Patent ID: 7284472
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A method for assembling a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder including a tube having a first end and a second end; a first cap member for closing the first end of the tube, the first cap member having an opening therein; a second cap member for closing the second end of the tube; a piston sealed within the tube for movement between a first position at the first end of the tube and a second position at the second end of the tube; and a rod operatively attached to the piston and extending from the piston through the opening in the first cap member, the piston and the rod movable together between the first position and the second position, comprising: positioning a transducer within the tube, the transducer including an elongated portion fixed with respect to the second cap member and a follower member fixed with respect to the piston and movable along the elongated portion of the transducer for monitoring the position of the piston with respect to the second cap member, for allowing the transducer to measure the position of the follower member with respect to the elongated portion as the piston moves between the first position at the first end of the tube and the second position at the second end of the tube; installing the piston within the tube so that the elongated portion of the transducer extends through the follower member, the elongated portion extending beyond the first end of the tube for facilitating engagement of the follower member onto the elongated portion of the transducer, and measuring startup resistance for broken electrical wire diagnostics and/or detecting open faults or shorts.