Fluid pressure operated device with adjustable positioning of mounting elements relative to externally mounted structures

摘要

The invention is generally directed to the field of fluid pressure operated devices such as air springs and fluid dampers and more specifically directed to the field of such devices having externally mounted structures. In particular, one of the mounting elements, such as a mounting hole for mounting the device between sprung and un-spring masses can be reoriented relative to the device and its externally mounted structures. Therefore, the reorientation of the mounting element may be achieved: using ordinary maintenance techniques and tools, without accessing the inside of the device and especially the fluid contained within the device, and/or without changing the length of the device.

主权项

1. A fluid pressure operated device, comprising:
a working cylinder having a first end and a second end; a shaft that moves into and out of the first end of the working cylinder as the device compresses and rebounds, the shaft including a first mounting element attached thereto; a body cap for attachment to the second end of the working cylinder opposite the shaft, the body cap including a second mounting element; an adapter assembly disposable between the working cylinder and the body cap, the adapter assembly allowing orientation of the second mounting element of the body cap to be changed, wherein the adapter assembly includes:
an adapter disk that can be fit into the second end of the working cylinder and is capable of rotation, the adapter disk includes at least one threaded hole, the body includes at least one hole, the body cap is attached to the adapter disk using at least one threaded fastener passing through the at least one hole in the body cap and being threaded into the at least one threaded hole of the adapter disk; whereby the second mounting element can be rotated without causing movement of the shaft and whereby a length of the fluid pressure operated device remains constant when the orientation of the second mounting element is changed.