A system including a pneumatic actuator having an actuator element, the system further including a compressed-air provision device which is configured to carry out a closed-loop position control of the actuator element by applying compressed air to the pneumatic actuator. The compressed-air provision device is further configured to carry out an assistance procedure in which the actuator element is set in an oscillation movement, pressure values and position values are detected, and, on the basis of the detected pressure values and the detected position values, friction information and/or mass information is determined and/or verified.

A system including a pneumatic actuator having an actuator element, the system further including a compressed-air provision device which is configured to carry out a closed-loop position control of the actuator element by applying compressed air to the pneumatic actuator. The compressed-air provision device is further configured to carry out an assistance procedure in which the actuator element is set in an oscillation movement, pressure values and position values are detected, and, on the basis of the detected pressure values and the detected position values, friction information and/or mass information is determined and/or verified.

A mobile apparatus with a fluid pressure-operated implement mounted at a distal end of a boom includes a connection apparatus for selectively rotating the implement about an actuator axis at the distal end of the boom. The connection apparatus includes a rotary actuator and a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through the rotary actuator to the implement. The pressurized fluid circuit includes channels establishing a fluidic connection axially through the rotating shaft of the rotary actuator. The pressurized fluid circuit facilitates passage of pressurized fluid through an internal, protected environment to the implement.

A mobile apparatus with a fluid pressure-operated implement mounted at a distal end of a boom includes a connection apparatus for selectively rotating the implement about an actuator axis at the distal end of the boom. The connection apparatus includes a rotary actuator and a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through the rotary actuator to the implement. The pressurized fluid circuit includes channels establishing a fluidic connection axially through the rotating shaft of the rotary actuator. The pressurized fluid circuit facilitates passage of pressurized fluid through an internal, protected environment to the implement.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes positioning a layer stack comprising an electrode positioned between an electrode insulator and a support polymer in a vacuum bag, removing air from the vacuum bag thereby vacuum coupling the electrode to the electrode insulator, and removing the layer stack from the vacuum bag, where upon removal of the layer stack from the vacuum bag, the electrode remains vacuum coupled to the electrode insulator and the electrode insulator is in direct contact with the electrode, thereby forming an electrode assembly.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes positioning a layer stack comprising an electrode positioned between an electrode insulator and a support polymer in a vacuum bag, removing air from the vacuum bag thereby vacuum coupling the electrode to the electrode insulator, and removing the layer stack from the vacuum bag, where upon removal of the layer stack from the vacuum bag, the electrode remains vacuum coupled to the electrode insulator and the electrode insulator is in direct contact with the electrode, thereby forming an electrode assembly.

A subsea manipulator for a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) that includes at least one linear, oil-filled electric actuator to control a motion of the manipulator in a subsea environment is disclosed. The remotely operated underwater manipulator includes an electric actuator for each axis of motion of the manipulator, and an end effector that includes a rotational joint and a tool motor for controlling a tool affixed to the end effector. A method for changing the tool of the manipulator in a subsea environment is disclosed.

A device for amplifying a force includes a prime mover configured to receive a first force, and a secondary mover configured to generate a second force that is greater than the first force in response to the prime mover receiving the first force. The prime mover includes an output that, in response to the first force, rotates about a first axis through a power stroke defined by an angular displacement that is less than ninety degrees. The prime mover's output includes a first end that revolves about the first axis during the power stroke. The secondary mover includes an input, an output, and a body. The input includes a second end that is coupled with the first end of the prime mover's output, and that, as the first end of the prime mover's output revolves about the first axis through the power stroke, the second end of the secondary mover's input also revolves about the first axis and moves relative to the secondary mover's body. The secondary's mover's output is configured to apply the second force to an object. The secondary mover's body is pivotally anchored at a location such that as the first end of the prime mover's output revolves about the first axis through the power stroke, the body of the secondary mover pivots about a second axis that passes through the location. The position of the device's secondary mover relative to the first end of the prime mover's output is such that, as the first end approaches the end of the power stroke, the first end of the prime mover's output accelerates, without an additional force applied to the prime mover's output.

A vehicle drive system, comprises a battery, a power unit in a housing, which itself comprises at least one electric motor/generator, capable of being driven as a motor by the battery or of charging the battery as a generator, at least one hydraulic motor/pump, capable of being driven by the electric motor/generator to pressurize hydraulic fluid, or of being driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid to power the motor generator as a generator, a hydraulic rail communicating the pump, a directional control valves communicating with the hydraulic rail, at least one accumulator for storing pressurized hydraulic fluid, wheel drives capable of being driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic circuit connecting the directional control valves of the motor housing to the accumulator and wheel drives, and a control system for controlling the operation of the battery, power unit and wheel drives.

A device for sensing a rotary or linear position of moving parts of drives, in which a moving part performs a rotary movement or a linear positioning movement with respect to a stationary part, has a switch unit comprising switches arranged next to one another in a row and is arranged on the stationary part, and having an actuating element for actuating the switches based on the relative position of the moving part, the actuating element having switch triggers corresponding to the number of switches and each being assigned to the respective switches, such that there is a respectively defined unique combination of positions of the switches for each relative position between the moving part and the stationary part, and a control module having an analysis unit for storing coding for the different switch positions in relation to the relative position of the moving part of the drive.