With Linkage Or Transmission Having Relatively Movable Members Patents (Class 92/140)
  • Publication number: 20020043153
    Abstract: Reciprocating compressor including a connecting rod for converting a rotating movement of a crank shaft into a linear reciprocating movement, a piston for making a linear reciprocating movement inside of a cylinder block by the connecting rod, and resonating means for resonating the piston, wherein the resonating means is a supplementary piston fitted to the piston additionally and a resonator fitted between the supplementary piston and the piston, or a resonator in a space between a sleeve side part and a piston side part of a divided connecting rod, thereby preventing an over pressure loss of the refrigerant and enhancing a performance by increasing refrigerant flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Kwang Hyup An, Hwan Joo Myung, In Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 6371008
    Abstract: Water-raising pump for drawing water in a ground water table, which pump comprises a tube connecting the surface to the water table to be pumped, a rod carrying the pistons, which is connected to a drive mechanism installed at the surface for imparting to the rod a reciprocating pumping motion. The mechanism comprises: two identical toothed wheels (7, 8), mounted on axes (72, 82) that are symmetrical relative to the trajectory (ZZ) of the rod (3) carrying the pistons, meshing in each other so as to rotate in opposite directions, a motive unit (9, 10, 11) connected to at least one of the wheels (7) to drive it in rotation, two identical connecting rods (12, 13) each connected to the head (14) of the rod (3) and to a point of articulation borne by each toothed wheel (71, 81), in symmetrical positions, in order to be driven in symmetrical motions relative to the trajectory (ZZ) of the rod (3) in order to guide and drive the rod and its pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sorelec
    Inventor: Salah Djelouah
  • Patent number: 6357338
    Abstract: An air compressor assembly includes a compressor, a motor, and a drive assembly operatively interconnecting the motor with the compressor. The compressor contains a piston in a cylinder. The motor has an output shaft. The drive assembly includes a flywheel and a bearing that supports the flywheel for rotation about an axis. A drive belt transmits torque from the output shaft to the flywheel so as to rotate the flywheel upon rotation of the output shaft. A linkage structure interconnects the flywheel with the piston so as to reciprocate the piston in the cylinder upon rotation of the flywheel. The drive assembly further includes a shaft extending along the axis between the flywheel and the bearing. A first end portion of the shaft is journaled in the bearing for rotation about the axis. A second end portion of the shaft is received within a bore in the flywheel with an interference fit between an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Campbell Hausfeld/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Kevin Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6354817
    Abstract: A pressurized air supplying device is coupled to the DC electric power of the vehicle for supplying a pressurized air to a massage device of the vehicle. The pressurizing device includes two membranes secured to two sides of a housing and each having a peripheral portion secured to the housing with a casing. A follower is secured between the membranes. A motor is secured to the housing and has an eccentric axle slidably engaged through the follower to actuate the follower and the membranes to pressurize the air and to generate a pressurized air to the massage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Horng Jiun Chang
  • Patent number: 6354814
    Abstract: The inventive device consists of a disk which can be rotated around a central axis, a wobble pin which is mounted in the disk so that can rotate around an axis which is arranged at an angle in relation to the plane, of said disk, a swivel pin which is secured to the wobble pin at an angle in relation to the axis thereof, and a fastening device which prevents the swivel pin from rotating around the axis of the disk. This mechanism forms a gear enabling a rotational unidirectional movement to be translated into a back-and-forth movement in applications where limited height is available. The preferred area of application is in implantable blood pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventors: Ralf Kaufmann, Christoph Nix, Günter Rau, Helmut Reul
  • Patent number: 6352018
    Abstract: A novel arrangement of a hydraulic actuator assembly is disclosed. The hydraulic actuator assembly comprises a bi-directional electric motor driving a drive screw. A shaft coupler is threaded onto the drive screw. The shaft coupler is splined to a stationary coupler retainer to prevent rotational movement thereof. The shaft coupler is connected to a hydraulic piston slidably mounted within a pressure chamber by a compression spring. The spring functions both as a damper and as accumulator in a hydraulic system to help stabilize hydraulic pressure. An electrical control system for the hydraulic actuator comprises a high-pressure cutoff switch, a low-pressure cutoff switch, and a control switch. The control switch is adapted for activating the hydraulic actuator assembly and selecting desired operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Spicer Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Krisher
  • Patent number: 6345567
