Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
  • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
  • F15B15/20—Other details, e.g. assembly with regulating devices
  • F15B15/26—Locking mechanisms
  • F15B15/262—Locking mechanisms using friction, e.g. brake pads

Definitions

• This invention relates to new and improved, in ⁇ finitely positionable locking and bearing apparatus, and to new and improved fluid-operated actuating apparatus incor ⁇ porating the same; and the apparatus of this invention embody and provide novel and significant structural and functional improvements and advantages over the similar ap ⁇ paratus of United States Patent -3,150,571, commonly owned.
• Another object of this ' invention is the provision of apparatus as above of significantly increased operational life and, in certain instances, significantly reduced manu ⁇ facturing cost.
• Another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus as above which may also be used for precisely controlled braking or decceleration between relatively move- able apparatus components.
• Another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus as above which may be very readily repaired or overhauled.
• Another object of this invention is the provision of locking, bearing and actuating apparatus as above which are operable with a minimum of operating fluid ports, and which provide a particularly high locking capability per unit apparatus length.
• a further object of this invention is the provi ⁇ sion of apparatus as above which find a particularly wide range of useful applications under a particularly wide range of operational conditions.
• a still further object of this invention is the provision of apparatus as above which require only readily available, relatively low cost components and materials of proven dependability in the fabrication thereof.
• the locking and bearing ap ⁇ paratus of our invention comprise a generally tubular outer or sleeve element and a generally cylindrical inner or rod element disposed within said tubular element and providing a generally annular operating space therebetween.
• a gen ⁇ erally annular, intermediate or liner element is disposed in said operating space and comprises fluid passages formed therein in communication with said operating space.
• the liner is dimensioned relative to the operating space to form interference fits with the sleeve and rod elements to lock the same and prevent relative movement therebetween.
• fluid pressurized to a level effec ⁇ tive to elastically expand the sleeve element to an extent
• the locking, bearing and actuating apparatus of our invention comprise the above-described sleeve, rod and liner elements combined with an actuating piston element which is operable to relatively move the sleeve and rod ele ⁇ ments upon release of the lock.
• the rod and actu ⁇ ating piston elements are functionally combined to, in fur ⁇ ther combination with additional, appropriately valved in ⁇ ternal apparatus fluid passages, enable the performance of the locking, unlocking and actuating functions with only two external fluid ports, and provide for maximization of the apparatus locking capability per unit length.
• FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially broken away and in cross section of locking and bearing apparatus constructed and operable in accordance with the teachings of our invention
• FIG. 2 is an end view of a liner segment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 3A-3A in FIG. 2;
• FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A showing an alternative configuration of the liner segment of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 3C is a view similar to FIG. 3A showing ano ⁇ ther alternative configuration of the liner segment of FIG. 2 and depicts adjacent liner segments;
• FIG. 4 is an elevational view of two adjacent liner segments partially broken away and in cross section
• FIG. 5 is an elevational view of two adjacent liner segments partially broken away and in cross section and showing another alternative configuration of the liner seg ⁇ ment of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 1 and depicts the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the locked condition thereof;
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and depicts the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the unlocked condition thereof;
• FIG. 8 is a side elevational view partially broken away and in cross section of locking and bearing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of our invention and particularly adapted for use with rel ⁇ atively rotatable elements;
• FIG. 9 is a side elevational view partially broken away and in cross section of actuating apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of our inven ⁇ tion and further including the locking and bearing apparatus of that invention.
• FIG. 10 is a side elevational view partially bro ⁇ ken away and in cross section of another embodiment of actu ⁇ ating, locking and bearing apparatus constructed and opera ⁇ tive in accordance with the teachings of our invention.
• FIG. 1 new and improved infi ⁇ nitely positionable locking and bearing apparatus construc ⁇ ted and operable in accordance with the teachings of our invention are indicated generally at 20; it being under ⁇ stood that the apparatus 20 are generally similar in config ⁇ uration and function to those disclosed in United States Patent 3,150,571, the disclosure of which is hereby incor ⁇ porated by reference herein.
• the apparatus 20 comprise relatively movable, outer and inner or sleeve and rod elements as indicated gen ⁇ erally at 22 and 23, respectively.
