Sealed Adjustable Stroke Stops in Pneumatic Linear Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid-powered linear actuators with external stop mechanisms are prone to premature failure and require significant maintenance when exposed to harsh environments, as they are large, ungainly, and difficult to protect effectively.

Innovation Solution

An internally integrated, manually adjustable stop mechanism for fluid-powered linear actuators that is completely sealed and enclosed, featuring a gear-reduction position indicator, allowing for adjustment of the actuator's travel length without exposing the mechanism to harsh environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an external stop mechanism is used to control the actuator stroke, then the actuator can be adjusted to different positions, but the mechanism is exposed to harsh environments causing premature failure and high maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of stroke lengthVSAvoidservice life in harsh environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the stop mechanism internally within the actuator body, merging the adjustment function with the actuator structure. This eliminates the need for external stop mechanisms that are exposed to harsh environments, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adjustability through the internal adjustment bore and threaded rod assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stop mechanism is nested within the actuator body, with the adjustment bore, threaded rod, and stop member all contained inside the sealed actuator housing. This nesting protects the adjustment components from environmental exposure while preserving the ability to adjust stroke length through the sealed access port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an external stop mechanism is used, then the actuator can be adjusted, but the mechanism becomes large and ungainly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of stroke lengthVSAvoidsize of actuator mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the stop mechanism with the actuator body into a single integrated unit, the patent eliminates the need for separate external adjustment components. This integration significantly reduces the overall size and eliminates the ungainly appearance associated with external stop mechanisms, while maintaining full adjustability through the compact internal threaded rod and stop member assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an external stop mechanism is used, then the actuator can be adjusted, but the mechanism becomes difficult to protect from harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of stroke lengthVSAvoidexposure to harsh environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism components (adjustment bore, threaded rod, stop member) are nested within the sealed actuator body, protecting them from harsh environmental conditions. The only exposure is through a sealed access port, which maintains protection while allowing adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator body acts as a flexible seal, containing the stop mechanism internally and protecting it from environmental harm. The sealed construction with gaskets and O-rings creates a barrier that shields the adjustment components from corrosive or contaminating environments while allowing the mechanism to function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If the stop mechanism is sealed and enclosed internally, then protection from harsh environments is improved, but the complexity of the internal mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from harsh environmentsVSAvoidinternal mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal stop mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: an adjustment bore, a threaded rod, and a stop member. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while collectively providing the complex function of sealed, adjustable stroke control. The modular segmentation reduces overall complexity compared to a monolithic design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12044257B2Apparatus and method of fluid powered linear actuators with adjustable stops

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 SULLIVAN HIGGINS AND BRION POWER PLANT ENG LLC

AI summary

A pneumatic linear actuator with a manually adjustable stop mechanism integrated into the device such that the actuator mechanism and the stop mechanism are co-linear. The stop mechanism limits the travel of the actuator by turning a handwheel. The mechanisms are completely sealed and/or enclosed and a gear-reduction position indicator is included. Forward and reverse acting variations are presented.