Biasing Means Engages Working Fluid Contacting Portion Of Working Member Patents (Class 92/135)
  • Patent number: 11673540
    Abstract: A vehicle braking device includes: a brake fluid pressure generation device arranged in a storage chamber separated from a vehicle cabin; and a brake operation part mechanically connected to the brake fluid pressure generation device, the brake operation part being not provided in the vehicle cabin. The brake fluid pressure generation device includes a cylinder and pistons configured to slide inside the cylinder. The brake fluid pressure generation device is configured to generate brake fluid pressure in accordance with strokes of the pistons. The brake fluid pressure generation device is arranged such that a sliding direction of the pistons is along a direction different from the vehicle front-rear direction in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fujimoto, Ikuru Konno, Takenori Kubo
  • Patent number: 11472682
    Abstract: A hoist system including an air balancer having an air supply and an air exhaust, a lifting device, and a hoist control pendant to control supply and exhaust of pressurized air to and from the air balancer, respectively, the hoist control pendant configured to control vertical movement of the lifting device. The air exhaust from the air balancer includes a first exhaust flow path through a first exhaust opening and a second exhaust flow path through a second exhaust opening, the first exhaust flow path having a first length and the second exhaust flow path having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Ethan Roeth, Stephen Wade Pennington
  • Patent number: 10774932
    Abstract: In order to provide a sealing element which ensures a reliable seal and which can be produced easily and economically, it is proposed that a main body of the sealing element is preferably formed from a partially fluorinated or fully fluorinated thermoplastic material and has obtained at least part of its final outer shape or only part of its final outer shape in particular in a high-pressure process and/or in a high-temperature process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: ElringKlinger AG, ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hocker, Walter Schuhmacher, Patrick Klein, Fabian Kopp, Claudia Stern
  • Patent number: 9827967
    Abstract: A guide ring for a pump element of a hydraulic unit of a vehicle brake system is configured to guide a pump piston in a pump housing when the pump piston is displaced along the axis thereof in the pump housing. On the inner side of the guide ring facing the pump piston, the guide ring includes a first step that has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schuller, Daniel Gosse
  • Patent number: 9456694
    Abstract: A seat support assembly including a substantially tubular containing jacket having a first end with an inwardly oriented return lip and a second end closable with a sealing closure, a guide portion adapted to be at least partially received by a seat stand, a resilient separator abutting a portion of the guide portion and the sealing closure, an adapter to attach to the guide portion and at least abut an inner surface of the containing jacket wherein the assembly damps oscillation between the adapter and the containing jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Muddie's Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Douglas Barrington Paul
  • Patent number: 8667888
    Abstract: A chamber having an internal volume, end surfaces and a side wall. The chamber is adapted to change its volume by leakage-free displacement of the end surface. The side wall has at least three adjacent sleeves (1-6), and an elastic seal (8-14) is arranged between each of the sleeves, such that the seals are pressurized and expanded when the sleeves are moved due to a displacement of the end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ottelstad Breathing Systems AS
    Inventor: Nils T. Ottestad
  • Patent number: 8499555
    Abstract: A valve for use with a turbocharger is disclosed. The valve may have a valve element movable to selectively direct a flow of fluid. They valve may also have a control portion connected to move the valve element, and a cooling portion configured to receive a pressurized cooling medium from the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Wolk, Thomas A. Bevill, Terry W. Grabb, Mehdi Mahssini, Paul M. Himmell
  • Patent number: 8347622
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes a bottomed cylindrical cylinder body, a piston formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by a forging method and slidably disposed in the cylinder body, and a spring assembly including a spring urging the piston toward an opening side of the cylinder body. A length of a spring of the spring assembly is determined by a retainer which can abut against an inner bottom portion of the piston. An annular groove is formed on the outermost side of the inner bottom portion of the piston by the forging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takato Ogiwara, Takayuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8312618
    Abstract: In a module system for manufacturing variants of two and three stable positions fluid-operated actuators a cylinder housing of both variants of two and three stable positions actuators is manufactured from a blank. The blank includes at least one opening for a cover and is identical for the variants of the two and three stable position actuator, and is at least prepared for the arrangement of a first pressure duct, a second pressure duct, and a first cylinder diameter of the cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Hedman, Petter Frejinger
  • Patent number: 8011907
    Abstract: A piston pump having a retaining device for retaining a spring element for restoring a closing element of a valve; the retaining device includes a receiving region for receiving and bracing the spring element and an integrally formed sealing region, in order to seal off a pressure chamber from a low-pressure region of the piston pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Schepp, Wolfgang Schuller, Juergen Reiner