• sleeve element 22 includes a tubular sleeve 24, the respective extremities of which are mounted as shown in spaced retainers 26 and 28; while generally cylindrical glands 30 and 32 are respectively interfitted with, and secured to, the retainers 26 and 28 by arrays of spaced at ⁇ tachment bolts, only two of which are shown as indicated at 34 and 36.
• Seals are indicated at 38 and 40, and ' are re ⁇ spectively disposed as shown between the retainer 26 and gland 30, and between the retainer 28 and gland 32, to insure fluid-tight seals therebetween.
• Sleeve seals are indicated at 42 and 44 and are respectively disposed as shown between sleeve 24 and retainers 26 and 28 for like purpose.
• An array of spaced tie rod and attachment nut assemblies only one of which is shown as indicated at 46 for the tie rod, and 48 and 50 for the attachment nuts is provided to assemble sleeve element 22 by forcefully secur ⁇ ing, to a readily adjustable extent for purposes described in detail hereinbelow, the sleeve 24 between the respective retainers 26 and 28.
• sleeve element 22 Further included in sleeve element 22 are aligned bores of like dimension which are formed as indicated at 52, 54, 56- and 58 in glands 30 and 32, and retainers 26 and 28, respectively.
• Operating fluid ports are indicated at 60 and 62 and are formed as shown in retainers 26 and 28 to respectively extend therethrough into communication with somewhat enlarged portions 63 and 65 of the retainer bores 56 and 58.
• Suitable sources of operating fluid and/or suit ⁇ able vent means are connected as indicated to each of the ports 60 and 62.
• Rod wear ring, rod seal and rod scraper elements are indicated at 64, 66 and 68, and are respective ⁇ ly disposed as shown in gland 30; while like elements, as indicated at 70, 72 and 74, are respectively disposed as shown in gland 32.
• the rod element 23 comprises a rod 76 which ex ⁇ tends as shown longitudinally of the sleeve element 22 through bores 52, 56, 58 and 54 in close fitting, yet read ⁇ ily relatively movable, relationship therewith.
• the rod 76 may alter ⁇ natively be tubular for purposes described in greater detail hereinbelow.
• the diameter of rod 76 is less than the inner diameter of sleeve 24, thus providing an annular operating space therebetween.
• Rod 76 includes an effective end 78 which may be connected in virtually any manner to virtually any mechanism or support for virtually any useful purpose, again as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
• An intermediate element is indicated generally at 80 and comprises a tubular liner 82 which, as representa ⁇ tively depicted in FIG. 1, includes liner segments 84, 86, 88 and 90 and 92 sequentially disposed as shown in the oper ⁇ ating space betwee .rod 76 and the inner surface of sleeve 24 to surround the former.
• the respective liner segments are of uniform thickness, and each of the liner segments, for example segment 86 as seen ' in FIG. 2, comprises a dis ⁇ continuity 94; it being understood that assembly of the liner segments over rod 76 includes the alignment of the respec ⁇ tive segment discontinuities 94 to provide an operating fluid passage which extends longitudinally of the liner 82 and is coextensive therewith.
• Tubular spacers of lengths which are predetermined in accordance with the operational characteristics of the apparatus 20 as described in greater detail hereinbelow, are indicated at 98 and 100, and are respectively disposed as shown between retainer 26 and liner segment 84, and be ⁇ tween liner segment 92 and retainer 28.
• Each of the spacers 98 and 100 also includes a discontinuity, not shown, and is of significantly greater inner diameter than the respective liner segments, thereby providing annular spaces 102 and 104 between the respective inner surfaces of the spacers and the outer surface of the rod and insuring that the spacers in no way interfere with relative movement between the respective sleeve and rod elements 22 and 23.
• the respective spacer discontinuities are aligned with the aligned liner segment discontinuities, thus con ⁇ tinuing the operating fluid passage.
• An anti-rotation rod of lesser thickness than the liner segments is indicated at 105 in FIG. 2 and extends through the respective, aligned liner segment and spacer discontinuities coextensively thereof to prevent relative rotation therebetween and thus preserve the integrity of the operating fluid passage.
