An actuator control arrangement includes a hydraulic actuator having a housing and a piston rod axially moveable within the housing, a stop disposed within the housing to limit the extent of movement of the piston rod into the housing, and a solenoid valve arranged between a pressure source and the actuator. The solenoid valve is switchable between a first mode and a second mode in response to an electric control signal, wherein, in the first mode, the solenoid valve creates a fluid flow path from the pressure source to the actuator so as to locate the stop in its neutral position and in the second mode, the solenoid valve creates a fluid flow path to release pressure from the actuator to permit the stop to move to its retracted position. In the event of electrical failure, the stop will set the actuator to its neutral position.

A center biased actuator having an outer cylinder, a slave cylinder linearly transposed within the outer cylinder, a rod assembly with a piston linearly transposed within the slave cylinder and a rod extending from the outer cylinder, one or more first dynamic seals arranged to act on a sidewall of the rod to inhibit hydraulic fluid leaking from the outer cylinder, one or more second dynamic seals arranged to act on a sidewall of the slave cylinder or an inner surface of the outer cylinder to inhibit hydraulic fluid leaking from the outer cylinder, and a gas chamber comprising a sealed expandable chamber containing gas. The expandable chamber is arranged to act on hydraulic fluid within the center biased actuator to bias the center biased actuator to assume an intermediate condition which lies between a compressed condition and an extended condition.

A center biased actuator having an outer cylinder, a slave cylinder linearly transposed within the outer cylinder, a rod assembly with a piston linearly transposed within the slave cylinder and a rod extending from the outer cylinder, one or more first dynamic seals arranged to act on a sidewall of the rod to inhibit hydraulic fluid leaking from the outer cylinder, one or more second dynamic seals arranged to act on a sidewall of the slave cylinder or an inner surface of the outer cylinder to inhibit hydraulic fluid leaking from the outer cylinder, and a gas chamber comprising a sealed expandable chamber containing gas. The expandable chamber is arranged to act on hydraulic fluid within the center biased actuator to bias the center biased actuator to assume an intermediate condition which lies between a compressed condition and an extended condition.

The invention relates to an actuator (1) for an automated or automatic transmission, having a cylinder housing (3), a piston unit (2), and a piston rod (13), wherein the piston unit (2) is coupled to the piston rod (13) and is arranged movably in the cylinder housing (3) along an axial longitudinal axis (4), wherein the piston unit (2) separates from each other two pressure chambers (8, 9) of variable volume in the cylinder housing (3), by means of which pressure chambers the piston unit (2) can be loaded with compressed air on both sides, wherein the two pressure chambers (8, 9) are connected to a valve unit (14) which is able to switch the pressurization or purging of each of the two pressure chambers (8, 9), and wherein an end stop damping device for damping at least one end stop of the piston unit (2) is arranged in the actuator (1). In order to improve the end stop damping device, a pneumatically and a mechanically operating damping stage are provided.

A spoiler actuator can be operated by applying high pressure to a first chamber of the actuator on receipt of a command to extend the spoiler; applying high pressure to a second chamber of the actuator on receipt of a command to retract the spoiler; and on failure of a supply of the high pressure actuating an anti-extension valve to prevent extension of the spoiler; disengaging the anti-extension valve to permit extension if pressure applied to the anti-extension valve exceeds a predetermined force of a spring biasing the anti-extension valve to the engaged position, wherein additional force is applied to the anti-extension valve if the spoiler is retracted beyond a neutral position.

A pneumatic cylinder with a piston rod movable to fully extended, intermediate and fully retracted positions. The cylinder may have a first head engaging one end of a first tube with a first piston slidably received therein, an intermediate connector engaging the other end of the first tube and one end of a second tube with a second piston slidably received therein, and a second head engaging the other end of the second tube. The piston rod may be attached to the second piston for movement therewith and extend through the intermediate connector, first piston, first tube, and the first head to the exterior thereof.

An actuator (1) for an automated or automatic transmission has a cylinder housing (3), a piston unit (2), and a piston rod (13). The piston unit (2) is coupled to the piston rod (13) and is arranged movably in the cylinder housing (3) along a longitudinal axis (4). The piston unit (2) separates two pressure chambers (8, 9) of variable volume in the cylinder housing (3). The pressure chambers are configured to load the piston unit (2) with compressed air on both sides. The two pressure chambers (8, 9) are connected to a valve unit (14) for switching between pressurization and purging of each of the two pressure chambers (8, 9). An end stop clamping device for damping at least one end stop of the piston unit (2) is arranged in the actuator (1). A pneumatically and a mechanically operating damping stage are provided improve the end stop damping device.

A piston-cylinder assembly (1) has a cylindrical housing (3), with a main piston (2) and at least one trailing piston (11, 12). The trailing piston (11, 12) is axially guided on a cylindrical outer lateral face (38) of the main piston (2). The trailing piston (11, 12) has a thrust portion (13, 14) at one end near a piston web on the main piston, The thrust portion extends axially inward toward the piston web (10) A travel limiter (28) on the cylindrical housing limits a travel range of the trailing piston (11, 12) Under pressure, the trailing piston (11, 12) follows the main piston (2) until the trailing piston (11, 12) hits the travel limiter (28). The thrust portion (13, 14) of the trailing piston (11, 12) is shaped to fit into an associated recess (30, 31) in the piston web with a positive lock.

A packaging apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus are provided. The apparatus comprises a support frame, a packaging station having a first tool, a second tool, and one or more actuators, operably coupled to at least one of the first tool and the second tool, to modify a position of the second tool with respect to the first tool; and a control unit operably coupled to the one or more actuators, wherein the one or more actuators have a first configuration, in which the first tool and the second tool are spaced from one another by a first distance, a second configuration, in which the first tool and the second tool are spaced from one another by a second distance, and a third configuration, in which the first tool and the second tool are spaced from one another by a third distance, and wherein the control unit is configured to operate in a first modality, wherein the control unit is configured to move the one or more actuators from the first configuration into the second configuration, to maintain the one or more actuators in the second configuration for a first time interval, and to move the one or more actuators from the second configuration into the first configuration.

A spoiler actuator can be operated by applying high pressure to a first chamber of the actuator on receipt of a command to extend the spoiler; applying high pressure to a second chamber of the actuator on receipt of a command to retract the spoiler; and on failure of a supply of the high pressure actuating an anti-extension valve to prevent extension of the spoiler; disengaging the anti-extension valve to permit extension if pressure applied to the anti-extension valve exceeds a predetermined force of a spring biasing the anti-extension valve to the engaged position, wherein additional force is applied to the anti-extension valve if the spoiler is retracted beyond a neutral position.