Influence of temperature fluctuation on friction inside hydraulic cylinder

This paper considers variety of hydraulic actuators. Also it shows analysis of hydraulic equipment. The contribution is important due to the fact that it determines influence of temperature on friction in hydraulic equipment. The paper examines the factors of reducing the performance of hydrofected machines during operation at low temperatures. The importance of the work is due to the fact that the effects of temperature on friction in hydraulic equipment are considered. An experiment was also conducted, due to which the influence of temperature on the wear resistance of the hydraulic cylinder was revealed.

A dynamic electrically driven soft valve for control of soft hydraulic actuators

Regulation systems for fluid-driven soft robots predominantly consist of inflexible and bulky components. These rigid structures considerably limit the adaptability and mobility of these robots. Soft valves in various forms for fluidic actuators have been developed, primarily fluidically or electrically driven. However, fluidic soft valves require external pressure sources that limit robot locomotion. State-of-the-art electrostatic valves are unable to modulate pressure beyond 3.5 kPa with a sufficient flow rate (>6 mL⋅min−1). In this work, we present an electrically powered soft valve for hydraulic actuators with mesoscale channels based on a different class of ultrahigh-power density dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators. The dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are actuated at 500 Hz or above. These DEAs generate 300% higher blocked force compared with the dynamic DEAs in previous works and their loaded power density reaches 290 W⋅kg−1 at operating conditions. The soft valves are developed with compact (7 mm tall) and lightweight (0.35 g) dynamic DEAs, and they allow effective control of up to 51 kPa of pressure and a 40 mL⋅min−1 flow rate with a response time less than 0.1 s. The valves can also tune flow rates based on their driving voltages. Using the DEA soft valves, we demonstrate control of hydraulic actuators of different volumes and achieve independent control of multiple actuators powered by a single pressure source. This compact and lightweight DEA valve is capable of unprecedented electrical control of hydraulic actuators, showing the potential for future onboard motion control of soft fluid-driven robots.

A Nonsmooth Quasistatic Modeling Approach for Hydraulic Actuators

This paper presents an analytical approach for modeling the quasistatic characteristics of hydraulic actuators driven by four-valve independent metering circuits. The presented model is described as a nonsmooth, set-valued function from the velocity to the set of forces with which the equilibrium is achieved at the velocity. It is derived from algebraic relations among the velocity of the actuator, the steady-state force generated by the actuator, and the flowrate and the steady-state pressure at all valves in the circuit. This approach is also applied to more involving circuits including a regeneration pipeline and those with multiple actuators. The contribution of the paper can be seen as an example case study of the fact that these complicated circuit structures are analytically tractable through an extension of the conventional hydraulic-electric analogy. The obtained analytical expressions of the steady-state velocity-force relations allow for concise visualization of the actuators' characteristics.

Overview of Materials Used for the Basic Elements of Hydraulic Actuators and Sealing Systems and Their Surfaces Modification Methods

The article is an overview of various materials used in power hydraulics for basic hydraulic actuators components such as cylinders, cylinder caps, pistons, piston rods, glands, and sealing systems. The aim of this review is to systematize the state of the art in the field of materials and surface modification methods used in the production of actuators. The paper discusses the requirements for the elements of actuators and analyzes the existing literature in terms of appearing failures and damages. The most frequently applied materials used in power hydraulics are described, and various surface modifications of the discussed elements, which are aimed at improving the operating parameters of actuators, are presented. The most frequently used materials for actuators elements are iron alloys. However, due to rising ecological requirements, there is a tendency to looking for modern replacements to obtain the same or even better mechanical or tribological parameters. Sealing systems are manufactured mainly from thermoplastic or elastomeric polymers, which are characterized by low friction and ensure the best possible interaction of seals with the cooperating element. In the field of surface modification, among others, the issue of chromium plating of piston rods has been discussed, which, due, to the toxicity of hexavalent chromium, should be replaced by other methods of improving surface properties.