Rotary Actuator Pass-Through Fluid Circuit for Protected Boom Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized fluid supply lines in rotary actuators are prone to entanglement and damage, especially in telescoping booms where they must extend to accommodate adjustable lengths, posing risks of puncture and cutting hazards.
Innovation Solution
A rotary actuator design with a pressurized fluid circuit featuring a feed manifold and a delivery manifold, connected by channels through the actuator, allows for internal routing of fluid lines within the boom, protecting them from external hazards and ensuring reliable fluid delivery to the implement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pressurized fluid supply lines are positioned along the boom exterior, then the fluid supply is accessible and simple to implement, but the lines become entangled among foreign objects and are at risk for damage through puncture or cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized fluid supply lines are routed through the interior of the boom, nesting the fluid transport function within the structural component. This eliminates external exposure to hazards while maintaining fluid supply capability to the implement at the boom end.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary actuator serves as an intermediary component that receives fluid from the boom interior and delivers it to the implement. The fluid circuit extends through the rotary actuator, allowing protected internal routing while maintaining connection to the external implement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boom has telescoping function with adjustable extension, then the boom adaptability is improved, but the pressurized fluid tubing requires sufficient excess length which increases complexity and vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply lines are nested within the boom's internal structure rather than externally routed. This allows the boom to telescope and extend without the fluid lines being exposed or requiring excessive length, as they are protected within the boom's internal pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary actuator with its internal fluid circuit acts as an intermediary that manages fluid delivery independent of boom extension state. The fluid circuit is contained within the actuator mechanism, allowing it to accommodate boom telescoping without requiring flexible external hoses.
3Reliability
If pressurized fluid lines are routed internally within the boom, then protection from external hazards is improved, but the routing complexity within the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply and return lines are merged into a single rotary actuator assembly, consolidating the fluid circuit routing within one component. This reduces overall system complexity despite the internal routing requirements, as the actuator housing and internal passages provide an integrated fluid pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary actuator serves multiple functions: it provides rotational actuation of the implement and simultaneously houses the fluid supply circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate fluid routing components, offsetting the complexity of internal fluid passages within the actuator.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The internal routing of pressurized fluid lines through the rotary actuator prevents entanglement and damage, ensuring continuous and protected fluid supply to the operating implement, enhancing operational safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A piston is mounted in the chamber and is axially responsive to pressurized fluid in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
Meshed engagement among the splined shaft, the splined member, and the grooved portion translates axial movement of the splined member into rotary movement of the splined shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile apparatus (10) with a fluid pressure-operated implement (26) mounted at a distal end of a boom (20) includes a connection apparatus (42) for selectively rotating the implement (26) about an actuator axis at the distal end (24) of the boom (20). The connection apparatus (42) includes a rotary actuator (60) 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 (60). The pressurized fluid circuit facilitates passage of pressurized fluid through an internal, protected environment to the implement (26).