Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

A pitch lock system including an outer member having a centerline axis, an inner member located radially inward of the outer member with respect to the centerline axis, and a plurality of clutch elements located between the outer member and the inner member. The pitch lock system has a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the plurality of clutch elements are constrained between the inner member and the outer member such that relative axial direction of the plurality of clutch elements is permitted in only one direction. An engine includes a pitch actuator and the pitch lock system.

The invention relates to a turn drive for a wind turbine. The turn drive comprises a shaft, a hydraulic motor for driving the shaft, and a drive line for supplying a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. According to the invention, the drive line is provided with a settable pressure-limiting valve. The invention additionally relates to an associated method for rotating the rotor shaft of the wind turbine. By means of the method according to the invention and the turn drive, the rotor blades can be mounted individually on the hub of the rotor, without the gearbox of the wind turbine becoming overloaded.

A method for operating a telescopic device and the elongated telescopic device per se comprises a support element formed to encompass first and second telescopic element mounted so as to be telescopically slidable relative each other in a longitudinal direction; the support element comprises a support element fluid actuator assembly; the first telescopic element is arranged to encompass the second telescopic element and comprises a first fluid actuator assembly. The support element fluid actuator assembly is fixed to an interior portion of the support element and is arranged for engagement or disengagement to a first envelope surface of the first telescopic element and wherein the first fluid actuator assembly is fixed to a first interior portion of the first telescopic element and is arranged for engagement or disengagement to a second envelope surface of the second telescopic element.

A modular fluid actuator system is provided for generating a relative motion between a first fluid transfer chamber of a first module unit and a piston rod arrangement in an axial direction. The modular fluid actuator system comprises a fluid supply, a valve device coupled to the fluid supply and to the first fluid transfer chamber, a control unit coupled to the valve device for controlling the relative motion between the first fluid transfer chamber and the piston rod arrangement, the first fluid transfer chamber is coupled to a first sleeve portion exhibiting a first expandable hollow space arranged for fluid communication with the valve device via the first fluid transfer chamber.

A locking device for fixing a sliding element is disclosed. The locking device employs a cylindrical membrane surrounding a sliding rod element, where both the membrane and the rod are enclosed within a housing. The rod slides freely relative to the membrane until an oil pressure is increased within the oil chamber, the oil chamber being enclosed by the membrane. The pressure within the oil chamber causes the membrane to temporarily deform and press against the rod, thus fixing the rod in a particular position. When the oil pressure is lowered below a threshold value, the membrane returns to its original shape and the rod continues to freely slide within the apparatus. The membrane is very thin yet capable of repeatable use. The membrane spans continuously along the entire portion of the rod within the fixing region of the device, thus creating a precise and powerful fixing means.

A clamping unit of an injection molding machine having platens and columns includes a clamping-type locking apparatus by which a column is securable in relation to one of the platens at any position along a travel path of the platens relative to one another. The clamping-type locking apparatus includes a clamping jacket and a clamping device for clamping-type locking of the column in relation to the clamping jacket. The clamping device is displaceable together with the column along the travel path within the clamping jacket, when the clamping device assumes a released state, and the clamping device is configured to effect a clamping action by generating between the clamping jacket and the clamping device a locking force which is directed radially outwards in relation to a longitudinal axis of the column.

Electromagnetic locking devices, systems, and methods are provided. The electromagnetic locking devices, systems, and methods are configured to lock an actuating arm of an actuator in any desired position between and including a fully extended position and a fully retracted position with respect to an outer cover of the electromagnetic locking device and/or system. The electromagnetic locking devices, systems, and methods described herein may include an unpowered deformable member that imparts fail-safe functionality thereto.

An air cylinder apparatus equipped with a fall prevention mechanism, wherein the air cylinder apparatus includes a cylinder body and a piston rod which advances and retreats by supplying and discharging pressurized air to and from the cylinder body, and wherein the fall prevention mechanism includes a fixed member which is immovable with respect to the cylinder body; a plurality of brake members which are supported by the fixed member to be capable of coming into and out of contact with the fixed member; a biasing member which presses the plurality of brake members against the piston rod to lock the piston rod to the fixed member; and a lock-release air mechanism which holds, against a biasing force of the biasing member, the brake members in a non-contact position with the piston rod, the lock-release air mechanism operating by a pressurized air source that is common with that of the air cylinder apparatus.

A system 5 for securely blocking relative translational movement between a cylindrical shaft and an element 112, includes a blocking element 50 in which an immobilization element 55 is arranged, the immobilization element being associated with a viscoelastic fluid 8 disposed between the blocking element 50 and the immobilization element 55 in such a way that translational movement is blocked when the viscoelastic fluid 8 is pressurized in the blocking cylinder and translational movement is possible when the viscoelastic fluid 8 is no longer pressurized. An actuating cylinder equipped with such a secure blocking system is also described.