Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an articulated joint includes a first rotary actuator having a first housing defining a first arcuate chamber comprising a first cavity, and an arcuate-shaped first piston having a first radius of curvature and disposed in said first housing for reciprocal movement in the first arcuate chamber, a second rotary actuator having a second housing defining a second arcuate chamber comprising a second cavity, and an arcuate-shaped second piston having a second radius of curvature and disposed in said second housing for reciprocal movement in the second arcuate chamber, wherein a first radial side of the first piston relative to the first radius of curvature is in bearing contact with a first radial side of the second piston relative to the second radius of curvature at a contact point between the first axis and the second axis.

Abstract: A rotating cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston, a piston shaft assembly, a main body and a guiding assembly. The cylinder body defines a receiving chamber. The piston, the piston shaft assembly, the main body and the guiding assembly are received in the receiving chamber. The piston shaft assembly is fixed to the piston, and defines at least one guiding groove lengthwise thereof. Each guiding groove includes a spiral portion and an extending portion. The main shaft is non-rotatably connected to the piston shaft assembly away from the piston and exposed out of the cylinder body. The guiding assembly sleeves on the piston shaft assembly and is slidably connected with the at least one guiding groove. The main shaft is driven to rotate when the guiding assembly engages the spiral portion, and move lengthwise when the guiding assembly is slidably connected with the extending portion.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a housing, a rotor assembly rotatably journaled in said housing and including a rotary output shaft, a central actuation assembly including a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the rotary output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the rotary output shaft, a mounting assembly adapted for attachment to an external mounting connector of a mounting surface of an aircraft structural member, and an actuation arm removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of an aircraft assembly to be actuated.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a piston housing assembly including a cavity, a fluid port in cavity, and an open end. A rotor assembly is rotatably journaled in the piston housing assembly and includes a rotary output shaft, a rotor arm extending radially outward from the rotary output shaft, an arcuate-shaped piston disposed in said piston housing assembly for reciprocal movement in the piston housing assembly through the open end along a radius of curvature. A seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber, and a portion of the piston connects to the rotor arm at an end portion.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a housing, a first piston housing assembly comprising a first cavity and an open end, a rotor assembly rotatably journaled in said housing and comprising a rotary output shaft and a first rotor arm extending radially outward from the rotary output shaft to a first distal end comprising one or more first retainers, and an arcuate-shaped first piston disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the first piston housing assembly through the open end along a radius of curvature. A first portion of the first piston connects to the first rotor arm at a first end portion comprising one or more second retainers. The first retainers and the second retainers are intermeshed along the radius of curvature such that movement of the rotor assembly urges movement of the first piston and movement of the first piston urges movement of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a housing defining an arcuate chamber including a cavity, a fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity, and an open end. A rotor assembly includes an output shaft and a rotor arm extending outward. An arcuate-shaped piston is disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the arcuate chamber through the open end, wherein a seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber, and a portion of the piston contacts the first rotor arm. A central actuation assembly includes a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the shaft, and an actuation arm removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of a member to be actuated.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a linear load through a high-speed rotating member includes a linear actuator containing an axially translatable cylinder rod. A mounting adapter fixed against axial and rotary movement is rigidly affixed to an actuator cylinder containing the cylinder rod. An elongate guide sleeve, fixed to the mounting adapter, extends axially from the adapter to accommodate an axially translatable thrust bearing affixed to one end of the cylinder rod. The guide sleeve contains a linear slot for accommodating a guide pin affixed to the thrust bearing housing, and transversely movable within the linear slot to prevent rotation of both bearing housing and cylinder rod components.

Abstract: A rotating air cylinder is disclosed. The rotating air cylinder, comprises a first master cylinder comprising a first cylinder block, a first sealing assembly assembled in one distal end of the first cylinder block; a cylinder shaft partially received in the first cylinder block; a first piston assembly movably sleeving on the cylinder shaft, wherein the first piston assembly moves longitudinally within the first cylinder block, and rotates relative to the cylinder shaft; a second master cylinder positioned coaxial with the first master cylinder comprising a second cylinder block received in another part of the cylinder shaft; a second sealing assembly assembled in the second cylinder block; a second piston assembly received in the second cylinder block, non-rotatably and slidably connected with the cylinder shaft, wherein the second piston assembly moves longitudinally in the second cylinder block and rotates relative to an axis of the second cylinder block.