    Abstract: A power enhancing unit (50) is disposed between a linear power unit (12) and an industrial tool (10) that is operated by the power unit. The power enhancing unit (50) includes an input member (160) coupled to a power ram (26)of the power unit and upon application of a primary force from the power ram undergoes movement from a first position (232) to a second position (242). An output member (106) is coupled to the tool ram (94) and a power enhancing mechanism (166) is coupled to both the input member (160) and the output member (106) and arranged so that upon movement of the input member the output member undergoes movement and exerts a secondary force on the tool ram (94) that is greater than the primary force for a portion of the movement of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Cornelis Wilhelm Bakermans
  • Publication number: 20020007728
    Abstract: An air compressor assembly includes a compressor, a motor, and a drive assembly operatively interconnecting the motor with the compressor. The compressor contains a piston in a cylinder. The motor has an output shaft. The drive assembly includes a flywheel and a bearing that supports the flywheel for rotation about an axis. A drive belt transmits torque from the output shaft to the flywheel so as to rotate the flywheel upon rotation of the output shaft. A linkage structure interconnects the flywheel with the piston so as to reciprocate the piston in the cylinder upon rotation of the flywheel. The drive assembly further includes a shaft extending along the axis between the flywheel and the bearing. A first end portion of the shaft is journaled in the bearing for rotation about the axis. A second end portion of the shaft is received within a bore in the flywheel with an interference fit between an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20020007729
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an air compressor containing a piston in a cylinder, a flywheel having an axis of rotation, and an elongated linkage structure interconnecting the flywheel with the piston. A support member projects from the flywheel. A bearing supports the linkage structure on the support member. The linkage structure has an inner edge surface defining an opening in which the bearing is received in an installed position. The inner edge surface of the linkage structure extends continuously in a loop around the opening, and has an annular portion which is interrupted across a circumferentially extending gap. The linkage structure further has a portion configured as a living hinge which enables the gap to enlarge upon flexure of the hinge. This enables the bearing to be installed in the opening with an interference fit between a cylindrical outer surface of the bearing and the annular inner surface of the linkage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20020000160
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor (K1-K3) comprising: a connecting rod (21) in which a small end portion (22) having a small hole (22a) and a large end portion (25) having a large hole (25a) are coupled with each other; wherein the small end portion (22) is coupled with a piston (24) by a piston pin (23) loosely fitted into the small hole (22a), while an eccentric shaft (7a) of a crank shaft (7) is loosely fitted into the large hole (25a); wherein the large end portion (25) is formed with a cylindrical bore (25b) having an axis passing through a center of the large hole (25a) and a fixing hole (25c, 28, 30) communicating with the cylindrical bore (25b); wherein after a cylindrical distal end portion (22c) of a rod portion (22b) of the small end portion (22) has been loosely fitted into or lightly press fitted into the cylindrical bore (25b), not only the cylindrical distal end portion (22c) is fixed in the cylindrical bore (25b) by inserting a locking pin (26) into the fixing hole (25c, 28, 30) while a small torsion
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: YASUHIKO TANAKA, IKUTOMO UMEOKA, ICHIRO KITA, MASATAKA ODA
  • Patent number: 6327961
    Abstract: A connecting rod including a generally vertical oriented rod section having a piston end and a connecting end. A non-through bore formed in the connecting end receives a pin mounted eccentrically on a shaft, such that rotation of the shaft causes the rod section to reciprocate. A bleed hole formed in an inside end of the bore allows air in the bore to escape during assembly. When a lubricant is disposed in the bore, the bleed hole is shaped to inhibit an excess amount of lubricant from escaping therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Rozek
  • Patent number: 6315534
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a pressure gage attached to a cylinder housing, a compression device having a piston container slidably received in the cylinder housing for supporting a compression valve and a positioning block and a valve piece and a limiting piece. A motor is secured to a seat. A gear is rotatably secured to the seat and driven by the motor and includes a weight pivotally coupled to the piston container with a link. The elements may be secured onto the cylinder housing and the seat separately before the seat is secured to the cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 6289788
    Abstract: An actuator for rotating a shaft includes a housing having a first port, a second port and a drive track. A first drive means is coupled to the first port and a second drive means is coupled to the second port. An array of balls which are spaced apart by spacers define a drive train extending from the first drive means to the second drive means via the drive track. A drive pin which extends outwardly from the shaft is connected to the drive train and the first and second drive means are driven so that the drive train will rotate the drive pin and hence the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Farnow PTY Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Wayne Holtom
