Abstract: A rotary actuator includes one or more rotor vanes (40); an endplate (60); a corner seal (30) being positioned between the rotor vanes (40) and the endplate (60); a vane seal (20); a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber; and a single channel (22) extending from a lower portion of a vane seal groove (25) to a common channel (28) beneath the vane seal (20), wherein the high pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the corner seal (30) via the single channel (22) and the common channel (28). The common channel (28) may be formed in the rotor vane (40) or provided separately in a rotor vane flow sleeve (21) positioned along an interior surface of the rotor vane (40). The single channel (22) is machined from the bottom of the vane seal groove (25) to the area behind the corner seal (30).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piston for transferring an output force to another member in response to pressurized fluid being communicated to a bore in a housing. The piston has a cylinder body made of a plurality of triaxial braided layers of carbon fibers which are placed on a mandrel with spacers located between the layers to form an annular projection of a first end and a taper of a second end. The carbon fibers are impregnated with a thermoset resin and cured to define a unitary solid structure. A cone and collar is attached to the second end to form a unitary piston. The piston is inserted in the bore and moved by the pressurized fluid to provide the output force for the other member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piston for transferring an output force to a member in responsive to pressurized fluid being communicated to a bore in a housing. The piston has a cylinder body made of a plurality of triaxial braided layers of carbon fibers which are placed on a mandrel with spacers located between the layers to form an annular projection of a first end and a taper of a second end. The carbon fibers are inpregnated with a thermoset resin and cured to define a unitary solid structure. Thereafter a cone and collar, throughwhich an output force is suppled to member, is attached to the second en dand the unitary structure inserted in the bore.