The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 01, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2005
Thomas J. Heyden, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Richard Bohme, Louisville, WI (US);
Mark Zawlocki, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Thomas J. Heyden, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Richard Bohme, Louisville, WI (US);
Mark Zawlocki, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
AAA Sales + Engineering, Inc., Oak Creek, WI (US);
Abstract
The present invention pertains to a low-maintenance bladder actuator for a low-profile railroad retarder. The actuator has an internal guide mechanism and internal limit stops. The guide mechanism has a concentric, telescoping guide rod and guide sleeve that are removably bolted to upper and lower plates. An integral cast head forms the upper plate and a stop sleeve that absorbs the cyclical 20,000 pound loads of the actuator. This enables the guide rod to remain concentricly aligned. The guide mechanism has sufficient stroke length (S) and includes a long internal bushing with a low wear rate. The stop sleeve engages the lower plate to form the lower limit stop. The stop sleeve includes an inwardly extending flange that engages an outwardly extending flange of the guide sleeve to form an upper limit stop. The stop sleeve and guide sleeve form a cam lock connection for easy assembly.