The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 2020
Filed:
Dec. 09, 2016
Boston Dynamics, Inc., Waltham, MA (US);
Alexander Douglas Perkins, Arlington, MA (US);
Kevin Blankespoor, Arlington, MA (US);
Alfred Anthony Rizzi, Waltham, MA (US);
Boston Dynamics, Inc., Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
In some applications, a piston of a hydraulic actuator may move at high speeds, and large undesired forces may be generated if the piston reaches an end-stop of the hydraulic actuator at a high speed. The undesired forces may, for example, cause mechanical damage in the hydraulic actuator. A controller may receive information indicative of the piston reaching a first position at a first threshold distance from the end-stop, and, in response, may modify a signal to a valve assembly controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic actuator. Further, the controller may receive information indicative of the piston reaching a second position at a second threshold distance closer to the end-stop of the hydraulic actuator, and, in response, the controller may further modify the signal to the valve assembly so as to apply a force on the piston in a away from the end-stop.