Abstract: A spring-loaded brake cylinder has a piston therein one side of which is loaded by a spring and the other side of which is subjected to a pressure medium introduced into the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with an auxiliary release device comprising a screw coupling having a first coupling member which is rotatable but not axially displaceable and a second coupling member threadedly engaged with the first coupling member and acting upon the brake cylinder through an abutment coupling against the force of the load spring. The first coupling member is provided with a reversible thread and a second coupling means is provided to retain the second coupling member against rotation when the pressure acting upon the cylinder falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for turning a butterfly valve axle or similar device has a piston/cylinder unit of which the piston is coupled to the axle and is provided with screw-thread means producing rotation of the axle as the piston is reciprocated in the cylinder. The arrangement of the piston/cylinder unit and coupling means is such that a longitudinally compact mechanism is achieved.

Abstract: An extendible and contractible shaft comprises a number of shaft members on a common longitudinal axis, each except the outermost member being telescoped within the one next adjacent. Each telescoped member has a piston slidably sealed to the inner wall of the next adjacent outer member to form a series of tandem arranged sealed pistons. Fluid passageways are provided between adjacent shaft members so that fluid supplied under pressure to an inlet port of the device flows through the passageways to all the piston heads, thereby extending the telescoped shaft members and at the same time driving fluid out from under each piston through fluid passageways to an exit port of the device. When the pressurized fluid flow is reversed to send pressurized fluid to the undersides of the pistons, thereby driving fluid above the piston heads out through the first mentioned port, there would normally be incurred substantial shock as each piston head strikes its stop in the retraction operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a tilt hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly connected between a first member adapted to be attached to a boat and a second member connected to the first member for vertical swinging movement relative to the boat, and a trim hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly connected to the first and second members. Also provided is a hydraulic system connected to the tilt and trim hydraulic cylinder-piston assemblies for pressurization thereof.In one embodiment, the trim assembly includes a cylinder, a piston assembly located in the cylinder and having a first piston with a port therein and a second piston spaced axially from and fixedly connected to the first piston, together with a piston rod, means connecting the piston assembly to the piston rod for limited relative movement therebetween, valve means normally closing the port, and means for operating the valve means to open the port upon movement of the piston assembly to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A push rod and tappet assembly for a cam actuated pump in which a tappet having a barbed shank is lightly press fitted, during assembly, part-way into the hollow end of the push rod so that during the initial operating cycle of the pump, as the cam on which the tappet rides rotates through the first cycle of rotation, the pump piston to which the push rod is connected bottoms out and the shank of the tappet will then be forced further into the push rod to a position to thereafter provide substantially zero clearance in the pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake actuating and locking device is provided for applying brakes of a vehicle comprising an elongated brake cylinder having a tubular push rod axially operable therein for actuating the brakes and a hydraulically controlled locking device disposed within the tubular push rod and operable when rendered effective for acting on the inner periphery of the push rod to restrain the push rod against axial movement relative to the brake cylinder. The locking device is selectively actuated in accordance with the movement of a locking wedge within the push rod by a hydraulically operated locking piston.