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 hydraulic powering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold assembly. The hydraulic cylinder includes: (i) a hydraulic cylinder construction having a hydraulic cylinder wall and first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps forming an internal volume, a piston constructed to slide within the internal volume between the first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps and dividing the internal volume into an extend region and a retract region, and a piston rod extending from the piston and through the retract region and one of the first and second end caps to outside the hydraulic cylinder; (ii) an extend port in fluid connection with the extend region of the hydraulic cylinder; and (iii) a retract port in fluid communication with the retract region of the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator includes: (i) an accumulator construction having an accumulator wall and first and second accumulator end caps forming an accumulator internal volume, an accumulator piston constructed to slide within the accumulator internal volume between the first and second accumulator end caps and dividing the accumulator internal volume into a hydraulic fluid region and a compressible gas region; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid port in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid region of the accumulator. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of passageways therethrough providing fluid connection between: (i) a hydraulic fluid extend source and the hydraulic cylinder extend port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid retract source and the hydraulic cylinder retract port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port. A method of operating a hydraulic powering system is described.

A hydraulic powering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold assembly. The hydraulic cylinder includes: (i) a hydraulic cylinder construction having a hydraulic cylinder wall and first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps forming an internal volume, a piston constructed to slide within the internal volume between the first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps and dividing the internal volume into an extend region and a retract region, and a piston rod extending from the piston and through the retract region and one of the first and second end caps to outside the hydraulic cylinder; (ii) an extend port in fluid connection with the extend region of the hydraulic cylinder; and (iii) a retract port in fluid communication with the retract region of the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator includes: (i) an accumulator construction having an accumulator wall and first and second accumulator end caps forming an accumulator internal volume, an accumulator piston constructed to slide within the accumulator internal volume between the first and second accumulator end caps and dividing the accumulator internal volume into a hydraulic fluid region and a compressible gas region; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid port in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid region of the accumulator. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of passageways therethrough providing fluid connection between: (i) a hydraulic fluid extend source and the hydraulic cylinder extend port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid retract source and the hydraulic cylinder retract port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port. A method of operating a hydraulic powering system is described.

A novel combustion chamber valve and fuel system for driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel pump disposed parallel to the combustion and piston chambers. Pressure applied a safety at the nose of the tool is activates the fuel pump in a common direction. Pressure applied on a trigger activates the valve system prior to firing in a common direction. The valve system employs a central shaft coupling three valves, an inlet valve using a novel wedged circumferential edge seal, a control valve using a novel edge circumferential seal with a ventilated support, and a charging exhaust valve using a face seal.

A novel combustion chamber valve and fuel system for driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel pump disposed parallel to the combustion and piston chambers. Pressure applied a safety at the nose of the tool is activates the fuel pump in a common direction. Pressure applied on a trigger activates the valve system prior to firing in a common direction. The valve system employs a central shaft coupling three valves, an inlet valve using a novel wedged circumferential edge seal, a control valve using a novel edge circumferential seal with a ventilated support, and a charging exhaust valve using a face seal.

A hydraulic powering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold assembly. The hydraulic cylinder includes: (i) a hydraulic cylinder construction having a hydraulic cylinder wall and first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps forming an internal volume, a piston constructed to slide within the internal volume between the first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps and dividing the internal volume into an extend region and a retract region, and a piston rod extending from the piston and through the retract region and one of the first and second end caps to outside the hydraulic cylinder; (ii) an extend port in fluid connection with the extend region of the hydraulic cylinder; and (iii) a retract port in fluid communication with the retract region of the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator includes: (i) an accumulator construction having an accumulator wall and first and second accumulator end caps forming an accumulator internal volume, an accumulator piston constructed to slide within the accumulator internal volume between the first and second accumulator end caps and dividing the accumulator internal volume into a hydraulic fluid region and a compressible gas region; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid port in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid region of the accumulator. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of passageways therethrough providing fluid connection between: (i) a hydraulic fluid extend source and the hydraulic cylinder extend port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid retract source and the hydraulic cylinder retract port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port. A method of operating a hydraulic powering system is described.

A hydraulic powering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold assembly. The hydraulic cylinder includes: (i) a hydraulic cylinder construction having a hydraulic cylinder wall and first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps forming an internal volume, a piston constructed to slide within the internal volume between the first and second hydraulic cylinder end caps and dividing the internal volume into an extend region and a retract region, and a piston rod extending from the piston and through the retract region and one of the first and second end caps to outside the hydraulic cylinder; (ii) an extend port in fluid connection with the extend region of the hydraulic cylinder; and (iii) a retract port in fluid communication with the retract region of the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator includes: (i) an accumulator construction having an accumulator wall and first and second accumulator end caps forming an accumulator internal volume, an accumulator piston constructed to slide within the accumulator internal volume between the first and second accumulator end caps and dividing the accumulator internal volume into a hydraulic fluid region and a compressible gas region; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid port in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid region of the accumulator. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of passageways therethrough providing fluid connection between: (i) a hydraulic fluid extend source and the hydraulic cylinder extend port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port; and (ii) a hydraulic fluid retract source and the hydraulic cylinder retract port and the accumulator hydraulic fluid port. A method of operating a hydraulic powering system is described.

A drive system with multiple hydraulic cylinders applying torque to the drive shaft of a machine. Each cylinder is attached at one end to the frame of the machine by a clevis that pivots and the other end is rotationally connected to a shaft fixed to a crank arm, fixed to the drive shaft. Each cylinder either pushes or pulls-the crank arm shaft producing torque on the drive shaft in the form of a moment about centerline. As the drive shaft rotates, each cylinder alternately pushes and pulls on the crank arm shaft, depending on the rotational position of the crank arm with respect to the cylinders. The direction of force applied by each hydraulic cylinder is determined by an electro/hydraulic direction control valve, driven by a programmable logic controller, using a signal from a sensor to detect the rotational position of the drive shaft.

A drive system with multiple hydraulic cylinders applying torque to the drive shaft of a machine. Each cylinder is attached at one end to the frame of the machine by a clevis that pivots and the other end is rotationally connected to a shaft fixed to a crank arm, fixed to the drive shaft. Each cylinder either pushes or pulls-the crank arm shaft producing torque on the drive shaft in the form of a moment about centerline. As the drive shaft rotates, each cylinder alternately pushes and pulls on the crank arm shaft, depending on the rotational position of the crank arm with respect to the cylinders. The direction of force applied by each hydraulic cylinder is determined by an electro/hydraulic direction control valve, driven by a programmable logic controller, using a signal from a sensor to detect the rotational position of the drive shaft.

A switching device for alternately connecting a hydraulic drive of a lubricating pump to a pressure line and to a return line of a hydraulic circuit. The switching device includes first and second drive lines connected to the hydraulic drive, and pressure and return drive lines connected to the pressure and return lines. A switching valve is in fluid communication with the drive lines and is switchable between first and second switching states to connect the pressure drive line to the first drive line or to the second drive line. A plurality of hydraulic control lines control the position of the switching valve. The drive lines are configured to conduct a first volumetric flow of hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic control lines are configured to conduct a second volumetric flow of the hydraulic fluid different than the first volumetric flow.