A device and a system for controlling the turning of an object includes a shaft enclosing a first space, and a sleeve forming a second space between the shaft and the sleeve. Movement of the sleeve is transmitted to movement of the object. The device further comprises a housing comprising means for rotating the shaft and at least one inlet for a lubricant, and a lubricant collector. The shaft has a first through hole extending from the first space to the second space, and the sleeve has at least a second through hole for providing the second space in fluid communication with the lubricant collector. The housing is in fluid communication with the second space, and the first space is pressurizeable for causing the lubricant in the second space to be displaced through the second through hole and collected in the lubricant collector.

A rotary actuator includes an actuator body having a first end and a second end defining an interior of the actuator body therebetween, an axis X of the body being between the first and second ends. Each end is provided with a port arranged to receive hydraulic fluid. The actuator also includes: mounting parts extending from the ends into the interior of the actuator body a screw mounted to the mounting parts within the actuator body between the first and second ends, the screw mounted to the mounting parts via splines to allow linear axial translation of the screw relative to the mounting parts. The screw having one or two walls extending across an inner diameter d of the screw.

A method and apparatus for auto range control are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a projector configured to project a sequence of light patterns on an object; a first camera configured to capture a sequence of images of the object illuminated with the projected light patterns; a controller coupled to the projector and first camera and operable to receive the sequence of images and perform range control by controlling power of the sequence of light patterns being projected on the object and exposure time of a camera based on information obtained from the sequence of images captured by the camera.

A method and apparatus for auto range control are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a projector configured to project a sequence of light patterns on an object; a first camera configured to capture a sequence of images of the object illuminated with the projected light patterns; a controller coupled to the projector and first camera and operable to receive the sequence of images and perform range control by controlling power of the sequence of light patterns being projected on the object and exposure time of a camera based on information obtained from the sequence of images captured by the camera.

Example methods and apparatus independently control the seating force in a rotary valve. An example apparatus includes a rotary valve having a flow control member and a dual-acting actuator operatively coupled to the rotary valve. The actuator has first and second ports to receive a pressurized control fluid to change a position of the actuator. The example apparatus further includes a valve controller operatively coupled to the actuator to control the pressurized control fluid in response to a position of the rotary valve. The example apparatus further includes a pressure limiter operatively coupled to the valve controller and fluidly coupled to the first port of the actuator. The pressure limiter is to reduce a pressure of the pressurized fluid provided to the first port of the actuator to reduce a seating force of the flow control member when the rotary valve is in a closed position.

A method and apparatus for auto range control are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a projector configured to project a sequence of light patterns on an object; a first camera configured to capture a sequence of images of the object illuminated with the projected light patterns; a controller coupled to the projector and first camera and operable to receive the sequence of images and perform range control by controlling power of the sequence of light patterns being projected on the object and exposure time of a camera based on information obtained from the sequence of images captured by the camera.

Example methods and apparatus for independently controlling the seating force in a rotary valve are described herein. An example apparatus includes a rotary valve having a flow control member and a dual-acting actuator operatively coupled to the rotary valve. The actuator has first and second ports to receive a pressurized control fluid to change a position of the actuator. The example apparatus further includes a valve controller operatively coupled to the actuator to control the pressurized control fluid in response to a position of the rotary valve. The example apparatus further includes a pressure limiter operatively coupled to the valve controller and fluidly coupled to the first port of the actuator. The pressure limiter is to reduce a pressure of the pressurized fluid provided to the first port of the actuator to reduce a seating force of the flow control member when the rotary valve is in a closed position.

A rotary actuator includes an actuator body having a first end and a second end defining an interior of the actuator body therebetween, an axis X of the body being between the first and second ends. Each end is provided with a port arranged to receive hydraulic fluid. The actuator also includes: mounting parts extending from the ends into the interior of the actuator body a screw mounted to the mounting parts within the actuator body between the first and second ends, the screw mounted to the mounting parts via splines to allow linear axial translation of the screw relative to the mounting parts. The screw having one or two walls extending across an inner diameter d of the screw.

A pneumatic drive device includes a housing, a piston, and a first membrane. The first membrane and the piston are coupled to each other in such a way that an axial movement of the first membrane, caused by pressurizing a first pressure chamber, is converted into a translational movement of the piston. The pneumatic drive device also includes an output element, and a membrane. The membrane and the output element are coupled to each other in such a way that a circumferentially section-wise oscillating axial movement of the membrane, caused by circumferentially successive pressurization and depressurization of respective pressure chambers, is converted into a rotational movement of the output element.