An energy-saving charge/discharge method controls the repeated charging and discharging of a working vessel in a manner that enables the storage and subsequent reuse of compressed gas during the repeated charge and discharge cycle. In contrast to the methods of the prior art, the method does not discard the entire mass of compressed gas during each discharge phase of the cycle. An energy savings results from the recycling of compressed gas, which reduces the net consumption of compressed gas for a given charge/discharge cycle of a given pressure vessel. A minimum amount of apparatus is required to implement the recycling of compressed gas.

An energy-saving charge/discharge method controls the repeated charging and discharging of a working vessel in a manner that enables the storage and subsequent reuse of compressed gas during the repeated charge and discharge cycle. In contrast to the methods of the prior art, the method does not discard the entire mass of compressed gas during each discharge phase of the cycle. An energy savings results from the recycling of compressed gas, which reduces the net consumption of compressed gas for a given charge/discharge cycle of a given pressure vessel. A minimum amount of apparatus is required to implement the recycling of compressed gas.

A fluid control valve includes a supply-air passage allowing a first port and a second port to communicate with each other, an exhaust-air passage allowing the second port and a third port to communicate with each other, a first check valve provided to the supply-air passage, a second check valve provided to the exhaust-air passage, a valve element that opens and closes a passage from the second port to the third port, and a valve hole in which the valve element is housed. The exhaust-air passage is provided between the valve hole and the valve element. The valve element has a first pressure-receiving surface that causes a fluid pressure at the first port to act, and a second pressure-receiving surface that causes a fluid pressure at the second port to act.

A pneumatic unit for a hydropneumatic pressure booster has a system line that leads from a compressed air inlet to a compressed air outlet. A bypass line runs parallel to the system line and it is connected to the system line via first and second compressed air switches. A compressed air reservoir is connected in the bypass line, and a pressure intensifier is connected in the region between the first compressed air switch and the compressed air reservoir. The pneumatic unit makes available to the pressure booster a sufficiently high pneumatic pressure for carrying out at least one operational step of a connected hydraulic tool, even in the case of a pressure decrease or pressure failure in the supplying pneumatic line. For that purpose, the second compressed air switch is configured for switching the compressed air flow between the system line and the bypass line.

A pneumatic unit for a hydropneumatic pressure booster has a system line that leads from a compressed air inlet to a compressed air outlet. A bypass line runs parallel to the system line and it is connected to the system line via first and second compressed air switches. A compressed air reservoir is connected in the bypass line, and a pressure intensifier is connected in the region between the first compressed air switch and the compressed air reservoir. The pneumatic unit makes available to the pressure booster a sufficiently high pneumatic pressure for carrying out at least one operational step of a connected hydraulic tool, even in the case of a pressure decrease or pressure failure in the supplying pneumatic line. For that purpose, the second compressed air switch is configured for switching the compressed air flow between the system line and the bypass line.

A pneumatic actuator system includes at least an actuator, a compressor providing compressed air to the actuator, a first intake conduit supplying the compressor with external air, and a second intake conduit connected to an exhaust line of the actuator and supplying the compressor with air discharged from the actuator. The pneumatic actuator system also includes a selecting valve which is arranged on the exhaust line of the actuator, between the actuator and the compressor, this valve being able to switch between a recirculation position, where the air flow is directed back to the compressor and an exhaust position where the air flow is directed to a low pressure circuit.

A pneumatic actuator system includes at least an actuator, a compressor providing compressed air to the actuator, a first intake conduit supplying the compressor with external air, and a second intake conduit connected to an exhaust line of the actuator and supplying the compressor with air discharged from the actuator. The pneumatic actuator system also includes a selecting valve which is arranged on the exhaust line of the actuator, between the actuator and the compressor, this valve being able to switch between a recirculation position, where the air flow is directed back to the compressor and an exhaust position where the air flow is directed to a low pressure circuit.

A portable electronic device includes a casing, a flexible display panel, a cushion, an inflatable pad, a gas transportation device and a sensing unit. The flexible display panel is embedded in the casing and including a movable region. The cushion is attached on a bottom surface of the movable region. The inflatable pad is attached on a bottom surface of the flexible display panel and covers the cushion. The gas transportation device is in communication with the inflatable pad and electrically connected with the sensing unit. When the sensing unit is touched by a user, a first driving signal is transmitted from the sensing unit to the gas transportation device, in response to which the gas transportation device inflates the inflatable pad again to raise the cushion, so that the movable region corresponding to the cushion is raised.

A portable electronic device includes a casing, a flexible display panel, a cushion, an inflatable pad, a gas transportation device and a sensing unit. The flexible display panel is embedded in the casing and including a movable region. The cushion is attached on a bottom surface of the movable region. The inflatable pad is attached on a bottom surface of the flexible display panel and covers the cushion. The gas transportation device is in communication with the inflatable pad and electrically connected with the sensing unit. When the sensing unit is touched by a user, a first driving signal is transmitted from the sensing unit to the gas transportation device, in response to which the gas transportation device inflates the inflatable pad again to raise the cushion, so that the movable region corresponding to the cushion is raised.

A combustion engine includes, a first controllable engine valve (8) arranged to selectively open/close a combustion chamber (7) included in the combustion engine (1), and a gas handling system arranged to drive the first engine valve (8), which gas handling system includes a closed pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, wherein the closed pressure fluid circuit includes, coupled in series with each other, a compressor (31) and a valve actuator (10) that are operatively connected to the first engine valve (8). The combustion engine is characterized by the gas handling system further including a gas accumulator (38) that is connected with the closed pressure fluid circuit via at least one gas accumulator conduit (39), which includes a controllable valve (40). A gas handling system for pneumatic control of a valve actuator is also described.