Rules Regarding Pneumatic Cylinders in articulated drives

Competition Rules/Strategy
1

I was looking into pneumatic cylinders as a shock absorbing system, however as of 2011 it appears the GDC banned them (http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?16749-Piston-as-a-Shock-Absorber) as the cylinders could encounter pressures beyond what they are rated for. This made me think about articulated drive systems, it seems like the cylinders employed in any sort of octanum drive would inadvertently encounter similar conditions to those of shock absorbers in one of the drive modes (traction or mecanum)

It seems like from a safety perspective, octanums would pose similar safety risks as a suspension, so is there some sort of loophole in the rules that permit them?

As it seems octanum drives are permitted, are other, more non-traditional articulating drive systems also permitted?

2

The difference is that the cylinders used in most articulated systems happen to be connected to the pneumatic system, which has places for that air to be bled off.

Also, obligatory note: Prior year’s rules and rulings are 100% useless for making any ruling on this year’s game.

3

If you keep the cylinders actively charged, and have your relief valve in place (and perhaps an extra one closer to the cylinders), this would prevent over-pressurizing the cylinders.