  • Patent number: 7785086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supply device for the supply of pressure fluid into at least one vehicle brake or into a pressure fluid accumulator, wherein a piston is movably arranged in an accommodating member, a carrier bears a non-return valve arranged coaxially to the piston for the purpose of ventilating a working chamber into which the piston plunges , and wherein a resetting spring is arranged between the carrier and the piston. It is the essence of the invention that a multi-piece cage allows inserting the resetting Spring into the cage parts, the cage parts comprise fastening means that lock the cage due to relative displacement of the cage parts, and the resetting spring is caged and simultaneously elastically preloaded under the relative displacement of the cage parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Dieter Dinkel, Axel Hinz, Albrecht Otto, Hans-Georg Zentgraf, Daniel Zuk
  • Patent number: 7476050
    Abstract: A socket assembly including a housing having a bore; an insert member disposed in the bore, the insert member defining a socket; and a cap attached to the housing proximate an inlet of the bore and having an opening to receive a connecting member that extends into the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Ditzler
  • Publication number: 20080236385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston pump which is used to guide a fluid and which comprises a cylinder, a piston which is displacably arranged in the cylinder, a return element for the piston and a drive in order to displace the piston in the cylinder. The cylinder comprises a first area having a first internal diameter and a second area having a second internal diameter. The first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Marc Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7171963
    Abstract: A product pump for pumping separated product gas from an oxygen concentrator which produces oxygen-rich product gas by utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process. The oxygen concentrator comprises a cartridge containing an adsorbent material for separating the product gas from ambient air, a vacuum pump which provides a vacuum source, a valve for selectively connecting the vacuum pump to the cartridge and product pump, and a reservoir. The product pump comprises a pumping chamber having a product gas inlet and a product gas outlet, a piston movable in the chamber, a vacuum inlet in the chamber on an opposite side of the piston from the product gas inlet and outlet for providing a vacuum to cause the piston to draw product gas through the product gas inlet into the chamber, and a spring for providing a spring force to force the product gas out the product gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: VBOX, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 6884045
    Abstract: A hydraulically driven diaphragm pump with a diaphragm clamped at its edge between a pump body and a pump cover separating a delivery chamber from a hydraulic chamber and pretensioned in the direction of its intake stroke by spring force. A hydraulic diaphragm drive in the form of an oscillating displacement piston is displaceable in the pump body between a reservoir chamber for the hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic chamber. The diaphragm is so strongly pretensioned by spring force that it exerts a substantial compressive force on the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber. Therefore a substantial hydrostatic pressure is built up in the hydraulic chamber relative to the delivery chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Lewa Herbert Ott GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Nils Kohlhase, Waldemar Horn, Ruediger Schnorr
  • Patent number: 6695279
    Abstract: In a pressure-responsive actuator, the inside of a case is divided into first and second air chambers by a diaphragm, and a coil spring is accommodated in the second air chamber for exerting a spring force for urging the diaphragm in a direction to decrease the volume of the first air chamber. A rod is coaxially connected at one of opposite ends to a side of a retainer mounted to a central portion of the diaphragm on the side of the first air chamber and at the other end to a tip end of an arm fixed at its base end to a driven shaft rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a plane parallel to the rod. In this pressure-responsive actuator, the case is provided with a tilt-restricting portion for restricting the tilt of the rod to a range in which the contacting of the diaphragm with the inner surface of the case can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Kenji Kudo
  • Patent number: 6591736
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes a cylinder housing having a rearwardly opening inner bore, a piston having a forwardly opening bore positioned in the inner bore of the cylinder housing, a spring disposed in the inner bore of the piston, a stopper supporting a front end of the spring, a retainer disposed in the inner bore of the piston and supporting a rear end of the spring, and a rod connecting the retainer and the stopper while allowing the spring to compress in the axial direction. A plurality of projection portions are formed on the outer circumferential portion of the retainer and the retainer is pressed into the inner bore of the piston via the projection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akimoto Okada, Naoyasu Enomoto, Toshihiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 6519940
