Linear actuator with an internal dampening mechanism
First Claim
1. A linear actuator comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an internal chamber;
a constricted opening disposed at the first end;
a piston being disposed within the housing, the piston having a shaft portion and a head portion, the shaft portion being constructed such that it is slidable through the constricted opening and the head portion being constructed such that it is not slidable through the constricted opening; and
a fluid disposed within said internal chamber such that when the piston slides in the direction of the constricted opening, the fluid is forced through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A linear actuator with an internal dampening mechanism is disclosed. The actuator has a housing has a first end and a second end and forms an internal chamber. A constricted opening is also added to the actuator at the first end. A piston is disposed within the housing and is capable of sliding along the chamber. The piston has a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is slidable through the constricted opening whereas the head portion is not slidable through the constricted opening. A fluid is also added to the actuator. The fluid is disposed within the housing. In one embodiment, the actuator is constructed such that the sliding of the shaft portion forces a fluid through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened. In an alternative embodiment, the actuator includes one or more second pistons and an orifice. In this embodiment, the actuator is constructed such that the sliding of the piston forces the fluid through the orifice and causes the second pistons to telescopically extend from the first piston.
95 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A linear actuator comprising:
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a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an internal chamber;
a constricted opening disposed at the first end;
a piston being disposed within the housing, the piston having a shaft portion and a head portion, the shaft portion being constructed such that it is slidable through the constricted opening and the head portion being constructed such that it is not slidable through the constricted opening; and
a fluid disposed within said internal chamber such that when the piston slides in the direction of the constricted opening, the fluid is forced through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A linear actuator designed to deploy a reactive member, the actuator comprising:
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a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an internal chamber;
a constricted opening disposed at the first end;
a piston being disposed within the housing, the piston having a shaft portion and a head portion, the shaft portion being constructed such that it is slidable through the constricted opening and the head portion being constructed such that it is not slidable through the constricted opening;
a displacement mechanism capable of causing the shaft portion to slide through the constricted opening; and
a fluid disposed within said internal chamber such that when the piston slides in the direction of the constricted opening, the fluid is forced through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for using a linear actuator to deploy a reactive member comprising:
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attaching the reactive member to the vehicle;
mounting a linear actuator onto the vehicle proximate the reactive member, the linear actuator comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an internal chamber, a constricted opening disposed at the first end, a piston being disposed within the housing, the piston having a shaft portion and a head portion, the shaft portion being constructed such that it is slidable through the constricted opening and the head portion being constructed such that it is not slidable through the constricted opening, and a fluid disposed within said internal chamber such that when the piston slides in the direction of the constricted opening, the fluid is forced through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened; and
configuring the linear actuator such that the sliding of the shaft portion through the constricted opening deploys the reactive member. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification