Hydraulic cylinder modular structure

Abstract

A modular structure for a hydraulic cylinder permitting the cylinder to be used in combination with a reservoir of hydraulic fluid either installed on the cylinder itself or at a remote location with a conduit connection to the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a peripherally threaded portion over which a tubular member formed integral with the reservoir, or in the alternative, provided with a connector for connection of the cylinder to a remotely located reservoir is fitted. The tubular member-fluid reservoir assembly and the tubular member-connector assembly are interchangeable.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 
     
       1. A hydraulic cylinder assembly for a hydraulic apparatus, said hydraulic cylinder assembly consisting of a hydraulic cylinder having a circularly cylindrical housing and a separate detachable and interchangeable tubular member open at both ends and fitted over said cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing comprising a peripherally recessed portion defining a first annular groove, a peripherally threaded portion disposed on one side of said first groove, an outwardly extending annular abutment shoulder on the other side of said first groove, a first annular seal disposed in a second peripheral groove between said one side of said first groove and said peripherally threaded portion, a second annular seal disposed in a third peripheral groove between said other side of said first groove and said annular abutment shoulder, and at least one portion through the wall of said cylindrical housing leading in said first groove, and said detachable and interchangeable tubular member having a bore comprising a smooth portion engaged with said first and second annular seals, an internally threaded portion mating said externally threaded portion of said cylindrical housing and an end defining an annular face engaged with said abutment shoulder of said cylindrical housing when said tubular member is threaded over said cylindrical housing, said tubular member having an orifice in its bore for supplying fluid to said first groove and to the interior of said cylinder housing through said port through the wall of said cylindrical housing. 
     
     
       2. The hydraulic cylinder of claim 1 wherein said tubular member is formed integral with a reservoir of hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
       3. The hydraulic cylinder of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has a fitting for connection of said orifice with a remotely located reservoir of hydraulic fluid through a conduit. 
     
     
       4. The hydraulic cylinder of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has an integral mounting flange for mounting said cylinder on a support. 
     
     
       5. The hydraulic cylinder of claim 2 wherein said tubular member has an integral mounting flange for mounting said cylinder on a support. 
     
     
       6. The hydraulic cylinder of claim 3 wherein said tubular member has an integral mounting flange for mounting said cylinder on a support. .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A hydraulic cylinder assembly for a hydraulic apparatus, said hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising: A) a hydraulic cylinder including a circularly cylindrical hollow housing member open at one end thereof and closed at the other end thereof and defining a central bore and an annular external shoulder spaced axially from and facing said opening end thereof;   B) a piston slidably disposed in said bore;   C) a piston rod extending through said open end of said housing member for connection within said bore to said piston;   D) a separate detachable and interchangeable tubular member including a tubular sidewall open at both ends, fitted over said open end of said cylindrical housing member, and defining an annular abutment surface at one end thereof for abutting coaction with said annular shoulder;   E) an annular groove defined at the interface of said members between said shoulder and said open end of said housing member;   F) a radial reservoir port in said sidewall of said tubular member communicating at its radially inner end with said groove and adapted to communicate at its radially outer end with a reservoir for said hydraulic apparatus;   G) a radial throughport in the wall of said housing member communicating with said groove;   H) means defining a first annular seal at the interface of said members between said groove and said open end of said housing member;   I) means defining a second annular seal at the interface of said members between said groove and said shoulder; and   J) means maintaining said tubular member in fixed axial and angular relation on said housing member with said abutment surface abuttingly engaging said shoulder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       8.  The hydraulic cylinder assembly of claim 7 wherein said assembly further includes: K) a flange extending radially outwardly from said tubular member between said reservoir port and said open end of said housing member for mounting said cylinder assembly to a support structure. .Iaddend.