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes a restraining device arranged between the first and second pistons for preventing the return spring from being compressed and expanded beyond a certain extent. The restraining device includes a first, substantially sleeve-shaped component and a second, substantially pin-shaped component. The pin-shaped component includes a flange which projects radially outwards. The sleeve-shaped component includes a first receiving flange which positively interacts with the flange of the pin-shaped component. The sleeve-shaped component includes at least one introduction opening which enables the flange on the pin-shaped component to be laterally introduced into the sleeve-shaped component. The end of the sleeve-shaped component includes a second receiving flange which positively interacts with a flanged projection on the second piston which projects radially outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventors: Hans-Christoph Lange, Peter Linde, Martin Struschka, Hartmut Unterberg
  • Patent number: 6454548
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, a check valve operatively flow in a direction from an inlet toward an outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet to the inlet, an electromagnet carried by the housing located external to the fluid containing region, and a barrier of fluid impervious material for isolating the electromagnet from the fluid. An armature movable in the housing through pumping and return strokes has a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet and has a plunger portion extending from the pole portion. The armature plunger and pole portions have formations crimped together to secure the plunger and pole portions together. The barrier or an end surface of the armature pole portion are shaped to enhance separation of the barrier and armature pole portion at the beginning of the return stroke. The housing is provided with shims for adjustment of the delivered stroke volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Falk, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020025354
    Abstract: A reduced mass unitary cartridge with internal fluid intensification for an ultra-high pressure, high-temperature, fluid driven press apparatus capable of reaching pressures in excess of 35 kilobars and temperatures above 1000 degrees centigrade, useful in the production of such high-pressure products as diamond, polycrystalline diamond, cubic boron nitride, and like superhard materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6338293
    Abstract: A reduced oil volume piston assembly for a hydrostatic unit includes a piston assembly having a piston body and a stem formed separately from the piston body. A cavity is formed in one end of the piston body. The stem includes an enlarged head and an elongated neck extending upwardly from the head. The neck lossely inserts into the cavity of the piston body so as to at least partially fill the cavity. The head is unattached to the piston body and cannot enter the cavity, but its shape allows fluid flow into the cavity around the stem. These components can be incorporated into the cylinder block assembly as separate components or the stems can be integrally cast with the cylinder block or attached thereto as a stem ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Johnson, Kenneth J. Woodshank, Michael A. Betz, Richard L. Otto
  • Patent number: 6145404
    Abstract: A modular manipulation unit is disclosed. The unit includes a body (11) formed of three extruded, profiled elements. The elements include a base plate (15), a top element or cover (16) fixed on the base plate, and an intermediate slide (17) arranged and guided between the base plate and the top element. An interface part (13) is fixed and movable with the intermediate slide, and an actuator is connected to the said intermediate slide for movements of same and of the gripping tool carried by the said interface part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maffeis, Giuseppe Bellandi
  • Patent number: 6062534
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A double acting rotary valve actuator with pressurized bladders on opposite sides of a rotatable lever. One bladder is oval shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 6014924
    Abstract: A slide drive device has a principal housing, in which at least one actuating element able to be driven linearly is arranged. Externally on the principal housing there is a slide kinetically coupled with the actuating element. Two stroke limiting means render possible a variable preset of the two end positions of the slide and each comprise an adjustable arranged on the one part and a counter-abutment arranged opposite to same on the other part. The one adjustable abutment is arranged on the slide and the other adjustable abutment is located on the principal housing. Both abutments are provided in end regions facing in the same axial direction, on the slide and, respectively, on the principal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Uwe Modinger, Dieter Waldmann
  • Patent number: 5957029
    Abstract: A linear thruster is disclosed in which a load beam is linearly moved by fluid power relative to a guide beam and a piston. The beams are multisided in cross-section to substantially increase the linear bearing area between the bodies and, thereby, substantially increase the strength of the linear thruster against side forces as well as moments to which the linear thruster might subjected. Internal positioning of the components and energy transmission are maximized and the stroke may be variably adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bimba Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Boyer, Steven J. Breese, Daniel L. Choisser, Kevin R. Douglas, David S. Harris, John W. Langer, Michael T. Starr, Mark A. Tichgelaar
  • Patent number: 5816131
    Abstract: A fluid-controlled actuator assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle. The actuator is provided with a four-position mobile element, with a first and a second chamber separated in a sealed manner from the mobile element, and with auxiliary positioning elements suitable for determining a stop position of the mobile element. Also included are first and second solenoid valves suitable for supplying pressurized fluid respectively to the first and to the second chamber and for discharging it from them, such that when the fluid is supplied into both the chambers, the mobile element is maintained by the auxiliary positioning elements in the stop position. When the fluid is supplied into one of the chambers and is discharged from the other, the mobile element adopts one of two lateral positions with respect to the stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Tornatore
