Abstract: A fixture 21 for mounting a sensor 20 on a fluid pressure cylinder is composed of a proximal end 21a that is attached to a tie rod 5 of the cylinder; and a tip portion 21b that abuts a cylinder tube to establish the position of the fixture 21. The proximal end 21a has a first mounting groove 22 in which the tie rod 5 is fitted; and first set screws 26 for fixing the fitted tie rod 5. A second mounting groove 23 in which the sensor 20 can be mounted in such a way that its position can be adjusted is formed in the tip portion 21b.

Abstract: An actuation activation system for an aircraft engine thrust reverser system is provided including an improved locking actuator (29), a sleeve sensor mechanism, and auto-restow control logic. The locking actuator (29) includes a lever (57) corresponding to whether the actuator is locked or unlocked. A slide-by first proximity sensor (45) is positioned near the lever and set to normally far and triggering near. The first proximity sensor produces a first trigger signal for use in the auto-restow control logic. The sensor mechanism includes a second slide-by proximity sensor and a target in communication with a thrust reverser translating sleeve. The second sensor is connected to the forward side of an engine torque box. A preferred embodiment sensor mechanism (78) is provided and includes a pivotable target arm (96) having a proximal end (98), a distal end (100), and a middle portion pivotably connected to fixed engine structure, preferably torque box (30).

Abstract: A drive unit is designed as a diaphragm drive with return springs for shifting an associated actuator, connected by a diaphragm plate and a driving diaphragm, into a safety position. The drive unit also includes actuating springs that are held in a compressed state by two nested sleeve-shaped counterbearings that are locked during normal operation and located coaxially with respect to the return springs. The lock is formed by a temperature-dependent joint.

Abstract: A unique indicator system is incorporated into a release tool for a spring brake actuator. The indicator provides an indication of when the release tool has is fully released. The release tool is preferably of the type wherein a threaded member does not extend outwardly of the actuator during caging of the power spring. The inventive indicator is biased outwardly of the actuator when the release bolt has even partially caged the power spring. It is only when release bolt is fully released that the indicator is pulled inwardly. Thus, an observer has a visual indication of when the power spring caging mechanism has been fully released.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism, comprising a relatively fixed member and a relatively moveable member, is configured such that said moveable member may be securely connected in a locked position with said relatively fixed member by remote control of a shiftable member mounted on said relatively moveable member, and which shiftable member may be moved by remote control, into a position allowing disconnection, when desired.

Abstract: A device for mounting a position detecting sensor for detecting a stroke of a cylinder. It has such an arrangement that a rotary angle of a magnetic sensor (1) is regulated to within .+-.5 degrees by a slit (9) formed in a housing (2) mounted thereon with the magnetic sensor (1) and a rotation-locker (7) mounted on a cover (6), the slit (9) allows the housing (2) and the cover (6) to slide on each other, but does not allow the both members to fall off each other, and the cover (6) and a head (4) are aligned with each other by a knock pin (10). With this arrangement, assembling work and highly accurate positioning can be easily performed.

Abstract: The rodless cylinder includes at least a cylinder tube and a piston, but it has no piston rod that is indispensable in the conventional cylinders. The article carrier is connected via the piston yoke to the piston and movable with parts and jigs placed thereon as the piston moves along the cylinder. At least one rod is fixed relative to the cylinder tube to extend in parallel with the direction in which the piston and hence the carrier moves. The sensor is provided to be movable along the rod as the piston moves. The sensor has a moving member movable along the rod as the piston moves within the cylinder tube, for detecting a current position of the piston in accordance with relative positional relation between the moving member and the rod. With such arrangements, the rodless cylinder as a whole has a higher rigidity against heavy load, and also the piston can be accurately positioned to stop at a desired position in its stroke.

