| 摘要 |
A load balancing pneumatic manipulator comprising an inflatable reservoir fo r establishing via an amplifier a pressure within a lift cylinder that is sufficient to balance the weight of an object being lifted. The reservoir is inflated and deflated by inflation and deflation valves, respectively, that may be operated from an operator control center proximal an end effector of the manipulator. The valves may be actuated via pushbuttons or actuated in a mutually exclusively fashion via a neutrally biased reciprocating actuator. The manipulator advantageously allows loads of different weights to be lifted in a semi- automatic fashion with operator involvement to select the load balancing pressure. The manipulator further comprises an air release system that closes a blocking valve in the event of release of the object being lifted and optionally in the event of a loss of air supply pressure. The pressure within the lift cylinder is thereby preserved and can be vented at different rates, depending upon the condition causing closure of the blocking valve.
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