Pneumatic Clamping System Based on Airflow Proximity Sensing and Self-Feedback Principle

In pneumatic systems, the airflow circuit is both a driving source and a carrier of pressure, flow, and other information elements. This article proposed a new method to achieve closed-loop intelligent control with approximates sensing and self-feedback drive using airflow physical characteristics, solving the problem of relying on electronic sensors and controllers to achieve closed-loop control in pneumatic systems. Based on the principle of airflow sensing, a new airflow proximity sensor with airflow sensing and self-feedback drive was designed and studied. The proximity sensing was achieved by increasing the pressure at the feedback port as the object approaches. A self-feedback pneumatic gripper was designed. The experimental results showed that the gripper can automatically sense and perform the grasping operation when it was close to the object.