Abstract: A jack for a vehicle includes a tube configured to be coupled to a chassis, and a cylinder assembly supported by the tube. The cylinder assembly includes a barrel and a rod at least partially received within the barrel. Actuation of the cylinder assembly causes the barrel to move relative to the tube in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube while the rod remains stationary relative to the tube. In some aspects, the jack further includes a locking device selectively received within the tube in a locked position. The locking device intersects the barrel's path to inhibit movement of the barrel in a second direction opposite the first direction when the locking device is in the locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a downhole tool having a body defining an outer surface, a plurality of standoffs distributed about the outer surface, and a hydraulic circuit operatively coupled to the standoffs. The hydraulic circuit includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated pistons, each of which is operatively coupled to a respective one of the standoffs to extend and retract the respective standoff. The pistons are hydraulically coupled and sized to extend or retract the respective standoffs at substantially the same rate in response to a hydraulic control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trim actuator actuating system having two separate hydraulic power supply systems, through which it is possible for the first time to use a hydraulic linear actuator as a trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator in an aircraft. The at least one hydraulic linear actuator is coupled to the first power supply system in such a way that it applies hydraulic power to the linear actuator during normal operation. In order to ensure the application of pressure to the hydraulic linear actuator in case of breakdown, in such a case, the pressure application to the hydraulic linear actuator is maintained with the aid of the second hydraulic power supply system.

Abstract: An automatic-locking hydraulic jack has a piston (1, 30) that slides into a cylinder (3-2, 32). Locking of the piston is achieved by elastic deformation of either the inside wall (2) of the cylinder or of the outside wall of the piston (30) so as to ensure that the one is tightly clamped over the other. The locking of the jack is maintained by pressure that causes the elastic deformation of the inside wall of the cylinder (3-2) or of the outside wall of the piston (30), until the jack is unlocked by neutralizing the elastic deformation.

Abstract: A linear drive for a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially for a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a cylinder, a piston that can be moved in the cylinder and that has a locking part that is firmly connected to a traction element, and comprising at least one locking member that is arranged movably between the locking part and the inner wall of the cylinder. The locking part has at least one obliquely disposed clamping surface that is arranged in such a way that, when the traction element makes a pushing movement, the clamping surface clamps the locking member between the locking part and the cylinder.

Abstract: A thermo-magnetic actuator includes a housing; a chamber within the housing; a working fluid changing phase upon heating and located in the chamber; an electrical heater disposed within the chamber for heating the working fluid; a piston rod slidably disposed in the housing and movable between retracted and extended positions; a spring biasing the piston rod toward the retracted position; an electromagnet disposed at an end of the housing and generating a magnetic field; and a ferromagnetic target assembly attached to the piston rod, sliding within the housing, and attracted toward the electromagnet to maintain the piston rod in the extended position even if electrical power is no longer applied to the heater. Preferably, the position of the piston rod is detected by the actuator and electrical current flow to the electrical heater is terminated when the piston rod is detected at the extended position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an off-chip apparatus and a method for driving micro fluid wherein one or a plurality of impedance members, plunger positioning members and pressure difference design are used to drive the fluid and control the flow speed in a microfluidic system. The present invention also provides a method for driving fluid and controlling flow speed, wherein a slow pressure balancing mechanism is produced by the foregoing device so the flow speed of fluid can be controlled.

Abstract: The actuating device is capable of automatically eliminating a clearance between a contact body and a rail. The actuating device comprises: a moving body guided by the rail; the contact body contacting the rail; and a pressure unit biasing the contact body toward the rail or in a pressing direction. The pressure unit comprises: a rod having one end, which contacts the moving body, and the other end, the rod being capable of moving in the pressing direction; a first biasing member biasing the rod; a casing covering an outer face of the rod, the casing having an inner face, whose distance from the outer face of the rod is gradually reduced toward the other end of the rod; and a spherical body contacting the inner face of the casing and the outer face of the rod.

Abstract: A piston rod is formed in a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a hollow cylinder. The piston rod is inserted in the cylinder so as to be relatively movable in an axial direction of the cylinder. A locking mechanism comprises a first surface provided on the inner surface of the cylinder, a plurality of second surfaces arranged in an axial direction of the piston rod and parallel to one another, and a locking member. The first surface is so inclined that the inside diameter of the cylinder gradually increases toward one end of the cylinder. Each second surface is so inclined that the diameter of the piston rod gradually increases to the one end of the piston rod. The locking member is held between the first surface and any one of the second surfaces to lock relative movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting device for supporting substrates in a component placement machine including a housing (1), a piston rod (5) arranged in the housing so as to be movable in its longitudinal direction in the housing (1) by pressurized fluid and having one end extending outside the housing (1) and a locking mechanism (7 to 9) by which displacement of the piston rod (5) in its longitudinal direction can be prevented. The locking mechanism (7 to 9) includes clamp (8) movable by an adjuster (7) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod (5) between an active position for blocking the piston rod (5) and an idle position in which the piston rod (5) is movable in its longitudinal direction. The clamp (8) have been arranged in the housing (1) so that in the active position said clamping means (8) directly engage the piston rod (5).

