Patent ID: 6666127
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: A61F,B25J,F15B

Abstract:
A method for causing relative movement between at least two connecting elements, the at least two connecting elements being for attaching a hydraulic actuator to an application device, the method comprising:transferring incompressible fluid between at least one first expandable fluid-containing cell and at least one second expandable fluid-containing cell such that said transferring of incompressible fluid out of one of said first expandable fluid-containing cell and said second expandable fluid-containing cell and into an other of said first expandable fluid-containing cell and said second expandable fluid-containing cell thereby causing substantially simultaneous contracting of said one and expanding of said other of said first expandable fluid-containing cell and said second expandable fluid-containing cell, said transferring being performed using a pump system in fluid communication with said first expandable fluid-containing cell and said second expandable fluid-containing cell thereby forming a closed fluid system; wherein said at least one first expandable fluid-containing cell is at least partially defined by a first displaceable containment-wall, said first expandable fluid-containing cell being mechanically linked to at least a first of the connecting elements, said at least one second expandable fluid-containing cell is at least partially defined by a second displaceable containment-wall, said second expandable fluid-containing cell being mechanically linked to at least a second of the connecting elements, and at least one of said first displaceable containment-wall and second displaceable containment-wall is a flexible wall and said expanding of each of said expandable fluid-containing cells generates relative movement between at least two of the connecting elements.