Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.

A diagnostic device (1) for a valve drive (19) having a drive element (9) for driving a valve member (14) of a process valve (12). The diagnostic device (1) is configured to perform a play detection procedure to detect play between the drive element (9) and the valve member (14) and to provide play information in accordance with the detected play.

A rotary actuator (10) is provided with a linear activation mechanism (40a) that causes a pinion (80) to rotate, and a cylinder body (12) in which a cylinder hole (28a) is formed. The linear activation mechanism (40a) comprises a rack (42) on which a plurality of teeth (44) that mesh with the pinion (80) are provided, and pistons (48a, 48b). The pistons (48a, 48b) are each provided with a piston main body (50a, 50b) that has a shape corresponding to that of the cylinder hole (28a). Each of the piston main bodies (50a, 50b) comprises a body (52a, 52b) and an extension section (54a, 54b). The ends of the rack (42) are connected to the extension sections (54a, 54b) of the set of pistons (48a, 48b), and a space (73a) shielded from the cylinder hole (28a) is formed between the bodies (52a, 52b) of the set of pistons (48a, 48b). The linear activation mechanism (40b) is also configured similarly.

A device for actuating a valve by means of a rack meshing with an elliptical pinion connected with a sleeve so that one transmits a torque to the other. The connections between the pinion and the rack as well as the sleeve are separable, so that the angular reference positions of the pinion relative to both the rack and the sleeve can be adapted according to a predefined variation in the torque required for actuating the valve.

A power transmission device may include a first power transmission unit configured to connect to an input portion and to receive a power from the input portion, a second power transmission unit configured to deliver the power to an output portion, and a connecting unit configured to connect the first power transmission unit and the second power transmission unit, and to deliver a pressure of a transfer fluid occurring due to the first power transmission unit to the second power transmission unit.

The disclosure relates to a transmission unit, having (i) a housing for the fluid-tight encapsulation of at least one part of the transmission unit, (ii) a rack and pinion transmission which is arranged in the housing and has at least one gear rack, (iii) a hydraulic drive system, which is arranged in the housing, has at least one displacer unit for increasing the energy of a pressurizable working fluid of the hydraulic drive system, and has at least one chamber in which a piston, operatively connected to a gear rack of the rack and pinion transmission, can be moved using the working fluid in order to effect a linear movement of the gear rack, and (iv) a rotatable mechanical actuator, which is operatively connected to the pinion of the rack and pinion transmission and is arranged outside the housing at least in portions.

A pneumatic stepper motor includes a housing, said housing accommodating at least part of: a rack or geared axle comprising a plurality of gear elements; and two pistons, each comprising at least two teeth, said pistons being arranged to cooperate with said rack or geared axle. The racks may either be straight or curved. The pistons are preferably double-acting pistons. A device includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of, such pneumatic stepper motor(s). The device may in particular be an MRI-compatible robotic system, more in particular for example an MRI-guided breast biopsy device.

A fluid pressure vise actuator includes a housing and an inner bore of the housing. A piston is disposed in the housing, and the piston is configured to actuate based on a pressure increase in ports of the housing. A gear is also disposed in the inner bore of the housing, and a portion of the gear is adjacent to the piston such that an actuation of the piston is configured to rotate the gear. The gear includes a socket configured to interface with a vise and operate the vise based on a rotation of the gear. The housing also includes adjustable clamping blocks configured to engage with the vise to provide support for the housing during operation. An adjustment of the clamping blocks enables the fluid pressure vise actuator to interface with multiple types of existing vises.

A hydraulic actuator to which a limit-adjustable mechanical lock device is applied, comprising: a housing having a first hole; side covers coupled at both sides of the housing, and having holder insertion holes formed to be opened toward the first hole side of the housing, and plugs; a first holder of which one side of the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the holder insertion hole at the plug side of the side cover by screw coupling; a second holder fitted and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the side cover and having one end thereof screw-coupled to the second hole of the first holder; a locking means into which a rod is inserted so as to be movable in an axial direction at a predetermined distance across the second hole of the first holder and the third hole of the second holder.

An outrigger mount assembly includes an arm tube configured to receive and hold an outrigger pole. The arm tube is rotationally displaceable in a lifting direction and in a lateral direction. A hydraulic lifting cylinder with a lifting piston is operationally connected to the arm tube for rotating the arm tube in the lifting direction. A rotation tube is operationally connected to the arm tube. A pinion is affixed to the rotation tube opposite the arm tube. A pair of opposing hydraulically driven rack gears drive the pinion and rotate the arm tube via the rotation tube. An electronic controller with a user interface controls the rack gears and the hydraulic lifting piston.