Patent ID: 11925996
Assignee: TOLOMATIC, INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  H | IPC B  F  H

Claim 10:
11. A method comprising:
supporting a thrust tube at least partially within an actuator housing, wherein the thrust tube extends from a proximal end within the actuator housing to a distal end selectively positionable exterior to the actuator housing;
moving the thrust tube between a first retracted position with the distal end proximate the actuator housing and a second extended position with the distal end spaced from the actuator housing, wherein the distal end of the thrust tube is subject to loading in the second extended position; and
providing positional stability to the distal end of the thrust tube when subject to the loading with a guide assembly positioned adjacent the thrust tube, wherein the guide assembly includes:
a guide shaft moveable with the thrust tube from the first retracted position to the second extended position, and
a guide housing coupled with the actuator housing, with the guide shaft disposed at least partially within the guide housing, parallel to the thrust tube,
wherein the guide shaft extends from a first end positioned within the guide housing to a second end positioned outside the guide housing with the guide housing substantially covering the guide shaft in the first retracted position,
a coupling extending between the guide shaft and the distal end of the thrust tube, wherein the guide shaft and coupling are configured to provide positional stability to the distal end of the thrust tube in the second extended position, subject to the loading; and
a coupling structure connected to the thrust tube at or adjacent the distal end and having a section that extends along the longitudinal axis beyond the coupling between the guide shaft and the distal end of the thrust tube, wherein the coupling structure defines an interface configured to engage a machine tool, wherein the interface comprises an end effector and the loading comprises one or both of:
a mechanical load induced on the distal end of the thrust tube by operation of the machine tool engaged with the end effector; or
a reactive force induced by a current load in an electrode coupled to the end effector at the distal end of the thrust tube.