A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A self-raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The self-raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A self-raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The self-raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

A flow controller that changes the flow rate of air exhausted from an air cylinder in mid-stroke includes a first switching valve displaced from a first position to a second position under the effect of pilot air, and causing one port of the air cylinder to communicate with a first channel at the first position, exhausting air exhausted from the one port of the air cylinder while reducing the flow rate of the air using a first regulating valve at the second position. Since the pilot air is taken into the first switching valve from a second channel in a system different from the system of the first channel, a second regulating valve can be adjusted without being affected by the degree of opening of the first regulating valve.

A flow controller that changes the flow rate of air exhausted from an air cylinder in mid-stroke includes a first switching valve displaced from a first position to a second position under the effect of pilot air, and causing one port of the air cylinder to communicate with a first channel at the first position, exhausting air exhausted from the one port of the air cylinder while reducing the flow rate of the air using a first regulating valve at the second position. Since the pilot air is taken into the first switching valve from a second channel in a system different from the system of the first channel, a second regulating valve can be adjusted without being affected by the degree of opening of the first regulating valve.

Provided is a hydraulic driving apparatus including a calculation section calculating a temporary target engine rotation speed corresponding to an engine operation amount, a calculation section calculating a temporary target pump displacement volume based on first-control and second-control target pump displacement volumes corresponding to an actuator operation amount and a pump load pressure, and a command section calculating a final target engine rotation speed and a final target pump displacement volume to output commands. The command section calculates a target pump discharge amount from the temporary target engine rotation speed and the temporary target pump displacement volume, sets the final target pump displacement volume to one larger than the temporary target pump displacement volume, and sets the final target engine rotation speed to one being lower than the temporary target engine rotation speed and allowing a pump discharge amount equivalent to the target pump discharge amount to be obtained.

Provided is a hydraulic driving apparatus including a calculation section calculating a temporary target engine rotation speed corresponding to an engine operation amount, a calculation section calculating a temporary target pump displacement volume based on first-control and second-control target pump displacement volumes corresponding to an actuator operation amount and a pump load pressure, and a command section calculating a final target engine rotation speed and a final target pump displacement volume to output commands. The command section calculates a target pump discharge amount from the temporary target engine rotation speed and the temporary target pump displacement volume, sets the final target pump displacement volume to one larger than the temporary target pump displacement volume, and sets the final target engine rotation speed to one being lower than the temporary target engine rotation speed and allowing a pump discharge amount equivalent to the target pump discharge amount to be obtained.

A proportional pressure controller includes a body having inlet, outlet, and exhaust ports. A fill valve communicates with pressurized fluid in the inlet port. A dump valve communicates with pressurized fluid from the fill valve. An inlet poppet valve opens by pressurized fluid through the fill valve. An exhaust poppet valve when closed isolates pressurized fluid from the exhaust port. An outlet flow passage communicates with pressurized fluid when the inlet poppet valve is open, and communicates with the outlet port and an exhaust/outlet common passage. An isolation valve assembly selectively isolates fluid flow to and from the inlet port or the exhaust port to achieve a zero pressure condition.

A latching solenoid assembly is provided which includes a solenoid actuator. A housing is also provided which has an axial passage. An intermediate piston is moved by the solenoid actuator. A reaction member is also placed within the housing axial passage spring biased by a transfer spring from the intermediate piston. The housing has a latching port allowing pressure to latch the intermediate piston in position to set the force which is transmitted to the reaction member.

A latching solenoid assembly is provided which includes a solenoid actuator. A housing is also provided which has an axial passage. An intermediate piston is moved by the solenoid actuator. A reaction member is also placed within the housing axial passage spring biased by a transfer spring from the intermediate piston. The housing has a latching port allowing pressure to latch the intermediate piston in position to set the force which is transmitted to the reaction member.

An auto guide vehicle (20) that conveys a cart (10), wherein the auto guide vehicle (20) is provided with: a fluid pressure cylinder (22) that is able to be extended and retracted vertically, and that applies an upward pressing force to the floor surface of the cart (10); a fluid pressure supply device (70) that supplies a fluid to the fluid pressure cylinder (22); pressure regulating means (50) that regulates the fluid pressure of the fluid supplied from the fluid pressure supply device (70) to the fluid pressure cylinder (22); a control board (40) that outputs a fluid pressure command value to the pressure regulating means (50); and a pressure sensor (100) that detects the fluid pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid pressure cylinder (22); wherein the control board (40) computes derivatives of the fluid pressure detected by the pressure sensor (100), estimates a timing at which the cart begins to leave the ground based on a pattern of the computed derivatives, and computes the command value by multiplying a coefficient less than one by the fluid pressure detected by the pressure sensor (100) at the estimated timing.