Actuator device with a multi-chamber housing

An actuator system comprising:

• a self-contained actuator device including
• a housing containing a substantially fixed mass of air sufficient to operate the actuator device, the housing substantially sealed such that the substantially fixed mass of air is maintained therein;
• a movable piston positioned in the housing to separate the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the piston being movable along a longitudinal axis in response to changes in air pressure in the first and second chambers;
• a rod coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, the rod at least partially extending outside of the housing, and
• an air transfer device located within the second chamber of the housing, the air transfer device selectively energized based upon air pressure in the first chamber to transfer air from the second chamber of the housing to the first chamber of the housing wherein a pre-determined air pressure is maintained in the first chamber by the air transfer device,
• wherein as air pressure increases in the first chamber the rod retracts into the housing, and
• further wherein as air pressure is vented from the first chamber to the second chamber, air pressure decreases in the first chamber and the rod extends out of the housing;
• an object coupled to a portion of the rod outside the housing, the object being moved in response to movement of the piston;
• and
• a main power switch electrically connected between the air transfer device and a power source.

A self-contained actuator device adapted to move an object, the actuator device comprising:

• a housing containing a substantially fixed mass of air sufficient to operate the actuator device, the housing substantially sealed such that the substantially fixed mass of air is maintained therein;
• a piston positioned in the housing and separating the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the piston movable along the longitudinal axis in response to a pressure differential in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a rod coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, the rod extending through the first chamber and at least partially extending outside of the housing to couple to the object;
• and
• an air transfer device located in the second chamber of the housing and selectively operable to generate the pressure differential in the housing and transfer air from the second chamber to the first chamber, thereby moving the piston and the rod in a first direction,
• wherein air is vented from the first chamber to the second chamber to move the piston and the rod in a second direction.

An actuator system comprising:

• a main power switch electrically connected with a power source;
• a self-contained actuator device including
• a housing containing a substantially fixed mass of air sufficient to operate the actuator device, the housing substantially sealed such that the substantially fixed mass of air is maintained therein;
• a movable piston positioned in the housing to separate the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the piston being movable along a longitudinal axis in response to a pressure differential in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a rod coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, the rod at least partially extending outside of the housing;
• an air transfer device located within the housing and operable to generate the pressure differential in the housing and transfer air from the second chamber to the first chamber wherein a pre-determined air pressure is maintained in the first chamber, the air transfer device including an air inlet for receiving air from the second chamber and an air outlet for discharging air from the air transfer device, and
• wherein as air pressure accumulates within the first chamber the rod retracts into the housing;
• a passageway fluidly connecting the air outlet of the air transfer device and the first chamber wherein the passageway is located in the housing;
• a valve positioned in the housing, the valve selectively fluidly connecting the first chamber via the passageway and the second chamber, wherein the valve selectively equalizes air pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber by venting air pressure from the first chamber
• wherein as air pressure vents from the first chamber the rod extends out of the housing;
• an intermediate switch positioned within the housing, the intermediate switch selectively electrically connecting the air transfer device and the main power switch;
• and
• an object coupled to a portion of the rod outside the housing, the object being moved in response to movement of the piston, and
• wherein the main power switch is selectively electrically connected with the air transfer device to operate the air transfer device and selectively electrically connected with the valve to operate the valve.