A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting a fluid flow response from fluid flow sensors to produce a piston velocity and a piston position of a piston associated with a head unit device. The head unit device includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a variable partition positioned within the chamber between the piston and a closed end of the chamber to dynamically affect volume of the chamber based on activation of the variable partition. The method further includes determining a shear force based on the piston velocity and the piston position. The method further includes determining a desired response for the STF based on the shear force, the piston velocity, and the piston position. The method further includes activating the variable partition using the desired response for the STF to adjust the volume of the chamber.

A head unit device for controlling motion of an object includes shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF. The chamber further includes a piston compartment and an auxiliary compartment. The head unit device further includes an auxiliary bypass configured within the chamber, and a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the auxiliary bypass to adjust the STF flow between the piston compartment and the auxiliary compartment to cause selection of one of a first range of shear rates or a second range of shear rates for the STF within the piston compartment.

A piston for a fluid-actuated working cylinder, with a piston base unit which is coaxial to a piston longitudinal axis, consisting of a rigid core body which has radial outer peripheral surface and of an annular filling body which is seated in an annular receiving groove. The receiving groove is coaxial to the piston longitudinal axis and in the region of the radial outer peripheral surface is designed with a radially outwardly facing groove opening in the core body. The piston further includes a ring element which consists of plastic. The ring element radially outwardly coaxially encompasses the piston base unit at least in the region of the filling body, being radially supported with a radial inner peripheral surface on the piston base unit, projecting radially beyond the radial outer peripheral surface of the core body and comprising an axially orientated axial support surface radially outside the piston base unit on its two axial face sides. The piston further includes an annular enveloping body which has rubber elastic characteristics.

A first MR sensor and a second MR sensor are a combination of a first magnetic resistance effect element pattern and a second magnetic resistance effect element pattern. The first MR sensor and the second MR sensor are disposed a prescribed distance apart such that, when the first MR sensor receives the greatest quantity of the magnetic field component of a magnet oriented parallel to the axial direction of a piston, the second MR sensor receives the greatest quantity of the magnetic field component of a magnet oriented parallel to the radial direction of the piston.

A fluid pressure cylinder has a sensor attachment tool mounted thereon. A holder holds the position sensor in a rail structure extending in an axial direction of a cylinder tube and is secured by screwing to a rod cover or a head cover in an arm part provided to one end of the holder.

Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting a magnetic response from a set of magnetic field sensors to produce a piston velocity and a piston position of a piston associated with a head unit device. The head unit device includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) that includes a multitude of magnetic nanoparticles. The method further includes determining a shear force based on the piston velocity and the piston position. The method further includes determining a desired response for the STF based on the shear force, the piston velocity, and the piston position. The method further includes generating a magnetic activation based on the desired response for the STF and outputting the magnetic activation to a set of magnetic field emitters positioned proximal to the chamber.

An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

A head unit device for controlling motion of an object includes shear thickening fluid (STF), an alternative STF (ASTF), and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF and the ASTF. The chamber further includes a piston compartment and an alternative reservoir. The head unit device further includes a reservoir injector configured within the chamber, and a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the reservoir injector to adjust flow of the ASTF from the alternative reservoir to the piston compartment to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for a mixture of the STF and the STF within the piston compartment.