Synchronizer for hydraulic cylinders

Claim 1

A synchronizer for a fluid power system to supply like quantities of fluid to multiple working fluid actuators utilizing the energy of another separate source of fluid under pressure comprising a housing comprising a plurality of hollow cylindrical members arranged coaxially, a pair of end plates having portions fitted within and closing the outer ends of the outermost ones of said cylindrical members to form an enclosed cylindrical space; divider means extending transversely across said space to divide said space into a plurality of equal volume working chambers corresponding in number to the number of said fluid actuators, said divider means having oppositely facing annular shoulders adapted to support and receive the ends of adjacent ones of said cylindrical members; said end plates and said divider means having portions extending radially outwardly beyond said cylindrical members, tie rods connecting said end plates and said divider means together at said projecting portions, a piston rod extending through said end plates and said divider means, a plurality of pistons carried by said piston rod, one piston being disposed in each of said working chambers, means connecting the space at one side of each of said pistons to said separate source of fluid, said piston rod projecting at each end beyond said end plates in all positions of said pistons, and means connecting the space at the opposite side of each of said pistons to one of said fluid actuators, whereby upon the application of pressure to said working chambers from said separate source, each of said pistons is caused to move the same distance, displacing equal amounts of fluid to said fluid actuators from the spaces at the opposite sides of said pistons.