Membrane-activated hydraulic actuator
AssigneeSmiths Industries Aerospace Actuation Systems, Inc
InventorsValentin Barba, Khoi T. Vu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic actuator that is capable of substantial actuation but does not require a conventional pump, uses only deflectable membranes and passive valves, or, at most, a minimum of active valves, and, under certain circumstances, may be free to move when the actuator is de-energized, is provided. The actuator utilizes the deflectable membranes to move fluid throughout the actuator. The movement of the fluid actuates a shaft or other suitable device, as required.
Claims17
A hydraulic actuator for actuating a shaft, the actuator comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber, a divider portion of said shaft being disposed therebetween and that seals said first chamber from said second chamber such that when fluid flows from one of said first chamber to said second chamber and said second chamber to said first chamber, said shaft is actuated;
- a plurality of tubes for allowing fluid to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber;
- a plurality of deflectable membranes for causing said fluid to flow;
- and
- a plurality of passive valves for directing a flow of said fluid in said actuator.
A method of actuating a shaft using an actuator, said actuator including fluid, said method comprising:
- pre-positioning a first plurality of deflectable membranes in said actuator;
- and
- deflecting a second plurality of deflectable membranes in order to move said fluid such that said movement of said fluid causes said shaft to move.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.