  • Patent number: 5732613
    Abstract: A fluid operated rotary drive, which possesses a drive means having an output drive shaft able to be driven for oscillating motion. On one axial side of the drive means a position detection means is arranged, which possesses an actuating member connected with the output drive shaft and which on rotary motion of the output drive shaft performs an oscillating movement about a pivot axis. The actuating member cooperates with sensors, which may be set on holders. Each holder is arranged on its own setting ring, such setting rings being arranged coaxially in relation to each other with the holders extending away from the drive means. The setting rings are able to be turned in relation to one another and furthermore in relation to the housing for setting the positions to be detected and may be fixed in the settings made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Festo KG
    Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Gerhard Thorwart, Albrecht Wagner
  • Patent number: 5655430
    Abstract: A hydraulic helm pump used for vessel steering has a housing, a barrel rotating in the housing, and one or more cylindrical pistons reciprocating in the barrel. The barrel has a separate abutment surface at the end of each piston bore and spaced from each respective piston. The pistons are solid, not hollow. A compression spring is interposed between each respective piston and the abutment surface and the spring outside diameter is about equal to the maximum diameter of the piston. When each piston is in its forward position, its forward end is very close to the abutment surface, thereby reducing unswept volume. And each piston return spring occupies most of the remaining otherwise-unswept volume between the piston and its bore. The pistons are random-fitted to their bores and include resilient piston-and-bore seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: IMO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Richards
  • Patent number: 5617772
    Abstract: A linear actuator has an actuator body having a through hole defined axially therein and an opening defined in an upper surface thereof, a pair of end blocks, a slide table reciprocally movable in the directions indicated by the arrows X, Y, a pair of cylindrical members coupled to the end blocks, respectively, and having respective passages communicating with fluid outlet/inlet ports, respectively, defined in the actuator body, a joint member movable in unison with the slide table, a pair of cover members held in surface-to-surface contact with the joint member in confronting relation to each other and hermetically surrounding outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical members, for sliding displacement in unison with the slide table, and a pair of pressure chambers defined by the cylindrical members and the cover members and closed by the cover members, the pressure chambers communicating with passages in the cylindrical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Hosono, Yoshiteru Ueno
  • Patent number: 5609090
    Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator for providing rotary movement between first and second external members. The actuator includes a cylindrical body with first and second ends. The body is adapted for coupling to the first external member, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body and supported for rotation relative thereto. The shaft having an adjustable end limit of rotation relative to the body. The shaft has an end portion adapted for coupling to the second external member to provide rotational movement between the first and second external members. An annular body insert is positioned coaxial with the body and at least partially within the body at the body first end. The body insert is formed as a separate part from the body and is adjustably rotatable relative to the body to permit adjustment of the end limit of rotation of the shaft relative to the body. The body insert is restrained by the body against axial movement relative to the body during powered operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: 1994 Weyer Family Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Paul P. Weyer
  • Patent number: 5562017
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) including a housing (14) defining a chamber (16) and a movable piston (18, 100) dividing the chamber (16) into first and second chamber portions (20, 22). An apparatus (38, 40) directs fluid pressure into either the first or second chamber portion and vents the other to effect movement of said piston (18, 100). A relief valve (12) communicates the first and second chamber portions (20, 22) when the piston (18, 100) is near the end of its work stroke. The relief valve (12) includes a valve member (76) and a valve seat (74) which are relatively movable between open and closed positions. A method is performed to make the apparatus and includes forming a press-fit connection between the piston means (18, 100) and the valve seat (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd F. Wuenscher
  • Patent number: 5560206
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a master cylinder in which the buckling of spring is prevented and the packing is not damaged. To achieve this object, in a master cylinder in which a return spring is disposed between the end wall of a cylinder and a piston, and a packing fitted to the piston slides on the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder, the return spring 30 comprises a cylindrical large-diameter coil portion A with a diameter almost in contact with the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder 12 and a small-diameter coil portion B with a diameter enough smaller than the diameter of the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder 12, and the installation length of the small-diameter coil portion B is set so as to be nearly equal to a length of the range in which the packing 24 slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Yanagi, Riichirou Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5511461
