Abstract: A torque transfer arrangement includes a relatively immobile construct; a relatively mobile construct radially adjacent the relatively immobile construct; and one or more torque valve assemblies mounted to the relatively mobile construct and radially responsive to applied hydraulic pressure to contact a surface of a separate structure and transmit torque from the arrangement to the separate structure and method.

Abstract: To eliminate necessity for rotating a rotation drive mechanism against frictional resistance originated by a sealing portion of a piston when an output shaft is rotated in a component linear motion and rotary actuator. An inside cylinder tube is concentrically provided in an outside cylinder tube and a piston that is driven by means of fluid pressure is fit into a cylinder chamber having a cylindrical shape formed between both the cylinder tubes in a manner so as to be slidable in an axial direction of the piston. A holder, which is rotatably supported by means of a bearing and which is capable of being rotated by means of rotation drive mechanism, is provided in the inside cylinder tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a workhead for timber processing, the workhead having a main body and a jaw assembly for grappling timber. The jaw assembly includes first and second cooperating pairs of jaw arms that are pivotally mounted to the main body. The first of the cooperating pairs of jaw arms provides cutting blades for delimbing. The workhead further includes a feed roller assembly for translating a felled tree through the cutting blades. First and second feed rollers of the feed roller assembly are associated with the jaw arms of the second cooperating pair of arms of the jaw assembly. A third feed roller is provided on the main body for pivotal movement relative to the main body. The feed rollers also effect compression debarking of the felled tree as it is translated through the cutting blades. Each roller has projecting engaging bars which extend in a generally helical configuration along the outer surface of the roller and between its opposed terminal ends.

Abstract: A stepping actuator having a housing containing two linearly reciprocating members independently and axially slidable, and a common rotating member passed through them. One of the housing and linearly reciprocating members has endless circulating grooves formed by tilted grooves interconnected by circumferentially extending grooves while another one of them holds projections adapted to fit in the circulating grooves. The circumferentially extending grooves have a circumferential length equal to a circumferential length of an opposite tilted groove corresponding to another of said slidable reciprocating members. The linearly reciprocating members and rotating member are linked together by a coupling that transmits the rotary motion while allowing free axial motion.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator having a body with a cylindrical interior sidewall portion. A drive shaft extends generally coaxially within the body and is supported for rotation relative thereto. The shaft has a grooved, outwardly facing circumferential sidewall portion positioned within the body. A ring gear is positioned generally coaxially within the body and extends about the shaft with an annular space therebetween. The ring gear has a grooved, inwardly facing circumferential sidewall portion. The ring gear is formed as a separate part from the body and the ring gear grooved sidewall portion is formed prior to positioning of the ring gear in the body. The ring gear is fixedly attached to the body to prevent rotation therebetween by a weld between the ring gear and the body interior sidewall portion. A stop member is engaged by the ring gear. The stop member is axially located within the body to limit movement of the ring gear toward the body first end during assembly of the ring gear in the body.

