A hydraulic thruster system for providing an axial force. In one embodiment, the system comprises a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and a hydraulic thruster comprising: a cylinder comprising a plurality of cylinder pistons; a shaft comprising a plurality of shaft pistons; a plurality of first pressure chambers; and a plurality of second pressure chambers, wherein the plurality of shaft pistons are positioned inside the cylinder, between the cylinder pistons to form the plurality of first and a second pressure chambers, wherein the shaft further comprises a first fluid passage connected to the pump and to the first pressure chambers, and a second fluid passage connected to the pump and to the second pressure chambers, and wherein the pump may pump fluid into the first pressure chambers and suction fluid from the second pressure chambers providing an axial force between the shaft and the cylinder.

According to one embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of channel members each having at least one first port into which fluid flows and at least one second port from which the fluid flows out. At least one of the channel members includes a different number of second ports from a number of first ports. The channel members are joined with each other to form at least one channel component.

A fluid pressure cylinder includes a first cylinder portion and a second cylinder portion disposed in parallel, and a supply-and-discharge port. The first cylinder portion is partitioned by a first piston into a head-side first accumulation chamber and a rod-side second accumulation chamber. The second cylinder portion is partitioned by a second piston into a head-side release chamber and a rod-side drive chamber. Pressurized fluid is supplied to and discharged from the second accumulation chamber and the drive chamber through the supply-and-discharge port. An end of a first piston rod connected to the first piston and an end of a second piston rod connected to the second piston are connected to each other. The first piston includes a communication switching valve switching communication between the first accumulation chamber and the second accumulation chamber, between enabled and disabled.

A switching valve module which is part of a switching valve control system for use with reciprocating slat-type conveyors is disclosed herein. Disclosed herein is a switching valve module that includes an inner control valve and an outer control valve. A spool is positioned within the inner control valve and a spool positioned within the outer control valve. Movement of each the spool creates both a spool-type seal and a poppet-type seal between the spool and the respective control valve.

In a fluid pressure cylinder having a body having a pair of cylinder holes, a pair of pistons movably accommodated respectively in the pair of cylinder holes, a pair of piston rods secured respectively to the pair of pistons, and an end plate connected to end portions of the pair of piston rods, each of the pistons partitions the corresponding cylinder hole into a head-side cylinder chamber and a rod-side cylinder chamber. The body includes a solenoid valve configured to switch between supply of pressurized fluid to the head-side cylinder chambers or the rod-side cylinder chambers and discharge of the pressurized fluid from the head-side cylinder chambers or the rod-side cylinder chambers, and the solenoid valve is disposed inside a surface of the body.

A fluidic robotic actuator configured to assume at least a neutral position, the fluidic robotic actuator includes a first and second plate defining respective planar portions that are disposed in parallel planes in the neutral position. The fluidic robotic actuator also includes a plurality of elongated bellows extending between the first and second plates, the bellows each having a central main axis that is parallel to the central main axis of the other bellows in the neutral position, the main axis of the bellows being perpendicular to the parallel planes of the first and second plates in the neutral position, the bellows being coupled to the first and second plates at respective first and second ends of the bellows.

A fluid actuated linear drive which includes a drive housing and a drive member which is movable relative to the drive housing. The drive force which is necessary for producing the drive movement is provided by a drive fluid which can be fed and discharged through housing channels of the drive housing. The housing channels each with a lateral coupling opening run out at a housing side surface of the drive housing. An L-shaped attachment coupling part which in the position of use is assembled on the drive housing has a coupling limb which is assigned to a housing rear surface and which is provided with two axial coupling openings. The axial coupling openings are in connection with lateral coupling openings via coupling channels. Hence there is the possibility of using the axial coupling openings for the feed and discharge of the drive fluid.

[Object] To provide a hybrid actuator attaining both driving force and responsiveness, capable of reducing inertia of a movable portion.

[Solution] A pneumatic air muscle has a cylinder (112) provided in a flexible member (100) forming a pneumatic artificial muscle. At the center of an upper lid element (109) of the cylinder, a through hole is opened, and an inner wire (103) of a Bowden cable passes through this through hole and is coupled by means of a spring (106) to a bottom portion of the cylinder. When the pneumatic artificial muscle contracts, the inner wire (103) and the pneumatic air muscle move together because of the stopper (105), and the contraction force is transmitted. In contrast, when the pneumatic air muscle extends, the stopper (105) is disengaged, while the tension of inner wire (103) is kept by the spring (106) to prevent slacking.

Particular embodiments of the inventive technology disclosed herein relate to the use of a dynamic valve to reduce motion caused by impulse force applied to a positioned component. Typically, the inventive technology finds application in an internally pressurized positioning system. At times, use of the inventive technology may lead to cost savings by, e.g., allowing for the use of smaller diameter positioner actuators and/or a reduced internal pressure.

A hydraulic system, for use under water with a hydraulic actuating drive, includes a hydraulic cylinder and at least one hydraulic machine. At least one rotary drive device and the hydraulic machine are coupled mechanically for a common rotating movement, and the hydraulic machine adjusts at least the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder has at least three cylinder chambers, and the hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic circuit and a second hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic system for use under water is set up, in particular, with a redundant hydraulic actuating drive for manual (mechanical) actuation.