In a cylinder drive device, a throttle valve and a second check valve are provided between a switch valve and a first cylinder chamber of a fluid pressure cylinder. The cylinder drive device has a flow channel unit which is interposed between a manifold and the switch valve, which allows communication between the throttle valve and the second check valve and switch valve, and which communicates with a plurality of holes in the manifold to allow a fluid to flow to the switch valve.

The first piston of the first cylinder and the second piston of the second cylinder are connected so that the first piston and the second piston have the same displacement. The cross-section area of one side of the first piston is the smallest, and the cross-section area on the same side of the second piston is the third smallest. The two air chambers of the first cylinder and the two air chambers of the second cylinder are referred to as a first air chamber, a second air chamber, a third air chamber, and the fourth air in ascending order in the cross-section area. The control valve connects the air pressure source to the first air chamber, connects the second air chamber to the third air chamber, and opens the fourth air chamber to the atmosphere in the forward stroke.

An actuated valve system includes a valve including a flow controlling valve element, an actuator assembled with the valve and including an inlet port in fluid communication with a fluid driven actuator member operatively connected with the valve element and movable from a normal position to an actuated position in response to pressurization of the inlet port to at least a minimum actuating pressure, a pilot valve operable to supply pressurized fluid to the actuator inlet port in a first position and to exhaust pressurized fluid from the actuator inlet port through an exhaust port in the pilot valve in a second position, and a backpressure arrangement in fluid communication with the actuator inlet port to retain a positive pressure smaller than the minimum actuating pressure against the actuator member when the pilot valve is moved to the second position.

A flow rate control apparatus for construction equipment includes: a boom cylinder driven by hydraulic fluid; a first control valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow supplied to the boom cylinder; an option actuator driven by hydraulic fluid; a second control valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow supplied to the option actuator; a boom cylinder manipulation lever and an option actuator manipulation lever; a confluence line selectively confluence the hydraulic fluid supplied to the boom cylinder with the hydraulic fluid of the option actuator; a center bypass switching valve provided at the furthest downstream side of a fluid supply path of the first hydraulic pump; a confluence switching valve selectively opening and closing the confluence line; a confluence selection valve applying a pilot pressure to the confluence switching valve; and a controller for controlling the confluence selection valve.

This invention discloses a pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle, comprising pneumatic actuator, pneumatic pressure regulating assembly, and cable drive assembly. The pneumatic pressure regulating assembly is connected to the pneumatic actuator to regulate air pressure in the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to extend or contract. The cable actuation assembly comprises a cable fixedly connected to the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to contract. In this invention, the artificial muscle employs a dual pneumatic and cable actuation mechanism. By leveraging the inherent stiffness of the pneumatic actuator, it can provide substantial actuation force for joint movement. Simultaneously, the cable actuation assembly can provide significant pulling force, effectively ensuring safety in human-machine interaction and offering sufficient bidirectional aiding force to individuals with disabilities who use the artificial muscle as an aiding actuation device.

This invention discloses a pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle, comprising pneumatic actuator, pneumatic pressure regulating assembly, and cable drive assembly. The pneumatic pressure regulating assembly is connected to the pneumatic actuator to regulate air pressure in the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to extend or contract. The cable actuation assembly comprises a cable fixedly connected to the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to contract. In this invention, the artificial muscle employs a dual pneumatic and cable actuation mechanism. By leveraging the inherent stiffness of the pneumatic actuator, it can provide substantial actuation force for joint movement. Simultaneously, the cable actuation assembly can provide significant pulling force, effectively ensuring safety in human-machine interaction and offering sufficient bidirectional aiding force to individuals with disabilities who use the artificial muscle as an aiding actuation device.

A fluid pressure cylinder driving device includes a switch valve, a high pressure air supply source, an exhaust port and a check valve. When the switch valve is at a first position, a head side cylinder chamber communicates with the high pressure air supply source, and a rod side cylinder chamber communicates with the exhaust port. When the switch valve is at a second position, the head side cylinder chamber communicates with the rod side cylinder chamber via the check valve, and the head side cylinder chamber communicates with the exhaust port.

In an exemplary method of monitoring performance of a fluid driven actuator for a valve, pressurized fluid is supplied through an actuator supply line to an inlet port of the actuator during a first time period to operate the actuator. Changes corresponding to a fluid flow condition in the actuator supply line are measured during the first time period, and the measured changes are analyzed to identify a non-compliant condition in at least one of the valve and the actuator. An output communicating the identified non-compliant condition is then generated.

An apparatus, for use in a processing chamber is provided. A pneumatic cylinder is provided. A manifold with a supply and an exhaust is controllably connected to the pneumatic cylinder. A dry gas supply is in fluid connection with and provides positive pressure to the exhaust of the manifold.

An apparatus, for use in a processing chamber is provided. A pneumatic cylinder is provided. A manifold with a supply and an exhaust is controllably connected to the pneumatic cylinder. A dry gas supply is in fluid connection with and provides positive pressure to the exhaust of the manifold.