Abstract: A fluid-powered actuator having a body with a shaft adapted for coupling to an external device to provide rotational drive thereto. A piston sleeve is mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement within the body to provide rotational drive to the shaft. A plurality of seals are positioned within the body to provide a fluid-tight seal between the body and the shaft, and between the piston and both the shaft and the body. A pair of support members are positioned out of the body and fixedly attached to the body at spaced-apart locations. Each support member has an attachment portion extending circumferentially fully about the body, and a mounting portion. A pair of boom attachment plates are weldable to the mounting portions while the shaft, piston, torque-transmitting member, and seals remain assembled within the body. To avoid damage to the seals, a fluid channel is formed at least partially within each of the attachment portions and fully encircles the body.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator having a body adapted for coupling to a movable member to transfer rotational force thereto. A drive member includes a flange extending axially outward from a body first end, and a stub shaft extending coaxially within the body toward a body second end. The flange includes first, second and intermediate portions, with the first portion axially outward of the second portion. The second portion has a ball race, the first portion is threaded, and the intermediate portion has straight splines formed thereon. The drive member has an elongated aperture, and first and second fluid conduits formed therein. A fluid-transfer tube is carried by a piston and extends into the central aperture. Pressurized fluid applied to a flange first port is communicated through the first fluid conduit to a first piston side, and pressurized fluid applied to a flange second port is communicated through the second fluid conduit via the transfer tube to a second piston side.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator for converting electrical energy to rotational mechanical motion includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm disposed in the housing and defining a boiler chamber within the housing, a working fluid disposed within the boiler chamber and changing phase in response to heating, thereby displacing the diaphragm, a heater disposed within the boiler chamber for heating the working fluid in response to an electrical current flowing through the heater, and a rotatable shaft assembly partially disposed within the housing and including a rotating shaft extending outside the housing, rotating between a return position and a rotated position, and a driver for rotating the shaft from the return position toward a rotated position in response to heating of the working fluid, displacing the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator for converting electrical energy to rotational mechanical motion includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm disposed in the housing and defining a boiler chamber within the housing, a working fluid disposed within the boiler chamber and changing phase in response to heating, thereby displacing the diaphragm, a heater disposed within the boiler chamber for heating the working fluid in response to an electrical current flowing through the heater, and a rotatable shaft assembly partially disposed within the housing and including a rotating shaft extending outside the housing, rotating between a return position and a rotated position, and a driver for rotating the shaft from the return position toward a rotated position in response to heating of the working fluid, displacing the diaphragm.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a steeped axially displaceable piston in a stepped cylinder housing, and a rotary shaft is axial fixed relative to the housing and extends into the piston reduced diameter end portion. The piston reduced diameter portion and the housing having a cooperating set of first teeth while the piston and shaft have a cooperating set of second teeth whereby at least one set of the teeth serve to convert axial movement of the piston into rotary motion of the shaft. The shaft is supported in the housing adjacent where it exits from the housing by a first bearing while a second bearing is provide radial adjacent to the juncture of the housing enlarged and reduced diameter portions that supports the interior end portion of the shaft in the piston reduced diameter portion. A third radial bearing is provided between the enlarged diametric portion and the piston enlarged diametric portion in axial remote relationship to the first bearing.

Abstract: A rotator for crane-mounted working implements comprises a housing (7) swingably connectible with the tip of the crane via a joint, and a pivot shaft (8) connectible with the working implement and pivotal relative to said housing by means of at least one vane or flap (10) operating in a chamber and dividing said chamber into two operating chambers which can be supplied with, or evacuated of, hydraulic medium via two first ducts (12) provided in said housing, said pivot shaft including second hydraulic medium through-ducts (17, 17') opening into annular hollow spaces (16, 16') in a swivel connection (15) incorporated in said housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a penumatic or hydraulic drive for opening and closing of doors, in which the linear motion of a double-acting piston 5 driven by a pressure medium is converted into a rotary motion of a spindle 2 through a piston rod 6 and a helical gear box 3. Herein a blocking lever 10 supported in a stationary manner is provided, which in the closed position of the door engages under the action of a spring 18 at a part 11 connected with a piston 5, wherein said blocking lever secures the piston in its end position and is held in its open position counter to the force of an additional spring 15 by a power cylinder 14 acted upon by the pressure means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pivotable spraying nozzle intended to be used in the treatment of a chassis for a car body. The device comprises a nozzle and a feeding tube for a chassis treatment agent. The nozzle is supported in a hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder piston rod. The piston rod being provided with a roller at its rear end. A cylinder in which the piston rod is movably arranged, is provided with an angular plate at its rear end which cylinder is eccentrically rotatably mounted to said angular plate.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a damper shaft controls the angular position of the damper shaft in accordance with variations in fluid pressure inside of the actuator. The actuator includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm within the housing separating it into a fluid-tight compartment and a second compartment open to the atmosphere. The fluid-tight compartment is provided with a fluid pressure receving port open to a control source of variable pressure. The piston and piston rod are slidably mounted in the second compartment in contact with the diaphragm. The piston rod includes a longitudinally extending rack, and a crank arm rotatably mounted in the housing has a gear segment in meshing relationship with the rack. The actuator shaft to be controlled extends through the housing and is mounted in the crank arm to support the rotary actuator, and the rotary actuator is clipped to an air conditioning duct to prevent it from rotating on the damper actuator shaft axis.