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: A pneumatic rotary actuator includes a housing formed of a front shell and a rear shell, a shaft tube inserted through the housing, a piston fixedly mounted on the shaft tube and dividing the inside space of the housing into a front air chamber and a rear air chamber, a rotary member provided around the shaft tube and defining an air gap around the shaft tube in communication with the rear air chamber, an inner race mounted around the rotary member, a locknut fastened to the rotary member to lock the inner race to the rotary member, and a locating frame supported on a bearing around the inner race and having a first air inlet for guiding compressed air to the front air chamber through a first air passageway to move the piston and the shaft tube backwards and to further force a chucking head to grip the workpiece and a second air inlet for guiding compressed air into the rear air chamber to move the piston and the shaft tube forwards and to further release the chucking head from the workpiece.

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: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a piston rod which is disposed therein. The piston rod is movable through the swing-arm clamp in response to movement by the piston along a longitudinal axis between first and second positions. The clamp also has a plug that is selectively positionable to affect the positioning of the piston rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for billing connections of a subscriber identified by a SIM card in a telecommunications network to the subscriber user, including determining the duration and time of the connection using a time-measuring device integrated into the SIM card, which is synchronized with an external clock signal, and determining the amount to be charged based upon connection duration and time and at least one remotely loadable tariff table stored in the SIM card. The time-measuring device can be checked by a time server in the infrastructure, and, if necessary, can be adjusted. The method and apparatus can be used for prepaid as well as for post-paid cards. All data for determining the amount to be charged are available on the SIM card, allowing billing to take place at the source, at the user. No other billing system is required in the infrastructure.

Abstract: An improved device (10) for moving a load (11) rotationally and/or axially relative to a body (12) broadly comprises: a body; a motor (13) mounted on the body and having an output shaft (14) operatively arranged to move the load rotationally relative to the body; a piston (16) movably mounted on the body and defining therewith a variable volume first chamber (19), the piston being operatively arranged to move the load axially relative to the body; an accumulator (23) charged to a predetermined pressure; a fluid in the first chamber and accumulator; a pump (26) driven by the motor, the pump being operatively arranged to displace fluid from the first chamber to the accumulator; and a valve (28) operatively arranged to selectively permit pressurized fluid in the accumulator to flow into the first chamber to move the piston and load in one direction axially relative to the body.

Abstract: A pivot-chuck actuator has a housing extending along an axis, a piston chamber centered on the axis, and a vane chamber offset and separate from the piston chamber. A piston is axially displaceable in the piston chamber and axially fixed to a shaft extending from the housing on the axis. A vane element on the shaft angularly subdivides the vane chamber into a pair of angularly offset compartments and formations rotationally couple the vane element to the shaft for joint rotation therewith while permitting relatively axial movement of the vane element and shaft. The compartments can be alternately pressurized to rotate the vane element and shaft about the axis. A pair of counterweights angularly fixed on the shaft axially flank the vane element to allow the actuator to operate at very high speeds.

Abstract: A plasticizing unit having a plasticizing screw, an injection piston connected to the screw, a quill connected to the piston, and hydraulic cavity formed by the piston and a quill end face. Hydraulic fluid is transferred to the hydraulic cavity to move the piston and screw away from the quill. The screw and piston are subsequently moved towards the quill to displace hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic cavity and cause back pressure. The back pressure is counteracted by acting on the back of the quill.

Abstract: A pair of connected joints is provided in a master-slave robotic system each operated by a plurality of force imparting means. Such force imparting means for the second joint supported on a member controlled by the first joint imparts force to a member controlled by the second joint at an acute angle. A third joint is used with a flexible drive tape partly internal thereto.

