Abstract: A fluid-operated actuator assembly has a valve with an inlet for connection to a pressurized fluid source, a bi-stable electromagnetic device for operating the valve, which has a first state closing the valve and a second state opening the valve, a hydraulic actuator, and an electronic control circuit. The hydraulic actuator has an actuating member in a housing, the housing having a chamber on one side of the actuating member to which an outlet of the valve is connected for receiving fluid from the fluid source when the valve is opened, the actuating member for operation of the hydraulic actuator. The control circuit momentarily energizes the bi-stable electromagnetic device to the hydraulic actuator from the second state, back to the first state, to terminate operation of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A cylinder stroke system with a laser proximity detector including a pressure containing tube. The pressure containing tube can include a first tube end and a second tube end. A cylinder rod can be movably disposed within the pressure containing tube. The system can also include a piston disposed on the cylinder rod first end; a first fluid port formed in the pressure containing tube; a second fluid disposed within the pressure containing tube; a blind end cap and mount; a laser secured to the pressure containing tube; at least one optic guide; a lens separating the at least one optic guide from the second fluid. The cylinder stroke system can also include a camera in communication with a main controller. The camera can receive the reflection from the piston and convert the reflection into a reflection signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic operation-type automatic pressure-adjusting valve outputting an air pressure corresponding to an amount of electric power is connected in an air flow path connecting a pressure chamber of a single-acting main cylinder and an air source. A controller is configured to obtain a relationship between a position of a piston and an air pressure from a relationship between the position of the piston of the main cylinder and a spring force of a return spring, and a relationship between the air pressure supplied to the pressure chamber and an acting force applied to the piston by the air pressure. When a target position of a movement of the piston is inputted to the controller, the controller is operated to move the piston toward the target position and to stop the piston at the position by means of controlling the amount of electric power for the automatic pressure-adjusting valve so that an air pressure corresponding to the target position is outputted.

Abstract: The design and construction of past articulated pistons include an open space between a head portion and an independent skirt portion. The open space allows excess cooling fluid, such as oil, to exit the piston and flow toward the cylinder, increasing oil consumption and carbon deposits within the engine. The present invention overcomes these problems by positioning a sealing means within an open space between a head portion and a skirt portion of an articulated piston. The sealing means completely blocks the oil from exiting the piston while being adequately conformable to allow the necessary articulation between the head and skirt portions.

Abstract: Cylinders of the type used in fluid power systems are cushioned by a floating spear. The reciprocating piston is centrally bored to receive the spear. Accordingly, the spear and piston are movable independent of each other. A blind axial bore is formed in opposite ends of the spear and one or more diametrically extending bores are also formed in the spear in open fluid communication with those axial bores. Thus, when the spear enters the cushion cavity, the piston continues its motion and progressively blocks off the diametrically extending bores. Air in the cylinder cavity escapes into the atmosphere through the cushion cavity, but is constrained to enter the spear through one or more of the diametrically extending bores and hence through an axially extending blind bore. The length of the spear is variable, as is the length and diameter of the blind bore and the number, diameter, and spacing of the diametrically extending bores. Thus, the deceleration of the piston is programmable.

Abstract: A composite hydraulic cylinder apparatus which has a pneumatic cylinder mechanism, a braking oil hydraulic cylinder mechanism associated concentrically with the pneumatic cylinder mechanism, an oil passage for communicating between the front chamber and the rear chamber of the oil hydraulic cylinder mechanism, and a control valve provided in the oil passage for controlling the flow of the oil. Thus, the apparatus provides high positioning accuracy, a large holding force, economy and small size as a movable element control system, and can be applied as a buffer for the movable element.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder device having a decleration mechanism. The pneumatic cylinder device has a pneumatic cylinder including a cylinder accomodating a piston movable in the cylinder in response to supply and discharge of compressed air and having a connected piston rod. The pneumatic cylinder further includes a position detector such as a combination of proximity switches and a magnet carried by the piston designed for producing a deceleration signal and a stopping signal when the piston rod has reached a predetermined deceleration starting position and a designated stopping position, respectively. A brake which is connected to the pneumatic cylinder is adapted for stopping the movement of the piston rod in response to the stopping signal produced by the position detector. The pneumatic cylinder device further comprises a deceleration stage connected to the brake and adapted for decelerating the piston rod in response to the deceleration signal produced by the position detector.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a boring tool for boring cylinder chambers of internal combustion engines without removing the engines from the vehicle chassis. A housing affixed to the engine block includes a rotatable driveshaft supporting a cutting tool whereby rotation of the driveshaft by an electric motor causes linear movement of the driveshaft to feed the tool. Tool advance is produced by a spiral groove pump defined upon a piston mounted on the driveshaft located within an oil-filled cylinder defined in the housing. A valved fluid passage located in the driveshaft piston selectively permits the pump to be bypassed for axial rapid traverse movement of the driveshaft and tool.