  • Patent number: 6280163
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a piston slidably received in a housing, and a sealing ring engaged between the piston and the housing. The piston includes an aperture for air to flow into the housing. A spring blade has one end secured to the piston and the other end for resiliently blocking the aperture of the piston to form a check valve. A gear and a weight are secured to a base which is secured to the housing. The weight has an eccentric pin coupled to the piston. A motor has a pinion engaged with the gear for rotating the gear to move the piston up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 6257123
    Abstract: Internal bearing assemblies for a rodless slide assembly. The internal bearing assemblies are positioned in bearing slots which are provided in portions of a transmission bracket and include inner bearing members and outer bearing shell members. Force applied to the internal bearing members causes them to slide up inclined surfaces of the bearing slots. The inner bearing members press against the outer bearing shell members which in turn press against the inner surface of the rodless slide bore. As a result, a radially inward force is applied to the transmission bracket. This radially inward force is transmitted to a saddle and external bearing assembly. The internal bearing assemblies thus hold the saddle against the outer surface of the rodless slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Morr, Michael E. Lamle
  • Patent number: 6257847
    Abstract: A motorized pump is disclosed that includes a flexible diaphragm fitting within a rigid member, a motor drive mechanism for drawing a puller member attached to the diaphragm away from the rigid member to create a space between the diaphragm and the rigid member and form a negative pressure region within that space, and an outlet communicating with the negative pressure region. In one embodiment, the pump provides a negative pressure in a single chamber which can be used to operate one or two breast shield assembles. In another embodiment, the pump is particularly adapted for double-pumping and provides two chambers which generate vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Medela, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Larry D. Annis
  • Patent number: 6202537
    Abstract: A horizontally opposed compressor having a crankshaft and an even number of diametrically opposed cylinders, each opposed cylinder having a piston and a single connecting rod cooperatively associated therewith, one of the connecting rods having a crankshaft bearing portion on one end and a wrist pin bearing portion on the other end, the other connecting rod having two spaced apart legs, each leg having a crankshaft bearing portion on one end, the other end of the legs coming together to form a wrist pin bearing portion and a wishbone shaped connecting rod, the spacing between the legs being sufficient to allow the crankshaft portion of the one connecting rod and the associated portion of the crankshaft to rotate between the legs so that the reciprocating mass forces associated with the opposed cylinders are generally equal and opposite and cancel each other to produce a smooth running compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Havran
  • Patent number: 6132177
    Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Loprete, Michael R Young, John W Tolbert, Jr., David T Monk, Philip C Wagner, Joe T Hill, Larry Pippin, Robert B. Peters
  • Patent number: 6105927
    Abstract: A low friction fluid motor has a diaphragm mounted in a shell to divide the shell into first and second chambers, a port means for connecting the second chamber to a pressure or vacuum source, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is connected to the diaphragm and includes an actuator member extending out of the shell through an aperture. The actuator is free of any seal member which is interposed between the actuator member and the shell and which functions to form a seal between the actuator member and the aperture in the shell. The aperture is oversized relative to the actuator member to allow free passage of the actuator member from the actuator assembly through the first chamber and out of the fluid motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Alex Zelczer, Ruth Zelczer
  • 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: 6053341
    Abstract: An extendible crane boom comprises a number of telescopic boom sections, which are each composed of a tube and a holder mounted at an outer end of the tube and serving as an attachment for a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which serves to displace the individual telescopic boom section out of or into an immediately preceding boom section so as to extend and shorten, respectively, the crane boom in its entirety. The cylinder part (7) of each hydraulic cylinder is connected to the holder via a coupling comprising a screw joint having several screws, and a pair of cooperating male and female members (11, 9), one of which has a part-spherical surface (18) which faces the other and which, when the screw joint is but loosely tightened, allows adjusting the cylinder part into a desired, correct working position in relation to the holder, in which position the screw joint (13) is finally tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Hiab AB
    Inventor: Lars Forsberg
  • Patent number: 6047629
