Fouling prevention system for submerged hydraulic cylinders
OwnerWilliam Goldeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for preventing fouling of submerged hydraulic cylinder actuators includes a pneumatic line communicably connected to a protective bellows element surrounding the cylinder rod of the actuator mechanism. As the cylinder rod extends from the cylinder housing of the mechanism and the bellows element expands, filtered air is drawn into the bellows element. Water and accompanying contaminants are prevented from entering the bellows and interfering with operation of the hydraulic actuator mechanism.
Claims16
A fouling prevention system for a submerged hydraulic cylinder actuator, wherein the cylinder actuator includes a cylinder housing and a cylinder rod movably mounted in the cylinder housing for reciprocating between extended and retracted conditions and wherein hydraulic fluid is selectively introduced into and removed from the cylinder housing to drive the cylinder rod between the extended and retracted conditions;
- said fouling prevention system comprising:
- a bellows element for interconnecting the cylinder housing and the cylinder rod;
- and
- a pneumatic line communicatively connected with an interior of said bellows element and having a distal portion for communicating with a source of air exterior to said bellows element;
- said bellows element being responsive to extension of the cylinder rod from the cylinder housing for expanding to draw exterior air through said pneumatic line into said interior of said bellows element, and said bellows element being further responsive to retraction of the cylinder rod within the cylinder housing for collapsing to discharge air from said interior of said bellows element through said pneumatic line, whereby water intrusion into said interior of said bellows element is restricted and contamination of the hydraulic cylinder actuator is reduced.
A fouling prevention system for a submerged hydraulic cylinder actuator used in a marine lift apparatus, wherein the submerged hydraulic cylinder actuator includes a cylinder housing and a cylinder rod movably mounted in the cylinder housing for reciprocating between extended and retracted conditions and wherein hydraulic fluid is selectively introduced into and removed from the cylinder housing to drive the cylinder rod between the extended and retracted conditions;
- said fouling prevention system comprising:
- a bellows element for interconnecting the cylinder housing and the cylinder rod;
- and
- a pneumatic line communicatively connected with an interior of said bellows element and having a distal portion for communicating with a source of air exterior to said bellows element;
- said bellows element being responsive to extension of the cylinder rod from the cylinder housing for expanding to draw exterior air through said pneumatic line into said interior of said bellows element, and said bellows element being further responsive to retraction of the cylinder rod within the cylinder housing for collapsing to discharge air from said interior of said bellows element through said pneumatic line, whereby water intrusion into said interior of said bellows element is restricted and contamination of the hydraulic cylinder actuator is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.