Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly for the annular type in which the cylinder defines an annular housing chamber slidably receiving an annular piston. The inboard end of the annular piston is enlarged to define an enlarged annular inboard end edge and an annular seal is positively secured to the enlarged inboard end edge of the piston and sealingly engages the associated cylindrical surfaces of the housing member. The enlarged annular inboards end edge of the piston is convoluted to maximize the area of the bonding interface between the piston and the seal so as to preclude extrusion of the seal and twisting of the seal during operation of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake actuator assembly (12) for selectively actuating a friction brake 28 including a first hydraulic actuator 30 being responsive to fluid pressure from a hydraulic fluid source 100 for directly actuating the friction brake 28 as a service brake. The assembly (12) is characterized by including a second actuator 32, 32' being in fluid communication with the first actuator 30 and having a brake-off condition for storing fluid therein and a brake-on condition for releasing the stored fluid to the first actuator 30 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a parking brake.A method of selectively actuating the friction brake 28 includes the steps of storing fluid in the second actuator 32, 32' as the first actuator 30 is responsive to fluid pressure from the fluid source 100 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a service brake, and releasing the stored fluid from the second actuator 32, 32' to the first acutator 30 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a parking brake.

Abstract: This invention is a fluid actuator of the rolling lobe form in which a closed toroidal flexible membrane forms concentric rolling lobes on the inside and outside surfaces of an annular piston which moves axially into the membrane. The fluid actuator can be used in brake and clutch assemblies where the actuator is connected to a high pressure fluid source and serves to activate the brake or clutch assembly, a shaft or axle can pass through the center of the toroid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an advancing or feed for moving a workpiece on a machine tool. The device comprises a stationarily arranged fluid power cylinder whose piston rod extending through one of the end caps of the cylinder is connected with a load driving member or carriage for carrying the workpiece. The outer face of the cylinder has at least two, generally diametrally opposite guide flats on which two flat bearer faces in the driving member run so as to preclude rotation if the driving member about the cylinder.

Abstract: Described herein is a hydraulic servo drum which is compact in construction and defines an appropriate area for a piston, the servo drum including: an annular plate member having a press-formed cylindrical portion around the outer periphery thereof; an intermediate cylinder member having one end thereof fitted on the cylindrical portion of the annular plate member and formed with a spline in the remaining portions; and an outer cylinder member provided with a folded portion at one end thereof and having the inner periphery of the folded portion connected to the intermediate cylinder member.

Abstract: A material dispensing valve finding particular application in the robotic dispensing of sealants, adhesives, etc. in a desired pattern on a workpiece. The dispensing valve comprises a unique actuating arrangement wherein back to back pancake cylinders are moveably arranged within a housing and, depending upon how the cylinders are actuated, three or four dispense rate positions can be provided. The dispense rate positions of the valve are preferably coordinated with the rate of movement of the robotic system so that the dispense rate is appropriate for the rate of movement.

Abstract: A brake effective between a rotating part and a non-rotating part has a substantially nondeformable brake disk secured to one of the parts, centered on an axis, and having a pair of axially oppositely directed brake-disk faces. A housing is secured to the other of the parts, at least partially surrounds the brake disk, and has a pair of end walls having wall faces axially confronting the respective disk faces. Respective brake elements are limitedly axially displaceable between the wall faces and the respective disk faces and engageable with the respective disk faces. Formations on the elements and housing prevent the elements from rotating relative to the housing. Spring packs between the brake elements and the respective wall face urge the elements with a substantially constant force axially together into braking engagement with the disk. Seals between the brake elements and housing define a pressurizable chamber between the brake elements.

Abstract: A drive mechanism with a fluid-operable system can be adapted to a general path configuration. The mechanism includes coaxial tubes following a desired path configuration with the inner tube longitudinally slotted in a sealable manner. A fluid-actuated annular piston surrounds the inner tube and operates in the chamber between the inner and outer tubes with a member extending therefrom toward the piston center and extending in the inner tube slot. A flexible force transmission member is provided within the inner tube and extends longitudinally therein, transmitting the motion or force of the piston to a location of use.