• the ends of the anti-rotation rod 105 may be extended, with longitudinal clearance, into suitable apertures, not shown provided there ⁇ for in the relevant faces of the retainers 26 and 28 to thereby prevent rotation of the liner segments relative to the sleeve 24.
• an operating fluid passage will be provided to extend generally longitud ⁇ inally of the apparatus 20 and internally connect operating fluid ports 60 and 62; with said passage comprising, as seen from left to right in FIG. 1, enlarged bore portion 56 in retainer 26, annular space 102 and/or the discontinuity in spacer 98, the aligned discontinuities in the liner elements, the aligned discontinuity in spacer 100 and/or annular space 104, and the enlarged bore portion 58 in retainer 28.
• these cir ⁇ cumferentially extending operating fluid passages may take the form of .spaced, generally semi-circular grooves 106 and 108 formed as shown in the outer surface of each of the liner segments, for example 86 as depicted, and like grooves 110 and 112 formed as shown in like manner in the inner sur ⁇ face of each of said segments. Since, as made clear by FIG.
• each of these grooves communicates with segment discontinuity 94, and thus with the generally longitudinally extending operating fluid passage as a whole, it will be clear that free flow of the operating fluid therebetween will be enabled.
• grooves 110 and 112 of FIG. 3A may be replaced by a single, like groove 114 disposed as shown generally centrally of the inner surface of the liner segment.
• the respective edges of each of the liner segments may be bevelled, as indicated at 116, 118, 120 and 122 for liner segments 86 and 88 in FIG.
• portions of generally helical grooves as indicated at 124, 126, 128 and 130 on liner segments 86 and 88 in FIG. 4 may be fo ⁇ ried in both the inner and outer surfaces of all the respective liner segments and arranged to come into alignment upon assembly of the liner 82 of FIG. 1; thereby providing, in combination with the aligned liner segment discontinuities 94, a plurality of operating fluid passages effectively extending both longitudinally and circumferentially of the inner and outer liner surfaces for comprehensive operating fluid distribution thereover.
• intersecting generally longitud ⁇ inally and circumferentially grooves may be uniformly formed in the inner and outer surfaces of all of the liner seg ⁇ ments, as respectively indicated at 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 and 146 for liner segments 86 and 88 in FIG. 5; with grooves 134, 138, 142 and 146 arranged to come into alignment as shown upon assembly of the liner 82 of FIG. 1 to thereby provide a plurality of additional, generally longitudinally extending operating fluid passages coexten ⁇ sive with the liner 82.
• all of these additional operating fluid passages, as well as the aligned liner segment discontinuities 94 are in communi-
• the in ⁇ ner diameter of sleeve 24, the thickness of liner 82, and the outer diameter of rod 76 are respectively carefully pre ⁇ determined to insure that interference fits will exist be ⁇ tween the inner surface of the sleeve and the ungrooved por ⁇ tions of the outer surface of the liner, and between the un ⁇ grooved portions of the inner surface of the liner and the outer surface of the rod.
• the inner diameter of the sleeve 22 is predetermined to be less than the outer diameter of the combined rod 76 and liner 82.
• FIG. 6 This locked condition of the apparatus 20 is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein represen ⁇ tative, sleeve-liner interference-fitted contacting surfaces are indicated at 148, and representative liner-rod inter ⁇ ference-fitted contacting surfaces are indicated at 150.
• OMP movement between the sleeve element 22 and the rod element 23 is readily accomplished by the pressurization through ports 60 and/o 62 of the operating fluid in the internal fluid passage(s) to a level which has been predetermined to be effective to radially expand the sleeve 24 outwardly well within the elastic limits of the sleeve material, but none ⁇ theless to an extent sufficient to release the interference fits between the sleeve 24, the liner 82 and the rod 76, More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 7 to a somewhat exaggerated scale for purposes of clarity of illustration, the effectively pressurized operating fluid, as indicated at 154 in FIG.
• the apparatus 20 is essentially "fail-safe,” in that any accidental or inadvertent depres- surization of the operating fluid with the apparatus un ⁇ locked, or any failure of the operating fluid pressurization and/or venting means with apparatus locked, will simply re ⁇ sult in the apparatus immediately returning to, or remaining in, as the case may be, the locked condition thereof.
