Single ratchet actuator with dual air drivers

摘要

An air driven actuator (100) uses oppositely disposed reciprocating air drivers (122, 124) to cause a single ratchet (146) to rotate via a drive plate (150) and a pawl (170). The ratchet (146) rotates a drive tube (144) that can further extend or retract landing gear on a semi-trailer.

主权项

1. An air driven actuator comprising:
a main housing; a drive tube rotatably mounted to the housing and having a single ratchet fixed thereto, wherein the single ratchet has a plurality of teeth; at least one drive plate rotatably mounted to the drive tube; a pawl rotatably mounted to the at least one drive plate and positioned to engage the teeth on the single ratchet; and first and second air drivers mounted to opposite sides of the main housing, each having a reciprocating stroke shaft pivotably connected to the at least one drive plate in a position to cause the at least one drive plate to rotate as the stroke shafts reciprocate; wherein when the pawl is engaged with one of the teeth, activation of one of the first and second air drivers will cause the at least one drive plate and the single ratchet in a power stroke to urge the drive tube to rotate in a first direction, and activation of the other of the first and second air drivers will cause the at least one drive plate to rotate in an opposite direction on the drive tube in a return stroke to move the pawl to engage another of the teeth on the single ratchet.