Abstract: A linear actuator cylinder reduces the stiction otherwise present during initiation of rod extension or retraction. The actuator cylinder includes a cylinder assembly having a piston that slides longitudinally through a cylinder barrel. A rod is connected to the piston and extends from the cylinder barrel. A rotator mechanism is connected to the rod to rotate the piston and rod with respect to the cylinder barrel. The rotator mechanism typically includes a hydraulic or electric motor connected to the rod by, for example, a chain engaged with a pair of sprockets.

Abstract: A rotary actuator and a linear actuator are combined to provide an output shaft with independent linear and rotary motion. The linear actuator causes the rotary actuator to move linearly, and there is a guide which restricts the movement of the rotary actuator to linear motion and a bearing which receives the output shaft of the rotary actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the rotary output shaft.

Abstract: The extruder screw drive has a first and a second motor, a screw mechanism connected to the first motor and to the extruder screw for translating it in the extrusion cylinder, and a slide mechanism connected to the second motor and to the extruder screw for rotating it in the extrusion cylinder. The screw mechanism and the slide mechanism are coaxial and partially fit into one another to provide an axially compact arrangement. The motors can be hollow shaft electric motors axially aligned together, and pressure regulated hydraulic axial force can be added to the extruder screw during plasticating as it retracts due to increased volume of plastic at an output end of the extrusion cylinder.

Abstract: A telescoping robot arm with singularity-free three degrees of motion freedom spherical joints is disclosed. The telescoping section and spherical joints are hydraulically operated to achieve a high power-to-weight ratio and use conventional seals of the type normally used on hydraulic pistons. The spherical joints of the instant invention are comprised of a generally spherical cavity containing a tiltable member with integral a retractable arcuate vanes interdigitized with retractable arcuate vanes in a non-tiltable member. A plurality of cavities is formed within the spaces between the interdigitized arcuate vanes of the instant invention, with the volume of these intervane cavities being controlled with an equal plurality of hydraulic valves. A plurality of spherical joints of the present invention may be interconnected with double acting telescoping sections of the present invention to form a robotic arm assembly.

Abstract: A steering/lifting appliance (10) for a hydraulic or pneumatic axle compensation appliance configured as a two-circuit system, having a first external jacket tube (12), a second jacket tube (15) inserted in a pressure-tight manner in the first jacket tube (12) and supported so as to be longitudinally displaceable, a piston device (16) present in a pressure-tight manner in the second jacket tube (15) and supported so as to be longitudinally displaceable, a first closed chamber system to which admission can occur from the outside for controlling the relative displacement between the second jacket tube (15) and the first jacket tube (12) and a second closed chamber system to which admission can occur from the outside for controlling the relative displacement between the piston device (16) and the second jacket tube (15) features a torsion device (40) supported in an end region of the piston device (16) and longitudinally displaceable relative to the piston device (16), which torsion device (40) is in engagement

Abstract: A multi directional actuator capable of moving a shaft in at least two directions independently including one linear and one rotary movement. A base plate is provided to receive a first actuator having a linearly moving shaft which is extended from and retracted into the actuator. A second actuator is connected for movement by the first actuator and where the second actuator operates an output shaft which is selectively rotated through a portion of an arc. A guide arrangement is provided to direct movement of the second actuator by the first actuator and to journal the shaft of the second actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the shaft of the second actuator. Limit switches can be provided to indicate end of the stroke of the linear and rotary actuators and the first and second actuators can be separated to allow use of limit stops to limit rotation of the shaft of the second actuator.

Abstract: A rotary-linear unit from whose front end the operative section of a output drive part projects. This output drive part is drivingly connected both with a linear drive and with an oscillating vane motor. The oscillating vane motor is associated with the rear end of the rotary-linear unit, the linear drive being arranged between the oscillating vane motor and the operative section of the output drive rod. This leads to an assembly which is extremely compact both in the axial direction and also in the radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing rotary and linear motions, either simultaneously or separately. The apparatus (10) includes a rotary table assembly (14) that interconnects a rotary actuator assembly (12) and a power cylinder (18) or a comparable device. The rotary table assembly (14) includes a rotatable hub (16) to which the power cylinder (18) is mounted. Rotation of the hub (16) causes rotary motion of the entire power cylinder (18). Because of the interconnection between the rotary actuator assembly (12) and the power cylinder (18) using a rotary table assembly (14), a modular construction is provided whereby the power cylinder (18) can be positioned both vertically and laterally, depending upon the application or intended use of the apparatus (10). In one preferred embodiment, the rotary actuator assembly (12) converts linear movement to rotary motion using hydraulic oil to provide a smooth, adjustable control of the rotary shaft (32) of the rotary actuator assembly (12).

