Actuation Rod Lubrication System And Method
A cylinder retainer is provided. The cylinder includes: a retainer body having an exterior end and an interior end; a bearing surface located on the retainer body; and an oiler located in a recess in the retainer body. A method of lubricating a rod may be provided. The method may include: contacting an oiler with the rod; and locating a bearing surface on a cylinder retainer between a seal configured to keep fluid located on a surface of the rod in a cylinder and the oiler.
1 . A cylinder retainer comprising:
a retainer body having an exterior end and an interior end;
a bearing surface located on the retainer body; and
an oiler located in a recess in the retainer body.
2 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , further comprising a seal configured to reduce fluid from exiting the retainer body past the exterior end.
3 . The cylinder retainer of claim 2 , further comprising a seal recess in the retainer body and the seal is located in the seal recess.
4 . The cylinder retainer of claim 3 , wherein the bearing surface is located between the seal and the oiler.
5 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , wherein the oiler is comprises oil saturated felt.
6 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , further comprising a wiper configured to clean a surface of a cylinder rod before the cylinder rod enters the retainer.
7 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 further comprising a second oiler located in an oiler recess in the retainer.
8 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cylinder housing wherein the retainer is located at one end of the cylinder;
a rod configured to extend through the retainer body and move, at least in part, in and out of the cylinder housing;
a piston located on an end of the rod and located in the cylinder housing; and
a first inlet/outlet port located in the cylinder housing and configured to let fluid flow in and out of the cylinder housing.
9 . The cylinder retainer of claim 8 , further comprising a second inlet/outlet port located in the cylinder housing and configured to let fluid flow in and out of the cylinder housing wherein the first inlet/outlet port is located on one side of the piston and the second inlet/outlet port is located on a second side of the piston.
10 . The cylinder retainer of claim 8 , further comprising a plug located on an end of the cylinder housing opposite from the retainer.
11 . The cylinder retainer of claim 8 , wherein the oiler is configured to contact the rod.
12 . The cylinder retainer of claim 8 , wherein the seal is configured to contact the rod.
13 . The cylinder retainer of claim 8 , wherein the bearing surface is configured to contact the rod.
14 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , wherein oiler is generally annular in shape.
15 . The cylinder retainer of claim 1 , wherein body, seal, and wiper are generally annular in shape.
16 . A method of lubricating a rod comprising:
contacting an oiler with the rod; and
locating a bearing surface on a retainer between a seal configured to keep fluid located on a surface of the rod in a cylinder and the oiler.
17 . The method of claim 16 , locating a wiper along the rod on a side of the seal opposite from the oiler.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising: locating the oiler, wiper and seal in recesses in the retainer.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the oiler includes felt and lubricant.
20 . A cylinder retainer comprising:
a retainer body having an exterior end and an interior end;
a bearing surface located on the retainer body; and
a means for lubricating located in a recess in the retainer body.