阅读说明：本技术 致动器旋转对准装置 (Actuator rotational alignment device ) 是由 詹姆斯·莱文登 于 2018-09-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：诸如流体动力式线性致动器(30)设置有相对于第一部件(32)处于固定角度位置的螺旋定向表面(40)；以及相对于第二部件(33)处于固定角度位置的从动件(50)。当第一部件和第二部件随着致动器缩回而朝向彼此移动时,从动件(50)接合螺旋定向表面(40)并沿着螺旋定向表面(40)移动,以将第一部件(32)和第二部件(33)旋转到预定的相对角度位置。(Such as a fluid-powered linear actuator (30) is provided with a helically oriented surface (40) in a fixed angular position relative to the first component (32); and a follower (50) in a fixed angular position with respect to the second part (33). When the first and second components move towards each other as the actuator retracts, the follower (50) engages and moves along the helically oriented surface (40) to rotate the first and second components (32, 33) to a predetermined relative angular position.)

1. A linear actuator comprising a first part extendable and retractable relative to a second part along an operating axis; the first and second parts being freely rotatable relative to each other about the operational axis; wherein the helically oriented surface is arranged about the operational axis and in a fixed angular position relative to the first component; wherein the follower is arranged in a fixed angular position relative to the second part about the operational axis; and wherein as the first and second parts move relative to each other towards the ends of the operating axis, the follower moves from a disengaged condition allowing free relative rotation of the first and second parts to a condition in which the follower engages and moves along the helically oriented surface to rotate the first and second parts relative to each other about the operating axis until the follower reaches a predetermined position along the helically oriented surface.

2. A linear actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the operating axis towards which the first and second parts move comprises an end at which the first and second parts retract relative to each other.

3. A linear actuator according to claim 2, wherein the first and second parts are provided with additional helically-oriented surfaces and additional followers respectively, positioned and arranged to operate similarly to the helically-oriented surfaces and followers so as to bring the first and second parts into a predetermined angular orientation relative to each other about the operating axis, in an extended position and a retracted position relative to each other.

4. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the follower comprises a helical surface complementary to the helically oriented surface.

5. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the follower and/or the helically-oriented surface are resiliently mounted for limited movement along the operational axis.

6. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the helically oriented surface comprises a single peak and a single valley.

7. The linear actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the helically oriented surface comprises a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys.

8. A linear actuator as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the helically-oriented surface is substantially annular in plan when viewed along the operating axis.

9. A linear actuator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the helical orientation surface slopes helically to either side of a given peak towards the next valley or valleys.

10. A linear actuator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each peak slopes from only one side towards the next valley.

11. A linear actuator according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or second part comprises an operating member.

12. The linear actuator of claim 11 wherein the other of the first and second components comprises a housing, casing or frame of the actuator; or a chassis or frame or ground member to which the actuator is fixed.

13. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second components comprise portions of the interior of the actuator.

14. A linear actuator as claimed in claim 13, wherein one of the first and second parts comprises an air inlet sleeve of a multistage actuator and the other of the first and second parts comprises an intermediate telescopic part of the multistage actuator.

15. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the helically-oriented surface is formed on an insert received in the first or second component.

16. A linear actuator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the follower comprises an insert received in the other of the first or second parts.