Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator for providing rotary movement between first and second external members. The actuator includes a cylindrical body with first and second ends. The body is adapted for coupling to the first external member, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body and supported for rotation relative thereto. The shaft having an adjustable end limit of rotation relative to the body. The shaft has an end portion adapted for coupling to the second external member to provide rotational movement between the first and second external members. An annular body insert is positioned coaxial with the body and at least partially within the body at the body first end. The body insert is formed as a separate part from the body and is adjustably rotatable relative to the body to permit adjustment of the end limit of rotation of the shaft relative to the body. The body insert is restrained by the body against axial movement relative to the body during powered operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator for providing rotary movement between first and second external members. The actuator includes a cylindrical body with first and second ends. The body is adapted for coupling to the first external member, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body and supported for rotation relative thereto. The shaft having an adjustable end limit of rotation relative to the body. The shaft has an end portion adapted for coupling to the second external member to provide rotational movement between the first and second external members. An annular body insert is positioned coaxial with the body and at least partially within the body at the body first end. The body insert is formed as a separate part from the body and is adjustably rotatable relative to the body to permit adjustment of the end limit of rotation of the shaft relative to the body. The body insert is restrained by the body against axial movement relative to the body during powered operation of the actuator.

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: A fluid-powered rotary actuator attachable to a boom and usable with a work implement having two hydraulic actuators. The rotary actuator has a body with a drive shaft extending longitudinally therewithin. The shaft has one end located outward of the body and fixed to an attachment flange which can be connected to a vehicle boom. An annular fluid coupling is rotatably mounted on the shaft between the flange and the body. Fluid passageways in the shaft conduct fluid to the coupling, which has three circumferential fluid distribution channels. The coupler provides the fluid to flexible hoses which extend to the hydraulic actuators. The coupling is freely rotatable relative to the shaft but has a connection finger attached thereto which is received in a hole in a connection flange which is attached to the body.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a utility vehicle having a support frame. The assembly includes a fluid-powered rotary actuator, with a body having a rotatable hollow shaft extending therewithin. An annular piston is mounted within the body about the shaft for reciprocal axial movement and rollers are provided for transmitting torque between the body and the shaft to produce rotational movement of the shaft in response to axial movement of the piston. An axially extendable member extends longitudinally within a central bore of the shaft with a lower end portion projecting out of the body and being attached to forks to which a wheel is rotatably mounted. The central bore of the shaft and the extendable member have meshing straight splines which transmit the rotational drive of the shaft to the extendable member, while allowing free axial movement of the extendable member. The extendable member has a piston portion which defines an interior fluid chamber. An accumulator is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-powered, laterally tiltable quick disconnect bucket actuator. An actuator has a generally cylindrical body with an output shaft rotatably disposed therein with an axis in general parallel alignment with a forward rotation plane through which the bucket is rotatable on a backhoe arm by the operation of a rotation link. A bracket is attached to the body and has a pair of clevises for pivotal attachment to the vehicle arm and rotation link. In one embodiment, the shaft has two pair of attachment forks for attaching the shaft to corresponding clevises of a bucket. One pair of the forks is attached to and moves axially with a member which is selectively extendable relative to the shaft to move the pair of forks between a locking position holding the bucket and a release position allowing disconnection of the bucket.

Abstract: An air-powered actuator having a body with first and second ends, an axially transverse annular bulkhead positioned therebetween, and an output shaft with a splined exterior portion. The body includes first and second end walls with each end wall having a sleeve mounted coaxially within the body about the shaft and projecting axially inward within the body. A piston sleeve is disposed for axial reciprocating movement within the body. The piston sleeve has a pair of piston heads, an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is mounted coaxially within the body inward of the bulkhead and about the first and second sleeves to define therewith a fluid-tight outer chamber containing the piston heads, each positioned to an opposite side of the bulkhead to define four fluid-tight chambers and to which pressurized air is applied. Also defined is a fluid-tight inner chamber containing lubricating oil. The outer sleeve is attached to the piston heads for reciprocating travel therewith.

Abstract: A vehicle having a fluid-powered rotary dipper stick assembly including a boom attachment head and a bucket attachment head with a body extending therebetween. An axle extends from the boom attachment head into the body and is in sliding engagement with an inward wall of the body to provide lateral support thereto. The axle extends to a midportion of the body. The body is rotatable relative to the axle, and is rigidly connected to the bucket attachment head for rotation together as a unit. A linear-to-rotary transmission mechanism including a piston is disposed within the body and is operable to produce rotational movement of the body relative to the non-rotating axle. The piston is operated by the application of pressurized fluid to produce linear movement of the piston which is translated into rotational movement of the body, and provides rotation of a bucket or other work implement attached thereto about the body longitudinal axis independent of the boom attachment head.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having two steerable front wheels. Left and right-fluid powered rotary actuators have their bodies rigidly attached to the vehicle frame with their drive shafts attached to wheel brackets. The front wheels are each attached to one of the wheel brackets. Each actuator includes a pair of fluid ports, and a piston sleeve which reciprocates within the body of the actuator to rotate the drive shaft relative to the body through a range of at least 180.degree.. Fluid conduit interconnects the ports of the two actuators in series, and with a fluid-control steering valve. Operation of the valve selectively applies pressure to the piston sleeves of the actuators to simultaneously rotate their drive shafts and, thus, the left and right front wheels in unison and in substantially equal angular amounts through a steering range of at least 180.degree.. A motor provides drive to one of the front wheels to facilitate movement of the vehicle forward end when it is not desirable to drive the rear wheels.

