Patent ID: 8578712

Claim:
A method for calibrating a pneumatic actuator for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the pneumatic actuator ( 1 ) comprising: a containment structure ( 2 ) the inside of which forms an operating chamber ( 3 ); a diaphragm ( 4 ) mounted in the operating chamber ( 3 ) for delimiting inside the chamber at least one variable-volume chamber ( 5 ); at least one duct ( 6 ) connected to the variable-volume chamber ( 5 ), allowing its internal pressure to be varied; at least one rigid rod ( 8 ) slidably inserted through the containment structure ( 2 ) and having a first end ( 9 ) fixed to the diaphragm ( 4 ) and a second end ( 10 ) which is outside the containment structure ( 2 ); and at least one connecting head ( 11 ) which can be mounted on the second end ( 10 ) of the rigid rod ( 8 ) for connecting to an element to be controlled; the method being characterised in that it comprises the following operating steps: taking the pneumatic actuator ( 1 ) with the connecting head ( 11 ) able to move relative to the second end ( 10 ) of the rigid rod ( 8 ); varying the pressure in the variable-volume chamber ( 5 ) until it reaches a predetermined value, thus bringing the rigid rod ( 8 ) into a corresponding operating position; positioning the connecting head ( 11 ) in a predetermined position relative to the containment structure ( 2 ), the predetermined position being established in advance together with the predetermined value of the pressure in the variable-volume chamber ( 5 ); and constraining the connecting head ( 11 ) to the rigid rod ( 8 ) in such a way that (a) with the rigid rod ( 8 ) in said corresponding operating position, the connecting head ( 11 ) is in the predetermined position relative to the containment structure ( 2 ), and (b) the connecting head ( 11 ) is solidly and rigidly fixed to the rigid rod ( 8 ) so that they cannot move relative to each other.