Hello lemgineers!

I’m working on designing a claw that can be operated underwater. The plan is to use a linear actuator in a waterproof housing. The main issue is allowing the shaft to slide through without causing a leak. What’s the best way to go about this?

  • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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    2 months ago

    I meant with the pleats, similar to what you see on an actual accordion, or in a bendy straw. It’s how they did the joints on the Apollo space suits, for a vaguely similar application. The shape is sometimes called “bellows”, but that’s pretty confusing when it also refers to an air blowing technology that may or may not involve a diaphragm of any kind.

    If you got enough range of movement with just a straight elastomer cylinder, that works, but if the pressure is pretty modest a variety of stretchy ducts made for HVAC or other home purposes are sold. I have some for draining rainwater, but they seem to break in stiff wind, so YMMV. You could also mold your own again.

    • Ynrielle@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      10 days ago

      We actually did start out with an accordion/bellows design, but found that the flexibility of the material alone was more than sufficient to handle the required distance of travel on the actuator piston!