Patent Publication Number: US-10323662-B2

Title: System, method, and apparatus to retain in-cylinder linear position sensor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to hydraulic cylinder assemblies, and more particularly, to systems, methods and apparatuses to retain an in-cylinder linear position sensor in a housing of a hydraulic cylinder. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydraulic cylinder assemblies having a cylinder, a piston received within the cylinder, and a rod connected to the piston, may have applications in various industrial, earthmoving and material handling machines and vehicles. Such hydraulic cylinder assemblies typically include an in-cylinder linear position sensor, to determine position of the rod within the cylinder. Assembly and retention of the in-cylinder linear position sensor in the cylinder may be done using one or more set screws tightened into a retention gland in a side of the sensor housing. However, such tightening of the set screw may be difficult because of the potential for over torqueing the set screw, or inaccurate seating of the set screw in the retention gland, which may lead to damage of the in-cylinder linear position sensor or cylinder. Further, removal of the in-cylinder linear position sensor installed using set screws may be problematic because improper removal procedures of the one or more set screws (e.g., failing to remove all set screws) may lead to damage of the in-cylinder linear position sensor and/or the cylinder. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0096438 (hereinafter the &#39;438 publication) describes a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder position sensor assembly having a cylinder position sensor for sensing the position of a rod member. According to the &#39;438 publication, the cylinder position sensor may be held in position by spring force applied by a spring member, such that the cylinder position sensor is always disposed in close proximity to the rod member. A hydraulic cap may act as a cover and apply a push force on the spring member to compress the spring member to keep the cylinder position sensor in position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a hydraulic cylinder assembly is provided. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a cylinder housing having a body that defines a first cavity to movably house a piston and a portion of a rod connected to the piston, a head cap adjacent the body that defines a second cavity adjacent the first cavity, a first access port adjacent the second cavity that extends horizontally in a first direction to a first outer surface of the head cap, and a second access port that extends horizontally in a second direction to a second outer surface of the head cap. The hydraulic cylinder assembly further includes an in-cylinder linear position sensor mechanically held in the second cavity. The in-cylinder linear position sensor includes a sensor cap extending from a top surface of a sensor body of the in-cylinder linear position sensor. The sensor cap has a retention mechanism with a latch extending horizontally in the first direction so as to engage an upward facing bottom surface of the first access port. The first access port has a length greater than a width that extends in the first direction. The latch has a chamfered upper end surface configured to interact with a chamfered interface between the body and the head cap of the cylinder housing to insert the in-cylinder linear position sensor into the second cavity. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, an in-cylinder linear position sensor configured to be mechanically held in a cavity of a housing of a hydraulic cylinder assembly is provided. The in-cylinder linear position sensor includes a sensor body configured to house circuitry of the in-cylinder linear position sensor, and a sensor cap extending from an upper surface of the sensor body. The sensor cap has a latch that extends horizontally past an outer surface of the sensor body in a fully extended state of the latch. The latch has a chamfered upper surface portion and an inclined lower surface portion. The latch is configured to move horizontally inward from an outer-most position of the fully extended state toward a central vertical axis of the sensor body. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes providing a sensor body that houses circuitry of an in-cylinder linear position sensor. The method further includes providing a sensor cap extending from an upper surface of the sensor body. The sensor cap has a latch that extends radially outward relative to a central vertical axis of the sensor body. The latch is configured to move inward from an outer-most position toward the central vertical axis of the sensor body. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and, together with the description, explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Further, the accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, some or all select features may not be illustrated to assist in the description and understanding of underlying features. 
         FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a hydraulic cylinder assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side sectional perspective view of a portion of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear sectional view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side sectional side view of a portion of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a portion of a hydraulic cylinder assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method of providing an in-cylinder linear position sensor relative to a hydraulic cylinder housing according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method of providing a hydraulic cylinder assembly, including components thereof, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the described subject matter and is not necessarily intended to represent the only embodiment(s). In certain instances, the description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described subject matter. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. 