• the locking force generated as described by the apparatus 20 to prevent relative movement between the respec ⁇ tive rod and sleeve elements 23 and 22, and the level to which the operating fluid must be pressurized to release the lock, will, with a solid rod 76, be determined in large mea ⁇ sure by the thickness and modulus of elasticity of the sleeve 24, the extent to which the same is interference- fitted relative to the outer diameter of the combined liner 82 and rod 76, the respective relative lengths of the spacers 102 and 104, the total area of the sleeve 24 against which the pressurized operating fluid can effectively act, and/or . by the total areas of respective surface contacts between the sleeve and liner and between the liner and rod.
• Fine tuning of the apparatus 20 under actual as ⁇ secd and test conditions to precisely achieve a predeter ⁇ mined locking or load-bearing capacity, and to precisely achieve apparatus unlocking at a predetermined operating fluid pressurization level is readily accomplished by appropriate fine adjustment in the amount of tension on tie rods 46 through change in the torque applied to attachment nuts 48 and 50, with attendant fine adjustment in the amount of axial compression exerted on sleeve 24 by retainers 26 and 28; it being clear that, for example, the greater such axial com ⁇ pression the lesser the extent of the interference fit be ⁇ tween the sleeve and the liner and rod, due to the natural tendency of the sleeve to bow slightly outwardly under such axial compression. Accordingly, tightening of the attachment nuts will adjust the apparatus locking force and the level of operating fluid pressurization required for apparatus unlock ⁇ ing downwardly, and vice versa.
• the operating fluid may be pressurized to a level which, while sufficient to radially outwardly expand the sleeve 24 to in essence reduce the interference fits be ⁇ tween the sleeve " and liner 82, and between the liner and rod 76, is nonetheless insufficient to achieve the complete sep ⁇ aration between those elements as depicted in FIG. 7. Under these conditions, which cannot be illustrated to meaningfully distinguish from FIG.
• the liner 82 will function in the nature of a friction brake on relative movement between the sleeve element 22 and the rod element 23; with the level of the braking force being generally inversely proportional to the level to which the operating fluid is pressurized.
• precise programming of the level of operating fluid pressurization precisely controlled and, if desired, time or other relevant parameter-variable, decel ⁇ eration of relative movement between the sleeve and rod ele ⁇ ments 22 and 23 of the apparatus 20 can be readily provided.
• Cooling of the apparatus 20 to remove heat generated by liner- rod friction attendant such usage of the apparatus may be readily achieved by circulation, through use of two operating fluid ports as seen at 60 and 62 in FIG. 1, of the appropri ⁇ ately pressurized operating fluid at an appropriate flow rate through the respective internal operating fluid passages of the liner; and/or by the addition of suitable apparatus cool- ling means, not shown, taking for example the form of cooling water jacket means or the like formed to surround the sleeve element 24. Also, such usage of the apparatus 20 would pref ⁇ erably dictate the use of liner materials of high thermal conductivity and high resistance to surface wear as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
• FIG. 8 depicts the application of the teachings of applicants' invention to apparatus as generally indicated at 170 wherein movement between the respective sleeve and rod elements is limited to relative rotation.
• the sleeve element 22 comprises tubular sleeve 24 which includes enlarged end portions 172 and 174; the former of which is- attached as indicated by non-illustrated attach ⁇ ment bolts to a solid, generally cylindrical end 176, and the latter of which is attached as indicated by non-illus- trated attachment bolts to gland 32 and retainer 28.
• Seal 40 is disposed as shown between sleeve end portion 174 and gland 32 to prevent fluid leakage therebetween.
• the oper ⁇ ating fluid ports 60 and 62 extend respectively as shown through the enlarged sleeve end portions 172 and 174.
• the rod element 23 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 comprises a tubular rod 76 which is disposed for relative ro ⁇ tation in the aligned bores provided therefor in sleeve end portion 172 and gland 32; and relative longitudinal movement of the rod element 23 and the sleeve element 22 is prevented by end cap 176, and by the extension as shown of retainer 28 into a complementally shaped groove 177 formed circumferen ⁇ tially of the rod 76.
• Rod seals 66 and 72, and rod wear rings 64 and 70 are provided as shown in sleeve end portion 172 and gland 32 to prevent operating fluid leakage between the re ⁇ spective sleeve and rod elements.
• a shaft 178 which is secured to and supported from rod 76 by an array of spaced, internal keys, only one of which is illustrated as indicated at 180.
• the intermediate element 80 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 comprises a liner 82 which includes liner segments 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92; and spacers 98 and 100 respectively dis ⁇ posed as shown between liner segment 84 and sleeve end por ⁇ tion 172, and between liner segment 92 and gland 32. Since, in the apparatus 170, the respective operating fluid ports 60 and 62 communicate directly with the spacers 98 and 100, it will be seen that notches as indicated at 1.82 and 184 in FIG. 8 are provided in the respective outer spacer portions to enable the free communication of the operating fluid there ⁇ through into and through the operating fluid passages which are again provided, as described in detail hereinabove with regard to FIGS. 1 through 7, to extend both longitudinally and circumferentially of the liner 82.
• OM and rod element 23, including shaft 178 in any one of a virtually infinite range of relative angular positions, and to immediately release the same for free, hydrostatic bearing- supported relative rotation immediately upon pressurization of the operating fluid to an appropriate level.
• precisely controlled braking or decel ⁇ eration by liner element 80 of relative rotation between sleeve element 22 and rod element 23, including again shaft 178 can also be readily achieved in apparatus 170 through appropriate programming of the level of operating fluid pres ⁇ surization below that which is effective to separate the re ⁇ spective rod, liner and sleeve elements.
• FIG. 9 depicts the application of the teachings of applicants' invention to combined, fluid-operated actuating, locking and bearing apparatus as indicated therein generally at 190; and which include a locking and bearing section as indicated generally at 192, and an actuating cylinder section as indicated generally at 194.
• Locking and bearing section 192 is of essentially the same construction and manner of operation as apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 and thus need not again be described in detail.
• Like reference numerals are used to describe like components for the apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 and
• Actuating cylinder section 194 of the apparatus 190 of FIG. 9 comprises a tubular cylinder 196 which extends as shown between arcuate mounting grooves provided therefor in opposed faces of spaced, blind end and rod end caps 198 and 200. Cylinder seals 202 and 204 are provided in the mounting grooves to prevent the leakage of pressurized fluid at the respective cylinder-groove junctures.
• the respective actuating cylinder and locking and bearing sections 194 and 192 are assembled and interconnected as shown in the depicted, back-to-back longitudinally aligned manner, to secure a center gland 205 therebetween in matching mounting grooves provided therefor at the interface of rod end cap 200 and retainer 26, by an array of spaced lock tie rods and attachment nut assemblies, only one of which is shown as indicated at 206 for the tie rod and 208 and 210 for the attachment nuts, which extend through aligned bores provided therefor in blind end cap 198, rod end cap 200 and retainers 26 and 28. Additional attachment nuts 213 and 215 are pro ⁇ vided on lock tie rod 206 adjacent the opposed, interior faces of retainers 26 and 28 for purposes described in detail here ⁇ inbelow.
• a rod extend port is indicated at 224 ' and extends as shown through blind end cap 198 into communication with cap chamber 225 which in turn communicates with the outer face 228 of piston 214.
• a rod retract port is indicated at 230 and communicates as shown through the enlarged bore 232 in rod end cap 200 with the inner face 234 of the piston 214.
• the respective rod extend and rod retract ports 224 and 230 are connected as indicated to a non-illustrated, suitably valved—as for venting—source of pressurized piston actuating fluid which, for certain applications of the apparatus 190 may be the same source as that utilized to provide the pres ⁇ surized operating fluid to ports 60 and 62 of the locking and bearing section 192.
• Fine tuning of the locking and bearing section 192 of the apparatus 190 is accomplished, as described in detail hereinabove with regard to apparatus 20 of FIG. 9, by adjust ⁇ ment in the torque on attachment nut 210 to change the tension exerted on lock tie rod 206. -This is accomplished by the loose ⁇ ning of lock nuts 213 and 215, adjustment as desired in the torque on attachment nut 210, and the re-tightening of lock nuts 213 and 215 snugly against the relevant faces of retainers 26 and 28 to in essence "lock in” the adjustment.