    Abstract: In a hydraulic pump (P) comprising at least one piston pump element whose ston (11) is oriented towards an eccentric (E) of a drive shaft (2), and being equipped between the eccentric (E) and a bearing ring (R) rotatable on the eccentric (E) with an eccentric slide bearing (G) having a bearing bush (B) fixed in the bearing ring (R), the bearing bush (B) and the bearing ring (R) each have molded and locally meshing stop portions (A1, A2) which positively fix the bearing bush (B) in the bearing ring (R) in rotational and axial direction. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Heilmeier & Weinlein Fabrik Fur Oel-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Brunner, Georg Neumair, Gerhard Lorner
  • Patent number: 6032349
    Abstract: An alignment coupling and method of joining an extensible member of a linear actuator to an actuated member for moving a load utilize an enlarged coupler (A) carried by the extensible member within a receptacle in the actuated member formed by a transverse surface (B) and a longitudinal surface (C). A floating alignment is provided by a compressible resilient retaining member (D) permitting limited axial and radial adjustment of the extensible member. The receptacle has an open passageway for insertion of the coupler to facilitate assembly of the components thus providing a foreshortened alignment coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Compact Air Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie J. Wagner, Marvin Raymond Hart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6024542
    Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining a cavity, at least one bore, a bore inlet, and a bore outlet. The bore extends from the cavity to the outlet and the inlet communicates with the bore at a position between the cavity and the outlet. A crankshaft is mounted in supports and has an eccentric portion disposed in the cavity. The eccentric portion is coupled to a piston so that rotation of the crankshaft reciprocates the piston in the bore between a discharge position an intake position. The bore may be offset from an axis of rotation to reduce bending of the piston during crankshaft rotation. During assembly of the pump, separate parts of the housing can be connected together to facilitate installation of internal pumping components. Also disclosed is a method of reducing vapor lock by mixing vapor and liquid portions of a substance and introducing the mixture into a piston bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Phillips, Michael N. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6016737
    Abstract: The present invention is for a means for transmission of force whereby linear movement is transferred into rotating movement or reverse. The invention is primarily intended to be used by combustion engines. The invention is for a means to transmit force between a forward and backward movement and a rotating movement by means of a ballbearing which runs in several tracks comprising a ball which is surrounded by ballholder which is fixed onto a piston rod for each respective ball or corresponding device for transmission of the linear movement. Fixed connected to each piston (4,5) is a piston rod (6,7) which in its opposite end has a holding device (17,18) for the ball (15,16) through which the force from the forward and backward movement is transmitted to the rotating disc (13). The balls (15,16) also serve as bearing between the stationary disc (8) and the rotating disc (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Gul & Co Development AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Leijonberg
  • Patent number: 6007310
    Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient includes a first housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture covers the open end, and a pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. A drive shaft is attached to the pump shaft to drive it back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sarcos, LC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5988042
    Abstract: Internal bearings for a rodless piston assembly. The internal bearings are seated on inclined rail structures of a transmission bracket. Force applied to the internal bearings causes them to slide up the inclined rail structures and press against the inner surface of the rodless piston bore. As a result, a radially inward force is applied to the transmission bracket. This radially inward force is transmitted to a saddle and external bearing assembly. The internal bearings thus hold the saddle against the outer surface of the rodless piston cylinder. Piston elements for rodless piston assemblies are movably coupled to the transmission brackets so that the piston elements float with respect to the transmission bracket. The floating piston elements can self-align with the rodless piston bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Lamle
  • Patent number: 5974943
    Abstract: A fluid valve system is provided for a variable stroke motor. The valve has a housing forming a cylinder, a first fluid input into the cylinder, a first fluid output out of the cylinder, a second fluid input into the cylinder, and a second fluid output out of the cylinder. Provided within the cylinder is a shaft provided with slots. As the shaft rotates into a first position, fluid communication between the first fluid input and the first fluid output is shut off, while fluid communication between the second fluid input and second fluid output is opened. As the shaft rotates to a second position, communication between the first fluid input and first fluid output is opened, while the communication between the second fluid input and the second fluid output is shut off. The device is preferably hooked up to a drive cylinder in fluid communication with the first fluid output and the second fluid input. A piston is provided within the drive cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Patent number: 5938416
