Patent · US Expired

Rotary actuator and seal assembly for use therein

US5007330A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
10References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 1989
Grant dateApr 16, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S277/91
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary actuator comprising a housing which defines an arcuate chamber, the housing including a first monolithic portion in which the arcuate chamber is completely contained, a piston disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotated in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal assembly carried by one of the piston or the housing for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, a fluid pressure port to introduce fluid into the housing to effect movement of the piston in the first direction and a means such as fluid pressure or a spring return to effect movement of the piston in an opposite second direction, the actuator in one preferred embodiment employing a spring return which provides a substantially constant torque acting upon the shaft as the spring moves from a compressed first position to an uncompressed second position such that the torque acting upon the shaft in both rotational directions is substantially constant.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.