Abstract: A hydrostatic axial piston machine has a cylinder block with bores holding reciprocating pistons, a swashplate supporting the pistons, and control cams to supply the bores with hydraulic fluid. The swashplate is a pivoting cradle mounted on friction bearings in a cradle receptacle. Hydraulic fluid channels empty into the cradle receptacle and are in communication with supply channels in the cradle connected to the control cams. An actuator piston to adjust the cradle is located between two friction bearing segments of the cradle receptacle and has a toothed rack segment engaging a gearing segment on the back side of the cradle.

Abstract: A hydrostatic slewing drive suitable for use in construction equipment, in particular excavators, has a pinion shaft that is rotationally mounted in a housing. A slewing pinion is connected to the pinion shaft. An axial piston motor that utilizes a swashplate construction is in the housing and has a rotating cylinder block with borings and pistons located in the boring. The cylinder block is in one piece with, or integral with, the pinion shaft. The axial piston motor preferably has a constant flow volume, whereby the swashplate is shaped on a housing component. The pistons are supported by slippers on the swashplate which is provided with hydraulic fluid supply channels to which borings in the slippers and in the piston can be connected. The slewing piston can be detachably fastened to the pinion shaft/cylinder block. There is also a brake that can be actively connected with the pinion shaft/cylinder block.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment structure for a brake-equipped cylinder, comprising a through-hole-equipped bolt formed with a through-hole penetrating therethrough in an axial direction, for integrally joining a main cylinder body and a brake section by being screwed into an attachment hole penetrating through a cylinder tube and a lock body; and an attachment bolt for fixing the main cylinder body and the brake section which are integrally joined to one another, to a wall surface by being inserted through the through-hole.

Abstract: A self-locking cylinder capable of restraining substantially infinite force including: an angular or conical surface; a locking part; a release part; a force surface for establishing locking forces; a plurality of cylindrical or spherical parts such that the mechanism is capable of moving and locking and releasing JAW means at more than one discrete point with a maximum of one motor means operatively attached to each of said JAW means.

Abstract: A brake for linear movement devices comprising a device. The brake means includes a bar which extends parallel with the path of movement of the device and which accommodates a pressurizable hose-like element that extends along the bar. The invention is characterized by a slat spring accommodated in the bar and extending on one side of the hose-like element, a brake disposed along the slat spring and movable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the hose-like element and the spring and located adjacent one longitudinally extending edge of the spring, for movement transversely to the longitudinal direction and essentially in the plane of the spring when the hose-like element is placed under pressure and the spring is flexed outwardly. The brake also includes a slide shoe which is guided in the rail and connected to the device and actuable by the brake device that is movable towards the slide shoe.

Abstract: In order to facilitate a simple and cost-effective manufacture of a hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder tube (3) is provided as smooth stock with connectors (9) set up, preferably stud-welded, for the hydraulic attachments (1,2). Assembly parts provided in the cylindrical tube (3), such as the base (10), seal (7), guide casing (8) and fixing device (4), are held inside the cylindrical tube (3) by means of non-cut, indented locking regions (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: A quick-release cam lock for selectively locking the relative position of a hydraulic cylinder and a piston. The quick-release cam lock permits speedy unlocking and repositioning of the hydraulic cylinder and its accompanying piston and oversleeve, thus allowing for speed in repositioning, assembly or disassembly while also providing a secure positive positioning lock between the hydraulic cylinder, piston and oversleeve while the quick-release cam lock is engaged.

Abstract: A rod clamp device having a clamp sleeve and a cam member spring biased axially in a direction to actuate the clamp sleeve to a clamp condition, and a clamp release piston that is operable through a mechanical force amplifying mechanism to move the cam member in opposition to the spring to release the clamp sleeve. The clamp release piston is operated in response to fluid pressure to produce a force correlative with the fluid pressure and the clamp release piston moves an annular ramp to force a plurality of ball elements between a thrust surface on an end of the cam ring and a stationary thrust surface and move the can ring axially in a direction to recompress the spring.