    Abstract: An air cylinder has a cylinder body, a slide table movable along a guide rail on the cylinder body, a stopper block mounted on the cylinder body, a pair of adjustment bolts mounted on the slide table and spaced from each other with the stopper block interposed therebetween, and a cover disposed on and extending along a side edge of the slide table in covering relation to the stopper block and the adjustment bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyachi, Mitsutoshi Araki, Yoshiteru Ueno, Norihide Yamase
  • Patent number: 5489006
    Abstract: A vehicle steering control system and apparatus for controlling steering radius to prevent vehicle and surface damage and to provide improved low speed vehicle maneuverability. The steering control system and apparatus provides a first controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a first condition and a second controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a second condition. Examples of the first and second conditions include speed related conditions, such as, the actual speed of the vehicle, a selected gear of the vehicle, and manual selection of the turning radius. The system and apparatus includes a dual stroke hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder body housing a hydraulically controllable primary piston. A shaft is attached to and extends from the primary piston, projects through the cylinder body, and connects to the steering linkage of the vehicle. Hydraulic operation of the primary piston transfers forces along the shaft to the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Saiia, Alan R. Fillman
  • Patent number: 5477772
    Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator for providing rotary movement between first and second external members. The actuator includes a cylindrical body with first and second ends. The body is adapted for coupling to the first external member, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body and supported for rotation relative thereto. The shaft having an adjustable end limit of rotation relative to the body. The shaft has an end portion adapted for coupling to the second external member to provide rotational movement between the first and second external members. An annular body insert is positioned coaxial with the body and at least partially within the body at the body first end. The body insert is formed as a separate part from the body and is adjustably rotatable relative to the body to permit adjustment of the end limit of rotation of the shaft relative to the body. The body insert is restrained by the body against axial movement relative to the body during powered operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Paul P. Weyer
  • Patent number: 5400886
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch slave cylinder (16) for a motor vehicle clutch comprising an annular body (21) having inner and outer cylindrical walls (22,23) defining a annular bore (40) therebetween, and a piston (31) having annular portion (32) sealingly slideable in the annular bore (40), an outer portion (34) concentric with the inner portion and telescopically co-extensive with the outer cylindrical wall (23). The radially outer portion (34) of the piston has a radially outwardly extending flange (37) at its end away from the mouth of the bore, which in use engages a clutch release bearing assembly (20) which surrounds the piston and annular bore (40) in the retracted condition of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Automotive Products France SA
    Inventor: Boris Kopacin
  • Patent number: 5363741
    Abstract: In a slide actuator, a central guide rail having V-shaped grooves defined therein and opened at 90 degree angles, is mounted on a cylinder body. A slide table is brought into engagement with the guide rail. Guide members having V-shaped grooves defined therein are provided inside the slide table so that they are opposed to the grooves defined in the guide rail. Cylindrical roller bearings are alternately fitted at inclinations of 90.degree. in their corresponding channels defined by the opposed grooves. Thus, when the roller bearings are rolled, the slide table is displaced with higher accuracy and a load supported by the slide table is transmitted to the guide rail from the roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Takada, Masayuki Hosono, Kouichirou Ishibashi, Koichiro Kanda
  • Patent number: 5335583
    Abstract: In a rodless cylinder, a moving member which is moved along a cylinder body is reduced in height for the sake of compactness and stability. A stopper is mounted on a stopper support base, which is also reduced in height to preclude the possibilities of obstructing movement of the moving member, and includes a stopper lock mechanism with an adjusting screw suitable for use with the stopper support base of low height. More specifically, in a rodless cylinder having a stopper support base mounted on top of a cylinder body, the stopper support base is provided with inclined surfaces at the opposite ends thereof symmetrically in face to face relation with downwardly-facing inclined surfaces formed on opposite lateral side portions of the cylinder body, and firmly fastened to the cylinder body by setting bolts and clamp members having inclined surfaces face to face with the inclined surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Junya Kaneko, Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5322142