Abstract: Holding device for a piston position detector, contained in a casing and being displaceably mounted on the outside of a fluid pressure cylinder. The holding device consists essentially of a U-shaped yoke being displaceable along two mutually parallel guides and being lockable in a desired axial position. The yoke is locked by means of a first fastening screw, whereas the casing is insertable between the shanks of the yoke and is lockable in inserted position by means of a second fastening screw. The casing is protected by the yoke and is detachable from the latter, also when the yoke is located to the guides.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprising a cylinder formed with an axial cylinder chamber, a main piston provided in the cylinder chamber and dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber and further formed with a locking chamber, an annular locking groove formed in the cylinder, a locking member cooperating with the annular locking groove to lock the main piston in a predetermined position, the locking member movable between an unlocking position and a locking position, a locking-unlocking piston for moving the locking member into the locking and unlocking positions, and a pressure introducing passageway for selecting the first or second chamber that is higher in pressure and introducing the higher pressure in the selected chamber into the locking chamber of the main piston. The locking-unlocking piston is moved by the pressure introduced by the pressure introducing passageway to move the locking member into the locking and unlocking positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for releasably locking a bolt in the axial direction relative to a housing element surrounding it, in which the bolt has a circumferential groove tapering radially inward and a locking element inserted into this groove with a cross section adapted to that of the groove. The locking element protrudes radially beyond the cross section of the bolt and is in contact there on both sides with support surfaces, one of which is formed by the housing and the other of which is axially displacable under a compressive force load; at least one of these support surfaces is inclined, to provide a radially outwardly oriented reduction of the cross section formed between the support surfaces.

Abstract: A sensing means is provided to indicate an operating condition of a spring brake cylinder assembly in which such operating condition may be one of a brake applied and a brake release position. The sensing means engages a clutch control mechanism which includes means to engage the sensing means at different locations to make a determination of such operating condition.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder device having a decleration mechanism. The pneumatic cylinder device has a pneumatic cylinder including a cylinder accomodating a piston movable in the cylinder in response to supply and discharge of compressed air and having a connected piston rod. The pneumatic cylinder further includes a position detector such as a combination of proximity switches and a magnet carried by the piston designed for producing a deceleration signal and a stopping signal when the piston rod has reached a predetermined deceleration starting position and a designated stopping position, respectively. A brake which is connected to the pneumatic cylinder is adapted for stopping the movement of the piston rod in response to the stopping signal produced by the position detector. The pneumatic cylinder device further comprises a deceleration stage connected to the brake and adapted for decelerating the piston rod in response to the deceleration signal produced by the position detector.

Abstract: A fluid actuator includes a lock mechanism for releasably locking the actuator against movement, and a lock release lever engageable by a lock piston upon application of system pressure thereto to release the lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes an axially movable lock member for respectively engaging and disengaging the lock mechanism depending on its position. Attached to the movable lock member is a proximity sensor target which moves with the axially movable lock member toward and away from a proximity switch to provide an electrical signal indicating the locked or unlocked condition of the lock mechanism in accordance with the proximity of the target to the switch. A cover may also be provided for respectively concealing or exposing the target depending on the position of the axially movable member to provide a visual indication of the unlocked or locked condition of the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A locking device for a circumferentially grooved reciprocating member is disclosed. In one embodiment the locking device includes a housing, through which the reciprocating member passes, having a pair of spring biased locking elements and a release element disposed therein. Locking is achieved by insertion of the locking elements into the reciprocating member circumferential groove. Unlocking is effected by displacement of the release element towards the locking elements along a line perpendicular to the reciprocating member to withdraw the locking elements. In an alternative embodiment a spring biased retention pin is provided to selectively engage and retain the release element in proximity to the locking elements. An annular ring may be disposed about the reciprocating member adjacent the circumferential groove to displace and disengage the retention pin from the release element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydraulic actuation via multiple synchronized hydraulic motors with air purging, synchronizing, and force limiting features.