     Any reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or function described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, any appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, characteristics, operations, or functions may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and it is intended that embodiments of the described subject matter may and do cover modifications and variations of the described embodiments. 
     It must also be noted that, as used in the specification, appended claims and abstract, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearly specified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.” Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like that may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. merely identify one of a number of portions, components, points of reference, operations and/or functions as described herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation. 
     Generally speaking, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter involve retention and release of an in-cylinder linear position sensor relative to a housing of a hydraulic cylinder. Retention and release of the in-cylinder linear position sensor may be implemented by a retention mechanism of the in-cylinder linear position sensor. At least a portion of the retention mechanism may be in an extended position to retain the in-cylinder linear position sensor in the housing of the hydraulic cylinder. The portion of the retention mechanism may move radially inward to a retracted position to release the in-cylinder linear position sensor from the housing of the hydraulic cylinder. The portion of the retention mechanism may also be moved radially inward to the retracted position to install the in-cylinder linear position sensor in the housing of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     Hydraulic cylinder assemblies according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as hydraulic cylinder assembly  100  (see  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 ), hydraulic cylinder assembly  200  (see  FIG. 4 ), and hydraulic cylinder assembly  300  (see  FIG. 5 ), may be implemented in any suitable machine, such as, but not limited to, a wheel loader, a wheel tractor scraper, an excavator, a track-type tractor, an articulated mining truck, large mining trucks, and/or any other machine with hydraulic component(s). Further, such hydraulic cylinder assemblies may find application in any machine involving use of an articulating member or members, such as buckets, booms, work tool, etc. 
       FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  illustrate various sectional views of a hydraulic cylinder assembly  100 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The hydraulic cylinder assembly  100  may include a cylinder housing  102 . The cylinder housing  102  may have an elongated hollow tubular configuration with a body  104  and a head cap  106 . The hydraulic cylinder assembly  100  may also include a piston  108  and a rod  110  connected to the piston  108 . The piston  108 , with the rod  110 , may slide longitudinally within the cylinder housing  102 . The body  104  may define a first cavity  112  which may movably house the piston  108  and a portion of the rod  110 . The cylinder housing  102  may also include an end cap  114  opposite the head cap  106 . 
     The first cavity  112  may be defined by the body  104 , between the head cap  106  and the end cap  114 . The piston  108  may divide the first cavity  112  into two variable volumes on opposite sides of the piston  108 . The piston  108  may change position within the first cavity  112  between a position proximate to the end cap  114  and a position proximate to the head cap  106 . Change in the position of piston  108  may cause the two variable volumes to change. The two variable volumes may include a first variable volume defined between the piston  108  and the head cap  106 , and a second variable volume defined between the piston  108  and the end cap  114 . The end cap  114  may be provided with an opening to receive the rod  110  (also referred to as “connecting rod”). 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cylinder housing  102  may include a set of fluid ports, such as a first fluid port  116  and a second fluid port  118  spaced apart from the first fluid port  116 . The first fluid port  116  may be a through hole defined in the cylinder housing  102  that opens into the first of the two variable volumes defined within the cylinder housing  102 . Likewise, the second fluid port  118  may be a through hole defined in the cylinder housing  102  that opens into the second of the two variable volumes defined within the cylinder housing  102 . The first fluid port  116  and the second fluid port  118  may be adapted to be fluidly coupled to a fluid source (not illustrated) through hydraulic hoses (not illustrated), for instance. The first fluid port  116  and the second fluid port  118  may allow entry and exit of pressurized fluid to and from respective variable volumes. 
     A second cavity  120  may be defined within the head cap  106 . The second cavity  120  (which may be referred to herein as “head space”) may be positioned adjacent the first cavity  112 . An interface  122 , which may be chamfered, may be provided between the body  104  and the head cap  106 . 
