Adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes

Abstract

Systems and methods for adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes are provided. An example system includes one or more manipulation components configured to support a mechanical test, where each manipulation component is configured for use in conjunction with a manipulation material during the mechanical test, and where each manipulation component is pneumatically or hydraulically driven; at least one controller configured to control the at least one manipulation component; and circuitry configurable to provide adaptive and automatic switching between a plurality of operating modes including at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode. The circuitry is configured to, when providing adaptive and automatic switching: determine a hardware configuration of the system; selecting an operating mode based on the hardware configuration, where the selected operating mode is one of a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode; and, upon need, causing a switch to the determined mode of operation.

Description

[0001] Priority requirements This patent application claims priority to and benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 684,725, filed August 19, 2024. The application identified above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to mechanical testing solutions. More specifically, certain embodiments of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes. Background Technology

[0003] By comparing these methods of conventional solutions with some aspects of the present methods and systems illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in the remainder of this disclosure, the limitations and disadvantages (if any) of conventional solutions will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to testing solutions, and in particular, to systems and methods used in conjunction with testing solutions. More specifically, various embodiments of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes, substantially as shown or described in conjunction with at least one accompanying drawing, and as set forth more fully in the claims.

[0005] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of this disclosure, as well as the details of the embodiments shown in this disclosure, will be more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 An example test system is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 An example system was demonstrated that can support the use of pneumatic and hydraulic clamping devices or handheld devices.

[0008] Figure 3 An example hydraulic clamping device controller is shown.

[0009] Figures 4A to 4D Different configurations of an example system supporting pneumatic and hydraulic modes, as well as adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes, are shown.

[0010] Figure 5 An example hardware switching is demonstrated in a system that supports both pneumatic and hydraulic modes to provide adaptive and automatic switching between modes.

[0011] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating example switching logic that can be used to provide adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic operating modes is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Various embodiments of this disclosure relate to providing enhanced and optimized testing solutions, particularly by implementing and operating systems or setups that provide adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes.

[0013] As used herein, the terms “circuit” and “circuit system” refer to physical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and / or firmware (“code”) that can configure, be executed by, and / or otherwise associate with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory devices, general-purpose computer-readable media, etc.) may constitute a first “circuit” when executing a first set of one or more lines of code, and a second “circuit” when executing a second set of one or more lines of code. Additionally, a circuit may include analog circuit systems and / or digital circuit systems. Such circuit systems can, for example, operate on analog signals and / or digital signals. It should be understood that a circuit may reside in a single device or chip, on a single motherboard, in a single housing, in multiple housings at a single geographical location, or distributed across multiple housings at multiple geographical locations. Similarly, the term “module” may, for example, refer to physical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and / or firmware (“code”) that can configure, be executed by, and / or otherwise associate with the hardware.

[0014] As used herein, a circuit system or module is “operable” to perform a function when it includes the hardware and code necessary to perform that function, if necessary, regardless of whether the performance of that function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., through user-configurable settings, factory settings, etc.).

[0015] As used herein, “and / or” means any one or more of the multiple items in the list connected by “and / or”. As an example, “x and / or y” means any element in the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and / or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y and / or z” means any element in the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and / or z” means “one or more of x, y and z”. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means used as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms “for example” and “eg” introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.

[0016] Figure 1 An example test system is shown. Figure 1 An example test system 100 is shown, which can be configured to perform tests, such as mechanical characteristic tests.

[0017] The testing system 100 may be, for example, a universal testing system capable of performing static mechanical tests. The testing system 100 may perform tests such as compressive strength, tensile strength, shear strength, flexural strength, flexural strength, tear strength, peel strength (e.g., adhesive strength), and / or any other compression, tensile, torsion, thermal, and / or impact tests. Additionally or alternatively, the testing system 100 may perform dynamic tests.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the test system 100 includes a test fixture 102 and a computing device 104 communicatively coupled to the test fixture 102. The test fixture 102 applies a load to the material 106 under test (e.g., a membrane sample) and measures the mechanical properties of the material, such as the displacement of the material 106 and / or the force applied to the material 106.