Abstract: A method is provided for locking jet engine exhaust nozzle position in a hydraulic system having nozzle actuators connected by a synchronization cable. The synchronization cable engages with a conical brake locking mechanism to prevent cable rotation in the event of a hydraulic failure. The nozzle is locked in position at the time of the hydraulic failure. This prevents a significant decrease in usable thrust.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled ram actuating mechanism 10 for a blowout preventer controls the opening and closing of a ram block 12 interconnected with a ram 14 movable within a ram housing 26 along ram axis 16. The ram piston 24 and a locking piston 62 are each movable within the ram housing in response to fluid pressure. The locking piston includes a plurality of substantially planar tapered locking piston surfaces 72 circumferentially arranged on the exterior of the locking piston and inclined at an acute positive cam angle. A plurality of locking rods 40 are each secured to the ram housing 26 and are circumferentially spaced about the locking piston, with each locking rod including a substantially planar tapered locking rod surface 82 thereon inclined at an acute negative cam angle.

Abstract: A quick-release cam lock for selectively locking the relative position of a hydraulic cylinder and a piston. The quick-release cam lock permits speedy unlocking and repositioning of the hydraulic cylinder and its accompanying piston, thus allowing for speed in repositioning, assembly or disassembly while also providing a secure positive positioning lock between the hydraulic cylinder and the piston while the quick-release cam lock is engaged. A locking pin selectively locks the cam lock in an opened position.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack particularly intended for use in automobile lifts includes a safety stop mechanism including a fixed toothed rod and a piston-supported pawl mechanism which includes one or more stop members. Each of the stop members can be retracted, to allow the jack to collapse, by applying hydraulic pressure to the chamber above the piston.

Abstract: In a safety device for ink forming rollers, each of the rollers is supported on a frame through a moving shaft movable in an axial direction to remove the ink forming roller, a safety pin is provided which is urged and supported on the frame, the moving shaft is formed with a recess for engagement with the safety pin and guide surface for guiding the safety pin to the recess against the urging force of the safety pin. When the ink forming roller is mounted, the safety pin automatically engages to interrupt movement of the moving shaft, thereby preventing the ink forming roller from falling down due to an external cause such as a power stoppage or a misoperation, and the safety device being prevented from careless locking failure, thereby improving the safety of the printing machine.

Abstract: Provided is an improved fluid operated clutch control system having a latch member operable to lock the clutch in a selected condition of engagement or disengagement when the fluid pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. In one embodiment a system (100) is provided in which a latch member (26) is controlled by fluid pressure in a channel (36) in a stationary wall housing (10). In another embodiment, a system (200) is provided in which a latch member (62) is controlled by the combination of fluid pressure sensed by a sensor (64) and the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60) and, in yet another embodiment, a system (300) is provided with a latch member (62) that is controlled by the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60).

Abstract: A remote control shifting system for a mechanical transmission. The transmission is operated by two pneumatic cylinders, a selecting cylinder operating in the direction of shift path selection and a shifting cylinder acting in the direction of shifting. The shifting cylinder operates with two force stages, a lower force for effecting synchronization of gears about to be engaged, and a higher force level for actually engaging or disengaging the selected gears. A remote shift control unit is designed to closely emulate the action of a direct-operating manual shift level. During the synchronizing phase, the shift lever moves easily in the shifting direction. After a preliminary movement, however, further movement is allowed only against considerable resistance, as if conventionally mechanically forcing gears into meshing engagement.

Abstract: An improved blowout preventor actuator is provided for opening and closing a ram block within a blowout preventor body to control the flow of well fluid. The working or power piston within the actuator cylinder is provided with one or more axially extending cavities each for receiving a locking rod secured at one end to the cylinder head. To prevent inadvertent opening of the ram block, locking segments carried by the power piston repeatedly disengage one locking surface and re-engage an adjacent locking surface on the locking rods as the power piston and ram block secured thereto move to the ram closed position. To unlock the power piston from the locking rods, fluid pressure is applied to an unlocking piston which radially moves the locking segments out of engagement with the locking rods. The locking surfaces on the locking rods extend axially along a length which allows different ram blocks to be substituted for sealing with various diameter tubular members passing through the blowout preventors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-adjusting servo mechanism (10). The servo pin (30) presented from the servo mechanism (10) will protract sufficiently to effect operative engagement of a friction band assembly (13) with a rotating member (18) in a planetary gear set--even though the required axial displacement of the servo pin (30) during such protraction may exceed the axial displacement through which the servo pin (30) was previously retracted. The servo mechanism (10) is incorporated in a housing (20). The housing (20) presents a socket cavity (24) within which an actuating piston (33) is received for axial displacement.