     In an embodiment, the second cavity  120 , generally, may be a hollow portion defined within the head cap  106 . More specifically, an outer surface and a top surface of the second cavity  120  may be defined by a first inner surface  124  and a top inner surface  126  of the head cap  106 , while the second cavity  120  may open toward the first cavity  112 . A first outer surface  128  of the head cap  106  may be provided radially outward in a first direction from the first inner surface  124  of the head cap  106 . Likewise, a second outer surface  130  of the head cap  106  may be provided radially outward in a second direction from the first inner surface  124  of the head cap  106 . The first direction may be opposite the second direction. 
     A thickness of the head cap  106  in a radial direction perpendicular to a central axis along line A-A′ in  FIGS. 1 and 3  may define the distance between the first inner surface  124  and the first outer surface  128 . Further, a thickness of the head cap  106  in the radial direction may define the distance between the first inner surface  124  and the second outer surface  130  of the head cap  106 . 
     The head cap  106  may include at least one access port adjacent the second cavity  120 , such as a first access port  132 . The first access port  132  may be a through hole that extends horizontally in the first direction to the first outer surface  128  of the head cap  106 . The horizontal extension of the first access port  132  in the first direction toward the first outer surface  128  may be in the radial direction of the cylinder housing  102 , perpendicular to the central axis along line A-A′ in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The first access port  132 , therefore, may extend from the first inner surface  124  of the head cap  106  to the first outer surface  128  of the head cap  106 . In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the first access port  132  may extend at an incline with respect to the first direction and/or the central axis along line A-A′. Discussed in more detail below, the first access port  132  may allow access to mechanically operate a retention mechanism to release and remove an in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  from the second cavity  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first access port  132  may be defined as a rectangular cube that extends in the first direction and has a length greater than a width, wherein the length of the rectangular cube is a dimension of the rectangular cube that extends in the first direction (i.e., radially). Alternatively, the first access port  132  may be defined as a cuboid, a cylinder, or another geometric volume. The first access port  132  may have an upward facing bottom surface  134 , a downward facing top surface  136 , and opposing side surfaces  138 . The first access port  132  may also define an opening at the first inner surface  124  and an opening at the first outer surface  128  of the head cap  106 . The opening at the first inner surface  124  and the opening at the first outer surface  128  may be spaced apart by the length of the first access port  132 . In one or more embodiments, the upward facing bottom surface  134  may be substantially flat and perpendicular to the central axis along line A-A′. Alternatively, the upward facing bottom surface  134  may be substantially flat, but at an incline relative to the central axis along line A-A′. The first access port  132  may be manufactured using an Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) manufacturing technique, for instance. 
     The first access port  132  may be provided with an access cover (not illustrated). The access cover may be removably connected to cover the opening of the first access port  132  at the first outer surface  128  of the head cap  106 . When connected at the first outer surface  128 , the access cover may preclude outside material, such as debris, from entering the first access port  132 . In an example, the access cover may be a removable snap-fitting cap. In alternative examples, the access cover may be a cap connected to the head cap  106  or a grommet fitted to the first access port  132 . The access cover may have provisions, such as one or more holes, to allow wires to pass from a sensor cap  204  of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  to outside the head cap  106 . 
     Optionally, the head cap  106  may define at least one vertically extending groove, such as a vertically extending groove  140  (also referred to herein as “vertically extending guide groove  140 ”). Generally speaking, the vertically extending groove  140  may govern an orientation of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  for installation in the second cavity  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for instance, the vertically extending groove  140  may be provided at a surface of the head cap  106 , in the second cavity  120 . Alternatively, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the head cap  106  may not include any vertically extending grooves or the like. The vertically extending groove  140  may be mated with a key  142 , which may be provided on a top surface  210  of sensor body  202  of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , to seat the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in a predefined alignment within the second cavity  120 . 
     Hydraulic cylinder assemblies according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may also include a second access port  133 . Second access port  133  may be configured to provide access to a set screw or screws coupled to the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 . However, such second access port  133  and set screws may not be used in embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As discussed herein, a retention mechanism may mechanically fix the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 . Thus, even if second access port  133  is present, set screws may not be used to fix the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 . Alternatively, as may be seen in  FIG. 4 , the hydraulic cylinder assembly  200  may not include second access port  133 . Likewise, the hydraulic cylinder assembly  300  of  FIG. 5  may not include second access port  133 . 
     According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, hydraulic cylinder assemblies, such as hydraulic cylinder assembly  100  ( FIGS. 1-3 ), hydraulic cylinder assembly  200  ( FIG. 4 ), and hydraulic cylinder assembly  300  ( FIG. 5 ), may include an in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 . Generally, the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may measure position of the piston  108  and the rod  110  within the cylinder housing  102 . The in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may be mechanically held in the second cavity  120  of the head cap  106  by a retention mechanism discussed in more detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may include a sensor body  202  and a sensor cap  204 . The sensor body  202  may have a cylindrical body with an outer surface  206 . Therefore, in an end plan view, the sensor body  202  may be circular in shape. The sensor body  202  may house circuitry (not illustrated) of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the sensor body  202  may be free of any set screw retention glands configured to receive one or more set screws through the optional second access port  133 . In an alternative embodiment, the sensor body  202  may have one or more set screw retention glands (not illustrated) formed on the outer surface  206  of the sensor body  202 , though set screws may not be used, as described above. A sensing tube  208  may extend from the sensor body  202  to the piston  108  to sense the position of the piston  108  and the rod  110  within the cylinder housing  102 . The sensor cap  204  may extend from a top surface  210  (or upper surface  210 ) of the sensor body  202 . A plurality of wires (not illustrated) may extend from the sensor cap  204 , and such wires may be routed through the first access port  132  to outside the cylinder housing  102 . Key  142  may extend from the top surface  210  of sensor body  202 , and may be used to mate with the vertically extending groove  140  to seat the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in a predefined alignment within the second cavity  120 . 
     The sensor cap  204  may have a retention mechanism configured to engage one or more surfaces of the second cavity  120 , such as first access port  132  and retention interface  502 , to mechanically fix the sensor cap  204  (and in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 ) in the second cavity  120 . Generally speaking, the retention mechanism may be a “self-contained” or “self-fastening” (e.g., biased or loaded) retention mechanism in that one or more fasteners thereof, such as latches, may be biased or loaded radially outward, for instance, to return to an outermost position in the absence of a force causing the fastener to move radially inward. For example, the retention mechanism may be biased by one or more springs and optionally an internal linkage coupled to the one or more springs. Additionally or alternatively, the retention mechanism may be a settable retention mechanism in that one or more fasteners thereof, such as latches, may be set at a position between an outermost position and an innermost position. For example, one or more fasteners of the retention mechanism may be movable and set based on operation of a gear assembly, such as a rack and pinion gear assembly or a worm drive assembly. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a retention mechanism to mechanically fix the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 , according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, having a spring-loaded latch, first spring-loaded latch  212 . Of course, as noted above, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to loaded or biased latches, let alone spring-biased latches or spring-loaded latches. 
     The first spring-loaded latch  212  may be adapted to move between an outer-most position (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ) and an inner position (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). In the outer-most position, the spring-loaded latch  212  may be in an extended state, which may be a fully extended state. In the inner position, the spring-loaded latch  212  may be in a retracted state. In this regard, the spring-loaded latch  212  may be moved inward from the outer-most position to the retracted state, which may be a fully retracted state. Generally, the fully retracted state of the spring-loaded latch  212  may be a state in which the spring-loaded latch  212  is at its inner-most possible position relative to the central axis along line A-A′, whereas the retracted state of the spring-loaded latch  212  may be a state in which the spring-loaded latch  212  is between the fully extended state and the fully retracted state. 
     In the extended state, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may extend horizontally in a first direction past outer surface  206  of sensor body  202 . To reach a retracted position, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may be moved in a second direction opposite the first direction. More specifically, to reach the retracted state, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may be moved radially inward toward the central vertical axis along line A-A′ of the sensor body  202  such that the spring-loaded latch  212  does not extend past the outer surface  206  of the sensor body  202 . Thus, to remove or install the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , the spring-loaded latch  212  may not need to be in the fully retracted state. 
