Patent ID: 9080583
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: F15B

Abstract:
1. A linear actuator, comprising: a housing having a bore extending therethrough, wherein a first portion of the bore extends a first distance into the housing from a first end thereof, and wherein a second portion of the bore extends a second distance into the housing from a second end thereof, wherein the first portion has a first geometry when viewed from the first end, and wherein the second portion has a second geometry when viewed from the second end, wherein the second geometry is polygonal with substantially rounded corners, and wherein a first interior surface of the second portion of the bore comprises a substantially planar first bearing surface; a shaft having an axis associated therewith, wherein the shaft has a third geometry when viewed along the axis, and wherein the shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the housing; a piston member operatively coupled to the shaft, the piston member having a fourth geometry when viewed along the axis of the shaft, wherein the fourth geometry is polygonal with substantially rounded corners, and wherein the piston member is in sliding engagement with the first interior surface of the second portion of the bore; an anti-rotation member fixedly coupled to one or more of the piston member and the shaft, wherein the anti-rotation member has a fifth geometry when viewed along the axis of the shaft, wherein the fifth geometry is generally D-shaped, wherein a substantially planar anti-rotation bearing surface is defined between two substantially rounded corners of the anti-rotation member, and wherein contact between the anti-rotation member and the housing primarily exists along a sliding engagement between the first bearing surface and the anti-rotation bearing surface in a first orientation of the anti-rotation member with respect to the housing, therein generally preventing a rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing.