Help With Hydraulic or Pneumatic System

I seem to remember older cruise control systems (circa 1975-80) having vacuum bellows and a chain linked to the carburettor linkage. You could cannibalise such a system for the accelerator/gas say from a junkyard. If you start with a powered braking system, i.e. one with a pump not a vacuum servo, you only have to open a valve to operate the brakes, no real effort needed. Nowadays ABS systems incorporate the means to pressurisse the system. I'm not sure how you'd accomplish it, but an ABS actuator could run a standard braking system almost from a switch I would think.

THANKS ALOT. I'LL CHECK INTO IT. PAUL

You posted this same question in another thread. I'm copying my answer here as well:

This website helps people like you to get in contact with companies or organizations for the help that you need. Try them:

http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&ksectionid=19327

I would not be comfortable giving you ideas or even designs off the top of my head as your needs are very special and needs a personal touch (as in seeing and talking with the designer).

Many organisations that help wheelchair users achieve a measure of mobility may have information on adaptor mechanisms that can be added to a car to bring the functions normally carried out by pedal controls close to the steering wheel.

http://www.motability.co.uk/ would be a good first visit.

Please keep in mind that air cylinders are difficult to control for position -- they like to be extended or retracted against their mechanical stops (buillt-in via ends of the cylinder). I have built air cylinder test systems with position feedback, but it ain't easy. The positive displacement of hydraulic cylinders with controlled flow rates of hydraulic fluids is much easier to do "open-loop," and there's certainly nothing wrong with closing that position loop either.

PAUL14750,

I am a ME specialized in Fluid Power and Machine Design.

I have designed and built various things for Handicap Access. Such as Transit Bus stairs that unfold to become a chair lift, wheelchairs that climbed stairs, to motorcycles designed for paraplegics and amputees.

I am retired and bored! So contact me with specific information and I will try to see if we can come up with a WORKABLE solution to your needs.

I believe that the freedom to go places on your own is vital to anyones well being.

hey how you doing? thanks for answering my post. i understand about being bored. i've been a quadriplegic for over 30 years. i have a design that you might be interested in looking over. feel free to make any changes you feel necessary and let me know. paul14750@aol.com

PAUL14750, This is a very important question! Are you planning on using this or another system to operate a vehicle on public roads?

I HAD MY SPINAL CORD INJURY WHEN I WAS 22. I HAVE USED HAND CONTROLS WITH ROD AND CABLE SET UP IN FULL SIZE VANS: FORD EI50 AND CHEVY G20. I WANT THIS SO I CAN PUT IT IN A SMALLER VEHICLE. I DO PLAN ON USING IT IN A VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I HAVE MY DRIVERS LICENSE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT PEOPLE WHO DRIVE LIKE IDIOTS AND ARE NOT DISABLED. HOW MANY DISABLED PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW OF WHO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO USING HAND CONTROLS. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY. DISABLED PEOPLE ARE GENERALLY MORE CONCIENTIOS DRIVERS. DRIVING IS A PRIVELEDGE-NOT A RIGHT! GOOD QUESTION, YOU CAN PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE, I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I NEVER DRIVE ALONE. THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN. PAUL

OK, Tell me what make and model of car and I will see what I can come up with that is: Safe. Reliable. Inexpensive. PRB

In my younger years I worked for a company doing handicap refits to front wheel drive minivans. The controls we installed were computer controlled vacuum assist for the brakes and computer controlled for the fuel systems. My understanding and experience says that vacuum is easier to control and manage.