Abstract: A fluid-powered, laterally tiltable quick disconnect bucket actuator. A bucket has a pair of bucket clevises, and an actuator has a generally cylindrical body with an output shaft rotatably disposed therein with an axis in general parallel alignment with a forward rotation plane through which the bucket is rotatable on a backhoe arm by the operation of a rotation link. A bracket is attached to the body and has a pair of clevises for pivotal attachment to the vehicle arm and rotation link. The output shaft has a pair of shaft attachmetn forks for each end for attaching the shaft to the corresponding bucket clevises. The one pair of shaft attachment forks is attached to and moves axially with a member which is selectively extendable relative to the shaft to move the pair of forks between a locking position holding the bucket and a release position allowing disconnection of the bucket.

Abstract: A vehicle having a fluid-powered rotary dipper stick assembly including a boom attachment head and a bucket attachment head with a body extending therebetween. An axle extends from the boom attachment head into the body and is in sliding engagement with an inward wall of the body to provide lateral support thereto. The axle extends to a midportion of the body. The body is rotatable relative to the axle, and is rigidly connected to the bucket attachment head for rotation together as a unit. A hydraulic motor is operable to produce rotational movement of the body relative to the non-rotating axle. Rotational movement of the body produces rotation of a bucket or other work implement attached thereto about the body longitudinal axis independent of the boom attachment head. The assembly uses a single thrust bearing positioned between the body and the boom attachment head to carry thrust loads in both directions.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator having a body with first and second ends, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body. The shaft is supported for rotational movement relative to the body by bearing races formed on the shaft first and second end portions and corresponding bearing races formed on a pair of first and second end caps. First and second stop rings are disposed within the body, each adjacent to a corresponding end cap, with the shaft extending therethrough. The stop rings are each freely and longitudinally movable on the shaft within a limited axial range. The stop rings are positioned using set screws which extend through the end caps and engage the stop rings at selected longitudinal positions within their limited axial ranges. When the first and second stop rings are positioned, they engage and limit axial travel of the piston sleeve toward the end caps, and hence provide preselected and adjustable and rotational limits for the rotational travel of the shaft.

Abstract: An actuator having a body with interior helical grooves, an output shaft with exterior helical grooves, a set of rollers in rolling engagement with the body and output shaft grooves, and a piston sleeve axially movable within the body and retaining the rollers in a fixed axial and circumferential position relative to the piston sleeve during operation of the actuator. A spring is positioned within the body to one axial side of the piston sleeve to apply a linear force thereto. The actuator converts a linear force on the piston sleeve into a rotational force on the output shaft, and vice versa.

Abstract: A fluid-powered servo actuator having a body, an annular piston, and a shaft extending co-axially therewithin. The shaft has an interior chamber located within the body with two fluid channels extending to the chamber in which the piston is mounted. One channel communicates with each side of the piston. A valve spool is positioned in the shaft chamber, and a cam follower or threads are used to longitudinally move the valve spool therewithin in response to its selected rotation. The valve spool has a pair of valve lands which, when in a neutral position, close the two channels. When the valve spool is moved longitudinally, pressurized fluid is communicated with one or the other of the channels to cause the piston to move longitudinally. Splines or rollers convert the longitudinal movement of the piston into rotational movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-powered actuator for selectively rotating and linearly moving an external device with two fluid ports to communicate pressurized fluid thereto for its operation. The actuator includes a body having a rotatable shaft extending therewithin. The shaft has a chamber with a forward opening and a rearward wall. A first piston is mounted for reciprocal axial movement within said body and means are provided for transmitting torque between the body and shaft to produce rotational movement of the shaft in response to axial movement of the first piston. A second piston having bores extend fully therethrough extends within said shaft chamber and is supported for axial movement relative to said shaft. The external device is attached to the second piston at its forward end.

Abstract: The fluid-powered actuator having a body, an axially extending rotatable shaft with a plurality of helical grooves, and an annular piston sleeve reciprocally mounted within the body and receiving the shaft therethrough. The piston sleeve has a plurality of radial bores extending fully therethrough with an inward open end adjacent to the grooved shaft. Guide pins are rotatably disposed in each of the pistion sleeve bores and ride in the shaft grooves. An annular carrier is reciprocally mounted within the body coaxial with the piston sleeve and is adjustably axially movable relative thereto. The carrier has a plurality of radial bores extending fully therethrough with an inward end adjacent to the grooved shaft. Guide pins are rotatably disposed in each of the carrier bores and ride the shaft grooves. Rotation of the carrier is prvented is prevented relative to the piston sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the fully open and fully closed positions of a system having a valve and a rotary valve actuator for controlling the opening and closing of the valve. A sub base is provided which serves as an adaptor and is fixedly mounted to the valve bonnet of a standard quarter turn valve. The sub base has threaded fasteners which fit through open or raised portions of a convoluted ring fixed to the actuator housing. A cover plate above the ring has holes to receive the studs and nuts or other suitable means are used to fasten the cover plate, convoluted ring, and sub base. The raised portions of the convoluted ring have pusher screws which push against the threaded fasteners of the base flange. Rotation of the convoluted ring and the actuator relative to the sub base can occur by selectively rotating the pusher screws thereby resulting in fine adjustment of the fully open and fully closed positions of the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle having a fluid-powered rotary dipper stick assembly including a boom attachment head and a bucket attachment head with an outer body extending therebetween. A shaft extends longitudinally within the outer body. An inner body is disposed within the outer body immediately inward of the outer body to provide support thereto. In one embodiment, the inner body is rigidly attached to the shaft for rotation as a unit relative to the outer body. In another embodiment, the outer body and the shaft are rigidly attached together for rotation as a unit relative to the inner body. A linear-to-rotary transmission mechanism including a piston sleeve is disposed within the inner and outer bodies and is operable to produce rotational movement of the shaft relative to whichever of the outer or inner bodies is not connected to the shaft.