Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CLAIMS:
1. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising
an external and
abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion configured to
be clamped to the
cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and configured to extend
around and
engage the cylinder shaft.
2. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising
an external and
abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion configured to
be clamped to the
cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and configured to extend
around and
engage the cylinder shaft, wherein the first portion of the cylinder rod
scrubber has a plurality of
spaced apart legs configured to be spaced apart around the cylinder barrel.
3. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising
an external and
abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion configured to
be clamped to the
cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and configured to extend
around and
engage the cylinder shaft, the second portion having opposing first and second
diagonally
angled ends which when the second portion is extending around the cylinder
shaft mate with
each other.
4. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising
an external and
abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion configured to
be clamped to the
cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and configured to extend
around and
engage the cylinder shaft, wherein the cylinder rod scrubber is made of a non-
metallic material.
5. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising
an external and
abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion configured to
be clamped to the
cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and configured to extend
around and
engage the cylinder shaft, wherein the cylinder rod scrubber is manufactured
from a flat
material and sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around the cylinder shaft.
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6. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space sized to
at least
partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one
automatic valve
configured to prevent water circulation between the outside environment and
the space within
the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, egress of water from
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended.
7. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 6
wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod cover has a bellows shape.
8. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 6
wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod cover is made of a rubber material.
9. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for use
with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, where the
cylinder shaft has a
hole sized to receive a pin, comprising:
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space sized to
at least
partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one
automatic valve
configured to prevent water circulation between the outside environment and
the space within
the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of
water from the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and
ingress of water into the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, wherein
the hydraulic
cylinder rod cover has a hole to allow the pin to pass therethrough and into
the cylinder shaft
hole.
10. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, where the
cylinder barrel has a
fluid port at an end thereof toward the cylinder shaft, comprising:
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space sized to
at least
partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one
automatic valve
configured to prevent water circulation between the outside environment and
the space within
the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of
water from the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and
ingress of water into the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, wherein
the cylinder rod
cover has an end portion sized and shaped to extend over the end portion of
the cylinder barrel
with an opening sized and positioned therein to allow the fluid port to extend
therethrough.
11. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space sized to
at least
partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one
automatic valve
configured to prevent water circulation between the outside environment and
the space within
the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of
water from the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and
ingress of water into the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, and
further including an
external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment portion
configured to be
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion sized and
configured to extend
around and engage the cylinder shaft.
12. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 11
wherein the first portion of the cylinder rod scrubber has a plurality of
spaced apart legs
configured to be spaced apart around the cylinder barrel.
13. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 11
wherein the second portion has opposing first and second diagonally angled
ends which when
the second portion is extending around the cylinder shaft mate with each
other.
14. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use defining an interior space
sized to at
least partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber configured to attach to the
cylinder barrel
and extend around and engage the cylinder shaft.
15. The hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of claim 14
wherein said
cylinder rod cover is made from a rubber material.
16. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use defining an interior space
sized to at
least partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber configured to attach to the
cylinder barrel
and extend around and engage the cylinder shaft, wherein the hydraulic
cylinder rod cover has
at least one automatic valve configured to prevent water circulation between
the outside
environment and the enclosed environment within the cylinder rod cover when
the cylinder is
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stationary, and to allow egress of water from the cylinder rod cover when the
cylinder rod is
retracted, and ingress of water into the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder
rod is extended.
17. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use defining an interior space
sized to at
least partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber configured to attach to the
cylinder barrel
and extend around and engage the cylinder shaft, wherein the abrasive cylinder
rod scrubber is
made from a non-metallic material.
18. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment
portion
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion extending
around and engaging
the cylinder shaft.
19. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft;
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment
portion
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion extending
around and engaging
the cylinder shaft, the first portion of the cylinder rod scrubber having a
plurality of legs
positioned at spaced apart locations around the cylinder barrel; and
a clamp clamping the plurality of legs to the cylinder barrel.
20. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment
portion
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion extending
around and engaging
the cylinder shaft, the second portion having opposing first and second
diagonally angled ends
which mate with each other.
21. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment
portion
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion extending
around and engaging
the cylinder shaft, wherein the cylinder rod scrubber is made of a flat, non-
metallic, flexible
material and is wrapped around the cylinder shaft.
