A vehicle lift includes a hydraulic cylinder having a component that rotates as the cylinder lengthens and shortens. A sensor measures the rotation or rotational position of the rotating component, and the sensor's output is used by a controller to control the vehicle lift. In some embodiments, the vehicle lift includes a scissor or parallelogram mechanism, while others are column lifts. In some embodiments, the controller uses the sensor's output to manage the limits of travel of the vehicle lift, and in others, the controller uses it to coordinate lift operations with other lifts.

A cylinder device for a hydraulic lifting device has a housing and a piston rod axially movable relative to the housing. A rotary element is mounted on the housing in such a way that a rotary movement of the rotary element relative to the housing is possible and an axial movement of the rotary element relative to the housing is prevented. The piston rod has a movement transmission element, wherein the movement transmission element translates an axial movement of the piston rod into a rotary movement of the rotary element. A sensor unit is attached to the housing, which detects the rotary movement of the rotary element. Furthermore, a hydraulic lifting device with such a cylinder device, a chassis of a mobile device with a lifting device and a mobile device with a chassis are provided.

This invention provides a linear actuator with a cylinder defining a cylinder axis. A piston is movable within the cylinder along the cylinder axis, and a piston rod extends axially from the piston for connection to a mechanism whereby in use, movement of the piston actuates the mechanism. A rotary output mechanism includes a rotary output element extending generally transversely from the cylinder and supported for rotation about an output axis generally normal to the cylinder axis. The rotary output mechanism is responsive to movement of the piston, and the rotary output element is adapted for operative engagement with an instrument mounted to the cylinder such that axial movement of the piston effects a corresponding rotational displacement of the rotary output element, whereby in use the instrument provides an output signal indicative of the position of the piston within the cylinder.

An actuator includes an actuator piston movable along an axis, a first stop member rotatable about the axis and configured to limit the movement of the actuator piston in a first direction along the axis, a second stop member movable along the axis and configured to limit the movement of the actuator piston in a second direction along the axis, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. A first screw connection is present between the first stop member and the second stop member such that rotation of the first stop member about the axis causes movement of the second stop member along the axis to vary the amount by which the actuator piston can move along the axis in use.

A hydraulic lift apparatus for operating a downhole pump features a hydraulic linear actuator with a piston longitudinally slidable on a central axis of a rotatable portion of a housing. An anti-rotation rod runs longitudinally through the piston at a position radially offset outwardly from the central axis to prevent rotation between the piston and housing. A stationary motor powers a drive train whose output is connected to the rotatable portion of the housing and centered on the central axis. The actuator is one-way actuator with a hydraulically driven upstroke. A leak detection passage extends through the piston to collect fluid that has leaked across the piston seals and convey it to a leak detection port and associated containment tank. A position sensor for monitoring the piston movement features a sensing rod depending downwardly into a hollow piston shaft carried by the piston and connected to the pump rod.

This invention provides a linear actuator with a cylinder defining a cylinder axis. A piston is movable within the cylinder along the cylinder axis, and a piston rod extends axially from the piston for connection to a mechanism whereby in use, movement of the piston actuates the mechanism. A rotary output mechanism includes a rotary output element extending generally transversely from the cylinder and supported for rotation about an output axis generally normal to the cylinder axis. The rotary output mechanism is responsive to movement of the piston, and the rotary output element is adapted for operative engagement with an instrument mounted to the cylinder such that axial movement of the piston effects a corresponding rotational displacement of the rotary output element, whereby in use the instrument provides an output signal indicative of the position of the piston within the cylinder.

An actuator includes an actuator piston movable along an axis, a first stop member rotatable about the axis and configured to limit the movement of the actuator piston in a first direction along the axis, a second stop member movable along the axis and configured to limit the movement of the actuator piston in a second direction along the axis, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. A first screw connection is present between the first stop member and the second stop member such that rotation of the first stop member about the axis causes movement of the second stop member along the axis to vary the amount by which the actuator piston can move along the axis in use.

A cylinder device for a hydraulic lifting device has a housing and a piston rod axially movable relative to the housing. A rotary element is mounted on the housing in such a way that a rotary movement of the rotary element relative to the housing is possible and an axial movement of the rotary element relative to the housing is prevented. The piston rod has a movement transmission element, wherein the movement transmission element translates an axial movement of the piston rod into a rotary movement of the rotary element. A sensor unit is attached to the housing, which detects the rotary movement of the rotary element. Furthermore, a hydraulic lifting device with such a cylinder device, a chassis of a mobile device with a lifting device and a mobile device with a chassis are provided.

A hydraulic lift apparatus for operating a downhole pump features a hydraulic linear actuator with a piston longitudinally slidable on a central axis of a rotatable portion of a housing. An anti-rotation rod runs longitudinally through the piston at a position radially offset outwardly from the central axis to prevent rotation between the piston and housing. A stationary motor powers a drive train whose output is connected to the rotatable portion of the housing and centered on the central axis. The actuator is one-way actuator with a hydraulically driven upstroke. A leak detection passage extends through the piston to collect fluid that has leaked across the piston seals and convey it to a leak detection port and associated containment tank. A position sensor for monitoring the piston movement features a sensing rod depending downwardly into a hollow piston shaft carried by the piston and connected to the pump rod.

The invention provides for a hydraulic cylinder position sensing and locking system that automatically maintains the position of a lock nut (36) that engages a plunger (16) on a hydraulic actuator such that if hydraulic pressure is lost, the lock nut prevents retraction of the plunger into the hydraulic cylinder (14). The hydraulic cylinder position sensing and locking system also provides for a position sensing feature that allows for the calculation of the axial stroke position of the plunger based on rotary movement of the lock nut. In addition, the invention provides for a synchronous hydraulic cylinder position sensing and locking system and methods of using both the hydraulic cylinder position sensing and locking system as well as the synchronous hydraulic cylinder position sensing and locking system.