Self-bleeding double action hydraulic cylinder

Abstract

A self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system is provided. The system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an inner wall and an outer wall. A cylinder port is located in a top region of the hydraulic cylinder. A line port is located in a bottom region of the hydraulic cylinder. A sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder, and a channel is formed between the sleeve and the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder. The channel extends from the cylinder port to the line port such that air within the hydraulic cylinder is pushed through the cylinder port and through the channel to the line port in response to actuation of the hydraulic cylinder.

1 . A self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system comprising:
 a hydraulic cylinder having an inner wall and an outer wall;   a cylinder port located in a top region of the hydraulic cylinder;   a line port located in a bottom region of the hydraulic cylinder;   a sleeve covering at least a portion of the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder; and   a channel formed between the sleeve and the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder, the channel extending from the cylinder port to the line port such that air within the hydraulic cylinder is pushed through the cylinder port and the channel to the line port in response to actuation of the hydraulic cylinder.   
     
     
         2 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 1  wherein the channel comprises a groove formed at the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 2  wherein the groove is milled in the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 1  wherein the channel comprises a groove formed at an interior wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder of  claim 1  wherein the channel comprises a groove formed at least one of: (a) the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder; and (b) an interior wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 5  wherein the groove extends between the cylinder port and the line port along a circumference of at least one side of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 5  wherein the groove extends along the circumference of both sides of the hydraulic cylinder between the cylinder port and the line port. 
     
     
         8 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 1  wherein the cylinder port provides an opening extending from the inner wall of the hydraulic cylinder to the outer wall of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 1  wherein the line port provides an opening extending from an inner wall of the sleeve to an outer wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 9  wherein the line port is positioned proximate to a bottom end of the channel. 
     
     
         11 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 10  further comprising at least one hydraulic line coupled with the line port, the at least one hydraulic line in communication with a pump of the self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system. 
     
     
         12 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 10  wherein the hydraulic cylinder is positioned above a pump or motor of the self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system. 
     
     
         13 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 10  wherein the hydraulic cylinder is confined within a housing and wherein the hydraulic cylinder is positioned adjacent to a wall of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 10  wherein the hydraulic cylinder is contained within a housing of a vehicle door system and wherein the top of the hydraulic cylinder is positioned adjacent to a wall of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 10  wherein the sleeve is welded to at least one end of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve completely encloses at least one end of the hydraulic cylinder about the circumference of the at least one end of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The self-bleeding hydraulic cylinder system of  claim 16  wherein a pair of sleeves are respectively positioned at each end of the hydraulic cylinder.