[0019] The computing device 104 may include a suitable circuit system configured to provide various computation-related functions within the test system 100. For example, the computing device 104 may be used to configure the test fixture 102, control the test fixture 102, and / or receive measurement results from the test fixture 102 for processing, display, reporting, and / or any other desired purpose.

[0020] In some embodiments, the test system (e.g., test system 100) may include additional components and / or devices that can facilitate and / or support the operation of test system 100 and / or the performance of tests performed within the test system. These components and / or devices may include, for example, clamping devices, handheld devices, etc. In some instances, at least some of these components and / or devices may be actuated, such as hydraulically or pneumatically. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the test system 100 includes one or more clamping devices 108 for holding the material 106.

[0021] According to this disclosure, suitable systems (e.g., test system 100) can be configured to support adaptive and automatic switching between different types of drive modes (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic operation). In this regard, such systems, where some components can be hydraulically or pneumatically driven, can be configured to adaptively and automatically (i.e., without user input, or at least without real-time input) determine which operating mode (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic) will be used, such as which operating mode will be used for a specific component (e.g., gripper, handheld device, etc.), and switch to the determined mode when necessary.

[0022] In particular, in various implementations, the operating mode can be determined based on factors such as, for example, the hardware configuration in the system. In this regard, the hardware configuration may include and / or require evaluation of various parameters and / or conditions associated with specific devices and / or components in the system, which may be relevant to determining the appropriate operating mode. Adaptive and automatic switching between operating modes may also include evaluating other potentially relevant factors, such as software configuration (e.g., to determine whether the software configuration matches the hardware configuration). The following is relative to... Figures 2 to 6 These features and more will be described in more detail.

[0023] Nevertheless, while various references have been made herein to hydraulic and / or pneumatic gripping or handheld devices, this disclosure is not limited to these components and / or devices. Rather, it should be readily understood that the solutions described herein are applicable to all suitable hydraulically and / or pneumatically driven components or devices that can be configured for use in systems such as Test System 100.

[0024] Figure 2 An example system was demonstrated that can support the use of pneumatic and hydraulic clamping devices or handheld devices. Figure 2 Example system 200 is shown. In this respect, system 200 can be a test system (e.g., Figure 1 The simplified box representation of the test system 100 indicates that the test system can be configured to provide and / or support adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes.

[0025] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, system 200 includes a main frame 210, a hydraulic clamping device controller 220, a hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230, and a pneumatic switch (e.g., a foot switch) 240. In this respect, the main frame 210 may correspond to the main frame of the system, including the main structure and / or components of the system. For example, refer to... Figure 1 The test system 100 has a main frame that can correspond to a combination of the test fixture 102 and the computing device 104.

[0026] The hydraulic clamping device controller 220 may include suitable hardware and circuitry for providing hydraulic clamping device control-related functions. Figure 3 An example implementation of a hydraulic clamping device controller is shown. The hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 may include a hydraulically driven clamping or handheld device that can be used in the system 200 (e.g., during test operations in the system).

[0027] Pneumatic switchers (e.g., foot switchers) 240 may include switchers used in conjunction with pneumatically driven components or devices (e.g., clamping devices or handheld devices) in system 200 (e.g., during test operations performed in the system). Further, although Figure 2 Not shown, but in some embodiments, system 200 may include a pneumatic gripper (or handheld device) controller that can be used to provide pneumatic gripper (or handheld device) control-related functions. This pneumatic gripper (or handheld device) controller may be a separate dedicated component that can be connected to or otherwise coupled to the main frame 210. In some instances, the pneumatic gripper (or handheld device) controller may alternatively be directly coupled to and / or combined with the main frame 210. In some instances, the pneumatic gripper (or handheld device) controller may alternatively be directly coupled to and / or combined with the hydraulic gripper controller 220; that is, a single controller configured to provide both pneumatic and hydraulic control-related functions may be used. For example, the hydraulic gripper controller 220 may be configured to optionally provide pneumatic control-related functions, such as by reconfiguring its individual components.

[0028] According to this disclosure, system 200 can be configured to provide and / or support adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes. In this regard, in various embodiments based on this disclosure, a system (such as system 200) in which components can be hydraulically or pneumatically driven can be configured to adaptively and automatically (i.e., without user input, at least without real-time input) determine which operating mode (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic) will be used for a particular component (e.g., a gripper, a handheld device, etc.), and can switch to the determined mode if necessary.

[0029] This can be determined based on, for example, the hardware configuration of the system. In this regard, as used herein, the hardware configuration may include currently present devices and / or components, the connectivity of at least some of these devices and / or components, whether one or more of these devices and / or components are powered on or activated, etc. For example, in system 200, adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes may be based on an assessment of one or more of the presence, power status, and connectivity of one or more of the hydraulic gripper controller 220, the hydraulic handheld device (or gripper) 230, and the pneumatic switcher (e.g., a foot switcher) 240.

[0030] Table 1 below summarizes the conditions and corresponding operating modes for various example hardware configurations. Figures 4A to 4D The diagrams show and describe these configurations in more detail than these figures. Table 1: Conditions and corresponding operating modes for different configurations In some instances, adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes may also include evaluating the system's software configuration, such as determining whether the software configuration is consistent with and matches the hardware configuration.

[0031] Figure 3 An example hydraulic clamping device controller is shown. Figure 3 The hydraulic clamping device controller 300 is shown. In this respect, the hydraulic clamping device controller 300 indicates... Figure 2 An example implementation of the hydraulic clamping device controller 220.

[0032] like Figure 3As shown, the hydraulic clamping device controller 300 has a housing made of sheets (e.g., metal) assembled to form an enclosure housing the components of the hydraulic clamping device controller 300. These components may include, for example, a power unit, pressure sensor, thermal switch, manifold, pipe, connector, instrumentation, etc. The hydraulic clamping device controller 300 further includes a circuit board 310 comprising a suitable circuit system configured to provide the processing (and / or other computational) functions required to operate the hydraulic clamping device controller 300.

[0033] In various embodiments based on this disclosure, circuit board 310 may be configured to provide and / or support adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes as described herein. For example, circuit board 310 (or more specifically its circuitry) may be configured to implement and utilize switching logic for determining the correct operating mode and / or facilitating switching to the determined mode, such as by generating control signals and / or by selecting appropriate components (e.g., a clamping device controller) to achieve operation in the determined mode.

[0034] Figures 4A to 4D Different configurations of an example system supporting pneumatic and hydraulic modes, as well as adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes, are shown. Figures 4A to 4D It shows Figure 2 Different configurations of the example system 200 shown.

[0035] In particular, Figure 4A A first configuration (“Configuration A”) is shown, in which the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 is connected to and powered on (i.e., “on”) the main frame 210, and the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 is connected to the main frame 210. In this configuration, with the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 “on” and the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 directly connected to the main frame 210, the system is configured (switched) for hydraulic operation.

[0036] Figure 4B A second configuration (“Configuration B”) is shown, in which the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 is connected to and powered on (i.e., “on”) the main frame 210, the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 is connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller 220, and additionally, the pneumatic foot pedal switch 240 is connected to the main frame 210. In this configuration, even though the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 is “on” and the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 is directly connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller 220, the system is configured (switched) for pneumatic operation because the pneumatic foot pedal switch 240 is directly connected to the main frame 210.

[0037] Figure 4C A third configuration (“Configuration C”) is shown, in which the hydraulic gripper controller 220 is connected to the main frame 210 but is turned off / de-energized (i.e., “off”), wherein the hydraulic handheld device (or gripper) 230 is not connected to the main frame 210 (nor to either the hydraulic gripper controller 220 or the main frame 210), but the pneumatic foot switch 240 is connected to the main frame 210. In this configuration, with the hydraulic gripper controller 220 “off” and the main frame 210 connected (to the pneumatic foot switch 240), the system is configured (switched) for pneumatic operation, regardless of the mounting position of the hydraulic handheld device (or gripper) 230.

[0038] Figure 4D A fourth configuration (“Configuration D”) is shown, in which the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 is connected to and powered on (i.e., “on”) the main frame 210, and the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 is connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller 220, and the main frame 210 is not connected to any device. In this configuration, even though the main frame 210 is not connected to any device, the system is configured (switched) for hydraulic operation because the hydraulic handheld device (or clamping device) 230 is directly connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller 220, with the hydraulic clamping device controller 220 “on”.

[0039] Figure 5 An example hardware switching control is demonstrated in a system that supports both pneumatic and hydraulic modes to provide adaptive and automatic switching between modes. Figure 5 The hardware switching control 500 is shown in the figure.

[0040] Hardware switching control 500 may include suitable hardware (including suitable circuitry) configured to provide switching control to facilitate switching between pneumatic and hydraulic operating modes in a suitable system (e.g., system 200). In this respect, hardware switching control 500 may be implemented in one or more components of the system. For example, hardware switching control 500 (or at least a portion thereof) may be implemented in a hydraulic clamping device controller component (e.g., hydraulic clamping device controller 300, such as in circuit board 310).

[0041] like Figure 5As shown, the hardware switching control 500 includes a switching direction logic (module) 510 and a switcher (module) 520. The switcher 520 may include a suitable circuitry for selecting between two outputs corresponding to two operating modes (i.e., pneumatic operating mode and hydraulic operating mode). In this regard, the switcher 520 may be selected between connection to a pneumatic gripper controller 530 and connection to a hydraulic gripper controller 540 to facilitate operation under both pneumatic and hydraulic conditions. The switcher 520 may be driven by gripper control signals received from the gripper or handheld device (e.g., the hydraulic handheld device 220 in system 200).

[0042] Furthermore, the switching performed in switcher 520 can be controlled by switching direction logic 510. In this regard, switching direction logic (module) 510 may include a suitable circuit system for generating control signals to control the operation of switcher 520 (e.g., switching). Switching direction logic (module) 510 can be programmed to control switching based on a predefined switching scheme, which can be configured based on various hardware configurations supported by the system.

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating example switching logic that can be used to provide adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic operating modes is shown. Figure 6 The diagram shown is flowchart 600, which includes several example steps (represented by boxes 602-624) that can be performed in a suitable system (e.g., system 200) to provide adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic operating modes. Specifically, the processes documented in flowchart 600 can be... Figure 5 The switching direction logic of the hardware switching control 500 is executed in 510.

[0044] Following the start step (in which the system can be set up and / or configured), in step 602, a check is performed to determine whether the hydraulic clamping device controller is connected to the frame. If it is determined that the hydraulic clamping device controller is not connected to the frame, the process proceeds to step 604.

[0045] In step 604, a check is performed to determine whether the hydraulic clamping device controller is powered on. If it is determined that the hydraulic clamping device controller is not powered on, the process proceeds to step 606, in which the hydraulic clamping device controller is marked as inoperable.

[0046] Returning to step 604, if it is determined that the hydraulic clamping device controller is energized, the process proceeds to step 608, in which a signal is sent to the hydraulic clamping device controller. This result corresponds to the system being in "Configuration D", as... Figure 4D As shown and described relative to the figure.

[0047] Returning to step 602, and confirming that the hydraulic clamping device controller is connected to the frame, the process proceeds to step 610, in which the frame is energized. The process then proceeds to step 612.

[0048] In step 612, a check is performed to determine if the hydraulic clamping device controller is powered on. If it is determined that the hydraulic clamping device controller is not powered on, the process proceeds to step 614, in which a signal is sent to the pneumatic clamping device controller. This result corresponds to the system being in "Configuration C", as... Figure 4C As shown and described in conjunction with the figure. The process then proceeds to step 620.

[0049] Returning to step 612, if it is determined that the hydraulic clamping device controller is powered on, the process proceeds to step 614, where a check is performed to determine where the handheld device is connected. If it is determined that the handheld device is connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller, the process proceeds to step 618, where a signal is sent to the hydraulic clamping device controller. This result corresponds to the system being in "Configuration B," as... Figure 4B As shown in the diagram and described relative to it. The process then proceeds to step 620.

[0050] Returning to step 614, if it is determined that the handheld device is not connected to the hydraulic clamping device controller, the process proceeds to step 616, in which a signal is sent to the hydraulic clamping device controller. This result corresponds to the system being in "Configuration A", as... Figure 4A As shown and relative to the figure described. The process then proceeds to step 620.

