Patent ID: 6711984
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: F15B

Abstract:
A single rod bi-fluid actuator for precise bi-directional movement and positioning of a load, comprising:a. a pneumatic fluid container defining a first pneumatic fluid chamber and an opposed second pneumatic fluid chamber, the pneumatic fluid chambers containing a compressible, pneumatic fluid; b. a hydraulic fluid container defining a first hydraulic fluid chamber and an opposed second hydraulic fluid chamber, the hydraulic fluid chambers containing a non-compressible, hydraulic fluid; c. a first mechanical object positioned between the first and opposed second pneumatic fluid chambers so that the first mechanical object may be impacted and moved by the pneumatic fluid within the first or second pneumatic chambers; d. a second mechanical object linked to the first mechanical object and positioned between the first and opposed second hydraulic fluid chambers so that the second mechanical object may be impacted and positioned by the hydraulic fluid; e. a pneumatic fluid controller that selectively directs the pneumatic fluid into either the first or second pneumatic chamber of the pneumatic fluid container to expand the volume of the pneumatic fluid chamber that receives the pneumatic fluid; and, f. a hydraulic fluid controller that selectively permits, controls a rate of, or terminates passage of the hydraulic fluid between the first and the opposed second hydraulic fluid chambers of the hydraulic fluid container, so that the pneumatic fluid controller selectively powers the first and linked second mechanical objects to move in either a first or opposed second direction, and the hydraulic fluid controller selectively permits movement and controls a rate of movement and position of the second and linked first mechanical objects in the first or opposed second direction by selectively permitting, controlling a rate of, or terminating passage of the hydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic fluid chambers of the hydraulic fluid container and; g. single rod bi-fluid actuator having the pneumatic fluid container secured in coaxial relationship with the hydraulic fluid container, having the first mechanical object coaxial with the hydraulic fluid container, having a rod secured to the first mechanical object and extending out of the pneumatic fluid container to be secured to the load, and having a hydraulic fluid reservoir tube secured adjacent to the hydraulic fluid container and in fluid communication through a hydraulic fluid reservoir opening with the hydraulic fluid container and the hydraulic fluid controller so that the first mechanical object is coaxial with the hydraulic fluid container and hydraulic fluid reservoir tube.