state. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, an exhaust passage communicates with the pilot chamber for air-discharge. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, a supply or exhaust passage allows an air supply passage to communicate with the pilot chamber for air-discharge and a pilot chamber for stopping air-supply; when the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply stop state, communication with the air supply passage is blocked. A flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for air-discharge is set by the exhaust passage, and a flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for stopping air-supply is set by the supply or exhaust passage.

In order to reduce fluid consumption, a fluid return apparatus is provided for a double-acting cylinder having a first fluid connection for supplying fluid to a first cylinder chamber of the cylinder and a second fluid connection for supplying fluid to a second cylinder chamber at a piston rod-side of the cylinder. The fluid return apparatus comprises a first fluid passage providing fluid communication between the first fluid connection and the first cylinder chamber; a rapid venting valve comprising an inlet providing communication with the second fluid connection; an outlet providing communication with the piston-rod-side second cylinder chamber; a vent of the rapid venting valve, connected by a second fluid passage to the first fluid passage; and a non-return fitting in the second fluid passage, which prevents fluid from flowing from the first fluid passage to the rapid venting valve and an auxiliary outlet device.

In order to reduce fluid consumption, a fluid return apparatus is provided for a double-acting cylinder having a first fluid connection for supplying fluid to a first cylinder chamber of the cylinder and a second fluid connection for supplying fluid to a second cylinder chamber at a piston rod-side of the cylinder. The fluid return apparatus comprises a first fluid passage providing fluid communication between the first fluid connection and the first cylinder chamber; a rapid venting valve comprising an inlet providing communication with the second fluid connection; an outlet providing communication with the piston-rod-side second cylinder chamber; a vent of the rapid venting valve, connected by a second fluid passage to the first fluid passage; and a non-return fitting in the second fluid passage, which prevents fluid from flowing from the first fluid passage to the rapid venting valve and an auxiliary outlet device.

An apparatus and control system of a programmable air servo motor includes an air servo motor and an air servo motor driver, which are bi-directionally communicable with each other via communication units. The air servo motor includes an air motor, a sensor module, and a brake module that is normally locked and can be unlocked or locked by the air servo motor driver. The air servo motor driver includes a control module, an actuation module and a communication module. After actuating the air servo motor, the air servo motor driver receives torque, rotational speed and angle signals output by the sensor module. The actuation module drives the air servo motor to stop emergently, switch between forward and reverse rotation, increase or reduce rotational speed, operate at a specific angle, move by inching and operate at controlled torque similar to an electric servo motor without the need of an encoder.

An apparatus and control system of a programmable air servo motor includes an air servo motor and an air servo motor driver, which are bi-directionally communicable with each other via communication units. The air servo motor includes an air motor, a sensor module, and a brake module that is normally locked and can be unlocked or locked by the air servo motor driver. The air servo motor driver includes a control module, an actuation module and a communication module. After actuating the air servo motor, the air servo motor driver receives torque, rotational speed and angle signals output by the sensor module. The actuation module drives the air servo motor to stop emergently, switch between forward and reverse rotation, increase or reduce rotational speed, operate at a specific angle, move by inching and operate at controlled torque similar to an electric servo motor without the need of an encoder.

An electric-powered fail-safe actuator for use with a valve, where the actuator stores potential energy for conversion to kinetic energy to close or open the valve to the fail-safe position.

In a fluid circuit for an air cylinder connected to a switching valve provided with exhaust ports, a head-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a first pipe, and a rod-side pressure chamber is connected to the switching valve by a second pipe. A first restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the first pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a first output port of the switching valve, and a second restrictor is disposed at a connection point between the second pipe and the switching valve or in the vicinity of a second output port of the switching valve.

A speed controller capable of controlling an action speed of an external cylinder in one stroke in a step-wise manner. The speed controller includes a first flow path and a second flow path that allow a first port and a second port to be in communication with each other. The first flow path is provided with a first check valve for allowing flow from the first port to the second port. The second flow path is provided with a first needle valve, and an opening hole of the first check valve is constituted as a part of a flow path. The first needle valve adjusts the flow rate by changing an opening area of the opening hole with a tip portion fixed on a piston in the cylinder chamber. The speed controller further includes a third flow path allowing the first port and the cylinder chamber to be in communication with each other. The third flow path is provided with a second check valve for allowing flow from the first port to the cylinder chamber.

A main flow path that introduces high-pressure air to an air cylinder, or discharges exhaust air therefrom, includes a sub flow path provided alongside the main flow path; an exhaust flow rate adjustment unit that suppresses the operation speed of the air cylinder by adjusting the flow rate of the exhaust air flowing through the sub flow path; and a switching valve that is connected between the air cylinder, the main flow path and the sub flow path, and that connects the main flow path and the sub flow path to the air cylinder in a switching manner. The switching valve is constituted by a spool valve.