Ball joint supporting hydraulic rams etc - has 2 independent flow ducts, with 2 part-ducts in second flow duct, passing each through joint arm

摘要

The joint comprises a first arm held in a hollow shell bearing pot, and a second arm terminating as a ball riding in the hollow shell such that the two arms have limited mutual swivel and total rotation round the axis of the second arm. A first hydraulic flow duct consists of 2 sections sectors in respective joint arms, linked by radial passages through the bearing and ball. A second flow duct (30), independent of the first one (20) has one section (32) through the first arm (2), and a second (34) one through the second arm (4), using a connecting duct (36) to link the sections, whilst bypassing the bearing surfaces (10, 14). The second section has an opening (48) in the second arm end face next to the ball so that in all joint settings the opening connects to a chamber (38) which forms part of the connecting duct in the bottom of the first arm socket (6). USE/ADVANTAGE - For hydraulic rams etc., with a facility to feed 2 media through the joint, without rotation limits.