Rotary actuator

Abstract

A rotary actuator defining a first arcuate chamber and a second chamber, the housing having an inwardly projecting, peripherally extending rib which defines an aperture in open communication with the arcuate chamber, a peripherally extending groove being formed in the rib in surrounding relationship to the aperture, the groove having first and second peripherally extending spaced side surfaces, an arcuate shaped piston being disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft rotatably journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotatable in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal disposed in the groove for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, the seal being in sealing engagement with the first and second side surfaces forming the groove, a fluid pressure inlet to introduce fluid pressure into at least one of the arcuate chamber or the second chamber to provide a pressurized chamber and effect movement of the piston in a first direction, a return system to effect movement of the piston in an opposite, second direction, the housing being provided with a passageway to transfer pressure from the pressurized chamber to the groove outwardly of the seal such that fluid pressure from the pressurized chamber acts to urge the seal inwardly into sealing engagement with the piston and the housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.