IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0009283
(2011-01-19)
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등록번호 |
US-8667659
(2014-03-11)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
43 |
초록
▼
A system and method for releasably coupling an extendable element to an actuator. Such a system may include an actuator housing with a specially adapted integral connecting end having a cavity therein. An extendable element may extend into the cavity through an opening in the connecting end of the h
A system and method for releasably coupling an extendable element to an actuator. Such a system may include an actuator housing with a specially adapted integral connecting end having a cavity therein. An extendable element may extend into the cavity through an opening in the connecting end of the housing and be coupled to a motive element of the actuator by a rotatable collar that resides in the cavity. A cover plate forms a part of the actuator housing connecting end. The cover plate compliments the integral portion of the connecting end and, in conjunction therewith, encloses the collar and the coupled portion of the extendable element. A substantially hollow end cap is passed over the extendable element and releasably attached to the actuator housing to enclose the distal connecting end thereof. In some embodiments, the coupled extendable element may reciprocate within an outer tube that is also releasably attached to the actuator housing.
대표청구항
▼
1. A system for coupling an extendable element to an actuator, comprising: an actuator housing containing an actuator, said actuator housing having an integral distal connecting end, said integral connecting end having a cross-sectional shape that terminates in a cover plate mating face defined by a
1. A system for coupling an extendable element to an actuator, comprising: an actuator housing containing an actuator, said actuator housing having an integral distal connecting end, said integral connecting end having a cross-sectional shape that terminates in a cover plate mating face defined by a plane that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the actuator housing;an opening in a distal end of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing, said opening allowing passage of an extendable element therethrough;a cavity in said integral connecting end of said actuator housing;a rotatable collar located within said cavity, said rotatable collar adapted for rotation about one end of an extendable element so as to couple said extendable element to a motive element of said actuator;a cover plate of a size and shape that compliments said integral connecting end of said actuator housing, said cover plate having an opening in its distal end for allowing passage of an extendable element therethrough, said cover plate adapted to mate with said cover plate mating face of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing to enclose said rotatable collar and a portion of an extendable element; anda substantially hollow end cap for enclosing said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and said cover plate, a proximal end of said end cap releasably attached to said actuator housing, a distal end of said end cap having a hole for passage therethrough of an extendable element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a linear actuator having a reciprocatable piston. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a retention collar receiver portion of said piston extends into said cavity in said distal connecting end of said actuator housing. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least a section of said retention collar receiver that extends into said cavity in said distal connecting end of said actuator housing is externally threaded, and a mating portion of said rotatable collar is internally like-threaded, such that said collar is in threaded engagement with said retention collar receiver during rotation of said collar. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said rotatable collar includes a slot for receiving an end portion of an extendable element, said slot being of a stepped configuration so as to form a rib at a distal end of said collar, said rib for engaging a corresponding groove in an extendable element to be coupled to said actuator. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an outer tube within which an extendable element may reciprocate when connected to said actuator, said outer tube sized to pass through said openings in said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and said cover plate and connectable to said integral connecting end of said actuator housing. 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising at least one pin extending from said cover plate mating face, said at least one pin located adjacent said opening in said distal end of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing to engage at least one corresponding retention groove located in an exterior of said outer tube. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising external threads on said actuator housing and mating internal threads on said end cap for providing releasable attachment of said end cap to said actuator housing. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more rotation tool holes are present on an exterior surface of said rotatable collar in to facilitate rotation of said collar with a tool. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator housing further includes an opening that leads from an exterior thereof into said cavity. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is selected from the group consisting of a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and an electric actuator. 12. A system for coupling an extendable sample capture element to an actuator portion of a sample capture device, said sample capture element of said sample capture device reciprocatably located within an outer probe tube, said system comprising: an actuator housing containing an actuator, said actuator housing having an integral distal connecting end, said integral connecting end having a cross-sectional shape that terminates in a cover plate mating face defined by a plane that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the actuator housing;an opening in a distal end of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing, said opening adapted to receive a portion of a proximal end of said probe tube therein;a cavity in said integral connecting end of said actuator housing;a rotatable collar located within said cavity, said rotatable collar adapted for rotation about a proximal end of said sample capture element that extends from said proximal end of said probe tube, so as to couple said sample capture element to a motive element of said actuator;a cover plate of a size and shape that compliments said integral connecting end of said actuator housing, said cover plate having an opening in its distal end for a receiving a portion of a proximal end of said probe tube therein, said cover plate adapted to mate with said cover plate mating face of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing to enclose said rotatable collar and a received portion of said probe tube; anda substantially hollow end cap for enclosing said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and said cover plate, a proximal end of said end cap releasably attached to said actuator housing, a distal end of said end cap having a hole for passage therethrough of said probe tube. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said actuator is a linear actuator having a reciprocatable piston. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein a retention collar receiver portion of said piston extends into said cavity in said distal connecting end of said actuator housing. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein at least a section of said retention collar receiver that extends into said cavity in said distal connecting end of said actuator housing is externally threaded, and a mating portion of said rotatable collar is internally like-threaded, such that said collar is in threaded engagement with said retention collar receiver during rotation of said collar. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein said rotatable collar includes a slot for receiving said proximal end of said sample capture element, said slot being of a stepped configuration so as to form a rib at a distal end of said collar, said rib for engaging a corresponding groove in said sample capture element. 17. The system of claim 12, further comprising external threads on said actuator housing and mating internal threads on said end cap for providing releasable attachment of said end cap to said actuator housing. 18. The system of claim 12, wherein one or more rotation tool holes are present on an exterior surface of said rotatable collar in to facilitate rotation of said collar with a tool. 19. The system of claim 12, wherein said actuator housing further includes an opening that leads from an exterior thereof into said cavity, said opening for permitting passage of material supply/return lines connected said proximal end of said sample capture element. 20. A method for coupling an extendable element to an actuator, comprising: providing an actuator housing containing an actuator, said actuator housing having an integral distal connecting end, said integral connecting end having a cross-sectional shape that terminates in a cover plate mating face defined by a plane that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the actuator housing;passing a coupling end of an extendable element through an opening provided in a distal end of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and into a cavity in said integral connecting end of said actuator housing;rotating a rotatable retention collar located within said cavity about said coupling end of said extendable element, said rotatable retention collar connected to a motive element of said actuator by a retention collar receiver such that said retention collar also couples said extendable element to said actuator;mating a cover plate to said cover plate mating face of said integral connecting end of said actuator housing to enclose said rotatable collar and a portion of an extendable element, said cover plate of a size and shape that compliments said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and having an opening in its distal end for allowing passage of said extendable element therethrough; andpassing a substantially hollow end cap over said extendable element, said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and said cover plate, and releasably attaching said end cap to said actuator housing so as to enclose said integral connecting end of said actuator housing and said cover plate.
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