The fluid line segment can have a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a gas path extending between the inlet and the outlet, a containment cavity extending between the gas path and a cavity bottom, the containment cavity in fluid communication with the gas path, a projection protruding from the cavity bottom of the containment cavity towards the gas path, an orifice defined in the projection, and an evacuation passage extending from the orifice, across the projection and leading outside the body, the evacuation passage being in fluid communication with the containment cavity and the gas path via the orifice.

A brake cylinder includes a brake cylinder housing having a master chamber, a slave chamber, and a wall disposed there between. The wall defines at least one opening configured to provide fluid communication between the master chamber and the slave chamber. The brake cylinder also includes a master piston configured to pressurize fluid in the master chamber when a brake pedal is pressed. The brake cylinder further includes a slave piston and a pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with the slave chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure in the slave chamber and send a signal to a processor indicating of movement of the brake pedal. When pressurizing fluid in the master chamber, the master piston is configured to drive fluid from the master chamber to the slave chamber via the at least one opening to increase pressure in the slave chamber.

A brake cylinder includes a brake cylinder housing having a master chamber, a slave chamber, and a wall disposed there between. The wall defines at least one opening configured to provide fluid communication between the master chamber and the slave chamber. The brake cylinder also includes a master piston configured to pressurize fluid in the master chamber when a brake pedal is pressed. The brake cylinder further includes a slave piston and a pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with the slave chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure in the slave chamber and send a signal to a processor indicating of movement of the brake pedal. When pressurizing fluid in the master chamber, the master piston is configured to drive fluid from the master chamber to the slave chamber via the at least one opening to increase pressure in the slave chamber.

An apparatus for directing fluid flow is disclosed, including a valve structure having a chamber, a main port, a first port, and a second port, each of the ports being connected to the chamber. A poppet structure in the chamber is moveable between a first position blocking the first port and a second position blocking the second port. A first compliant member connecting the poppet structure to an inner wall of the chamber, is configured to alternate application of forces to the poppet structure, in opposite directions, between the first and second positions.

An apparatus for directing fluid flow is disclosed, including a valve structure having a chamber, a main port, a first port, and a second port, each of the ports being connected to the chamber. A poppet structure in the chamber is moveable between a first position blocking the first port and a second position blocking the second port. A first compliant member connecting the poppet structure to an inner wall of the chamber, is configured to alternate application of forces to the poppet structure, in opposite directions, between the first and second positions.

Ball screw rotary actuator with ball cage. In one embodiment, a ball screw rotary actuator includes an outer cylinder, a piston, and inner shaft. Outer ball bearings travel in helical groove between the outer cylinder and position to rotate the piston as it translates due to fluid pressure. The inner shaft is situated radially inward of the piston, and straight grooves are disposed between the piston and the inner shaft. Inner ball bearings travel in the straight grooves and rotate the inner shaft as the piston rotates. The ball screw rotary actuator also includes an outer ball cage to position the outer ball bearings in a spaced configuration, an outer indexing gear to control a position of the outer ball cage, an inner ball cage to position the inner ball bearings in a spaced configuration, and an inner indexing gear to control a position of the inner ball cage.

Ball screw rotary actuator with ball cage. In one embodiment, a ball screw rotary actuator includes an outer cylinder, a piston, and inner shaft. Outer ball bearings travel in helical groove between the outer cylinder and position to rotate the piston as it translates due to fluid pressure. The inner shaft is situated radially inward of the piston, and straight grooves are disposed between the piston and the inner shaft. Inner ball bearings travel in the straight grooves and rotate the inner shaft as the piston rotates. The ball screw rotary actuator also includes an outer ball cage to position the outer ball bearings in a spaced configuration, an outer indexing gear to control a position of the outer ball cage, an inner ball cage to position the inner ball bearings in a spaced configuration, and an inner indexing gear to control a position of the inner ball cage.

The present invention relates to a new pneumatic-actuated multifunctional doming actuator. The doming actuator can be used as a doming actuator, which can maintain machine/robotic operation on vertical surfaces without falling. The doming actuators exhibit rapid switchable adhesion/deadhesion on target surfaces upon pressurizing/depressurizing the embedded spiral pneumatic channels. The present invention also relates to novel load-carrying and climbing soft robots using the doming actuators. The soft robots are operable on a wide range of horizontal and vertical surfaces including dry, wet, slippery, smooth, and semi-smooth surfaces. In addition, the doming actuators can be used as a driving actuator for swimming soft robotics and as an actuator for soft grippers.

The present invention relates to a new pneumatic-actuated multifunctional doming actuator. The doming actuator can be used as a doming actuator, which can maintain machine/robotic operation on vertical surfaces without falling. The doming actuators exhibit rapid switchable adhesion/deadhesion on target surfaces upon pressurizing/depressurizing the embedded spiral pneumatic channels. The present invention also relates to novel load-carrying and climbing soft robots using the doming actuators. The soft robots are operable on a wide range of horizontal and vertical surfaces including dry, wet, slippery, smooth, and semi-smooth surfaces. In addition, the doming actuators can be used as a driving actuator for swimming soft robotics and as an actuator for soft grippers.

Provided is a cylinder device capable of preventing rotation unevenness while reducing power consumption and achieving compactification in particular. The present invention is to provide a cylinder device including a cylinder body and a shaft member supported in the cylinder body, the cylinder body being provided with a rotation port that communicates with an outer circumferential surface around the shaft member and rotates the shaft member based on a supply and discharge of a fluid. Thus, it is possible to prevent rotation unevenness while reducing power consumption and achieving compactification.