A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

A pulsation dampener includes: a housing having in internal cavity; an expandable bellows positioned within the internal cavity of the housing, the expandable bellows having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable portion between the proximal and distal ends; a bellows support member coupled to an interior side of the distal end of the expandable bellows and extending longitudinally away from the distal end of the expandable bellows toward the proximal end of the expandable bellows; and a cap fixed with respect to the housing and positioned to support the bellows support member when the expandable bellows is in a longitudinally compressed configuration.

A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Embodiments of an actuator assembly for a power tailgate system are disclosed. The actuator assembly includes an actuator having a housing, a guide with a first end extending from the housing and a second end opposite the first end, and a slide coupled to the guide so as to be movable with respect to the guide second end. The actuator assembly also includes a bellows having a first end attached to the guide first end, a second end opposite the first end and attached to an end of the slide, and a body extending between the first and second ends. At least one hole is formed in the bellows proximate the bellows second end and enables fluid communication between an interior of the bellows and an exterior of the bellows. The bellows may expel moisture collected therein during operation of the actuator.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

The invention relates to a lifting bellows (1), for example for axle-lifting apparatuses of vehicles. The invention is based on the object of creating a lifting bellows (1) which is lightweight and of simple construction and which can be produced inexpensively. The object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the lifting bellows (1) has at least one hose-shaped elastomer main body (2) with an elastomer matrix and has reinforcing supports (6, 7) embedded in the elastomer matrix, two end covers (3, 3A) and two clamping elements (4), wherein the reinforcing support (6, 7) of the main body (2) is built up from at least two thread plies (6, 7), wherein each thread ply (6, 7) is arranged, in the non-loaded state, at a winding angle (11A, 11B) with respect to the circumferential direction, the absolute value of which winding angle (11A, 11B) is less than 35.3°, wherein the two winding angles (11A, 11B) have virtually the same absolute value but different signs, and that the end covers (3, 3A) are each connected at both ends to the main body (2) in an air-tight fashion by means of the clamping elements (4).

A sealing bellows includes a casing. The casing includes a rubber-elastic material, which includes an edge region at the front side on both sides. A clamping ring for fastening the sealing bellows to a machine element is arranged in at least one of the edge regions. The clamping ring is formed by an annular disk which, viewed in the circumferential direction, has a meander-like configuration.

A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.