Fluid drive mechanism

摘要

A mechanism for moving an element in opposite directions includes a piston connected with the element. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder as high pressure fluid is alternately directed against one side or the other of the piston by a rotatable directional valve. The directional valve is rotated by a gerotor motor. A single rotatable valve element has passages at one end which form a commutator valve for the gerotor motor and ports at the other end which form the directional valve. A passage through the valve element connects the output of the gerotor motor with the directional valve ports. Cushioning means are provided to damp the motion of the piston at each end of its stroke to prevent impact with the ends of the cylinder.