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure turnoff device in the terminal positions of the steering deflection in an auxiliary power steering. In steering systems that reveal a working piston (2) that can be shifted in the steering housing, one inserts this turnoff device in a passage borehole (17) of working piston (2). For each steering direction, one provides a turnoff valve (20, 22 or 21, 23) which can be activated by a plunger (24 or 25) that bumps into a wall (30 and 31). To avoid any time consuming adjustment work on the turnoff valves (20, 22; 21, 23), the walls (30 and 31) contain screwed-in bolts (40 and 41) with pressed-on sleeves (32 and 33), with the sleeves working as stops. After installation of the auxiliary power steering in the vehicle, one can automatically press the sleeves (32 and 33) into the terminal position corresponding to the wheel steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen, AG.
    Inventor: Dieter Elser
  • Patent number: 5305683
    Abstract: A pressure medium linear unit for handling devices for industrial manufacture includes a housing block, at least one operating cylinder for at least one piston, at least one piston rod, at least one guide rod, and guide elements for at least one piston rod and at least one guide rod. The housing block accommodates the at least one operating cylinder for the at least one piston and the guide elements for the at least one piston rod and the at least one guide rod. The housing block is a modular unit and includes a guide unit and a drive unit releasably connected with the guide unit, one behind the other, to form a compact unit in the direction of linear movement. The guide rod and the piston rod are arranged in an axially parallel manner. The end of the guide rod at the end of the drive can be moved within the drive unit. If the guide rod is moved into the drive unit, the drive unit extends at least over the moved-in length of the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Gosdowski, Josef Neuwirth
  • Patent number: 5190263
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an actuator prevents the unauthorized operation of the actuator and also permits a viewer to determine whether the actuator is in a locked open, locked closed or unlocked position. The invention utilizes a clear cover guard which is positioned and locked on an actuator body which is attached to a housing. The actuator body comprises threaded bores which permit a bolt to be inserted into the actuator body until it contacts an integral locking cam and driver arm rotatably disposed within the actuator body. The bolt contacts the locking cam in order to selectively lock the integral locking cam and driver arm in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Neles-Jamesbury, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5189942
    Abstract: A 3-position actuator having a moving body comprising a piston and piston rod slidingly reciprocating in an axial direction within a casing, a part of the rod protruding from said casing, said moving body being moved to one end side when fluid flows into a first fluid chamber through a first port formed on said casing, and said moving body being moved to the other end side when fluid flows into a second fluid chamber through a second port formed on said casing; characterized by that a pair of stoppers are installed in said casing with a specified clearance left between them in the axial direction, a pair of spring seats and a spring are installed between the pair of stoppers, said spring is located between the pair of spring seats to press one spring seat against one stopper and to press the other spring seat against the other stopper, a pair of stopping portions are provided on said moving body in a projecting manner with a specified clearance left between them in the axial direction, one stopping portion ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masahiro Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 5125326
    Abstract: A three position actuator which is used to position the gear range control lever on a two speed transfer case. Three positions are required to achieve HIGH, LOW and NEUTRAL. Two individual air chambers may be selectively charged with compressed air to move two pistons along a common actuator rod to achieve linear translation of the control lever to selectively position the transfer case in HIGH, NEUTRAL or LOW range. The transfer case is shifted from LOW to NEUTRAL or HIGH to NEUTRAL by releasing the respective charge of compressed air thereby permitting a spring to shift the control lever to neutral. Thus, in the event of a failure of the system supplying the compressed air, the actuator will return the transfer case to NEUTRAL as required for towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Sarcona
  • Patent number: 5088385
    Abstract: An actuator having a plurality of concentric cylinders with the inner and outer cylinders being adapted to connect to apparatus which must move relative to one another. Flexible sealing rings are positioned between adjacent cylinders and when the pressure within the cylinders is increased, the flexibility sealing rings will be forced against the action of a spring. When the pressure is relieved, the flexible sealing rings will return to their original position. In another mode of operation, if the pressure is further increased, instead of being relieved, normal operation of the actuator will take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Bobby D. McKee
  • Patent number: 5086864
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a device that cuts off pressure in the final positions of the steering movement in an auxiliary-power steering device. In steering devices that have movable working pistons in the steering gear housing, this cut-off device is installed in a through drilled hole in the working piston. A by-pass valve that is activated by a push rod touching the wall of the housing is provided for every direction of steering. To avoid time-consuming adjustment work on the by-pass valves the walls contain bushings located opposite the push rods that are automatically pushed into the final positions corresponding to the wheel steering angle after the auxiliary-power steering device is installed in the vehicle. That happens as a result of rotating, first without auxiliary power, against the wheel limit stops, with the front axle jacked up, after the preliminary installation of the bushings in their drilled holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.
