An actuation pressure to actuate one or more hydraulic actuators may be determined based on a load on the one or more hydraulic actuators of a robotic device. Based on the determined actuation pressure, a pressure rail from among a set of pressure rails at respective pressures may be selected. One or more valves may connect the selected pressure rail to a metering valve. The hydraulic drive system may operate in a discrete mode in which the metering valve opens such that hydraulic fluid flows from the selected pressure rail through the metering valve to the one or more hydraulic actuators at approximately the supply pressure. Responsive to a control state of the robotic device, the hydraulic drive system may operate in a continuous mode in which the metering valve throttles the hydraulic fluid such that the supply pressure is reduced to the determined actuation pressure.

A workpiece clamp apparatus includes: a robot arm having, at a distal-end portion thereof, a holding section for holding a workpiece; a hydraulic-fluid supply coupler provided at the distal-end portion of the robot arm; a hydraulic-fluid supply device for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler; a clamping device having a plurality of clamping members that grip the workpiece for machining with a machine tool; and a cylinder that has a hydraulic-fluid supply port to which the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler can be connected and that drives the clamping member in the workpiece-gripping direction as a result of the hydraulic fluid being supplied via the hydraulic-fluid supply port.

A workpiece clamp apparatus includes: a robot arm having, at a distal-end portion thereof, a holding section for holding a workpiece; a hydraulic-fluid supply coupler provided at the distal-end portion of the robot arm; a hydraulic-fluid supply device for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler; a clamping device having a plurality of clamping members that grip the workpiece for machining with a machine tool; and a cylinder that has a hydraulic-fluid supply port to which the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler can be connected and that drives the clamping member in the workpiece-gripping direction as a result of the hydraulic fluid being supplied via the hydraulic-fluid supply port.

A fluid exchanging system and method for use in exchanging fluids in insulating glass units (IGUs). The fluid exchanging system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, an optical sensor system, coupled to the articulating arm, for identifying an opening in a spacer frame of an IGU, and a fluid exchanging apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The fluid exchanging apparatus also includes a fluid exchanging head for evacuating atmospheric air from the IGU and dispensing fluid into the IGU.

An example method includes identifying an operating state at which a velocity of a hydraulic actuator configured to operate a movable member of a robot is less than a threshold velocity and an actuator force is less than a threshold force, determining a valve command that corresponds to the operating state, such that the valve command is provided to a valve configured to control flow to and from the hydraulic actuator, and the valve includes a spool movable within a body of the valve, and the valve command causes the spool to move within the body of the valve to a position that induces the operating state, and determining a null bias signal based on the valve command.

An example method includes identifying an operating state at which a velocity of a hydraulic actuator configured to operate a movable member of a robot is less than a threshold velocity and an actuator force is less than a threshold force, determining a valve command that corresponds to the operating state, such that the valve command is provided to a valve configured to control flow to and from the hydraulic actuator, and the valve includes a spool movable within a body of the valve, and the valve command causes the spool to move within the body of the valve to a position that induces the operating state, and determining a null bias signal based on the valve command.

An actuation pressure to actuate one or more hydraulic actuators may be determined based on a load on the one or more hydraulic actuators of a robotic device. Based on the determined actuation pressure, a pressure rail from among a set of pressure rails at respective pressures may be selected. One or more valves may connect the selected pressure rail to a metering valve. The hydraulic drive system may operate in a discrete mode in which the metering valve opens such that hydraulic fluid flows from the selected pressure rail through the metering valve to the one or more hydraulic actuators at approximately the supply pressure. Responsive to a control state of the robotic device, the hydraulic drive system may operate in a continuous mode in which the metering valve throttles the hydraulic fluid such that the supply pressure is reduced to the determined actuation pressure.

An actuation pressure to actuate one or more hydraulic actuators may be determined based on a load on the one or more hydraulic actuators of a robotic device. Based on the determined actuation pressure, a pressure rail from among a set of pressure rails at respective pressures may be selected. One or more valves may connect the selected pressure rail to a metering valve. The hydraulic drive system may operate in a discrete mode in which the metering valve opens such that hydraulic fluid flows from the selected pressure rail through the metering valve to the one or more hydraulic actuators at approximately the supply pressure. Responsive to a control state of the robotic device, the hydraulic drive system may operate in a continuous mode in which the metering valve throttles the hydraulic fluid such that the supply pressure is reduced to the determined actuation pressure.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for controlling at least one fluid actuated device; e.g., an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder. A method is provided, for example, involving an actuatable component and an actuation system, which includes an actuation system component and an actuator. During a mode of operation, the actuation system component is fluidly coupled with a first chamber and a second chamber of the actuator using the actuation system. The actuator is operable to move the actuatable component.

In order to provide an improved method and device to facilitate the teach-in of gripper positions, it is suggested that the positions be automatically detected. The procedure shall include: starting a teach-in process, detecting the position and the direction of movement of the actuating element on its path with a sensor, performing gripping movements from one position to another and stopping the gripper in each of the positions, storing the position of the actuating element when the gripper stops and storing the direction of movement from which this position was approached as the associated direction of movement, stopping the teach-in process when as many different positions with the associated movement directions have been stored as there are gripper positions, assigning of the gripper positions to the three positions from the stored positions and the stored, associated movement directions.