A main flow path that introduces high-pressure air to an air cylinder, or discharges exhaust air therefrom, includes a sub flow path provided alongside the main flow path; an exhaust flow rate adjustment unit that suppresses the operation speed of the air cylinder by adjusting the flow rate of the exhaust air flowing through the sub flow path; and a switching valve that is connected between the air cylinder, the main flow path and the sub flow path, and that connects the main flow path and the sub flow path to the air cylinder in a switching manner. The switching valve is constituted by a spool valve.

A series train of symmetrical dual rod-end double-action hydraulic cylinders with a cross sectional area in a series of powers of 2. The cylinders have corresponding computer controlled valves. The cylinders are switchable into three states. One state of shortcutting 2 fluid ports, another state of driving towards each opposite direction of reciprocation and the third state of idling. In the cylinder train all same polarity ports of the valve assembly are connected by hoses or pipes to align towards the same orientation to enable synchronous reciprocal motion and train power output.

A hydraulic distributor includes at least one main spool configured to define a delivery branch, and a discharge branch, a feed branch and a pressure compensator configured such that a local pressure acts on a first side thereof and a maximum Load Sensing pressure acts on a second side characterizing either the working pressure of the hydraulic section, in the case in which there is only one hydraulic section, or, in the case in which there is a plurality of hydraulic sections, each one defining a respective characteristic pressure, of the maximum pressure among the characteristic pressures of the hydraulic sections. The pressure compensator is arranged such as to respectively intercept said delivery branch and said discharge branch.

A fuel metering system includes a pump with an inlet and an outlet, a first flow path including a first valve fluidically connected to the outlet of the pump, and a second flow path including a second valve fluidically connected to the outlet of the pump, a third valve, and a fourth valve. An electrohydraulic servo valve in a first position hydraulically connects the inlet of the pump to the first, third, and fourth valves to close the first valve, open the third valve, open a first window of the fourth valve, and close a second window of the fourth valve. The electrohydraulic servo valve in a second position hydraulically connects the outlet of the pump to the first, third, and fourth valves to open the first valve, close the third valve, close the first window of the fourth valve, and open the second window of the fourth valve.

A servo valve comprises a first spool extending along a first spool axis, a second spool extending along a second spool axis, a first piezoelectric actuator, and a second piezoelectric actuator. The first piezoelectric actuator is operatively connected to the first spool for translating the first spool in response to a voltage applied thereto. The second piezoelectric actuator is operatively connected to the second spool for translating the second spool in response to a voltage applied thereto.

A pump control assembly for controlling a variable displacement hydraulic pump includes a spool mounted within a valve block. The spool is configured to move between a first and a second position within the valve block so as to selectively control the displacement of the attached pump. The pump control assembly further includes first and second chambers that each apply a force to opposite ends of the spool. The first chamber is positioned at a first end of the spool in fluid communication with a pump output port. The second chamber is positioned at a second end of the spool and in fluid communication with a hydraulic tank port and a proportional pressure reducing valve. The second chamber also includes a piston and first and second springs positioned on either side of the piston. The proportional pressure reducing valve provides a regulated pressure to a first side of the piston along with the first spring, and the hydraulic tank port provides a tank pressure on the opposite side of the piston along with the second spring. The pump control assembly also includes a stop structure having a positive stop that limits movement of the piston in a direction toward the first chamber.

A pump control assembly for controlling a variable displacement hydraulic pump includes a spool mounted within a valve block. The spool is configured to move between a first and a second position within the valve block so as to selectively control the displacement of the attached pump. The pump control assembly further includes first and second chambers that each apply a force to opposite ends of the spool. The first chamber is positioned at a first end of the spool in fluid communication with a pump output port. The second chamber is positioned at a second end of the spool and in fluid communication with a hydraulic tank port and a proportional pressure reducing valve. The second chamber also includes a piston and first and second springs positioned on either side of the piston. The proportional pressure reducing valve provides a regulated pressure to a first side of the piston along with the first spring, and the hydraulic tank port provides a tank pressure on the opposite side of the piston along with the second spring. The pump control assembly also includes a stop structure having a positive stop that limits movement of the piston in a direction toward the first chamber.

A control valve assembly for indirect pneumatic control and method for controlling a working fluid pressure, which enable precise, sensitive and speed-variable controlling. The assembly includes two valve units, a working fluid inlet, and a control fluid inlet. A working fluid channel connects the working fluid inlet through the two valve units to an outlet. A valve piston arranged within a valve cylinder of the valve units is movable between open and closed positions. A spring element biases the valve piston toward the closed position, and a control pressure chamber applies a control pressure counteracting the spring element's bias. When a control pressure is applied in the first chamber, the first valve piston is moved to the open position. Two opposite valve surfaces form a valve opening opened at varying widths when the valve piston is moved in the valve cylinder because of a changing control pressure, and the working pressure can be finely adjusted corresponding to the valve opening width depending on the control pressure.

A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.

A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.