Patent ID: 6276660
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: F15B,F16D

Abstract:
A rotary piston mechanism comprising:a first actuator mechanism having a lost motion means for permitting a first and a second travel motion;a second actuator mechanism having a lost motion means for permitting a first and a second travel motion;a first rotary piston;a second rotary piston;first fluid conducting means for communicating fluid between said first actuator mechanism and said first rotary piston and second fluid conducting means for communicating fluid between said second actuator mechanism and said second rotary piston;a rotary shaft member;a first spring member disposed helically circumjacent said shaft member and being drivingly connected with said first rotary piston, said first spring having a free end substantially aligned for contact by said first actuator mechanism;a second spring member disposed helically circumjacent said shaft member and being drivingly connected with said second rotary piston, said second spring having a free end substantially aligned for contact by said second actuator mechanism; andmeans for selectively pressurizing said first actuator mechanism to cause said first travel motion whereby said first actuator mechanism abuts said first spring member to enforce friction engagement between said first spring member and said shaft member and during said second travel motion to open said first fluid conducting means to initiate rotation of said first rotary piston, said first spring member, and said shaft member in a first rotary direction, and for selectively pressurizing said second actuator mechanism and to cause said first travel motion whereby said second actuator mechanism abuts said second spring member to enforce friction engagement between said second spring member and said shaft member and during said second travel motion to open said second fluid conducting means to initiate rotation of said second rotary piston, said first spring member, and said shaft member in a second rotary direction.