Abstract: A lading protection device in the form of a shock absorber for a railway car including a cylinder containing a piston and a body of hydraulic fluid normally captive between the front face of the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. A flow control valve assembly, centered in the piston, mounts an orifice bushing defining a constricted circular orifice. The assembly includes a valve stem slidable in the piston with a spring at its inner end for pressing the stem in a direction to seal the orifice. The piston has a fluid passage extending therethrough and an annular separator piston defines, with the main piston, a receiving space into which the fluid flows upon impact. The space in back of the separator piston is filled with a charge of gas under high pressure so that when the impact has been dissipated the gas pressure acting upon the separator piston restores the fluid to its normal position in readiness for a succeeding impact.

Abstract: A pressure actuator is provided for a valve having a housing and an actuating stem, wherein an annular housing is attachable at one end of the valve housing and a cylindrical piston element is concentrically fixedly mounted to the other end of the annular housing. A cup-shaped cylinder is provided to cooperate in sliding and sealing relationship with the exterior of the piston. The cylinder defines an annular space between its exterior surface and the interior bore of the annular housing and spring elements are mounted in the annular space. If desired, an indicating stem passes through a bore in the fixed piston element and is interiorly engaged with the movable cylinder element, thus providing an indicating actuator wherein the total length of the actuator is not substantially in excess of twice the stroke of the actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a new type of pressure cylinder to provide clamping force while fabricating deep drawn metal parts. The piston is a hollow cylinder connected to the clamping pad. The drawing tools are connected to the draw ram by a rod passing through the hollow piston. This arrangement provides a smaller overall press height and an axisymmetric clamping force. In addition, the symmetry of the parts described means that the wear parts can be reversed to double their useful lives.

Abstract: In a belt type stepless shifter, movable flanges of pulleys are driven by hydraulic cylinders, and each of the cylinders is provided with a plurality of pressure carrying surfaces disposed in the axial direction, thereby a great amount of torque can be transmitted at low hydraulic pressure or at a small outer diameter. The belt type stepless shifter is adapted for use in a transmission apparatus of vehicles.

Abstract: The described air compressor has an annular piston received within a cylinder for reciprocal movement to drive pressurized air on both piston strokes to an outlet which is arranged in line with the air inlet and driving power source. A shuttle valve alternately opens and closes ports at opposite ends of the pump cylinder to accomplish valving for the pressurized air. Rotative drive applied to an axially located rotor within the compressor housing via a planetary gear assembly alternately drives the rotor in opposite directions. A gear on the rotor is drivingly related to gears located on two threaded shafts which pass through threaded openings in the piston. Accordingly, rotation of the rotor drives the annular piston from one extremity to another in the pump cylinder.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a module transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assemby includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A hydraulic adjustment apparatus as is for instance used to adjust a roller of a rolling mill has a cylinder forming a first cylinder chamber and having a first cylinder surface directed backwardly in a predetermined direction in the first chamber. A first piston is displaceable forwardly and backwardly in the direction in the first chamber relative to the cylinder and has in this chamber a forwardly directed first piston face of a predetermined first piston area. The first piston is formed with at least one second chamber receiving a forwardly and backwardly displaceable second piston having a forwardly directed end engageable with the first chamber surface. This second piston in turn has a second piston face of a predetermined second piston area substantially smaller than the first piston area and directed backwardly in the second chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake assembly with pneumatic power assist has a master cylinder inserted in a housing in turn at least partially surrounded by an annular power-booster device comprising a pair of annular chambers divided by a membrane. The membrane is connected via a plate and a sleeve or tie rods to a tension rod axially traversing a substantial portion of the master cylinder. The tension rod engages an actuator piston placed in compression by a push rod upon the actuation of a brake pedal linked thereto. The force for actuating a fluid-compression piston in the master cylinder is thus transmitted thereto partly via tension-stressed elements and partly via compression-stressed elements. Force feedback to the brake pedal is implemented either hydraulically via fluid-flow channels in the tension rod or mechanically via a lever inside or outside the housing. A fluid reservoir is removably mounted on the housing in juxtaposition to the booster chambers and transversely to the housing axis.

