Apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorMark S. Ellison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator. The apparatus includes an actuator having a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed about an axis, a substantially spherical end on the actuator, a bearing member having a substantially spherical opening for housing the spherical end, the spherical end and the spherical opening being configured such that the bearing member is held in swiveling contact by the spherical end, a spring retainer located on the actuator a desired distance from the spherical end, and a spring located about the actuator from the spring retainer to the bearing member such that a spring force is placed on the bearing member to maintain alignment of the bearing member with the axis.
Claims6
An apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator, comprising:
- the actuator having a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed about an axis;
- a substantially spherical end on the actuator;
- the bearing member having a substantially spherical opening for housing the spherical end, the spherical end and the spherical opening being configured such that the bearing member is held in swiveling contact by the spherical end;
- a spring retainer located on the actuator a desired distance from the spherical end;
- and
- a spring located about the actuator from the spring retainer to the bearing member such that a spring force is placed on the bearing member to maintain alignment of the bearing member with the axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.