Abstract: A new and improved ram locking apparatus for blowout preventer rams which allows the rams to be locked in the closed position and compensates for wear on the sealing elements of the rams. The device consists of a tubular cross containing a rod extension with a tapered end attached to the ram, a hydraulically reciprocal piston with a wedging surface to coact with the tapered end of the rod extensions and hydraulic fluid ports. The tapered end of the rod and the wedge surface of the piston have serrated surfaces to increase friction between the wedging surfaces and provide a self-locking engagement and thereby provide a small compact apparatus.

Abstract: An actuating cylinder having a fluid pressure operated piston member connected by a friction member to a push rod to which a brake shoe, or the like, may be attached as the output member. A force transfer lever is arranged between the piston and push rod to transmit the piston force to the output member with mechanical advantage only after the friction connection is overcome by resistance at the push rod, such as occurs by engagement of the brake shoe with the wheel of a railway vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid power actuator with a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod whose motion is controlled by a positioning device which halts it in selected settings. The positioning device has a row of depressions, for example gaps between the teeth of a rack, running parallel to the piston rod. A positioning plunger moves into a selected depression to lock the rod. A shutter with at least one opening therein covers the row of depressions and is adjustably affixed thereto so as to allow adjustment of the position at which the control plunger aligns with the shutter opening and slips into the selected uncovered depression to stop and lock the piston and rod.

Abstract: A gas spring comprising a cylinder, a rod slidably extending from the cylinder, and a novel locking mechanism. The mechanism comprises first and second axially contiguous recesses in the circumference of the rod, a locking member normally located in the first recess and snappingly and rockingly movable between two recesses, and axially spaced first and second actuating members cooperating with the locking member. The first actuating member comprises an engaging portion and a releasing portion being circumferentially spaced therefrom. The releasing portion acts to displace the locking member to the second recess. The second actuating member comprises an engaging portion for locking the rod and also for displacing the locking member to the first recess, and axially and circumferentially inclined guide walls for circumferentially displacing the locking member thereby guiding the same between the releasing portion and engaging portions in response to the movement of the rod.

Abstract: In a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston rod movable within the cylinder, braking elements are provided which brake or block the movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder when the interior pressure within the cylinder is reduced below a predetermined pressure. So the risk is eliminated that the piston rod when under load is unintentionally moved into the cylinder with a high velocity when the gas pressure within the cylinder is lowered below the predetermined pressure. The braking elements are spring loaded and are held in an inoperative position by adequate pressure within the cylinder.

Abstract: A boom for lifting and supporting a vehicle to be towed is pivotally supported at one end thereof on the bed of the towing truck. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally supported on the truck and has its ram pivotally attached to the boom. Also pivotally attached to the boom is a bracing post which is slidably fitted into a support member, which is pivotally mounted on the truck. A ratcheting lock mechanism is mounted on the support member for locking the bracing post relative thereto when the boom has been driven to the towing position. The ratcheting mechanism permits upward travel of the boom but prevents downward travel from any one of several locking positions except upon manual release thereof.

Abstract: An impact drive tool is provided with a percussive piston arranged in a cylinder. A rod on the piston is mounted to drive a nail or other object into a workpiece. A valve arrangement is provided to apply compressed air to the upper surface of the piston, and a storage chamber communicating with the space below the piston is provided for returning the piston to a rest position. A plurality of sequentially arranged latching devices are provided for locking the piston in its rest position, the latching device effective at a given time being dependent on such factors as friction in the device and the amount of compressed air stored for the return stroke. A buffer surface is provided to effect the absorption of energy if the piston passes all of the latching devices, and to rebound the piston to the nearest latching device.

Abstract: A hydrostatic slewing drive suitable for use in construction equipment, in particular excavators, has a pinion shaft that is rotationally mounted in a housing. A slewing pinion is connected to the pinion shaft. An axial piston motor that utilizes a swashplate construction is in the housing and has a rotating cylinder block with borings and pistons located in the boring. The cylinder block is in one piece with, or integral with, the pinion shaft. The axial piston motor preferably has a constant flow volume, whereby the swashplate is shaped on a housing component. The pistons are supported by slippers on the swashplate which is provided with hydraulic fluid supply channels to which borings in the slippers and in the piston can be connected. The slewing piston can be detachably fastened to the pinion shaft/cylinder block. There is also a brake that can be actively connected with the pinion shaft/cylinder block.