Rotary actuator with pass-through fluid circuit
AssigneeJarraff Industries, Inc.
InventorJacob Schmotter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mobile apparatus with a fluid pressure-operated implement mounted at a distal end of a boom includes a connection apparatus for selectively rotating the implement about an actuator axis at the distal end of the boom. The connection apparatus includes a rotary actuator and a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through the rotary actuator to the implement. The pressurized fluid circuit includes channels establishing a fluidic connection axially through the rotating shaft of the rotary actuator. The pressurized fluid circuit facilitates passage of pressurized fluid through an internal, protected environment to the implement.
Claims22
A rotary actuator for selectively rotating a pressurized fluid-driven implement about an actuator axis, said actuator comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- a splined shaft having a first end and a second end, and extending axially through said chamber for rotation relative to said housing about said actuator axis, one of said housing and said shaft being configured for coupling to the implement;
- a piston mounted in said chamber and axially responsive to pressurized fluid in said chamber to reciprocally axially drive a splined member between said splined shaft and a grooved portion in said chamber, wherein meshed engagement among said splined shaft, said splined member, and said grooved portion translates axial movement of said splined member into rotary movement of said splined shaft;
- and
- a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through said actuator to the implement, said circuit having a feed manifold at said first end of said shaft, a delivery manifold at said second end of said shaft, and first and second channels fluidically coupling said feed manifold to said delivery manifold axially through said splined shaft, wherein said feed and delivery manifolds are rotatable with said splined shaft relative to said housing.
A mobile apparatus, comprising:
- a mobile carriage;
- a pedestal supported by said mobile carriage;
- a boom having a proximal portion coupled to said pedestal;
- an implement connection apparatus rotatably connecting a pressurized fluid-driven implement to a distal portion of said boom for rotation of said implement about an actuator axis, said implement connection apparatus including:
- (i) a rotary actuator having a housing defining a chamber, a shaft having first and second ends and extending axially through said chamber for rotation relative to said housing about said actuator axis, said shaft being rotated by a translator mechanism that is axially driven parallel to said actuator axis in said chamber;
- and
- (ii) a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through said rotator actuator to said implement, said circuit having a feed manifold at said first end of said shaft, a delivery manifold at said second end of said shaft, and first and second channels fluidically coupling said feed manifold to said delivery manifold axially through said shaft, wherein said feed and delivery manifolds are rotatable with said shaft relative to said housing.
A mobile apparatus, comprising:
- a self-propelled mobile carriage including a frame;
- a pedestal pivotally mounted to said frame for pivoting about first and second substantially orthogonal pivot axes;
- a boom having a proximal portion pivotally mounted to said pedestal;
- a cutting apparatus;
- a connection apparatus rotatably connecting said cutting apparatus to a distal portion of said boom for rotation of said cutting apparatus about an actuator axis, said connection apparatus including:
- (i) a rotary actuator having a housing defining a chamber, a shaft having first and second ends and extending axially through said chamber for rotation relative to said housing about said actuator axis;
- and
- (ii) a pressurized fluid circuit for delivery of pressurized fluid through said rotator actuator to said implement, said circuit having a feed manifold at said first end of said shaft, a delivery manifold at said second end of said shaft, and first and second channels fluidically coupling said feed manifold to said delivery manifold axially through said shaft, wherein said feed and delivery manifolds are rotatable with said shaft relative to said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.