    Abstract: A liquid transfer pump includes a housing having an inner space, a cross head disposed in the inner space of the housing and attached to a driving mechanism to reciprocate inside the housing, a plunger attached to and held by a plunger holder of the cross head, and a pump head situated near the cross head. The pump head includes a pump chamber with an inlet path and an outlet path, and the plunger is disposed in the pump chamber to be reciprocated therein together with the cross head. A resilient O-ring is disposed in the plunger holder, and a plunger seal is disposed in the pump head, wherein one side of the plunger is engaged with and held by the resilient O-ring and the other side of the plunger is engaged with and held by the plunger seal. Accordingly, the plunger can be flexibly supported by the O-ring and the plunger seal. The plunger seal can be used for a long time without leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Saito, Katsuaki Kaito
  • Patent number: 5906353
    Abstract: A toggle valve includes a valve stem which moves a valve body towards and away from a valve seat, an operation member separate from the valve stem, valve stem rollers which are supported by the valve stem and which have shafts whose axes extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the sliding movement of the valve stem without intersecting the same, a tapered surface provided on the end of the operation member adjacent to the valve stem, and intermediate rollers which are provided between the tapered surface of the operation member and the valve stem rollers to come into contact with the tapered surface and the valve stem rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Someya, Takashi Ejiri
  • Patent number: 5809864
    Abstract: An opposed piston engine (10) comprising upper (12) and lower (14) cylinders and opposed pairs of pistons (16, 18) slidable therein and interconnected by rocker pivots (24, 26). A crankshaft (56) coupled to the rocker pivots (24, 26) constrains the movement of the pistons (16, 18) and is disposed with the crankshaft axis (58) intersecting the axis (44) of one of the cylinders (12, 14), whereby the geometry of the engine (10) is significantly changed thereby reducing torsional vibration and enabling a two stroke diesel version of the engine to be used as a power source for an aircraft propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: JMA Propulsion Ltd.
    Inventor: John Ashton
  • Patent number: 5811676
    Abstract: A fluid meter assembly in which a housing is provided that has two enclosures formed therein. At least one cylinder is formed in each enclosure and receives a piston. Fluid is admitted into each cylinder to drive its piston and pass the fluid through a corresponding outlet in the corresponding enclosure to enable the fluid flow to be metered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Spalding, Ken Taylor
  • Patent number: 5762480
    Abstract: A reciprocating machine converts linear motion to rotary motion or vice-versa and is associated with a supply of working fluid, and includes rotational power apparatus having a rotational motion transfer member; a cylinder defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end at which are located working fluid input and output apparatus, and further having a second end; a piston located within the cylinder and arranged for linear, reciprocating travel along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends; a connecting rod having a first end connected to the piston, and further having a second end portion; and linkage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Carmeli Adahan
  • Patent number: 5707217
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improved pressure transfer module having, in one embodiment, two double-diaphragm pumps each having its diaphragms connected to one another by a respective drive shaft for reciprocating motion. Spool valve assemblies are mounted directly on the connecting shafts of each pump and arranged to maintain the operation of the two diaphragms of the pumps 90.degree. out of phase in that each such assembly constitutes pressurized water control valves for the other pump. The two pumps are mounted with the drive shafts at 90.degree. to one another, and arranged to pump in sequence so that a complete pumping cycle comprises four pumping strokes, one every 90.degree.. To insure reversal of motion of the shafts in proper phase, the invention includes either two, meshed square cams and cam surfaces formed on respective shafts connecting the pumping surfaces, or a floating crankshaft with each end pivoted in one of the connecting shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Vaughn Thermal Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert H. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 5686663
    Abstract: A fluid meter in which a crankcase and two axially-aligned cylinders are defined in a housing. A crankshaft is disposed in the crankcase and two pistons are respectively mounted in the cylinders for reciprocal movement. Two connecting rods respectively connect the pistons to the crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft in response to the movement of the pistons. A portion of each of the connecting rods engage the other connecting rod to support and guide the connecting rods during the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert George Spalding
  • Patent number: 5676037
