Hydraulic cylinder with an electrical contacting and sealing ring

• US 5,560,278 A
• Filed: 10/11/1994
• Issued: 10/01/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mid-America Commercialization Corporation
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lark, Wayne W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US08/321,293
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 92/5 R, 92/193, 277/142, 277/143, 277/165, 277/901, 324/207.22, 324/207.12, 324/207.24
• US Class Current: 92/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/2869 using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. radar or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/064 the packing combining the sealing function with other functions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 277/94 Alloy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 277/941 Aluminum or copper

Abstract

A coaxial capacitor contacting and sealing structure, for electrical continuity between parts that move in relation to each other at the ends of a cavity within a hydraulic cylinder employing electromagnetic wave position sensing. The structure employs a contacting and sealing member having a high surface conductivity that is mounted in one of the parts. The mounting of the contacting and sealing member provides force for pressure contact in oil between the parts and to enhance electrical continuity with the part in which the contacting and sealing member is located.

Claims

1. In a hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston position sensing system, the improvement comprising:

an electrical contacting interface between first and second metal parts in contact in movable relationship at and along an oil bearing intersection, said interface including a third part,

said third part being of a material with a high surface conductivity,

said third part having a spiral shape and being located in a portion of said first metal part,

said interface including force means applied to said third part by at least one member taken from the group of wave spring members, canted coil spring members and elastomeric members, and operable to provide pressure on said third part in a direction parallel to said intersection and pressure on said third part in a direction perpendicular to said intersection.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said third part is of beryllium copper.

3. In a hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston position sensing system, the improvement comprising:

an electrical contacting interface between first and second metal parts in contact in movable relationship at and along an oil bearing intersection, said interface including a third part, said third part being of beryllium copper,

said third part having a split ring shape and being located in a portion of said first metal part,

said interface including force means applied to said third part by at least one member taken from the group of wave spring members, canted coil spring members and elastomeric members, and operable and wherein pressure is applied on said split ring in the direction of said second metal part by a canted coil spring.

4. A hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston and rod position sensing system wherein, in an electromagnetic wave cavity in the cylinder between the piston as one end and the end of the cylinder as the other end, a cavity termination structure for an end that includes a stationary and a movable member comprising:

an oil bearing intersection between first and second contacting metal parts in movable relationship, a third part,

said third part being located at the face of said piston, as first metal part and being retained by a plate on the surface of said piston,

said third part being of a material having a high surface conductivity, and,

force means provided by at least one member of the group of wave springs, canted coil springs and compressed elastomers and adapted to enhance electrical continuity between said first metal part and said third part, and, pressure to move said third part in the direction of said second metal part.

5. A hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston and rod position sensing system wherein, in an electromagnetic wave cavity in the cylinder between the piston as one end and the end of the cylinder as the other end, a cavity termination structure for an end that includes a stationary and a movable member comprising:

an oil bearing intersection between first and second contacting metal parts in movable relationship, a third part,

said third part being located in a groove in a member taken from the group of the piston and the head,

said third part being of beryllium copper in a spiral shape,

said third part being located in a portion of said first metal part,

force means provided by at least one member of the group of wave springs, canted coil springs and compressed elastomers and adapted to enhance electrical continuity between said first metal part and said third part, and, to move said third part in the direction of said second metal part.

6. A hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston and rod position sensing system wherein, in an electromagnetic wave cavity in the cylinder between the piston as one end and the end of the cylinder as the other end, a cavity termination structure for an end that includes a stationary and a movable member comprising:

an oil bearing intersection between first and second contacting metal parts in movable relationship, a third part,

said third part being located in a groove located in a member taken from the group of the piston and the head,

said third part being a beryllium copper split ring,

said third part being located in a portion of said first metal part,

force means provided by at least one member of the group of wave springs, canted coil springs and compressed elastomers and adapted to enhance electrical continuity between said first metal part and said third part, and, to move said third part in the direction of said second metal part.

7. In a hydraulic cylinder electromagnetic wave piston position sensing system, the improvement comprising:

an electrical contacting interface between first and second metal parts in contact in movable relationship at and along an oil bearing intersection,

said interface including a third part,

said third part being of a material with a high surface conductivity,

said third part being located in a portion of said first metal member,

said interface including first force means operable to provide electrical continuity between said first metal member and said third part, and,

said interface providing second force means operable to apply pressure to said third part member in contact with said second metal member in said oil bearing intersection.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said first and second force means are provided by a canted coil spring.