     The first spring-loaded latch  212  may be adapted to engage with the first access port  132 . Specifically, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may engage with the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . Engagement of the first spring-loaded latch  212  with the first access port  132  may mechanically couple the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  to the head cap  106 , in the second cavity  120 . Such mechanical coupling of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120  of the head cap  106  may prevent movement of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 , which may mitigate the effects on sensor readings caused by movement of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  relative to the head cap  160 . Depression in the second direction to a retracted position may cause the first spring-loaded latch  212  to disengage from the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . 
     The first spring-loaded latch  212  may include a body  218  with a free end having a chamfered upper end surface  214  and an inclined lower surface  216  below the chamfered upper end surface  214 . The chamfered upper end surface  214  may enable insertion of the first spring-loaded latch  212  into the second cavity  120 . The inclined lower surface  216  may facilitate extension of the first spring-loaded latch  212  into the first access port  132 . Further, the inclined lower surface  216  may facilitate fixed engagement of the first spring-loaded latch  212  with the first access port  132  in that the mechanical force between the inclined lower surface  216  and the upward facing bottom surface  134  may increase as the inclined lower surface  216  continues to extend radially outward in the first access port  132 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the head cap  106  of a hydraulic cylinder assembly  300  may include a retention interface  502  adjacent the second cavity  120 . The retention interface  502  may extend horizontally in the second direction, but may or may not reach the second outer surface  130  of the head cap  106 . Thus, in one or more embodiments, the retention interface  502  may be a blind hole that does not extend through the head cap  106 . 
     The horizontal extension of the retention interface  502  in the second direction toward the second outer surface  130  may be in the radial direction of the cylinder housing  102 . The direction of extension of the first access port  132 , i.e., the first direction, may be opposite the direction of extension of the retention interface  502 , i.e., the second direction. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the direction of extension of the first access port  132 , i.e., the first direction may be at any angle with respect to the direction of extension of the retention interface  502 , i.e., the second direction. 
     The retention interface  502  may be defined as a geometric volume, such as a cuboid, a rectangular cube having a length greater than a width extending in the second direction, or other geometric volume. Such geometric volume may be defined by an upward facing bottom surface  504 , a downward facing top surface  506 , and opposing side surfaces  508 . Optionally, the geometric volume of the retention interface  502  may be defined by an end wall  510 . In an embodiment, the retention interface  502  may be identical in shape to the first access port  132 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the sensor cap  204  may have a retention mechanism with a first latch  212  and a second latch  512 , each of which may be biased or settable as discussed above, and adapted to move between an outer-most position and an inner-most position. Though not intended to limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to biased latches, let alone spring-biased latches, first latch  212  and second latch  512  may hereinafter be referred to as first spring-loaded latch  212  and second spring-loaded latch  512 , respectively. In the outer-most position, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may be in a fully extended state, while in the inner-most position the second spring-loaded latch  512  may be in a fully retracted state. 
     In an extended state, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may extend horizontally in the second direction, and in a retracted position the second spring-loaded latch  512  may be retracted in the first direction. In an extended state, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may extend past the outer surface  206  of the sensor body  202 . To reach a retracted state, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may move radially inward toward the central vertical axis A-A′ of the sensor body  202  such that the second spring-loaded latch  512  does not extend past the outer surface  206  of the sensor body  202 . Thus, to remove or install the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , the spring-loaded latch  512  may not need to be in the fully retracted state. 
     In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor cap  204  may also house one or more resilient members (not shown) such as coiled springs, in connection with the first spring-loaded latch  212  and/or the second spring-loaded latch  512 , to bias the first spring-loaded latch  212  and/or the second spring-loaded latch  512 . Therefore, radial inward movement of the first spring-loaded latch  212  may cause radially inward movement of the second spring-loaded latch  512 . Also, movement radially outward of the first spring-loaded latch  212  may allow radial outward movement of the second spring-loaded latch  512 . Optionally, the first spring-loaded latch  212  and the second spring-loaded latch  512  may actuate simultaneously with each other in the radially inward direction and/or the radially outward direction. 