• FIG. 10 depicts the application of the teachings of applicants' invention to another combined, fluid-operated ac ⁇ tuating, locking and bearing apparatus as indicated therein generally at 240; and wherein the respective actuating and locking and bearing sections are in essence combined to result in more compact apparatus.
• the sleeve element is indicated generally at 242 and comprises a - cylinder 244, which also functions as the sleeve with regard to apparatus locking and unlocking as heretofore described, and which- extends as shown into and between suitable bores provided therefor in a blind end cap 246 and a rod end cap 248.
• the relevant cylinder and bore surfaces are complemen- tally threaded as indicated at 250 and 252 to secure the cylinder in the blind and rod end caps; and locknuts are pro ⁇ vided as indicated at 254 and 256 to secure the cylinder- cap assembly. Cylinder seals are provided as respectively indicated at 258 and 264 for obvious purpose.
• a rod element is indicated generally at 266, and comprises a tubular rod 268 and a tubular piston 270 which in ⁇ cludes an enlarged piston head 271 and a tube-like portion 273 which, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, functions as the rod with regard to apparatus locking and unlocking as heretofore described.
• the rod 268 and piston 270 are interconnected as shown at complementally threaded areas 272 and 274 by a gene ⁇ rally cylindrical connector 276 to form a functionally inte ⁇ gral piston- ⁇ onnector-rod assembly.
• Piston to connector and rod to connector seals are provided for obvious purpose as shown at 278 and 280.
• a rod end is indicated at 282 and is secured as shown in the open end of rod 268 at complementally threaded areas 284.
• a piston seal 286 is carried as shown from the piston 270 and cooperates with the inner wall of cylinder 244 to prevent the leakage of pressurized fluid around the piston; while rod wear ring, rod seal and rod scraper 288, 290 and 292 are respectively carried as shown from the rod end cap 252 to cooperate with the outer surface of rod 268 to prevent leakage of pressurized fluid from the apparatus 240.
• An intermediate element is indicated generally at 294 and comprises a liner 296 which is configured, dimen ⁇ sioned, disposed and operable relative to cylinder or sleeve 244 and piston portion 273 as heretofore described and which, to those ends, comprises liner segments as again indicated at 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92, and a spacer as again indicated at 100.
• the spacer 100 will be seen to be carried from the piston portion 273 and to be of somewhat lesser outer diameter than the inner diameter of the cylinder or sleeve 244.
• the annular space or volume 104 will, in this embodiment, be seen to be provided between the sleeve and the spacer, rather than between the rod and spacer
• OMPI as, for example, in the apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 or the appara ⁇ tus 190 of FIG. 9.
• a pressurized fluid passage 298, including ori ⁇ fice 300 and check valve 302, is provided to extend as shown through connector 276 to communicate, and permit fluid flow only in the direction between, the internal volume or space 304 of piston 270 and the generally annular volumes or spaces 306 and 308 which are respectively formed between the connec ⁇ tor 276 and rod 268, and the inner wall of the cylinder or sleeve 244.
• a pressurized fluid relief passage 310, includ ⁇ ing relief valve 312, is provided to also extend as shown through connector 276 and further communicate, and permit fluid flow only in the direction between, volumes or spaces 308 and 306, and volume or space 304.
• a rod extend port is indicated at 314 and extends as shown through blind end cap 246 into communication with internal piston volume 304.
• a flow control device is schema ⁇ tically indicated at 315 and is operatively disposed as shown relative to extend port 314.
• a rod retract port is indicated at 316 and extends as shown through rod end cap 248 into com ⁇ munication with annular volume 308.
• a pressure relief valve is schematically indicated at 317 and is operatively disposed as shown relative to retract port 316.
• the respective rod extend and retract ports are connected as indicated to a non- illustrated, suitably valved—as for venting—source of pres ⁇ surized fluid which, in the apparatus 240, functions as both the actuating and operating fluid as described in detail hereinbelow.
• a safety fuse or blowout plug is indicated at 318, and is operable to discharge pressurized fluid outside apparatus 240 to prevent excessive pressure build-up in vol ⁇ ume 308.
