A robotic joint system is provided that facilitates efficient movement of a ground-contacting robotic system, such as during a gait cycle. The robotic joint system can comprise a first support member, a second support member, and a joint assembly rotatably coupling the first support member to the second support member about an axis of rotation. The joint assembly can comprise a passive actuation system coupled between the first and second support members. The passive actuation system can comprise a passive actuator operable to store energy and to release energy to apply a torque to the joint assembly and the first and second support members, and a length adapter coupled to the passive actuator operable to selectively direct the output of the stored energy of the passive actuator.

Hydraulic rotary actuator disposes entry and exit lines of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic rotary actuator and comprises a floating member with a hollow portion, a rotating member configured to be inserted into the hollow portion, a working fluid supplied to said hollow portion, a servo control valve connected to said floating member configured to control the flow rate, an entry line connected to said servo control valve and further connecting said servo control valve to said floating member, said entry line forming a through-hole that penetrates through said floating member and forming a supply passage for said working fluid, an exit line connecting said hollow portion to said servo control valve and further thereon to outside of floating member, said exit line forming a through-hole that penetrates through said floating member and forming a discharge passage for said working fluid.

There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

A robot forceps includes an insertion tube and a gripper provided at a tip end of the insertion tube. The gripper includes: a first claw portion and a second claw portion arranged so as to be opposed to each other; and a first rotary actuator connected to the first claw portion and configured to rotate the first claw portion by supply of an operating liquid into a first pressure chamber.

A rotary drive device has a fluid-actuated rotary drive which has a drive housing and a drive unit rotatable about a main axis relative to the drive housing. The drive unit contains a pivot piston which divides two drive chambers from one another in the interior of the drive housing, which can be supplied with compressed air fluidic pressure medium controlled by a control fluid channel system, in order to cause a rotational movement of the drive unit. The rotary drive is equipped with a pressure detecting device, which enables pressure detection of the fluid pressure prevailing in the two drive chambers by means of pressure detecting channels formed separately with respect to the control fluid channel system. A robot arm is also proposed, which includes the rotary drive device as an arm joint.

A rotary drive device has a fluid-actuated rotary drive, which has a drive housing and a drive unit rotatable relative thereto. The drive unit has a pivot piston and a drive shaft connected thereto, whereby the drive shaft projects from the drive housing on an axial front side with a drive section. On the rear side, several components are mounted in axial succession on the drive housing of the rotary drive, which together with the rotary drive form a uniformly practicable drive assembly. These components include a valve carrier device carrying a control valve arrangement, a pneumatic connection unit, and an electronic control unit electrically connected to the control valve arrangement. A robot arm is also proposed, which includes the rotary drive device as an arm joint.

There is disclosed a rotary actuator apparatus for hydraulically or pneumatically rotating a robotic joint. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises: a curved piston rotatably coupled to an axle shaft, and positioned within a curved piston chamber; resilient barrier modules are adapted to separate the curved piston within the curved piston chamber from first and second hydraulic or pneumatic chambers on either side of the curved piston chamber; whereby, in use, the curved piston is configured to rotate about the axle shaft upon hydraulic or pneumatic pressure being applied to at least one of the first and second hydraulic or pneumatic chambers.

An example device may include a rounded outer incline ramp and a rounded inner incline ramp surrounding a central axis. The rounded inner incline ramp and the rounded outer incline ramp may be inversely aligned relative to the central axis. The device may also include a piston carrier oriented in a direction parallel to the central axis. The piston carrier may include a first piston including a first roller positioned on the two ramps at a first point, where the first piston is configured to act on the two ramps in a direction parallel to the central axis. The piston carrier may also include a second piston including a second roller positioned on the two ramps at a second point opposite the first point, where the second piston is configured to act on the two ramps in a direction parallel to the central axis.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a fluid actuator including a housing defining a first chamber having a first cavity and a first open end, a first piston assembly including a tubular first piston defining a second chamber having a second cavity and a second open end, disposed in said first housing for reciprocal movement in the first chamber through the first open end, wherein a first seal, the first cavity, and the first piston define a first pressure chamber, and a second piston assembly having an second piston disposed in said first piston assembly for reciprocal movement in the second chamber through the second open end, wherein a second seal, the second cavity, and the second piston define a second pressure chamber, and a first portion of the second piston contacts a first end effector.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary actuator that includes a housing defining an arcuate chamber comprising a cavity, a rotor arm configured for rotary movement, an arcuate-shaped first piston disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the arcuate chamber, where a seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber that includes part or all of the arcuate chamber, and a portion of the piston contacts the rotor arm, and a rotor assembly rotatably surrounding said housing and having a rotary output tube about the axis, wherein the rotor arm extends radially outward to the rotary output tube and the rotor arm is coupled to the rotary output tube.