[0051] In step 620, a check is performed to determine whether the software is configured to be compatible with the hardware. If it is determined that the software is not configured to be compatible with the hardware, the process proceeds to step 622, where an error is set and the system is disabled.

[0052] Returning to step 620, if it is determined that the software is configured to match the hardware, the process proceeds to step 624, where a check is performed to determine whether the hardware configuration has changed. In this regard, the re-check of the hardware configuration can be performed in various ways, such as continuously, periodically (e.g., based on a preset and / or configurable re-check duration or frequency), and / or in response to one or more specific triggers (which may be preset and / or configurable). For example, a re-check can be performed in response to the detection of a specific signal in the system.

[0053] If the hardware configuration is determined to be unchanged, the process loops back to step 624 to recheck whether the hardware configuration has changed; otherwise (i.e., if the hardware configuration is determined to have changed), the process proceeds to step 622.

[0054] An example system according to this disclosure includes: one or more actuating components configured to support mechanical testing, wherein each actuating component is configured to be used in conjunction with a manipulating material during mechanical testing, and wherein each actuating component is pneumatically or hydraulically driven; at least one controller configured to control at least one actuating component; and a circuit system configured to provide adaptive and automatic switching between multiple operating modes, including at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode, wherein the circuit system is configured to, when providing adaptive and automatic switching,: determine the hardware configuration of the system; select an operating mode based on the hardware configuration, wherein the selected operating mode is one of a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode; and, when necessary, cause a switch to the determined operating mode.

[0055] In an example embodiment, the circuit system is configured to, when determining the hardware configuration,: determine the type of each of one or more control components; determine connection-related information of at least one controller and each of the one or more control components; and determine the power state of at least one controller and each of the one or more control components.

[0056] In an example embodiment, the circuit system is further configured to determine whether the software configuration of the system and / or the software configuration of at least one component of the system matches and / or is compatible with the determined hardware configuration.

[0057] In an example embodiment, the circuit system is further configured to trigger one or more actions in response to determining that the software configuration does not match and / or is incompatible with the determined hardware configuration.

[0058] In an example embodiment, one or more actions include setting an error and disabling at least one of the following:

[0059] In the example embodiment, the circuit system is further configured to redetermine the hardware configuration of the system.

[0060] In an example embodiment, the circuitry is configured to continuously, periodically, or in response to one or more triggers reconfigure the system's hardware.

[0061] In an example embodiment, one or more manipulation components include at least one of a handheld device or a clamping device.

[0062] In an example embodiment, at least one controller includes a hydraulic clamping device controller.

[0063] In an example embodiment, at least one component of the controller includes at least a portion of the circuitry.

[0064] In an example embodiment, the system further includes a main frame, wherein one or more manipulation components are configured to operate in conjunction with the main frame.

[0065] In the example embodiment, the main frame includes at least a portion of the circuitry.

[0066] An example method according to this disclosure includes: in a system supporting mechanical testing operations, the system includes one or more actuating components for use in conjunction with a manipulating material during mechanical testing, and at least one controller configured to control at least one actuating component, wherein each actuating component is pneumatically or hydraulically driven, providing adaptive and automatic switching between multiple operating modes; wherein the multiple operating modes include at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode; and wherein providing adaptive and automatic switching includes: determining a hardware configuration of the system; selecting an operating mode based on the hardware configuration, wherein the selected operating mode is one of a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode; and, when necessary, inducing a switch to the determined operating mode.

[0067] In an example embodiment, determining the hardware configuration includes determining the type of each of one or more control components; determining connection-related information of at least one controller and each of the one or more control components; and determining the power state of at least one controller and each of the one or more control components.

[0068] In an example embodiment, the method further includes determining whether the software configuration of the system and / or the software configuration of at least one component of the system matches and / or is compatible with the determined hardware configuration.

[0069] In an example embodiment, the method further includes triggering one or more actions in response to determining that the software configuration does not match and / or is incompatible with the determined hardware configuration.

[0070] In an example embodiment, one or more actions include setting an error and disabling at least one of the following:

[0071] In an example embodiment, the method further includes redetermining the hardware configuration of the system.

[0072] In an example embodiment, the method further includes re-determining the hardware configuration of the system continuously, periodically, or in response to one or more triggers.

