Gas supply system for pneumatic actuator operation and operating method thereof

High-Output Pneumatic Supply System Using Liquefied Gas

This technology relates to a gas supply system and operating method for driving pneumatic actuators, utilizing the vaporization of liquid nitrogen to supply high-pressure gas to wearable pneumatic actuators.

Existing pneumatic drive systems for wearable robots required compressors and large-capacity tanks, resulting in heavy weight, bulky volume, complex structures, and high manufacturing costs.

By incorporating a liquefied gas chamber and a vaporized gas discharge line, and utilizing waste heat to accelerate vaporization, this technology achieves lightweight, high-output pneumatic actuation while preventing actuator damage to enhance efficiency and safety.

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Key Features:

• A liquefied gas chamber for storing liquefied gas to drive pneumatic actuators, and a tank for storing heat-source liquid.
• An inlet pipe connected between the tank and the liquefied gas chamber to supply the heat-source liquid into the liquefied gas chamber.
• A vaporized gas discharge pipe through which high-pressure vaporized gas—generated by the supplied heat-source liquid—is discharged, and a supply pipe connected to the pneumatic actuator.
• A heating unit for heating the heat-source liquid in the tank, and a gas heat exchanger for heating the discharged nitrogen.

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of a human-augmentation hybrid robot suit capable of a 100m sprint in 7 seconds and comfortable 12-hour wear.