BLEEX

The anthropomorphically-based BLEEX has seven degrees of freedom per leg, four of which are powered by linear hydraulic actuators. 

The exoskeleton is worn by its operator and provides its wearer the ability to carry significant loads on his/her back with minimal effort over any type of terrain. BLEEX has two powered anthropomorphic legs, a power supply, and a backpack-like frame on which a variety of heavy payloads can be mounted. 

BLEEX provides load carrying capability through legged locomotion guided by human interaction, but instead of actively “driving” the vehicle, BLEEX shadows the operator’s movement as he/she “wears” it like a pair of artificial legs. 

The exoskeleton control algorithm makes sure that the exoskeleton mirrors the operator with minimal interaction forces between the two. The control scheme needs no direct measurements from the operator or where the operator contacts the exoskeleton. Instead, the controller estimates, based on measurements from the exoskeleton only, how to move such that the pilot feels very little force.

For BLEEX, the ankle, knee, and hip flexion/extension joints require an average of 1.3 kW of hydraulic power to walk. An additional 540 W of hydraulic power is necessary for maneuvers other than walking and for the hip abduction/adduction actuators. 4-way, double-stage servo valves were selected to control the actuators due to their high bandwidth, high flow rates, and low electrical power requirements. These valves require approximately 28 W of hydraulic power each, so the eight valves consume 224 W total. The total hydraulic power requirement for the 75 kg BLEEX (and payload) to walk at 1.3 m/s is approximately 2.27 kW, or 3.0 hp (including a 10% safety factor).