Gomaco Corporation

Magna Pow'r, Inc.

Kevin D Kottke

Mark W Brenner

Thomas C Farr

Stephen B Jones

Kevin L Klein

Jason D Wulf

A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.

Ratchet assembly and rotational sensor drive mechanism

A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.

A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.

Cylinder assembly

In a mechanism for extending or retracting a telescopic unit, the plurality of interconnected cylinders includes an extension passage, a retraction passage and a flow-through passage interconnected to provide a flow path of a retraction signal from the first to the last cylinder and sequencing means for transmitting the retraction pressure signal sequentially from the last cylinder to the first cylinder to initiate retraction from an extended position beginning with the last cylinder. A poppet control check valve provides a position sensitive means to transmit the retraction signal to the next cylinder in the cycle. The sequence control valves and hold loading valves were formed integral to each of the cylinders. The load holding mechanism prevents unintentional extension and retraction movement under the action of the load for each of the cylinders.

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Storm Lake, IA, United States of America

Kevin D Kottke