• the actuating-operating fluid in volume 308 is pressur ⁇ ized to the apparatus unlock pressure, as determined by the setting of relief valve 317, thus automatically unlocking the apparatus 240 and maintaining the same unlocked until piston and rod extension cease.
• the pressure in rod end volume 308 is also vented, thus reapplying the appara ⁇ tus lock.
• the effective output of the apparatus 240 is equal to actu ⁇ ating-operating fluid pressure as multiplied by the cross- sectional area of rod 268.
• extension of rod 268 can occur with the application of actuating-operating fluid at only approximately 1600 psi to extend port 314.
• the pressurized fluid passes freely from piston volume 308 through check valve 302 in connector 276 to in turn pressur ⁇ ize annular spaces 306, 308 and 104, and thus the liner 82; it being clear that as pressure in the liner increases, the apparatus locking force decreases proportionally.
• flow control device 315 would be operable to maintain 400 psi in piston space 304. Again, blowout fuse 318 will function to, in any event, prevent excessive pressure build-up in annular volume 308 and its communicated apparatus volumes. Thus, the apparatus 240 remains fail-safe under all operational conditions.
• Manufacture of the hereindisclosed apparatus is effected in substantially the same manner as that illustrated and described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 of United States Patent 3,150,571 and thus need not be repeated in detail. In this instance, however, it may be understood that the respective sleeve and liner elements would be as ⁇ Sild as a unit, through sleeve element expansion and use of the assembly mandrel, as described in United States Patent 3,150,571, around the rod element.
• the locking and bearing apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 are readily utilizable in conjunction with a hydraulic press . through the affixation of the sleeve element 22 to the sta ⁇ tionary press structure and the attachment of the rod end 78 to, for example, a moveable platen to enable the locking of the latter in any one of a virtually infinite range of lin ⁇ ear and/or angular positions relative to the former.
• the locking and bearing apparatus 170 of FIG. 8 are readily utilizable in conjunction with a rotary hydraulic actuator through the fixed positioning of the sleeve element 22 relative to the stationary actuator structure and the at ⁇ tachment of shaft 178 to the rotatable actuator element, thereby enabling the locking of the latter in any one of a virtually infinite range of angular positions relative to the former.
• the actuating, locking and bearing apparatus 190 of FIG. 9 are readily utilizable in conjunction with a rock drilling machine through the affixation of the sleeve element 22 t;o the stationary drilling machine structure and the at ⁇ tachment of rod end 78 to a tiltable, extendable and retract ⁇ able drill boom, thereby enabling selective movement and locking of the latter throughout a virtually infinite range of linear and/or angular positions relative to the former.
• the range of materials for the sleeve would again include any appropriately strong metal having, in add ⁇ ition, an appropriate modulus of elasticity, such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum; or similarly characterized plastics such as fibre wound or fibreglass reinforced tubing, glass wound and cross-hatched epoxies, or materials composit- ies.
• an appropriate modulus of elasticity such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum
• plastics such as fibre wound or fibreglass reinforced tubing, glass wound and cross-hatched epoxies, or materials composit- ies.
• appropriately heat treated steel or bronze would be particularly qualified.
• High operational temperature applications of the apparatus could also dictate.the use of ceramic liner materials.
• Representative operating fluids would include a wide range of petroleum, water or synthetic based hydraulic fluids, and gases such as nitrogen or air.
• OMPI formed, for example, in the inner surface of the sleeve element 244 as illustrated and described in United States Patent 3,150,571, and these grooves would, of course, commun ⁇ icate freely with annular spaces 308 and 306 to provide for the flow of the operating fluid to the sleeve element to expand the same within the elastic limit thereof and release the sleeve element-piston interference fit, and thus the apparatus lock, upon the pressurization of the operating fluid to a sufficient level.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Actuator (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Related Child Applications (1)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=22161507

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1981
  • 1981-11-16 WO PCT/US1981/001518 patent/WO1983001821A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1981-11-16 EP EP82900061A patent/EP0093709B1/de not_active Expired
  • 1981-11-16 JP JP50010582A patent/JPS58501285A/ja active Granted
  • 1981-11-16 DE DE8282900061T patent/DE3175188D1/de not_active Expired

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events