     Similar to above, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may be adapted to engage with the first access port  132 . Specifically, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may engage with the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . Likewise, the second spring-loaded latch  512 , which may have a body portion the same as or similar to the body portion  218  of the first spring-loaded latch  212 , may be adapted to engage with the retention interface  502 . More specifically, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may be adapted to engage with the upward facing bottom surface  504  of the retention interface. Further, depressing the first spring-loaded latch  212  radially inward may cause the second spring-loaded latch  512  to move radially inward to disengage from the retention interface  502 . 
     As noted above, the sensor cap  204  of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may enable the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  to be mechanically held in the second cavity  120  of the head cap  106 . To hold the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 , the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may be received in the first cavity  112  and aligned with the chamfered interface  122 . The chamfered upper end surface  214  of at least the first spring-loaded latch  212  may be pressed against the chamfered interface  122  and depressed so as to move radially inward. In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the second spring-loaded latch  512  may additionally be pressed against the chamfered interface  122  so as to move radially inward. Alternatively, in a case where the latches  212  are settable and not necessarily biased or loaded, the latch  212  and/or the latch  512  may be in a retracted state such that neither latch extends to reach the first inner surface  124 . 
     The first spring-loaded latch  212  (and the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 ) may be pushed further into the second cavity  120  until the first spring-loaded latch  212  reaches the first access port  132 . When the first spring-loaded latch  212  reaches the first access port  132 , the first spring-loaded latch  212  may extend into the first access port  132  to engage the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . In one or more embodiments that do not include a retention interface  502 , a top surface of the sensor cap  204  may abut an edge formed in the head cap  106 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . In an embodiment with a retention interface  502 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the second spring-loaded latch  512  reaches the retention interface  502 , the second spring-loaded latch  512  may extend so as to engage the upward facing bottom surface of the retention interface  502 . Thus, the first spring-loaded latch  212  and the second spring-loaded latch  512  may both mechanically fix the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 . 
     The in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may be withdrawn from the second cavity  120  of the head cap  106  by movement of the first spring-biased latch  212  radially inward by an amount to disengage the first spring-biased latch  212  from the first access port  132  and such the first spring-biased latch  212  does not extend past an inner diameter defined by the first inner surface  124  of the second cavity  120 . For example, to disengage the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , a pushing force may be applied to a free end of the first spring-loaded latch  212  so as to move the first spring-loaded latch  212  radially inward by at least a predetermined amount such that the first spring-loaded latch  212  disengages from the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . Any elongated rigid member (not illustrated), such as a rod, a screwdriver, any other appropriate probe, etc., may be used to push the first spring-loaded latch  212 . 
     Subsequently, the sensor body  202  and the sensor cap  204  may be withdrawn from the second cavity  120  of the head cap  106 . In the case of an embodiment having a second spring-biased latch  512 , the sensor cap  204  may be configured such that movement radially inward of the first spring-loaded latch  212  causes radial movement inward of the second spring-biased latch  512 . Thus, to remove the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  from the second cavity  120 , the second spring-biased latch  512  may also be caused to move radially inward by an amount to disengage the second spring-biased latch  512  from the retention interface  502 , and such the second spring-biased latch  512  does not extend past an inner diameter defined by the first inner surface  124  of the second cavity  120 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure relates to hydraulic cylinder assemblies, such as the hydraulic cylinder assembly  100 , the hydraulic cylinder assembly  200 , and the hydraulic cylinder assembly  300 , and to in-cylinder linear position sensors, such as the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 . The present disclosure also relates to a method  600  of selectively retaining and releasing an in-cylinder linear position sensor in a hydraulic cylinder housing, and a method  700  of providing a hydraulic cylinder assembly or components thereof. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the flow chart of the method  600  for selectively retaining and releasing an in-cylinder linear position sensor in a hydraulic cylinder housing, such as cylinder housing  102 . 