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22. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space at least
partially
receiving the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one automatic
valve configured to
prevent water circulation between the outside environment and the space within
the cylinder
rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, egress of water from the space
within the cylinder rod
cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into the space
within the cylinder rod
cover when the cylinder rod is extended.
23. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 22
wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod cover has a first end portion attached to
the cylinder barrel
and a second end portion attached to the cylinder rod for movement therewith.
24. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, the
cylinder shaft
having a hole with a pin received therein; and
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space at least
partially
receiving the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one automatic
valve configured to
prevent water circulation between the outside environment and the space within
the cylinder
rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of water from
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, the hydraulic cylinder
rod cover having a
hole through which the pin to extends.
25. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 24
wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod cover has a first end portion attached to
the cylinder barrel
and a second end portion attached to the cylinder rod for movement therewith.
26. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space at least
partially
receiving the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one automatic
valve configured to
prevent water circulation between the outside environment and the space within
the cylinder
rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of water from
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, wherein the hydraulic
cylinder rod cover
has a bellows shape.
27. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
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a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft; and
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space at least
partially
receiving the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one automatic
valve configured to
prevent water circulation between the outside environment and the space within
the cylinder
rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of water from
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended, wherein the cylinder
barrel has a fluid port
at an end thereof toward the cylinder shaft, and the hydraulic cylinder rod
cover has an end
portion extending over the end portion of the cylinder barrel, the end portion
of the hydraulic rod
cover having an opening into which the fluid port extends.
28. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system,
comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft;
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space at least
partially
receiving the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one automatic
valve configured to
prevent water circulation between the outside environment and the space within
the cylinder
rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of water from
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into
the space within the
cylinder rod cover when the cylinder rod is extended; and
an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a first attachment
portion
attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion extending
around and engaging
the cylinder shaft.
29. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 28
wherein the first portion of the cylinder rod scrubber has a plurality of
spaced apart legs
positioned at spaced apart locations around the cylinder barrel.
30. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 28
wherein the second portion of the cylinder rod scrubber has opposing first and
second
diagonally angled ends which mate with each other.
31. A submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for
use with a
hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel and a cylinder shaft, comprising:
a submersible hydraulic cylinder rod cover defining an interior space sized to
at least
partially receive the hydraulic cylinder therein and having at least one
automatic valve
configured to prevent water circulation between the outside environment and
the space within
the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, and to allow egress of
water from the
space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder shaft is retracted, and
ingress of water
into the space within the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder shaft is
extended, wherein a first
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end portion of the cylinder rod cover is attached to the cylinder barrel and
an opposite second
end portion of the cylinder rod cover is attached to the cylinder shaft, and
the cylinder rod cover
longitudinally contracts and expands as the cylinder shaft retracts and
extends, respectively,
and further including a plurality of guides positioned within the interior
space of the cylinder rod
cover, each guide including a central aperture through which the cylinder
shaft is extendable
when positioned within the cylinder rod cover, each guide further including at
least one hole for
the flow of water within the cylinder rod cover therethrough as the cylinder
shaft retracts and
extends.
32. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 31
wherein the guides are coupled to the cylinder rod cover for travel therewith
as the cylinder rod
cover longitudinally contracts and expands
33. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 32
further including an abrasive rod scrubber attached to each of the guides for
engagement with
the cylinder shaft when positioned within the cylinder rod cover and extending
through the
central aperture of the guide as the guide moves along the cylinder shaft as
the cylinder rod
cover longitudinally contracts and expands and the cylinder shaft retracts and
extends,
respectively.
34. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 33
wherein the abrasive rod scrubber is an abrasive ring member extending about
the central
aperture of the guide.
35. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 34
wherein the abrasive ring member extends fully around the central aperture of
the guide and
the cylinder shaft when extending therethrough.
36. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 31
wherein the cylinder rod cover is a flexible corrugated boot with each of the
guides nested
internally within a different ridge of the corrugated boot.
37. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 31
wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod cover is made of a rubber material.
38. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 31
further including an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber configured to
attach to the
cylinder barrel and extend around and engage the cylinder shaft.
39. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 38
wherein the cylinder rod cover is made from a rubber material.
40. The submersible hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system of
claim 31
further including an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber having a
first attachment
portion attached to the cylinder barrel and a second scrubbing portion
extending around and
engaging the cylinder shaft.
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