Fluid actuators
OwnerNigel E. Roseinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid actuator (10) including a chamber (14) in which a piston assembly (17) reciprocates. The piston assembly (17) includes a pair of spaced pistons (18, 19) which divide the chamber (14) into three sections (20, 21, 22) and a passageway (29) which supports a valve member (30). Reciprocating movement of the slide valve member (30) causes fluid to be directed to the chamber sections (20) and (22) and thereby corresponding reciprocating movement of the piston assembly (17). The actuator (10) may be applied to the control of any device such as valves of internal combustion engines, fuel injectors or comprise actuating means for the piston of an internal combustion engine.
Claims24
A fluid actuator including a chamber, a piston assembly arranged for reciprocating movement within said chamber, said piston assembly including first and second spaced apart pistons dividing said chamber into a first chamber section between said first piston and said chamber, a second chamber section between said first and second pistons, and a third chamber section between said second piston and said chamber, passageway means in said piston assembly, fluid inlet means communicating with said second chamber section and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid through said passageway means, said valve means being operable to communicate fluid through said passageway means from said second to said first chamber sections so as to cause movement of said piston assembly in a first direction, and said valve means being further operable to communicate fluid through said passageway means from said second to said third chamber sections so as to cause said piston assembly to move in a direction opposite said first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.