Abstract: Helical splined rotary actuator includes a pair of cylinder housings having inboard ends rotatably mounted in coaxial alignment on opposite ends of a center sleeve member. Contained within the housings are pistons having relatively large diameter helical spline connections with the inner diameters of the housings and smaller diameter straight spline connections with opposite ends of the sleeve member, whereby simultaneous axial movement of the pistons toward and away from each other causes relative rotation between the sleeve member and cylinder housings. The sleeve member may be connected to a first support intermediate the ends of the actuator. In like manner, the cylinder housings may be connected to a second support rotatable relative to the first support adjacent opposite ends of the sleeve member.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuator for the operation of clutch discs, consisting of a housing having a hole therein, a hydraulic cylinder having a centrally oriented hole therethrough, the hydraulic cylinder being mounted at its one end to the hole in the housing, and at its other end defining a ring shaped chamber having a u-shaped cross section, a shaft rotatably mounted in the centrally oriented hole of the hydraulic cylinder for supporting the clutch discs, a ring shaped actuator rotatably and slidably mounted in the chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for engaging the clutch discs, and means for selectively actuating the ring shaped actuator so that the clutch discs can be selectively engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: A fluid-powered, rotary actuated support, including an elongated cylindrical body having ports for introducing pressurized fluid therein; a platform concentric with the cylindrical body and rotatable relative thereto; a radially extending bearing support joined to the cylindrical body and confronting the platform; bearings disposed between the bearing support and the platform for allowing relative rotational movement between the platform and the bearing support, with one of the platform or bearing support being subjected to bending loads disposed in a generally vertical plane from the weight of a crane or other device and its load; a longitudinally splined output shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a drive end for providing rotational drive between the body and the platform, the splines being loosely fitted to the platform for substantially isolating the shaft from non-rotational movement of the platform, the shaft being bearingless and radially floating within the body for transferring rotati

Abstract: In a piston-cylinder device, a guide ring (11) that is provided with helical flutings (12, 26) is arranged between the piston (25) and the cylinder (2). This guide ring (11) has an inner fluting (12). With this it engages an outer fluting (26) on the piston (25). The outer ring surface (13) is smooth. It is provided with full length grooves (15) in order to conduct the pressure medium beneath the lifting piston. The piston (25) is fluted (26) only on one portion of its outer surface. The inclination of this helical fluting (12, 26) amounts to 10.degree.-60.degree.. A rotation-preventing plate (21) holds the piston (25) against rotation. This piston-cylinder device is formed especially for very high and also for eccentric loadings.

Abstract: A brake actuator device having a pneumatic service brake piston and a spring parking or emergency brake piston operation of either one of which effects displacement of a brake actuator rod which includes a screw-threaded spindle that operates in a non-rotatable nut member in order to adjust the length of the actuator rod. The nut member is provided with an external projection to which the vehicle brakes are mounted. A cogwheel is rotatably fixed to the actuator rod and is normally locked against rotation by a locking pin that engages the cogwheel teeth. The actuator rod is formed in two portions that are connected together through a clutch arrangement, the actuator rod portion having the threaded spindle being free to rotate during brake release to increase the actuator rod length and thereby take up the brake slack.

