COMPUTER CONTROLLED HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE DEVICE FOR A PROSTHESIS AND OTHER APPARATUS

摘要

A computer controlled hydraulic resistance device for an apparatus such as a prosthetic knee for above knee amputees, includes a solenoid actuated valve (32) connected to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator (211), which applies resistance to the prosthetic knee or other apparatus through a coupling. Hydraulic pressure is sensed on the high and low side of the actuator, and is used by a micro-controller (200) in a closed loop manner to compensate automatically for variations in the device and in the hydraulic fluid viscosity. The device also senses the position of the apparatus and feedback to the micro-controller for applying a predetermined resistance profile to the apparatus.