Abstract: An annular piston is received within a suitably dimensioned cylinder and reciprocally driven to pump fluid on both piston strokes to a fluid carrying line with which the pump is arranged in an in-line relationship. A centrally located shuttle-valve alternately opens and closes ports at opposite ends of the pump cylinder to accomplish the required in-line valving for the pump.

Abstract: To reduce the overall weight of mechanically controlled brake boosters it is known to transmit the axial reaction forces by means of axial draw bars or pipes extending axially within the booster housing. According to the present invention the weight reduction and a decrease in axial length of the brake booster is accomplished having the booster housing shaped like a ring which surrounds and is connected to the maste brake cylinder. The master brake cylinder is fastened to the vehicle splashboard via axial webs extending beyond a lateral wall of the booster housing. A yoke arranged movably between the splashboard and the booster housing contains the valve mechanism and transmits the boosting force from the booster piston (movable wall) to the piston of the master brake cylinder.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprising an enclosure having parallel walls and a plurality of concentric annular rings reciprocally mounted between said walls is disclosed. By reciprocating the rings in a predetermined sequence, fluid is caused to flow through a series of radially propagating chambers defined by the rings.

Abstract: A vacuum operable differential servo-motor adapted for use on motor vehicles to operate, for example, an anti-skid brake control system, a brake booster and the like, including a housing, a power piston movable therein and dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers one on each side of the power piston, a conduit member fluidly connecting one of the chambers to an engine intake manifold, a solenoid valve for controlling a pressure differential between the chambers in response to an input signal and a failure sensing switch member having a casing outside of the housing and a plunger operatively connected to the power piston and a diaphragm seal member with its peripheral bead clamped between the casing and the housing with a central portion being sealed to the plunger.

Abstract: In a servo booster the movable wall is sealed to the rear housing wall by a rolling diaphragm supported on a sleeve which projects forwardly from the rear housing wall, and fluid communication between the rear housing chamber of the booster and a valve chamber in the valve body is provided by inter-communicating passages in the valve body and diaphragm support plate. The passage in the diaphragm support plate terminates in a port opening to the rear booster chamber. In one construction the sleeve is elliptical in transverse cross-section and a pair of tie rods extend right through the booster, through the bore of the sleeve, for relieving the booster housing of braking reaction forces. In another construction, instead of tie rods, the sleeve is extended to provide a tube, arms extend through slots in the tube to connect integrally the diaphragm support plate and the valve body, and one arm contains the passage.

Abstract: A servo booster is provided with a tube coaxial with the booster output rod for relieving the booster housing of braking reaction forces. The housing of a tandem master cylinder has an externally threaded rear end which is threadedly engaged with internal threads formed on a reduced diameter front part of the tube. The retracted position of the primary piston of the master cylinder is determined by abutment with the booster output rod, and this can be adjusted by turning the master cylinder housing relative to the tube.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a nodule transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assembly includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate. The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated friction clutch, especially a lamellae clutch for automatic transmissions of motor vehicles, with a cylinder-piston unit whose interior space is subdivided into chambers by means of a ring-shaped extension provided at the cylinder bottom; the extension thereby projects into an annular channel provided in the piston and at least one further chamber is formed by way of interconnected sealing elements.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a valve for fluid and gaseous materials consisting of a valve housing which at one end has a first port with a controllable closure member which is connected to a second port, said valve having at its other end control organs for the closure member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulic prestressing nuts for setting a tensile stress in a bolt whereon the nut of the present invention is turned. The invention involves a nut body wherein an annular piston is arranged to be hydraulically extended from a bottom face thereof against a plate, head, platen, or the like, elevating the nut and extending the bolt therewith. A concentric loading ring is arranged with the nut body for turning into engagement with the place, such that when the loading ring is so extended, it provides a rigid columnar support to the annular piston. Tensile stress on the bolt is maintained by the loading ring. The nut of the present invention further involves a failsafe arrangement for providing a backup repressurization capability consisting of a second piston arrangement that can be independently pressurized at a primary seal failure, extending the primary piston therewith.

