Hydraulic connector block for axially shiftable part
A bearing has a mount relative to which can move a part to which hydraulic fluid must be supplied. A connector has a housing fixed to the bearing mount and formed with a central bore centered on an axis and with a radial bore extending outward from the central bore. A tube axially shiftable in the central bore forms at the radial bore an annular compartment and has a passage opening radially into the compartment and axially at one end of the tube. A conduit is connected a coupling at one end of the tube and the part. Another coupling at an outer end of the radial bore connects to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure so that the fluid can flow through the radial bore, annular compartment, and passage to the coupling at the one end of the tube and then through the conduit to the movable bearing part.
1. A bearing/connector assembly comprising:
a bearing mount;
a generally stationary housing bolted to the bearing mount and formed with a central bore centered on an axis and with a radial bore extending outward from the central bore;
a tube in the central bore, forming at the radial bore an annular compartment, and having a passage opening radially into the compartment and axially at one end of the tube;
structure in the housing supporting the tube for axial movement in the bore;
a coupling at the one end of the tube;
a conduit between the coupling and a part to which hydraulic fluid must be supplied; and
another coupling at an outer end of the radial bore for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, whereby the fluid can flow through the radial bore, annular compartment, and passage to the coupling at the one end of the tube and thence through the conduit to the part.
2. The connector defined in claim 1 wherein the structure includes bushings slidably supporting the tube.
3. The connector defined in claim 2 , further comprising
seals flanking the compartment between the housing and the tube.
4. The connector defined in claim 1 wherein the coupling at the one end of the tube is received in the central bore and recessed in the housing.
5. The connector defined in claim 1 wherein the central bore is throughgoing and has an end opposite the one end of the tube, the connector further comprising
means for sealing the opposite end relative to the tube.