Linear Actuator Assembly

摘要

A linear actuator assembly comprises a housing, an output shaft, a nose piece and a negative pressure device. The output shaft defines an actuator assembly axis, and is movable along the actuator assembly axis between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing. The nose piece is slidably mounted to the output shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the output shaft. The nose piece and the output shaft co-operatively define a chamber for containing a quantity of fluid, the volume of the chamber being smaller when the nose piece is in the retracted position than when the nose piece is in the extended position. The negative pressure device is connectable to the chamber, and is selectively operable so as to reduce the pressure in the sealed volume, thereby urging the nose piece from the extended position towards the retracted position.

主权项

1. A linear actuator assembly comprising:
a housing; an output shaft which defines an actuator assembly axis, the output shaft being movable along the actuator assembly axis between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing; a nose piece which is slidably mounted to the output shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the output shaft; and a negative pressure device, wherein: the nose piece and the output shaft co-operatively define a chamber for containing a quantity of fluid, the volume of the chamber being smaller when the nose piece is in the retracted position than when the nose piece is in the extended position; the negative pressure device is connectable to the chamber; and the negative pressure device is selectively operable so as to reduce the pressure in the sealed volume, thereby urging the nose piece from the extended position towards the retracted position.