Abstract: A hydraulic mast digger has a kelly head with improved retaining and sealing features. The digger is of the type having a kelly with a bearing assembly mounted between the kelly and a bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve is reciprocally carried in the hydraulic cylinder and moves in response to hydraulic fluid pressure. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the kelly with respect to the bearing sleeve. A cap is secured by threads to the bearing sleeve above the top of the kelly to define a piston. The cap has an upwardly facing shoulder located below the upper edge of the bearing sleeve. A retainer is rigidly secured to the cap and extends down into the space between the cap and bearing sleeve. A locking device locks the retainer to the bearing sleeve. Preferably the locking device includes a key that fits within slots formed on the retainer and bearing sleeve. A primary seal encircles the retainer.

Abstract: A spring-loaded brake cylinder particularly for the air brake system of a railway vehicle has a piston slidable within a housing and a threaded shaft and nut assembly between the piston and a piston rod. The nut is carried upon a non-self-locking thread on the threaded shaft and either the shaft or nut is rotatable and the other is non-rotatable. A loading spring has one end supported by a portion of the housing and secured against axial displacement and has a second end acting against the piston. A selectively operable rotary coupling is disposed in the path of the torque resulting from the force exerted by the spring acting upon the shaft and nut assembly so that the shaft and nut are free to rotate with respect to each other when the rotary coupling is actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ram comprising a piston rod in two parts mounted for relative rotation.A first part extends out of the cylinder, beyond each of the heads, while the second part extends out of the cylinder only beyond one head, namely the upper one, and comprises two axial shoulders directed in opposite directions, located at the two ends of this second part and each cooperating with a shoulder, fast with the first part, corresponding to the maintenance of a fixed relative axial position between the two parts, and two radial bearing surfaces located at the two ends of the second part and cooperating with two radial bearing surfaces fast with the first part, corresponding to the centering of the two parts. The present invention is particularly applied to a rotatable clam-shell bucket.

Abstract: The actuator comprises a cylinder of non-circular cross section having three ports and a center axis, three pistons and a piston rod which is provided with at least one male thread having a pre-determined helical angle at a pre-determined pitch. One of the pistons is mounted on the piston rod for rotation relative thereto while being fixed against axial displacement therealong, and the other two pistons are provided with at least one female spiral thread engaged with the male spiral thread on the piston rod, while being maintained at a small spacing therebetween. Thus, the piston rod can reciprocate in the cylinder in opposite axial directions and can rotate, relative to the cylinder, in opposite angular directions, and further, an accurate positioning of the piston rod can be effected at a beginning and/or an end of an operating cycle thereof.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator has manual means for discontinuing and automatic means for restoring the spring braking function. A non-self-locking nut member is rotatable about the spindle and is releasably locked to the brake cylinder in that direction it rotates due to spring force.

Abstract: A hydraulic release mechanism for automobile clutches comprising a housing open at one end and a bearing. The bearing comprises a rotating race ring adapted to be connected to the operating member of the clutch, a non-rotating race ring and a plurality of roller elements located therebetween. The non-rotating race ring is slidably arranged with respect to the housing, and seal means is arranged on the non-rotating race ring between it and the surface of the housing to enclose the housing to form a pressure chamber while permitting the race ring to move on introduction of pressurized fluid into the housing.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated failsafe valve actuator for use on non-rising valve stems, particularly in a subsea environment. A rotatable shaft is connected to the non-rising valve stem. In one embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated motor acting against the bias of a spring. Means connects means linearly movable along the shaft and converts the linear movement of the linear movable means to rotary movement of the shaft. Spring means moves the linearly movable means in one direction to cause the shaft to rotate in one direction. Fluid pressure means, including a fluid pressure operated motor, rotates the shaft in an opposite direction to cause the linearly movable means to move in an opposite direction along the shaft. In another embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated piston acting against the bias of the spring. The piston is mounted on the rotatable shaft and moves linearly along the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A control cylinder assembly for servo-steering systems including a fluid pressure circuit and steering shaft and an output shaft, in which a servo piston is supported during axial travel by axially spaced sleeves connected to a housing cover and the sleeves form circumposed fluid areas, and the piston forms opposed variable-volume operational areas, all of the areas being operatively connected in a fluid pressure circuit.