    Inventor: Dieter Elser
  • Patent number: 5054372
    Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator having a body with first and second ends, and a shaft extending generally coaxially within the body. The shaft is supported for rotational movement relative to the body by bearing races formed on the shaft first and second end portions and corresponding bearing races formed on a pair of first and second end caps. First and second stop rings are disposed within the body, each adjacent to a corresponding end cap, with the shaft extending therethrough. The stop rings are each freely and longitudinally movable on the shaft within a limited axial range. The stop rings are positioned using set screws which extend through the end caps and engage the stop rings at selected longitudinal positions within their limited axial ranges. When the first and second stop rings are positioned, they engage and limit axial travel of the piston sleeve toward the end caps, and hence provide preselected and adjustable and rotational limits for the rotational travel of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Paul P. Weyer
  • Patent number: 5044254
    Abstract: A vibration cancellation device is provided for an air motor with a reciprocating drive piston. The device consists of an anti-phase piston which is axially aligned with the drive piston and reciprocates in the opposite direction of the drive piston. In one embodiment, the stroke of the anti-phase piston is adjustable to permit optimizing its vibration cancellation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Coltene/Whaldent, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan N. Miller, Stanley E. Mayer, John Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5024144
    Abstract: A piston drive e.g. for actuating a valve includes a piston which reciprocates in axial direction within a housing between two end positions, with one end position being defined by a worm drive including a manually actuated worm which actuates a worm wheel movable in axial direction and defining a stop for the piston. The other end position is defined by a gear which is arranged in the path of movement of the piston and is provided with an internal gear meshing with the external thread of a stationary connecting piece of the housing. The gear is turned relative to the connecting piece and thus moved in axial direction by a tool which is insertable through a bore in the housing from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Fritz Muller
  • Patent number: 4984508
    Abstract: A piston drive such as a piston drive for actuating a valve includes a piston which reciprocates between two end positions which are defined by respective sleeve-shaped inserts projecting into the path of movement of the piston and being axially displaceable by respective worm drives. One insert with the pertaining worm drive is usable for emergency actuation while the other insert with the pertaining worm drive is usable for limiting the stroke of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Fritz Muller
  • Patent number: 4970943
    Abstract: A steering angle limiter is built into an auxiliary power steering mechanism wherein the limits of steering can be variably preset to any predetermined degree within limits in a continuous manner. The limiter is a device built into the power cylinder. Such device comprises a mechanism having threaded telescopic members. One member is axially fixed and manually rotatable by a tool exteriorally of the cylinder to axially shift the other member to a predetermined distance from a respective end of the power piston. The other member may be non-rotative and threaded to the first member or it may be rotative but threaded to the housing. In either event, it is guided for axial movement. The axial setting of the other member effects a limit stop or abutment for the moving piston for such distance of movement as desired to limit the steering angle of the vehicle wheels in a particular direction of steering. For a double acting cylinder a steering limiter as described is provided for each end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.
    Inventors: Ditmar Salg, Michael Paul