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US 7,921,689 B2Granted
Pneumatic biasing of a linear actuator and implementations thereof
AssigneeUnico, Inc.
InventorsRobb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
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AssigneeUnico, Inc.
InventorsRobb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
Estimating the term…
An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
A pneumatically biasable mechanical linear actuator apparatus, for exerting a bidirectional force along an axis of motion between a first structure and a second structure, wherein at least one of the structures is movable along the axis of motion, the linear actuator apparatus comprising, at least one pneumatically biasable linear actuator having:
A method for pneumatically biasing a mechanical linear actuator apparatus, for exerting a bidirectional force along an axis of motion between a first structure and a second structure, wherein at least one of the structures is movable along the axis, wherein the apparatus includes at least one pneumatically biasable linear actuator having a driving and a driven member connected to one another in a mechanical drive arrangement for motion relative to one another long the axis of motion, the method comprising:
A material forming machine comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.