     The method  600 , at operation  602 , may include providing a sensor, such as the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , in a hydraulic cylinder housing, such as the hydraulic cylinder housing  102 . For example, at operation  602 , the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may be received in the first cavity  112  such that the chamfered interface  122  is pressed against the chamfered upper end surface  214  of the first spring-loaded latch  212  (and the second spring-loaded latch  512  if present). 
     The method  600 , at operation  604 , may include installing the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the hydraulic cylinder housing  102 . To install the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the hydraulic cylinder housing  102 , the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may be pushed to move along the axis A-A′, as the first spring-loaded latch  212  and the second spring-loaded latch  512  (if present) slide along either the first inner surface  124  of the second cavity  120 , or the first vertically extending groove  140  and the second vertically extending groove  142 , respectively, if present. As the first spring-loaded latch  212  and the second spring-loaded latch  512  reach the first access port  132  and the retention interface  502 , respectively, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may engage the first access port  132 , and the second spring-loaded latch  512 , if present, may engage the retention interface  502 . Optionally, for installation, key  142  may be provided to mate with vertically extending groove  140  to seat the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in a predefined alignment within the second cavity  120 . 
     The method  600 , at operation  606 , may include uninstalling the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  from the second cavity  120  of the hydraulic cylinder housing  102 . At operation  606 , the first spring-loaded latch  212  may be caused to move radially inward, for example, in response to a pushing force on a free end thereof, such that the first spring-loaded latch  212  disengages from the upward facing bottom surface  134  of the first access port  132 . If present, the second spring-loaded latch  512  may be caused to disengage from the upward facing bottom surface  504  of the second access port  502  responsive to the radial movement inward of the first spring-loaded latch  212 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart of the method  700  of providing a hydraulic cylinder assembly or components thereof. 
     At operation  702 , the method  700  may include providing a sensor body, such as the sensor body  202  that houses circuitry of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 . 
     At operation  704 , the method  700  may include providing a sensor cap, such as the sensor cap  204 , extending from an upper surface of the sensor body  202 . The sensor cap  204  may have a retention mechanism, such as a biased retention mechanism that includes, for example, the first spring-loaded latch  212  extending radially outward relative to a central vertical axis of the sensor body  202 , or that includes the first spring-loaded latch  212  and the second spring-loaded latch  512 . The retention mechanism may be configured to have a portion or portions (e.g., spring-loaded latches) that retract for insertion and removal in a cavity, such as first cavity  120 . For example, the first spring-loaded latch  212  may move inward from an outer-most position toward the central vertical axis of the sensor body  202 . 
     At operation  706 , the method  700  may include providing a hydraulic cylinder housing, such as cylinder housing  102 , configured to house an in-cylinder linear position sensor that includes the sensor body and the sensor cap extending from the sensor body. 
     At operation  708 , the method  700  may include installing an in-cylinder linear position sensor, such as in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , in the second cavity  120  of the cylinder housing  102 . Installation may include moving the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  into and through the first cavity  112  to reach the second cavity  120 . In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, for installation, key  142  may be provided to mate with vertically extending groove  140  to seat the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in a predefined alignment within the second cavity  120 . When the retention mechanism reaches a predetermined access port, such as first access port  132  and optionally a retention interface, such as retention interface  502 , the retention mechanism may engage the access port and optional retention interface to mechanically couple the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 . Optionally, a top surface top surface  210  of the sensor body  202  or sensor cap  204  may abut an edge of the head cap  106  to assist with the mechanical coupling of the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  in the second cavity  120 . 
     Operation  710 , which in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may begin a separate method, may include uninstalling the in-cylinder linear position sensor, such as in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , from the cylinder housing  102 . To uninstall the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152 , the retention mechanism may disengage from the access port and optional retention interface. For example, a pushing force may be exerted on a free end of the first spring-loaded latch  212  to disengage the first access port  132  and thereby release the in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  from its fixed position in the second cavity  120 . The in-cylinder linear position sensor  152  may then be pulled from the second cavity  120  into the first cavity  112  and out of the cylinder housing  102 . 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.