Patent ID: 8167172
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: B05C

Abstract:
1. A positioning apparatus comprising: a first gas conduit having one end adapted to be coupled with a gas-filled cartridge; a three-way valve operatively coupled with the first gas conduit, the valve having settings to pressurize, retract, and vent; a second gas conduit having one end operatively coupled to the three-way valve; a gas/liquid piston having a gas side and a liquid side operatively coupled to the second gas conduit at the piston gas side; a first hydraulic fluid conduit operatively coupled to the gas/liquid piston at the piston liquid side; a flow control valve operatively coupled to the first hydraulic fluid conduit; a second hydraulic fluid conduit operatively coupled to the flow control valve; a linear hydraulic actuator having an input pressurize side and an input retract side, the pressurize side operatively coupled with the second hydraulic fluid conduit, the linear hydraulic actuator comprising a barrel cylinder and a plunger piston coupled with the barrel cylinder, wherein hydraulic fluid released by controlling the flow control valve entering the barrel cylinder on one side of the plunger piston will position the plunger piston at a desired location and wherein gas released by the three-way valve entering the barrel cylinder on an opposite side of the plunger will retract the plunger piston; and a third gas conduit operatively coupled with the hydraulic actuator retract side on one end and the three-way valve at an opposite end, whereby the respective linear or rotary output of the hydraulic actuator can be precisely controlled and powered by a gas-filled cartridge by adjusting the three-way valve to the pressurize setting, and operating the flow control valve that permits hydraulic fluid to enter the hydraulic actuator and precisely advance its output.