Abstract: A hollow piston assembly for brakes or clutches comprises a first member having an annular plate portion, an inner cylindrical hub and a flange formed on the outer end of the plate portion. A second member defines an annular cavity therein and has an annular flange press-fit into a first recess defined at the juncture of the plate portion and the cylindrical hub of the first member and a radial flange press-fit into a second recess formed at juncture of the plate portion and the flange of the first member. The piston assembly may be reciprocally mounted in the housing of a brake package to selectively compress a plurality of interleaved friction discs upon pressurization of an annular actuating chamber, defined between the first member and the housing.

Abstract: Side shift backhoe clamped by two vertical acting and one horizontal clamp. Restrictors allow operation of vertical clamps prior to horizontal to prevent loading of slide rail. Vertical clamp actuators are secured in casting by L-shaped slots which allow actuator to be secured without bolts and allow vertical movement of actuators. Hook on casting takes longitudinal loads and resolves them partially to vertical loads.

Abstract: An annular single piston brake arrangement is disclosed for selective holding engagement of a rotatable member of a drive train. The brake arrangement includes a support structure, an annular brake piston axially reciprocably and nonrotatably mounted within the support structure, a plurality of springs mounted intermediate the support structure and the brake piston for biasing it concentrically toward peripheral brake holding engagement of the rotatable member, a fluid retractor for holding the brake piston in a disengaged condition overcomingly against the action of the springs, and a fluid actuator for biasing the brake piston concentrically towards peripheral brake holding engagement of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A double acting power boost cylinder comprising a movable servo piston for vehicle steering purposes is provided with means comprising a fixed piston protruding into a bore of the servo piston so as to reduce the effective end surface pressure receiving areas of the servo piston. Thus, the total forces acting to drive the servo piston are reduced to avoid overload or damage to a steering mechanism driven by the servo power piston. The invention has its utility in vehicles where a common hydraulic source is used for various purposes such as steering, brakes, vehicle level and the like where pressures required may vary and where the pressure required for steering is not as great as required for other purposes. Usually accumulators are used and the invention is of particular utility since it permits the use of small pumping devices.

Abstract: In a spreading disc brake relative angular movement of the pressure plates to initiate the application of the brake is effected by a fluid pressure actuator acting on a pull-rod through a pivotal thrust coupling so arranged as to confine rocking movement of the pull-rod to a single plane normal to the brake axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic hand brake for a fluid pressure actuated brake on a railway vehicle has a cylinder and piston assembly extending coaxially from the brake cylinder. A threaded rod having a non-locking thread extends from the piston and has threaded thereon a traveling nut with a coupling surface on a side away from the brake piston engageable with a second coupling surface on a ring attached to the cylinder. A spring urges the nut in the direction to engage the coupling surfaces and a control piston engages the nut to disengage the coupling surfaces when the control piston is subjected to a hydraulic pressure. Subjecting the piston of the cylinder and piston assembly to a hydraulic pressure will cause the threaded rod to engage the brake piston and to move the brake piston in the braking direction.

Abstract: There is provided an improved percussion hammer having tie cables connecting the base of the hammer body with the upper cylinder. Cable tensioning jacks are used for preloading the tie cables. Each cable tensioning jack includes a jack body having a central opening for securing a cable, and having an annular groove defining a jack cylinder closed at one end and open at the other. An annular jack piston is slidably received within the jack cylinder. The annular cylinder is pressurized to expand the jack. In one embodiment of the invention high pressure grease provides the source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An illustrative system is disclosed for use as a rotary-drive engine, utilizing combustible fuel and a hydraulic system of energy conversion. An engine block defines a pair of expansion cylinders (combustion chambers) and an associated concentric pair of hydraulic chambers. The chambers matingly receive unitary piston structures for phase-opposed reciprocal movement.The hydraulic working chambers communicate with each other and can exhaust high pressure fluid through a control valve structure for drive power. Exhausted fluid is replaced in volume by low-pressure spent fluid. The body of the fluid contained in the hydraulic working chambers along with the piston means and springs connected to the engine block define an oscillatory system which is resonant at the operating frequency. That consideration, along with the absence of lateral loads on the pistons, results in relatively high efficiency.