Abstract: A control actuator for a turbocharger comprises a diaphragm-displaced actuator rod projecting outwardly from an actuator housing through a seal permitting axial and angular rod movement for variably positioning a turbocharger wastegate valve.

Abstract: A valve having a flexible diaphragm for opening and closing the valve. The diaphragm is biased into valve-closing position by a ridge, formed in the valve body, which presses the diaphragm toward the valve seat. A rigid backup washer is secured to the diaphragm solely by an elastomeric type adhesive. A bleed hole in the diaphragm establishes communication between the valve inlet port and a chamber on the side of the diaphragm opposite the valve seat. The bleed hole is in the margin of the diaphragm which is sandwiched between two portions of the valve body.

Abstract: A floating seal fluidic device is disclosed comprised of a housing, a connector which has a nozzle extending through the housing and which forms a clearance with the housing, a diaphragm stretched around the circumference of the connector and having a bead which lies within the clearance wherein the connector, the housing and the bead are so dimensioned that, without fluid being supplied to the nozzle, the bead within the clearance is floating and that, with fluid being supplied to the nozzle, the bead is forced into the clearance between the connector and the housing to provide the seal.

Abstract: A three-position actuator comprising a casing having a diaphragm dividing the casing into separate pressure chambers, an actuating rod connected to said diaphragm and resilient means urging said diaphragm in one direction. One of the resilient means comprise a movable spring seat with a compression spring interposed between the seat and a plate connected to the diaphragm. The seat and plate are in turn interconnected by a single flat connector strap limiting separation between the plate and diaphragm to an amount approximately one-half the total travel of the diaphragm. In one embodiment of the invention the spring seat is connected to a separate diaphragm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only a single diaphragm is employed and the spring seat floats in the casing, with its separation from the diaphragm limited by the connector strap.

Abstract: A high pressure diaphragm for use with an electroexpansive material utilizes a generally planar central member, a generally outer flange-engaging member, and an annular ring member, which can have a frusto-conical shape, having its outer edge flexibly connected to the inner edge of the flange-engaging member and with its inner edge flexibly connected to the outer edge of the central member. The flexible connection includes a bridge member having a thickness less than the thickness of the annular ring member and maybe fabricated integrally with said annular ring member and with the central and flange-engaging members. In one embodiment the high pressure diaphgram is pre-loaded so that during movement no portion of the flexible connectors are in tension.

Abstract: A piston is disclosed which is particularly adapted for multi-stage operation in a combined air and spring-loaded brake cylinder. The piston is formed of a resilient or elastic material such as spring steel, a synthetic resin or hard rubber and has a central portion of a reduced wall strength with respect to the surrounding peripheral portion of the piston. The central portion is thus capable of elastic deformation when subjected to a force exceeding a predetermined level. The reduced strength relationship of the central portion may be achieved by a reduced wall thickness, or by the use of radially extending slots. The piston thus has a differential deformability when a pressure is applied thereto such that the entire piston can be shifted as a unit until abutting a stop structure on the housing of the brake cylinder. The central portion of the piston can then be additionally displaced if an increased pressure or force is applied to the central portion.

Abstract: In a reciprocating pump, notably a metering pump, of the reciprocating type in which the pumping member, diaphragm or piston, is actuated by means of a slide block responsive to a rotating eccentric member, a ball is interposed between an adjustment screw controlling the length of the slide block stroke and the slide block. For this purpose, the ball engages an inclined surface formed in a hollow of the slide block. Preferably, the screw is magnetized and constantly attracts the ball to avoid movements of the ball in relation to the slide block and therefore any premature wear and tear of these members. The inclined surface may have a shape matching that of the ball.

Abstract: A fluid motor or vacuum break for use with the carburetor of an internal combustion engine in which an output plunger of the motor moves in two stages and at different rates in each of the stages through means of an auxiliary housing supported within the main housing. Upon admission of vacuum pressure to the primary housing and output plunger moves in a first stage at the end of which vacuum pressure is admitted to the auxiliary housing causing it to collapse and move the plunger in a second stage.

Abstract: A vacuum operated device is provided with a first vacuum chamber defined by a part of a casing and a first diaphragm; a second vacuum chamber defined by the first diaphragm, another part of the casing, and a second diaphragm; and a rod. The first vacuum chamber communicates with a vacuum source and the second vacuum chamber also communicates with the vacuum source through a changeover valve by which the second vacuum chamber is subjected to the vacuum from the vacuum source or to atmospheric pressure. The rod is secured to the first and second diaphragms at the central portions thereof thereby being axially movable according to the movement of the first and second diaphragms.

Abstract: A vacuum motor suitable for actuating a carburetor choke valve has primary and secondary stages responsive to separate vacuum signals. The secondary stage is carried by the primary stage and has a valve which opens upon full retraction of the primary stage to permit application of a vacuum signal to the secondary stage.

Abstract: A diaphragm arranged in a rigid casing to define therein a chamber to be filled with a mass of gaseous spring medium and another chamber to be held under oil pressure load is normally bulged into the oil chamber and formed on both surfaces thereof with dense clusters of elastic piles or projections which are compressed against each other only when the diaphragm is displaced from its neutral position to the load side as the load is reduced. Such displacement of the diaphragm is resisted by the elastic projections so as to increase the spring constant of the device in the lower load region and, with the device, used as a spring for automotive suspension, the pitching and rolling movements of the vehicle body are minimized.

Abstract: A pump comprises a tubular resilient pump element alternately extended and relaxed for longitudinal deformation and reinforced by means of filaments arranged in helices, preferably with different helices of opposite hands present, whose pitch angle is other than arccot .sqroot.2 so longitudinal deformation will result in volumetric changes. Inlet and outlet valves ensure unidirectional flow through the pump element.To smooth out flow a similarly constructed accumulator element, whose reinforcement pitch angle is chosen with a value such that the pump and accumulator pitch angles are on opposite sides of arccot .sqroot.

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 sensor particularly well suited for use in the monitoring of hydraulic pressure. The sensor includes a deformable membrane mechanically coupled to an electrical switch. The membrane is mounted within a chamber in a manner which permits free radial displacement of the edge of the membrane and which also permits the axial position and shape of the membrane to be varied during assembly of the device.