Abstract: A rotary/linear fluid actuator includes a cylinder closed at one end by a rotary actuator and at its other end by a forward housing. A piston is disposed in the cylinder. A hollow piston rod, the forward end of which is closed, extends out of the cylinder through the forward housing. A splined shaft extends into the open end of the piston rod and is coupled to the rotary actuator. The splined shaft includes an axial bore therethrough for delivering pressurized fluid to the piston rod cavity to cause extension of the piston. The piston, cylinder and forward housing define a cavity which is pressurized to cause retraction of the piston. According to the invention, the size of the piston surface can be selected independent of the size of the piston rod cavity actuation surface so that extension and retraction forces, and thereby fluid requirements are independent of one another.

Abstract: A pneumatic stepper motor weight actuator captures the advantages of polymeric harmonic gears while occupying less space and eliminating the problems associated with air entrapment in the stator grooves. Air entrapment is eliminated by providing orificed air passages from the bottom of the longitudinal stator grooves to the center stator hole. Advantageously, the actuator includes a rigid gear comprising a toothed polymeric sleeve adhesively bonded inside a metal cup.

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 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: A fluid-powered rotary actuated support for a platform, having a body with a vertical axial orientation during use. A drive member has a drive shaft extending coaxially within the body and a flange attached to an end portion of the shaft toward an upper body end. The shaft and flange are formed as an integral unit free of connection joints therebetween. The flange projects radially outward from the shaft beyond an inner body surface and is rotatable relative to the body through a horizontal plane. A first ball race is formed in the flange and a second ball race is formed in the body with balls disposed therebetween. Linear-to-rotary transmission means disposed within the body are operable for providing rotational movement between the drive member and body. The body utilizes a stationary seal to facilitate seal placement and reduce the overall length of the body.

Abstract: A brake locking mechanism of the anti-theft type for use with an automobile vehicular brake system having one or more fluid operated brakes, a master cylinder and an actuator for reciprocating a piston in the cylinder to apply and release the brakes. The locking mechanism has a housing adapted to fit between the master cylinder and the actuator, means such as a ratcheted rod within the housing for reciprocating the piston responsively to the actuator, and means such as a pawl operatively associated with the ratcheted rod for locking the reciprocating means with the piston in the brake applying position. The locking means is remotely controlled from a keyed or combination lockable control mechanism located in the driving compartment of the vehicle which may be mechanical or electronic.

Abstract: A fluid-powered device having a body with interior helical grooves, an output shaft with exterior helical grooves, a plurality of rollers having circumferential grooves, and an axially reciprocating piston sleeve mounted within the body and retaining the rollers in axially offset and nested relation to each other and in fixed axial and circumferential position relative to the piston sleeve during powered operation of the device. The rollers are retained by the sleeve portion of the piston sleeve in circumferentially distributed arrangement between the grooved body and shaft surface portion in seated engagement with the grooved body and in seated engagement with the grooved output shaft for transmitting force between the body, output shaft and piston sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid-powered actuator having a body with interior helical grooves, an output shaft with exterior helical grooves, a first set of rollers in rolling engagement with only the body grooves and axially skewed at an angle corresponding to the lead angle of the body grooves, a second set of rollers in rolling engagement with only the output shaft grooves and axially skewed at a skew angle corresponding to the lead angle of the output shaft grooves, and an axially reciprocating piston sleeve mounted within the body and retaining the rollers in fixed axial and circumferential position relative to the piston sleeve during powered operation of the device. In several embodiments, the first and second sets of rollers are axially spaced apart.

