The claimed invention is an end-of-stroke recirculation system for use with a hydraulic cylinder. Generally speaking, the fluid in a hydraulic cylinder remains trapped on one side of the piston and is unable to recirculate. The claimed invention provides a bypass that allows for hydraulic fluid to circulate through a cylinder when the hydraulic cylinder is at either end or both ends of its stroke.

A gas cylinder includes supply passages for supplying, to an accommodation chamber, a part of gas supplied to a second port. When the pressure in a first pressure chamber is equal to or lower than a prescribed pressure, a valve element closes a discharge flow passage by the biasing force of a spring member and the pressure in the accommodation chamber. When the pressure in the first pressure chamber exceeds the prescribed pressure, the valve element is moved by the pressure in the first pressure chamber, against the biasing force and the pressure in the accommodation chamber, to thereby open the discharge flow passage.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that produce a pneumatic actuator end cap having an integral volume booster. An example pneumatic actuator end cap includes a first cavity to provide a first fluid passageway to receive a pressurized fluid from a source external to the pneumatic actuator end cap, a second cavity to provide a second fluid passageway to route the pressurized fluid to an internal chamber of a pneumatic actuator in which a piston is disposed, and a third cavity containing a fluid valve to control a flow of the pressurized fluid between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway.

An output member (7) is inserted in a housing (5) so as to be movable in a left-right direction. A lock chamber (20) is provided to the right of the output member (7), as a first actuation chamber. Compressed air is supplied to and discharged from the lock chamber (20) through a first supply and discharge passage (24) provided in the housing (5). A first holding valve (30) provided to an intermediate portion of the first supply and discharge passage (24) is configured to close and open the first supply and discharge passage (24).

A hydraulic actuator is disclosed that comprises a first, fixed portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion. The second portion comprises a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a component, and the actuator further comprises an intermediate member configured to interconnect the first portion with the second portion and permit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. The intermediate member is configured to convey hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuating device of the second portion through a body of the intermediate member.

In the present invention, both ends of a cylinder are blocked by end caps, two pistons that reciprocate within the cylinder due to fluid pressure are disposed inside the cylinder, and a space surrounded by the two pistons and the inner wall of the cylinder is connected to a fluid supply/exhaust port provided an end cap of the cylinder via a coiling tube position inside the cylinder.

The invention relates to a hydraulic cylinder comprising a body (1) having a wall (3) that defines a cylindrical cavity (2), with a cylindrical cavity axis (X), in which a piston (4) is movably mounted, said piston (4) separating said cylindrical cavity (2) into two tight chambers (5, 6) that are isolated from each other, the wall (3) of the body comprising at least two passages (7, 8) for introducing or discharging a fluid into each of said two chambers (5, 6). The cylinder also comprises two end walls (17, 18) and a rigid rod (32) which is secured to the piston (4) and coaxial with the cylindrical cavity (2), said rod (32) passing through a passage opening (20) provided in one of the two end walls (17, 18). The cylinder is characterised in that it comprises a position sensor (38) comprising a sensor head (39), a sensor rod (40) which is secured to the sensor head (39) and around which a magnet (41) is fitted, and a connector (42) connected to said sensor head (39).

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes first and second valve assemblies, each including an inlet/outlet port configured to selectively be coupled with a source of pressurized gas, a check valve biased toward a closed state and having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and an inlet pilot port connected with the check valve for opening the check valve when supplied with pressurized gas. First and second pilot lines extend to the respective inlet pilot ports from respective outlet pilot ports of the opposite ones of the first and second valve assemblies. When pressurized gas is supplied to the inlet/outlet port of a valve assembly, pressurized gas is also supplied to the opposite inlet pilot port.

A hydraulic actuator is disclosed that comprises a first, fixed portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion. The second portion comprises a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a component, and the actuator further comprises an intermediate member configured to interconnect the first portion with the second portion and permit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. The intermediate member is configured to convey hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuating device of the second portion through a body of the intermediate member.

A single acting actuator for an aircraft landing gear assembly is disclosed having a piston mounted in a cavity and moveable relative to a housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston dividing the cavity into first and second pressure chambers. At least one of the pressure chambers is associated with first and second outlets, with the actuator being arranged such that, in respect of the relative movement in which the pressure chamber is the decreasing volume pressure chamber, in a first stage of the relative movement the first and second outlets are open thereby allowing actuator fluid to flow out of the pressure chamber through the first and second outlets and in a second stage of the relative movement the second outlet is open but the first outlet is closed, thereby acting to slow the relative movement of the piston with respect to the housing.