Actuator rotational alignment device

A linear actuator having a housing for sealingly containing a pressurized fluid and comprising a mounting by which the housing is fixedly mounted to a chassis or frame, and a load engaging member engageable with a load such that relative rotation between the load engaging member and the load is prevented;

• the load engaging member being movable relative to the housing along an operating axis;
• in which a helical orientation surface is disposed about the operating axis and in a fixed angular position relative to one of the housing or load engaging member;
• in which a follower is disposed in a fixed angular position about the operating axis relative to the other of the housing or load engaging member;
• and in which when the load engaging member is moved relative to the housing towards an end of the operating axis, the follower moves from a disengaged condition in which free relative rotation of the load engaging member and the housing about the operating axis is allowed, to a condition in which the follower engages and moves along the helical orientation surface to rotate the load engaging member relative to the housing about the operating axis, until the follower reaches a predetermined position along the helical orientation surface;
• whereby the housing and the load engaging member are brought to a predetermined relative angular position about the operating axis by the movement of the follower along the helical orientation surface, at one or both of the extended or retracted positions of the linear actuator.