Abstract: A drive apparatus useful in screw injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly useful when both axial and rotational movements are required because the invention discloses a construction that reduces the wear attributed to sealing gaskets of relatively large diameter which are subjected to rotational stresses and relatively high linear velocities. In the injection molding embodiment described in detail, the extruder screw is rigidly attached to a drive piston that has both axial and rotational movements. Concentric to that drive piston is a drive cylinder tha has only axial movement yet is connected to the drive piston such that the piston is able to rotate freely relative to the cylinder but may move axially only when the cylinder moves. Thus, the sealing gaskets of the drive cylinder are free of rotational stresses which extends the useful life of the sealing gaskets.

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: A fluid-powered device having a body with interior helical grooves, an output shaft with exterior helical grooves, a plurality of rollers having circumferential grooves, and an axially receiprocating piston sleeve mounted within the body and retaining the rollers in fixed axial and circumferential position relative to the piston sleeve during powered operation of the device. The rollers are retained by the sleeve portion of the piston sleeve in circumferentially distributed arrangement between the grooved body and shaft surface portion with at least a first plurality of the rollers in seated engagement with the grooved body and at least a second plurality of the rollers in seated engagement with the grooved output shaft for transmitting force between the body, output shaft and piston sleeve.

Abstract: This is a fluid-operated linear-rotary robot-like actuator reconstructed from a standard fluid cylinder device. The solid piston of the standard cylinder device is replaced with a self-contained vane-operated piston structure formed of spaced piston parts and an interposed vane chamber and in which a vane-operated work piston is rotated. The work piston extends through the forward cylinder head. A second piston rod extends from the rear part of the piston structure through the rear cylinder head and has passages for supplying the vane chamber of the piston with fluid under pressure. Suitable push button and microprocessor control systems, either by push button or automatically, are provided for controlling the operation of the actuator to give combined linear and rotary movement to a robot hand.

Abstract: The moving means is for use in moving an operative member between an out-of-the-way position and an operative position by a movement having a linear component in a vertical direction and a rotary component about a vertical axis. A first shaft on which the operative member is mounted is movable vertically by a first piston and cylinder assembly and is in driving connection with a second shaft relative to which it can move vertically. A second piston and cylinder assembly is operable through a screw-threaded connection to cause its piston to rotate thereby rotating the second shaft and hence the first shaft about the vertical axis.

Abstract: Pressure fluid operated percussion drilling machine comprising a frame (1) forming a cylinder space (2) for an axially movable percussion piston (3). The frame is provided with channels (4,7) connectable to a pressure fluid source (5) and to a pressure fluid container (8) respectively for pressurizing the cylinder space alternately on each side of the percussion piston in order to move it back and forth. The frame is also provided with means (12) for connection of a drilling rod (13) to the frame for directing strokes on the drilling rod by means of the percussion piston. A pressure fluid operated rotation mechanism (18) is mounted on the frame for rotating the drilling rod, which mechanism is connected to said channels for rotating the mechanism by means of a pressure fluid. The frame is provided with two outlet channels (7,19) terminating in the cylinder space at a distance from each other in the direction of movement of the percussion piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for incremental cylinder length control in a hydraulic vibrator of the type having a reaction mass with a cylinder bore disposed therein, first and second end sleeves disposed in sealed movable position in the ends of the cylinder, a piston rod sealed and slidably disposed through the first and second sleeves with a piston attached to the piston rods where the improvement comprises threading the ends of the cylinder bore and forming mating threads on the first and second sleeves with means for rotating the sleeves with respect to the cylinder so that the sleeves move toward or away from the piston thereby reducing the volume of hydraulic oil between the end of the piston and the end sleeves.

Abstract: This invention provides a safe and sanitary apparatus for blending hard ice cream (or other frozen confections) with syrups and other ingredients. A refrigerated funnel holds the materials to be mixed. An auger is aligned with the funnel and the auger and the funnel are relatively advanced toward each other while the auger is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise until the funnel and the auger are telescoped together, thus to produce a tasty and attractively marbled or blended product. A spray head and suitable automatic washing apparatus also is provided to rinse the auger and funnel surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for driving a member through an arcuate path, such member being a pusher cylinder for moving glassware articles. The pusher member comprises a linearly movable piston for linearly moving a convoluted shaft attached thereto. The convoluted shaft has three surfaces thereon which act as tracks for three roller bearings mounted on a hub which is disposed about the shaft. Linear motion of the shaft is converted into rotary motion in the hub by the action of the bearings running on the convoluted sides of the linearly moving shaft.

