A drive system (1) which is designed in particular as a robot (1a) and which has a fluid-operated linear drive (2), on the drive unit (7) of which linear drive, which drive unit can be driven so as to perform a drive movement (8), there is mounted an electrically and fluidically operable working unit (3). The linear drive (2) is equipped with a control valve device (16) which can be actuated by means of an internal electronic control device (32) in order to move the drive unit (7). Two drive pressure sensor devices (113) and a travel measuring device (114) are connected to the internal electronic control device (32), such that a position-controlled operation of the drive unit (8) is possible. The drive system (1) furthermore includes a flexible electrical cable arrangement (97) and a flexible fluid hose arrangement (95), which are fixed to the drive unit (7) and which serve for the supply of electricity and fluid to the working unit (3).

A method and system are provided for supplying back-up electric power to an electric actuator powered by a supply of main electric power, and to interrupt or to replace a control signal supplied to the actuator so that the actuator can be reverted to a fail-safe mode, condition or position when there is a failure or disruption of the main electric power or when the control signal is not within the accepted pre-determined standard or range for the control signal.

In one or more embodiments, a system for predicting health of a hydraulic pump comprises a reservoir tank temperature sensor to measure a temperature of a reservoir tank. The system further comprises a hydraulic pump temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the hydraulic pump. Also, the system comprises a differential pressure sensor to measure a differential pressure across a filter associated with the hydraulic pump. Further, the system comprises a processor(s) to determine a differential temperature by subtracting the temperature of the reservoir tank from the temperature of the hydraulic pump, to compare the differential temperature to a differential temperature threshold, to compare the differential pressure to a differential pressure threshold, and to generate an alert signal indicating failure of the hydraulic pump, when the processor(s) determines that the differential temperature exceeds the differential temperature threshold and the differential pressure exceeds the differential pressure threshold.

A device that makes it possible to make the movements of moving platforms safer and relates more particularly to a linear actuator that can be used in a hexapod positioner supporting a load is provided. The actuator is actuated by electric control and comprises at least one hydraulic damper positioned on the actuator such that the forces generated by damping in the event of extreme breakdown are experienced only by the load and are distributed such as to limit force and acceleration peaks.

In one or more embodiments, a system for predicting health of a hydraulic pump comprises a reservoir tank temperature sensor to measure a temperature of a reservoir tank. The system further comprises a hydraulic pump temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the hydraulic pump. Also, the system comprises a differential pressure sensor to measure a differential pressure across a filter associated with the hydraulic pump. Further, the system comprises a processor(s) to determine a differential temperature by subtracting the temperature of the reservoir tank from the temperature of the hydraulic pump, to compare the differential temperature to a differential temperature threshold, to compare the differential pressure to a differential pressure threshold, and to generate an alert signal indicating failure of the hydraulic pump, when the processor(s) determines that the differential temperature exceeds the differential temperature threshold and the differential pressure exceeds the differential pressure threshold.

A device that makes it possible to make the movements of moving platforms safer and relates more particularly to a linear actuator that can be used in a hexapod positioner supporting a load is provided. The actuator is actuated by electric control and comprises at least one hydraulic damper positioned on the actuator such that the forces generated by damping in the event of extreme breakdown are experienced only by the load and are distributed such as to limit force and acceleration peaks.

A method and system are provided for supplying back-up electric power to an electric actuator powered by a supply of main electric power, and to interrupt or to replace a control signal supplied to the actuator so that the actuator can be reverted to a fail-safe mode, condition or position when there is a failure or disruption of the main electric power or when the control signal is not within the accepted pre-determined standard or range for the control signal.