Compact linear hydraulic actuator
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsCarlos A. Fenny, Carl T. Elving, Rodney M. Cahoon, Charles Eric Covington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, an actuator includes a chamber, a piston disposed within the chamber, and a tube. The chamber has a first port and a second port. The piston comprises a first surface, a second surface, and an elongated conduit coupling the first surface to the second surface. The first surface is disposed between the first port and the second port. The second surface is offset from the first surface. The tube is disposed at least partially within the elongated conduit of the piston. The tube comprises a third port disposed within the elongated conduit of the piston and a fourth port disposed outside of the elongated conduit of the piston.
Claims14
A rotorcraft, comprising:
- a body;
- a rotor system coupled to the body, the rotor system comprising at least one rotor blade;
- and
- an actuation system in mechanical communication with the rotor system, the actuation system comprising a first actuator, the first actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a first port and a second port;
- a piston disposed within the chamber, the piston comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an elongated conduit coupling the first surface to the second surface, the first surface being disposed between the first port and the second port, the second surface being offset from the first surface;
- a tube disposed at least partially within the elongated conduit of the piston, the tube comprising a third port disposed within the elongated conduit of the piston and a fourth port disposed outside of the elongated conduit of the piston,
- wherein the first surface separates the first port and the second port such that first surface, the first port, the elongated conduit, and the chamber at least partially define a first hydraulic volume,
- wherein a second portion of the chamber opposite the piston from the first hydraulic volume is in fluid communication with the second port, and
- wherein the second port is vented to atmosphere.
An actuator, comprising:
- a chamber having a first port and a second port;
- a piston disposed within the chamber, the piston comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an elongated conduit coupling the first surface to the second surface, the first surface being disposed between the first port and the second port, the second surface being offset from the first surface;
- a tube disposed at least partially within the elongated conduit of the piston, the tube comprising a third port disposed within the elongated conduit of the piston and a fourth port disposed outside of the elongated conduit of the piston,
- wherein the first surface separates the first port and the second port such that first surface, the first port, the elongated conduit, and the chamber at least partially define a first hydraulic volume,
- wherein a second portion of the chamber opposite the piston from the first hydraulic volume is in fluid communication with the second port, and
- wherein the second port is vented to atmosphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.