Rotary piston type actuator with a central actuation assembly

A method of rotary actuation comprising:

• providing a rotary actuator comprising:
• a housing;
• a rotor assembly rotatably j ournaled in said housing and including a rotary output shaft;
• a central actuation assembly including a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the rotary output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the rotary output shaft, and a radial recess formed in an external peripheral surface of the housing proximal to the central mounting point of the rotary output shaft;
• and
• an actuation arm extending through the radial recess and removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of a member to be actuated;
• energizing the rotor assembly;
• urging rotation of the rotary output shaft;
• urging rotation of the actuation arm;
• urging motion of the member to be actuated.

A rotary actuator comprising:

• a housing;
• a rotor assembly rotatably j ournaled in said housing and including a rotary output shaft;
• a central actuation assembly including a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the rotary output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the rotary output shaft, and a radial recess formed in an external peripheral surface of the housing proximal to the central mounting point of the rotary output shaft;
• a mounting assembly adapted for attachment to an external mounting connector of a mounting surface of a structural member;
• and
• an actuation arm extending through the radial recess and removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of an assembly to be actuated.