US4409888A — Combined linear and rotary actuator and floating …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 202 words

A fluid-powered, helically splined rotary actuator comprising an outer cylindrical body, an output shaft, and linear-to-rotary transmission means between the body and the output shaft for providing relative rotational movement in opposite directions between the body and the output shaft, said transmission means including an encircling, one-piece, circular, splined ring gear separate from and independently joined to said body, said body including an elongated, one-piece continuous cylinder having a sidewall and having ring gear fastening openings within the sidewall, ports in said body for introducing pressuriTd fluid into the cylinder, means for said fastening openings for joining the ring gear to said sidewall and sealing the fastening openings against leakage of pressurized fluid out of said cylinder, and wherein said joining means transmits torque between the ring gear and the cylinder and axially locates the ring gear within the cylinder, said body having a smooth outer surface, said ring gear joining means including fasteners mounted flush with said body outer surface, an outer tube encircling said body, said outer tube having at least one set of end seals, and wherein said outer cylindrical body and flush ring gear fasteners provide a continuous smooth surface movable past said end seals without interference therewith.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 202 words

A fluid-powered, helically splined rotary actuator comprising an outer cylindrical body, an output shaft, and linear-to-rotary transmission means between the body and the output shaft for providing relative rotational movement in opposite directions between the body and the output shaft, said transmission means including an encircling, one-piece, circular, splined ring gear separate from and independently joined to said body, said body including an elongated, one-piece continuous cylinder having a sidewall and having ring gear fastening openings within the sidewall, ports in said body for introducing pressuriTd fluid into the cylinder, means for said fastening openings for joining the ring gear to said sidewall and sealing the fastening openings against leakage of pressurized fluid out of said cylinder, and wherein said joining means transmits torque between the ring gear and the cylinder and axially locates the ring gear within the cylinder, said body having a smooth outer surface, said ring gear joining means including fasteners mounted flush with said body outer surface, an outer tube encircling said body, said outer tube having at least one set of end seals, and wherein said outer cylindrical body and flush ring gear fasteners provide a continuous smooth surface movable past said end seals without interference therewith.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

The actuator of claim 1, said transmission means also including a splined piston sleeve, said joining means including fasteners loosely coupling said cylinder and said ring gear, wherein said ring gear floats within said cylinder while being precluded against substantial axial or circumferential movement to provide alignment between the ring gear and said splined piston sleeve to accommodate manufacturing tolerance inaccuracies and bending loads on the actuator.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The actuator of claim 1, said fasteners being pins welded into said fastening openings of said cylinder, said welds sealing the fastening openings around the pins.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 59 words

The actuator of claim 1, including an extendible linear actuator within said outer tube and coupled to the tube and the rotary actuator cylindrical body, and means for extending said linear actuator for moving said cylindrical body into and out of said tube, whereby both linear and rotatable movements are provided between the output shaft and said outer tube.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 172 words

A combined linear and rotary actuator device comprising an outer boom tube, a cylindrical inner boom tube slidably mounted in said outer boom tube, linear actuating means for extending and retracting said inner tube within said outer boom tube, a helically splined rotary actuator having an output shaft and helically splined linear-to-rotary transmission means between said inner tube and said output shaft, and means for delivering fluid to said actuator for providing relative linear and rotational movement between said output shaft and said outer boom tube, including end seals at an outer end of said outer boom tube between said outer boom tube and said inner tube, said inner tube being a one-piece integral tube with a smooth outer surface, said linear-to-rotary transmission means including a splined ring gear and a splined piston sleeve, and means fastening said splined ring gear to said inner tube, said fastening means terminating flush with said inner tube outer surface wherein said inner tube is slidable past said end seals without interfering with said end seals.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 172 words

A combined linear and rotary actuator device comprising an outer boom tube, a cylindrical inner boom tube slidably mounted in said outer boom tube, linear actuating means for extending and retracting said inner tube within said outer boom tube, a helically splined rotary actuator having an output shaft and helically splined linear-to-rotary transmission means between said inner tube and said output shaft, and means for delivering fluid to said actuator for providing relative linear and rotational movement between said output shaft and said outer boom tube, including end seals at an outer end of said outer boom tube between said outer boom tube and said inner tube, said inner tube being a one-piece integral tube with a smooth outer surface, said linear-to-rotary transmission means including a splined ring gear and a splined piston sleeve, and means fastening said splined ring gear to said inner tube, said fastening means terminating flush with said inner tube outer surface wherein said inner tube is slidable past said end seals without interfering with said end seals.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 57 words

The combined actuator of claim 5, said linear actuating means including a set of piston cylinders, each having a rod connected to a carriage, bearing means between said carriage and said outer boom tube for slidably supporting said carriage in said boom tube, and means coupling the carriage to said inner tube for moving said inner tube.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The combined actuator of claim 5, said ring gear fastening means loosely coupling the ring gear to the inner tube for allowing limited movement of the ring gear.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-10-17	1987-04-18	1987-10-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-10-17	1991-04-18	1991-10-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-10-17	1995-04-18	1995-10-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Combined linear and rotary actuator and floating ring gear

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