Patent ID: 8448563
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: F15B

Abstract:
1. A fluid-powered actuator comprising: a cylindrical body having a base proximate one extremity and a head proximate another extremity, said base having an opening: a piston-rod assembly slidably mounted inside said cylindrical body, the piston-rod assembly defining within the cylindrical body a first chamber contiguous to the base and a second chamber contiguous to the head, each chamber communicating independently with an external source of pressurized fluid used to control the position of the piston-rod assembly; and a readily replaceable sensor module comprising a removable cover operative to sealably close said opening and a position sensor mounted to an internal face of said cover so that said position sensor is operatively located inside the first chamber of said cylindrical body when said cover is in place, said position sensor being operative to measure a position of said piston-rod assembly and being dimensioned to pass easily through said opening, such that said sensor module is selectively replaceable when said actuator is in service without having to disconnect the actuator from where it is mounted and while maintaining the application of pressurized fluid to the second chamber and thereby positioning and holding the piston-rod assembly in its fully retracted position, wherein said position sensor is a draw wire transducer using a wire, said wire being attached to said piston-rod assembly with a releasable connection.