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for pneumatically driving a member through a predetermined path, such member being, in one embodiment, a pusher cylinder for moving one or more glassware articles through a predetermined arcuate path. The velocity of the actuator is controlled according to a predetermined velocity profile and is effected by an electromechanical control means which controls the linear velocity of the piston of a pneumatic cylinder in one direction of motion.

Abstract: A neck ring mechanism for transferring a blank or parison from a blank mold section to a blow mold section of an I.S. glass forming machine includes a rock shaft and a pair of spaced cylinders reciprocable in opposition directions on the shaft. The rock shaft is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves, and a like plurality of followers are arranged in the grooves so as to contact at least one side wall of each groove. The followers are supported on each cylinder. One or more piston rings are seated in associated annular grooves in the rock shaft so as to preclude air leakage.

Abstract: A cylinder (3) is positioned to rotate on a fixed axle (1) in such a way that several leakproof chambers (3B, 3D) are formed: a second, longer cylinder (4) is positioned to slide along the first (3) and to turn on the fixed axle (1) in such a way that several leakproof chambers are formed (4A, 4B). Communicating pressurized fluids into the various chambers makes the cylinders (3, 4) turn a distance proportionate to a value x, and can make the second cylinder move axially along the first cylinder a distance proportionate to another value y; these values x and y being derived from several variables and sensors (10a to 10d) "read" the surface contours of the second cylinder (4), representing, for example, a function f (x,y).

Abstract: A piston member is mounted in a cylinder body to be axially movable and unrotatable relative thereto. A ball nut retaining balls is fixed to the piston member, and a screw shaft having a helical groove in engagement with the balls is mounted to be rotatable and axially immovable relative to the cylinder body. The screw shaft makes many rotations when the piston under fluid pressure slightly advances axially inside the cylinder.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder including a closed cylinder in which are mounted a rotor for rotation about the axis thereof and two pistons for linear movement, the pistons being respectively sleeved onto two ends of the rotor and bounding a first arcuate fluid tight chamber with the inner surface of the cylinder and the peripheral surface of the rotor. At least one vane member is provided on the rotor for operating with the fluid to produce a rotational output. At least one piston rod is connected to one end of the rotor and mounted to the closed end of the cylinder in fluid tight relationship. On both sides of the first fluid tight chamber are two second fluid tight chambers bounded respectively by two pistons associated with the inner surfaces of the cylinder and the closed ends.

Abstract: This invention relates to direct acting rotary actuator cylinders wherein the linear motion of the piston is directly converted to angular motion by a means completely enclosed within the cylinder, which means comprises a slidable partitioning body engaging the circular cylindrical cavity in the cylinder in an air-tight sliding relationship and a circular cylindrical rod coaxially and rotatably disposed in said circular cylindrical cavity having a mid-section with a noncircular cross section of a diametrical dimension greater than the diameter of said circular cylindrical rod.

Abstract: A rotary and linear actuating device is disclosed for imparting precision rotary and linear movement to an external member or assembly. In a preferred form of the invention a rotatable assembly is rotated about an axis within a housing by selectively varying the relative pressures of an actuating fluid in at least a pair of fluid pressure chambers defined by the housing, the rotatable assembly and at least a pair of vane members extending therebetween. An elongated shaft member is rotationally fixed relative to the rotatable assembly and is supported by at least a pair of linear bearing assemblies to allow linear movement of the elongated shaft member along said axis. The linear bearing assemblies remain a fixed axial distance from one another in order to adequately support heavy loads on the elongated shaft member and the external member or assembly attached thereto.

Abstract: A locomotion unit is remotely controlled to advance stepwise through a passageway by frictional engagement with the surfaces of the passageway walls. A support section is mounted on the locomotion device to bring special tools to bear at predetermined positions within the passageway to which the support is brought by the locomotion unit.