Patent ID: 6931982

Claim:
A linear actuator comprising: a housing which defines an internal bore having a rear part forming a piston chamber, wherein the housing-comprises a rod end cap, a cylindrical wall, and a rear end cap; a piston-rod assembly which linearly moves within the internal bore in response to fluid pressure and which includes a piston positioned within the piston chamber and a rod connected to the piston; a guide defined by the housing, wherein the guide is a guide slot parallel with a portion of the internal bore which defines a bearing surface for the piston-rod assembly, and wherein the guide slot is formed in the rod end cap; a bearing block, wherein the bearing block extends radially from the rod into the guide, therein defining a bearing surface, wherein the bearing block has a geometry to prevent rotation of the piston-rod assembly, and wherein the bearing block and the guide are separate from the piston chamber; and an attachment member that extends through an opening in the bearing block, therein coupling the bearing block to the rod, wherein the bearing block is operable to move with the piston-rod assembly.