Abstract: A device to provide for mechanical motion between a locking element in a hydraulic actuator to an external indication device, comprises:(a) a housing defining a first generally longitudinally extensive passage, and a lock element in longitudinal alignment with the first passage,(b) a lever located to pivot in that first passage, the lever having first extent projecting toward the lock element which constrains pivoting of the lever,(c) and structure mounting the lever for such pivoting and defining a fluid barrier, whereby fluid at one side of the barrier closest to said first passage and lock element is isolated from communication with second extent of the lever at the opposite side of the barrier, and whereby motion of the locking element relatively away from the housing relieves said constraint of lever pivoting.

Abstract: Fluid actuator includes a lock mechanism for releasably locking the actuator against movement, and a lock release assembly including a lock piston engageable with a toggle linkage upon application of fluid pressure to the lock piston to release the lock mechanism. The toggle linkage is fixedly mounted on a rotatable cross shaft which may also be manually rotated by manual rotation of an external lock release lever attached to one end of the cross shaft for effecting manual release of the lock mechanism. The engaged or disengaged condition of the lock mechanism may be sensed electrically as by providing a target on the external lock release lever for movement therewith toward and away from a proximity switch.

Abstract: A fluid operated pintle assembly for rotatively supporting a reel where clearance is provided between the walls of a pintle carrying piston and its cylinder and an annular diaphragm extends across the piston and cylinder in sealing engagement and extends down into the clearance.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprises: a cylinder; a piston axially slidably received in the cylinder and having a hollow bore axially extending therein; at least a locking member radially movably retained in the piston; a ram axially slidably received in the hollow bore of the piston and having an inclined portion connecting a lower engaging portion and an upper engaging portion with a circumferential length longer than that of said lower engaging portion, said inclined portion being slidably engageable with the radially inner face of the locking member for radial movement thereof; a switch piston radially slidably mounted on the cylinder to have a radially inner face engageable with the radially outer face of the locking member; and detecting means for detecting the piston under conditions locked and unlocked with the cylinder by detecting radial movement of the locking member through the switch piston.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator which locks in the extended position. The lock is a roller operated, dual segment pawl mechanism that unlocks in response to a pressure difference between extend and retract pressures. The two lock segments, chamfered for engagement with the cylinder end, are in diametrically opposed slots in the actuator piston head. A cylindrical section projects from the segment portion. An end view of the lock is mushroom shaped. Two rollers, held in alignment normal to the actuator centerline by a cage integral with the unlock rod, operate in conjunction with the lock cam surfaces in such a manner as to carry the radial loading imposed when in the lock mode.In operation, when the actuator is driven to its extreme extend position, the pawls are driven out by the rollers and lock against the cylinder end. The linear force on the rollers is due to the preload spring plus the hydraulic pressure differential (extend pressure greater than retract pressure).

Abstract: This specification discloses a clamping apparatus having an adjustable strap, a clamping member on the strap, means for securing the strap to a first object and means for shortening the effective length of the strap to clamp the first object to another object. In particular, the clamping means is well adapted for use for securing an apparatus which has a proximity sensor to the two tie rods of a fluid cylinder. The clamping means permits easy and secure coupling and longitudinal adjustability of the apparatus with respect to the fluid cylinder.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a hydraulic actuator which comprises an outer cylinder; an inner cylinder attached at its one end to the axial inner one end of the outer cylinder in coaxial relation with the outer cylinder to define an annular gap between the outer and inner cylinders; a piston having a hollow bore axially extending from its one end to the other end and closed at the other end and slidably received in the annular gap; and a locking mechanism temporarily locking the piston with the outer cylinder upon the farthest movement of the piston to the other end thereof; the locking mechanism including a locking member coupled with one end portion of the piston and which is radially movable, a ram resiliently received in the other end of the inner cylinder and having an inclined stepped portion and a hollow bore axially extending from its one end to the other end and opened at the other end, and an annular locking groove formed at the inner periphery of the other end of the outer cylinder, whereby the locking memb