Abstract: A combination drive and method for applying power through a piston rod (A) operated by an air cylinder (B) is controlled by an elongated self-locking threaded drive member (C) rotated by an electric motor (D) for affording positioning and velocity control for the air operated cylinder and the guided piston rod which stops and is positively positioned upon cessation of operation of the electric motor. Control apparatus includes a valve housing (35) positioning a spool (40) fixed on one end to the elongated threaded drive member (C), and an assembly (45) for moving the spool axially in respect to the electric motor (D) through an axially compliant coupling (50) so that by controlling the motor the valve is thereby controlled.

Abstract: An alignment coupling and method of joining an extensible member of a linear actuator to an actuated member for moving a load utilize an enlarged coupler (A) carried by the extensible member within a receptacle in the actuated member formed by a transverse surface (B) and a longitudinal surface (C). A floating alignment is provided by a compressible resilient retaining member (D) permitting limited axial and radial adjustment of the extensible member. The receptacle has an open passageway for insertion of the coupler to facilitate assembly of the components thus providing a foreshortened alignment coupling.

Abstract: Control apparatus and method for applying power to a linear actuator (A) utilizes an air cylinder (B) and a self-locking drive (C) rotated by an electric motor (D) for affording positioning and velocity control for the air operated cylinder and the guided linear actuator which stops and is positively positioned upon cessation of rotation of the drive by the electric motor.

Abstract: An elongated cam (A) fixed centrally at one end longitudinally within a cylinder is inserted within a cavity in an end of a piston rod (C) which has a cam follower (D) positioned therein and fixed against longitudinal movement so as to reduce the length of the stroke necessary to turn a member adjacent the other end of the piston rod through a given angle.

Abstract: A multi-piston assembly is illustrated wherein a cylindrical housing (A) is ported through longitudinal circumferentially spaced ports (F) and (G) carried within the cylindrical housing. Porting through piston rods is thus avoided so that their cross section may be reduced thereby increasing the area of the pistons available for contact by pressurized fluid. Even greater force may be made available for actuating a tool by the addition of an add-on unit utilizing complementary longitudinal porting.

Abstract: A release mechanism for permitting the operation of a pneumatic valve includes a ring (A) extending about a cylindrical hand held housing for manual manipulation to move a blocking member (B) from beneath a depressible valve operator (D) and is provided with resilient means (C) normally biasing the blocking member (B) towards a blocking position beneath the handle (D) but which may be moved by manual manipulation of the ring against the force of resilient means (C) which automatically returns the blocking member to blocking position after the handle is moved for actuating the pneumatic valve and the like for operating the hand held mechanism.

Abstract: A compact high pressure fluid operated cylinder and method for making same is illustrated wherein an end cap is held within the cylinder by a snap ring (E) carried within a groove at the end of the cylinder to prevent axial dislodgement outwardly from the end of the cylinder, while an O-ring (A) is carried within complementary grooves (B) and (C) within an intermediate circumferential portion of the end cap opposite the snap ring and an opposite cylinder wall portion respectively to prevent inward dislodgement of the end cap. By inserting the snap ring within the groove (D) while an inner surface of the end cap is in engagement with the O-ring so as to resiliently position the end cap in sealing engagement between the snap ring and the O-ring with the end cap in spaced relation to an adjacent end of the cylinder, a cushion seal is provided preventing chattering of the end cap during operation.

Abstract: An elongated cam (A) fixed centrally at one end longitudinally within a cylinder is inserted within a cavity in an end of a piston rod (C) which has a cam follower (D) positioned therein and fixed against longitudinal movement so as to reduce the length of the stroke necessary to turn a member adjacent the other end of the piston rod through a given angle.