Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that produce a pneumatic actuator end cap having an integral volume booster. An example pneumatic actuator end cap includes a first cavity to provide a first fluid passageway to receive a pressurized fluid from a source external to the pneumatic actuator end cap, a second cavity to provide a second fluid passageway to route the pressurized fluid to an internal chamber of a pneumatic actuator in which a piston is disposed, and a third cavity containing a fluid valve to control a flow of the pressurized fluid between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway.

Actuator systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The systems include a hydraulic actuator having a primary piston having a piston head arranged within a housing defining retract and extend chambers on opposite sides of the piston head. A control element is configured to control a supply of pressure to each of the retract and extend chambers. An actuator valve is coupled to the housing and includes a secondary piston that is biased into the retract chamber in an open flow state and when the primary piston is in a fully retracted state the piston head urges the secondary piston into a closed flow state. The actuator valve defines a flow chamber where, in an open flow state, fluid can be passed through the flow chamber and in a closed flow state the fluid is prevented from passing through the flow chamber.

A carrier can comprise a through-port in a carrier plate. A threaded connection can comprise a threaded cap comprising a tubular body, a central port through the tubular body, and a rim clenching a face seal to the carrier plate when a nut is tightened to the threaded cap. A plenum in a case can be installed in the carrier. The case can comprise a case portion seating a piston and forming the plenum. The piston can be configured to actuate in the plenum in a first axial direction upon supply of hydraulic fluid to the plenum. A plenum port can extend from the case portion. The plenum port can be configured to communicate hydraulic fluid to the plenum to actuate the piston. The central port of the threaded connection can comprise a hydraulic tube mounted directly or indirectly to the plenum port to supply the hydraulic fluid.

A carrier can comprise a through-port in a carrier plate. A threaded connection can comprise a threaded cap comprising a tubular body, a central port through the tubular body, and a rim clenching a face seal to the carrier plate when a nut is tightened to the threaded cap. A plenum in a case can be installed in the carrier. The case can comprise a case portion seating a piston and forming the plenum. The piston can be configured to actuate in the plenum in a first axial direction upon supply of hydraulic fluid to the plenum. A plenum port can extend from the case portion. The plenum port can be configured to communicate hydraulic fluid to the plenum to actuate the piston. The central port of the threaded connection can comprise a hydraulic tube mounted directly or indirectly to the plenum port to supply the hydraulic fluid.

An actuation trigger for a device, comprising or including, A dose chamber to hold a charge of high pressure working fluid, received from a high pressure source, A dose valve, biased closed to seal the dose chamber off from a working chamber, and hold the charge in the dose chamber, A hammer operated by a piston with a driven chamber on a first side of the piston, and a trigger chamber on a second side of the piston, sealed from the first side, the driven chamber receiving high pressure working fluid directly or indirectly from the high pressure source, A trigger valve to selectively supply high pressure working fluid to the trigger chamber, or to release high pressure working fluid from the trigger chamber, Such that when the hammer has high pressure working fluid in both the driven chamber and the trigger chamber it is held by a force imbalance in a first position, and when the high pressure working fluid is released from the trigger chamber, the hammer is driven to, or towards a second position towards the trigger chamber, The hammer, when driven to, or towards the second position strikes the dose valve, unseating the dose valve to unseal the dose chamber and the working chamber thus allowing the charge to enter the working chamber to do work therein.

A piston (8) is provided in a motor main body (4). A first motor chamber (9) is provided above the piston (8) and a second motor chamber (10) is provided below the piston (8). A pilot valve element (18) is provided so as to protrude from the piston (8). When a supply/discharge valve (13) is moved to its upper limit position or its lower limit position by the movement of the pilot valve element (18) in an up-down direction, a first valve member (25) of the supply/discharge valve (13) switches between supplying and discharging pressure fluid to and from the first motor chamber (9) and a second valve member (26) of the supply/discharge w valve (13) switches between supplying and discharging pressure fluid to and from the second motor chamber (10).

To make it possible to control supply, discharge, and recycled flow rates independently of each other for the stick cylinder in a construction machine comprising first and second stick spool valves respectively connected to first and second hydraulic pumps. [Solution] A poppet valve is provided at upstream side of the first stick spool valve for controlling a supply flow rate from first hydraulic pump, the first stick spool valve is configured to supply hydraulic flow from the poppet valve to the stick cylinder without restricting the flow, and when the stick cylinder is extended, the poppet valve is configured to control supply flow rate from the first hydraulic pump to head side oil chamber, the first stick spool valve is configured to control recycled flow rate from a rod side oil chamber to the head side oil chamber, and the second stick spool valve is configured to control the supply flow rate from second hydraulic pump to head side oil chamber and the discharge flow rate from the rod side oil chamber to an oil tank.

To make it possible to control supply, discharge, and recycled flow rates independently of each other for the stick cylinder in a construction machine comprising first and second stick spool valves respectively connected to first and second hydraulic pumps. [Solution] A poppet valve is provided at upstream side of the first stick spool valve for controlling a supply flow rate from first hydraulic pump, the first stick spool valve is configured to supply hydraulic flow from the poppet valve to the stick cylinder without restricting the flow, and when the stick cylinder is extended, the poppet valve is configured to control supply flow rate from the first hydraulic pump to head side oil chamber, the first stick spool valve is configured to control recycled flow rate from a rod side oil chamber to the head side oil chamber, and the second stick spool valve is configured to control the supply flow rate from second hydraulic pump to head side oil chamber and the discharge flow rate from the rod side oil chamber to an oil tank.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.