    Abstract: An apparatus for mutual conversion between circular motion and reciprocal motion includes a lever member which is rotatably mounted on a line connecting a rotational center and a circumference of a rotary disk, the lever member having a fulcrum, an action point and a force point, and being provided with a first regulator serving as an action point regulator and a second regulator serving as a movable fulcrum regulator. The first regulator is coupled to a reciprocating body. The movable fulcrum regulator has support members for supporting the fulcrum point and the first regulator has support members for supporting the action point in a longitudinal direction of the lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Yoshiki Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 5648606
    Abstract: A fluid meter is disclosed which comprises a body having a crankcase portion and two axially-aligned cylinder portions. The first and second cylinder portions each have an inner end in fluid communication with the crankcase portion, and respective first and second head ends opposing the inner ends. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted in the crankcase portion and includes two crank pins radially offset from the crankshaft and angularly spaced sixty degrees apart. Pistons are reciprocally mounted in the cylinder portions and are drivingly connected to the crank pins so that rotation of the crankshaft is effected by reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders. First, second, and third ports are provided having fluid communication with the respective first head end, the second head end, and the crankcase portion. A rotary valve is provided having inlet and outlet ports arranged to sequentially register with the first, second, and third ports when the crankshaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Dresser Industries
    Inventor: Robert G. Spalding
  • Patent number: 5647267
    Abstract: A slider of a closed-type compressor in which friction and abrasion of an inside circumferential surface of a slider shell and an outside circumferential surface of the slider can be reduced by forming a circular arc at both portions where the outside circumferential surface of the slider contacts the inside circumferential surface of the slider shell. The slider of the closed-type compressor has a circular arc portion at the inside portion of both ends of the outside circumferential surface of the slider and both outside portions of a central groove of the slider, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dhong-Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 5626054
    Abstract: Device for absorbing lateral forces generated as a result of a linearly reciprocating pin causing rotation of a scotch yoke, the device including a guide block guided along a guide rod, the guide block carrying a yoke engaging pin as well as having opposed connector-receiving cavities; connectors linking each cavity with opposed rod members, each connector having opposed curved surfaces and one or more flats intermediate adjacent such surfaces, the guide block positioning a plurality of annular members each having an arcuate surface slidably receiving one such curved surface, said block also including a locking device for engagement with each connector flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Bettis Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Rembert, Robert W. Milner
  • Patent number: 5557934
    Abstract: A stirling engine or an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders, each having a moveable piston which is coupled to a drive shaft to drive a load. The engine load coupling also includes a set of Class 1 elliptical gears of the first type which means each gear rotates about one of its focal points. The load and the engine are efficiently operated as a result of the operation of the coupling arrangement. In apparatus employing a Stirling engine, apparatus and engine efficiencies are enhanced through elliptical gear operation which enables the Stirling engine to operate very closely to the idealized Stirling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Epoch Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene H. Beach
  • Patent number: 5535709
    Abstract: An apparatus for mutual conversion between circular motion and reciprocal motion includes a lever member which is rotatably mounted on a line connecting a rotational center and a circumference of a rotary disk, the lever member having a fulcrum, an action point and a force point, and being provided with a first regulator serving as an action point regulator and a second regulator serving as a movable fulcrum regulator. The first regulator is coupled to a reciprocating body. The movable fulcrum regulator has support members for supporting the fulcrum point and the first regulator has support members for supporting the action point in a longitudinal direction of the lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Yoshiki Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 5528978
    Abstract: A hydromechanical drive assembly having a hydrostatic axial piston motor with a housing and a swash plate and a cylindrical drum located in the housing. A transmission having a housing is located downstream of and coaxial with the axial piston motor and a planetary gear is located in the transmission. A transmission-side driven shaft extends out of each end of the drive assembly. The cylindrical drum and the driven shaft have the same axis of rotation. Spring-actuated hydraulically releasable devices are located in the housing to non-rotatably connect the cylindrical drum of the axial piston motor directly to a ring gear which is non-rotatably connected to the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: 5516075
    Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining a fluid cannel openable and closable with a reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing upwardly and downwardly movably, a drive device for moving the rod upward and downward, and a transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting a force acting on the rod to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5485777
    Abstract: An abrasion preventing device for a hermetic reciprocating compressor. The device releases the impact generated between the slider and the shell of the compressor, thus to prevent possible abrasion of the contact part between the slider and the shell as well as abrasion of the piston. The device comprises a cylinder and a piston received and reciprocating in the cylinder, an end of the piston having a coupling projection. A shell, which is coupled to the piston, has a coupling projection. A bolt and nuts are used for coupling the piston to the shell by coupling the projections of both the piston and the shell to each other. A spring is provided on a coupling portion between the piston and the shell for absorbing the impact caused by striking of a slider on the shell during an operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 5479846
    Abstract: The compressor includes a cylindrical housing (1), in the bore of which moves a piston (3) whose periphery is adjusted with little play in the cylinder (1). The end (5) of the piston (3) includes a gas inlet (6) and supports two spherical joints (7) as well as connecting rods (8,8') which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the piston (3). The connecting rods (8,8') pass with play through a transverse wall (11) of the housing (1) and are driven by a mechanical member (13), which includes a mobile component (14) having a rectilinear reciprocating movement, and by a compensator (15). The connecting rods (8,8') are connected to the compensator (15) by means of ball joints (16, 16') and the compensator (15) is connected by a ball sorbet joint (17) to the mobile component (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Seref
    Inventor: Claude Trapp
  • Patent number: 5465648
    Abstract: A cylinder having a piston assembly capable of stopping once when having moved up and down every time including a housing having a cavity, a gear ring fixedly within the cavity of the housing, a main crankshaft fitted within the cavity of the housing and provided with an eccentric recess, a gear meshed with said gear ring, an auxiliary crankshaft including an upper axle and a lower axle, the upper axle being connected with a piston assembly via connecting rod and having a center tangent to a pitch circle of the gear, the lower axle being pivotally connected with the eccentric recess of the main crankshaft, the gear meshed with the gear ring and fixedly mounted on the lower axle of the auxiliary crankshaft and having gear ratio of 2:3 to the gear ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Chiou C. Cy
  • Patent number: 5435232
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston (2) without any skirt is stabilized throughout its reciprocating motion by two or more connecting rods (4) connected between parallel spaced apart small ends (10) and parallel spaced apart crankshafts (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Ian R. Hammerton
  • Patent number: 5413031
    Abstract: A linear device includes a housing supporting a central hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and a pair of support shafts on either side of the central cylinder. The cylinder includes a longitudinally-moveable piston rod which is attached at its distal end to a tooling plate. An alignment coupler is received within a cavity in the tooling plate, and interconnects the cylinder piston rod and the tooling plate. The alignment coupler includes an annular bearing pad with an inner planar surface disposed adjacent an inner endwall of the cavity, and an outer convex curved surface facing away from the inner endwall. A T-shaped operating rod is disposed within the cavity having an annular shoulder flange with a concave curved inner surface adjacent to the curved surface of the bearing pad, and a convex curved outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Kohlmeyer
  • Patent number: 5370039
    Abstract: A short travel pneumatic cylinder device for transmitting a high force, comprising a cylinder housing having a cylindrical bore for guiding of the piston and of the piston rod, two pistons which upon generation of an overatmospheric pressure between the pistons will move in opposite direction, and further comprising a mechanical lever system with a housing cover. The first of the pistons is connected with the piston rod, and the second of the two pistons is arranged coaxially relative to the first piston, is hollow, and is movable coaxially relative to the piston rod. The first of the two pistons is connected to the lever system at the side of the interior of the cylinder opposite to the second of the two pistons. The pressure force exerted by the second piston is transmitted to the piston rod via the lever system in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Franz Kirsching
  • Patent number: 5359908
    Abstract: This system for reversibly transforming rotary motion into self-guided rectilinear motion has the characteristic of being achieved by symmetrically coupling at least two connecting rod-crank (108A, 108B, 107A, 107B) mechanisms, which are mutually associated by the pivots (111) of their connecting rod small ends (110) and by the engagement of identical toothed wheels (112A, 112B) fixed symmetrically into the two specific cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Rolando Poeta