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Hydraulic rotary actuator such as a rotary actuator for a motor vehicle suspension, and a method for assembling the rotary actuator

  • US 5,791,444 A
  • Filed: 10/28/1994
  • Issued: 08/11/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A rotary actuator comprising:

  • housing means;

    means for connecting said housing means to a first portion of a motor vehicle suspension;

    shaft means, said shaft means having a longitudinal axis;

    at least a portion of said shaft means being rotatably disposed within said housing means;

    means for connecting said shaft means to a second portion of a motor vehicle suspension;

    bearing means for rotatably mounting said at least a portion of said shaft means within said housing means for rotation of at least one of said shaft means and said housing means about said longitudinal axis with respect to the other of said shaft means and said housing means;

    said shaft means comprising an outer surface disposed towards said housing means;

    said housing means comprising an inner surface disposed towards said outer surface;

    a chamber disposed between said outer surface of said shaft means and said inner surface of said housing means, said chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end;

    said outer surface of said shaft means comprising at least one vane means extending towards said housing means;

    said inner surface of said housing means comprising at least one rib means extending towards said shaft means;

    said at least one vane means and said at least one rib means being disposed to divide said chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion;

    said housing means comprising means for closing at least one of said first and second axial ends of said chamber;

    gasket means for sealing said housing means about said shaft means; and

    catch means for retaining said gasket means within said housing means during at least a portion of assembly of said actuator;

    said catch means comprises means for permitting axial movement of said gasket means in the direction of the longitudinal axis;

    said catch means comprises a projection;

    said catch means comprises a recess for retaining said projection;

    said recess comprises a retaining surface for contacting said projection to retain said gasket means;

    said recess and projection are dimensioned to permit axial separation between said projection and said retaining surface by an axial distance to permit axial movement of said gasket means; and

    the axial distance is dimensioned to be greater than an axial dimension of wear of said gasket means.

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