[0073] Other embodiments of this disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium and / or storage medium, and / or a non-transitory machine-readable medium and / or storage medium, having stored thereon machine code and / or a computer program having at least one code segment executable by a machine and / or computer, thereby enabling the machine and / or computer to perform the processes described herein.

[0074] Therefore, various implementations of this disclosure can be carried out in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. This disclosure can be implemented centrally on at least one computing system or distributedly across several interconnected computing systems with different components. Any kind of computing system or other device adapted to perform the methods described herein is suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computing system having a program or other code that, when loaded and executed, controls the computing system to cause it to perform the methods described herein. Another typical implementation may include an application-specific integrated circuit or chip.

[0075] Various embodiments of this disclosure can also be embedded in a computer program product that includes all features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and that, when loaded into a computer system, performs those methods. In this context, a computer program refers to any expression, in any language, code, or symbol, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system with information processing capabilities to directly perform a particular function or, after any one or both of the following processes: a) being translated into another language, code, or symbol; or b) being copied in a different material form.

[0076] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the blocks and / or components of the disclosed examples can be combined, divided, rearranged, and / or otherwise modified. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: One or more control components, the one or more control components being configured to support mechanical testing. Each actuating component is configured to be used in conjunction with a actuating material during the mechanical test, and Each of the control components is either pneumatically or hydraulically driven. At least one controller, the at least one controller being configured to control at least one actuating component; and A circuit system configured to provide adaptive and automatic switching between multiple operating modes, including at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode, wherein the circuit system is configured to, when providing the adaptive and automatic switching: Determine the hardware configuration of the system; The operating mode is selected based on the hardware configuration, wherein the selected operating mode is one of the pneumatic mode and the hydraulic mode; and When needed, this triggers a switch to the determined operating mode.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The circuit system is configured to, when determining the hardware configuration: Determine the type of each of the one or more control components; Determine the connection-related information of the at least one controller and each of the one or more operating components; as well as Determine the power state of each of the at least one controller and each of the one or more operating components.

3. The system as described in claim 1, wherein, The circuit system is further configured to determine whether the software configuration of the system and / or the software configuration of at least one component of the system matches and / or is compatible with the determined hardware configuration.

4. The system as described in claim 3, wherein, The circuit system is further configured to trigger one or more actions in response to determining that the software configuration does not match and / or is incompatible with the determined hardware configuration.

5. The system as described in claim 4, wherein, The one or more actions include setting errors and disabling at least one of the following:

6. The system of claim 1, wherein, The circuit system is further configured to redetermine the hardware configuration of the system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, The circuit system is configured to continuously, periodically, or in response to one or more triggers to re-determine the hardware configuration of the system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein, The one or more control components include at least one of a handheld device or a clamping device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein, The at least one controller includes a hydraulic clamping device controller.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein, The components of the at least one controller include at least a portion of the circuit system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein, The system further includes a main frame, wherein the one or more manipulation components are configured to operate in conjunction with the main frame.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein, The main frame includes at least a portion of the circuit system.

13. A method comprising: In a system supporting mechanical testing operations, the system includes one or more manipulation components for use in conjunction with manipulation materials during the mechanical testing, and at least one controller configured to control at least one manipulation component. Each control component is either pneumatically or hydraulically driven, providing adaptive and automatic switching between multiple operating modes; The various operating modes include at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode; and The adaptive and automatic switching includes: Determine the hardware configuration of the system; The operating mode is selected based on the hardware configuration, wherein the selected operating mode is one of the pneumatic mode and the hydraulic mode; and When needed, this triggers a switch to the determined operating mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, Determining the hardware configuration includes: Determine the type of each of the one or more control components; Determine the connection-related information of the at least one controller and each of the one or more operating components; and Determine the power state of each of the at least one controller and each of the one or more operating components.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Determine whether the software configuration of the system and / or the software configuration of at least one component of the system matches and / or is compatible with the determined hardware configuration.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: One or more actions are triggered in response to the determination that the software configuration does not match and / or is incompatible with the determined hardware configuration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The one or more actions include setting errors and disabling at least one of the following:

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The hardware configuration of the system is redefined.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The hardware configuration of the system is redefined continuously, periodically, or in response to one or more triggers.

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