Posted to News on 1st Mar 2012, 00:00
Gas springs operate in conjunction with electro-hydraulic lifting system
A new electro-hydraulic lifting system is being combined with gas springs to bring performance advantages in demanding applications.
>In applications where automated actuation is desirable, but where an effective manual option is also needed as a failsafe, a new combined electro-hydraulic and gas spring system could provide the perfect solution. Examples include tail lifts and access ramps on vehicles, medical applications and patient handling, and even for machine guards and height adjustment on industrial machinery.
>The Camloc Hydraulic System is a compact electro-hydraulic unit that meets the needs of applications with limited space. Mounting either horizontally or vertically, it is easy to install, robust and maintenance-free, and has been designed as a modular unit to allow users the flexibility to build a system that best suits their individual applications.
>Combined operation
>Although it can be used independently, design engineers are already discovering the benefits of using the system in conjunction with Camloc\'s gas springs. Fitted to vehicle conversions, it has been adapted to open tailgates and deploy access ramps for wheelchair users, for opening canopies on food and exhibition trailers, and for demploying ramps on horse trailers where existing gas springs have been fitted. The system allows a manual function still to take place if the vehicle battery should fail: by releasing the integrated safety valve, the doors can then be opened manually using the gas springs already installed. By utilising the incorporated gas springs, both load and current required to operate the system are drastically reduced.
>"The Camloc Hydraulic System is totally flexible and has the capability of operating up to six cylinders simultaneously, or sequentially depending on the customer\'s requirements," explains Matt Warne, Camloc\'s engineering manager. "It\'s a self-priming \'plug and play\' system with a built-in emergency release mode, it uses a 12V DC motor as standard (with a 24v DC version also available) and is designed to lift up to 4710N per cylinder at temperatures from -20°C to +80°C."
>The system\'s IP40 rated motor is 72 hour salt spray corrosion resistant and its IP54 rated cylinders 144 hour, ensuring this neat, efficient product is as robust as it is powerful.
>"This is a really exciting addition to our range and we\'re already getting a huge amount of interest from design engineers operating in a variety of industry sectors," adds Warne. "Our customers are recognising the huge benefits this unique, solid system offers, with its compact design and versatility in terms of mounting. With the added attraction of how it works in conjunction with gas springs, providing a powered lift assist solution, we believe it will soon become one of our leading innovations."