Abstract: A door closer includes a spring-loaded piston forming part of a conventional pneumatic dashpot, which retards the speed of a door during closing, and an elastomeric sleeve which is longitudinally compressed during opening of the door to retard the speed of the door during opening and to apply substantial resistance to further opening movement as the door approaches its fully open position. Closing speed of the door is also initially retarded by the compressed sleeve.

Abstract: Door speed is controlled by a pneumatic dashpot including a spring-loaded piston having a piston rod which extends through an elastomeric silicone rubber braking sleeve which is longitudinally compressed as the door opens to increase the friction between the piston rod and the sleeve. One or more enlargements on the piston rod provide increased friction as the rod moves through the braking sleeve to control closing speed and to provide greater wind resistance.

Abstract: A packer for a subterranean well has slip elements and elastomeric seal elements which are respectively radially expandable into engagement with a well conduit wherein the packer is mounted in surrounding relationship to an inner sleeve which is rigidly interconnectable to a second conduit. An intermediate sleeve is mounted in axially slidable, concentric relationship to the inner sleeve and cooperates with an outer sleeve to define an annular fluid pressure chamber. A upper piston and a lower piston are mounted in the annular pressure chamber and are driven in opposite directions by application of fluid pressure to such chamber. Compressive forces are thus transmitted to the elastomeric sealing elements and a slip mechanism. The packer also incorporates a hydraulic reservoir which is normally filled with casing fluid and has a constricted orifice connected to the casing annulus.

Abstract: A recoil system and method for supporting a marine riser which is extended from offshore well head equipment to a floating platform are disclosed. The purpose of the recoil system is to prevent a violent collisin of the riser with the platform when the riser becomes separated from the well head equipment during a planned or an emergency disconnect operation. Upon disconnection of the riser from the well head equipment, the lifting force applied to the riser is reduced to a predetermined lower level and the riser is retracted to an elevated position above the well head equipment to permit unobstructed excursions of the riser. A variable lifting force is applied to the riser to maintain the riser substantially in equilibrium in the retracted position as the floating platform heaves relative to the riser in response to wave action.

Abstract: A system for damping abrupt movement of a punch press ram at the moment of cut-breakthrough with the use of at least two damping pistons disposed within cylinders and arranged to engage the press ram before and during cut-breakthrough. The cylinders within which the damping pistons are carried are connected to a hydraulic control system which permits the pistons to yield with the ram until the instant of cut-breakthrough, whereupon the damping pistons act as rigid bodies and prevent abrupt breakthrough movement of the ram.

Abstract: A free piston inertia compressor comprises a piston assembly including a connecting rod having pistons on both ends, the cylinder being split into two substantially identical portions by a seal through which the connecting rod passes. Vents in the cylinder wall are provided near the seal to permit gas to excape the cylinder until the piston covers the vent whereupon the remaining gas in the cylinder functions as a gas spring and cushions the piston against impact on the seal. The connecting rod has a central portion of relatively small diameter providing free play of the connecting rod through the seal and end portions of relatively large diameter providing a limited tolerance between the connecting rod and the seal. Finally, the seal comprises a seal ring assembly consisting of a dampener plate, a free floating seal at the center of the dampener plate and a seal retainer plate in one face of the dampener plate.

Abstract: A drill is provided on which the chuck and motor are mounted on a support which moves vertically. Thus the motor rises and falls with the movement of the drill. Also the vertical movement of the drill chuck is controlled by an air cylinder which has mounted axially above it an hydraulic checking cylinder arranged so that checking occurs after an initial unchecked downward movement of the chuck. Automatic and manual operation are controlled by a five port valve in which a piston changing the air direction flow is moved by air blasts directed to each end of the channel in which the piston moves.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means is provided by first hydraulic cushioning means which is adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of its stroke in the direction of the first hydraulic cushioning means, second hydraulic cushioning means adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of its stroke in the direction of the second hydraulic cushioning means, and means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts at least one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means.

Abstract: A ship in which a string of heavy pipe is raised or lowered vertically beneath the ship at a substantially constant velocity in spite of heaving movement of the ship. The equipment for raising and lowering the pipe string is supported by the vessel through a heave compensation mechanism that permits vertical movement of the ship relative to the pipe raising and lowering mechanism. The heave compensation mechanism is a passive damped pneumatic-hydraulic spring system for isolating the vertical movement of the ship from the pipe raising and lowering equipment. The spring system operates over a very wide range of load imposed by the raising, lowering and supporting of a very long heavy pipe string.

Abstract: A ship in which a string of heavy pipe is raised or lowered vertically beneath the ship at a substantially constant velocity in spite of heaving movement of the ship. The equipment for raising and lowering the pipe string is supported by the vessel through heave compensation means that permits vertical movement of the ship relative to the pipe raising and lowering mechanism. The heave compensation means is a passive damped pneumatic-hydraulic spring system for isolating the vertical movement of the ship from the pipe raising and lowering equipment. The spring system operates over a very wide range of load imposed by the raising, lowering and supporting of a very long heavy pipe string.