Abstract: A brake booster includes a body having a central wall portion on which a, doughnut-shaped reinforcement plate is securely mounted, and bolts mounted on the reinforcement plate for fastening a master cylinder to the central wall portion. The reinforcement plate has an annular ridge extending along an inner peripheral edge thereof and projecting against the reinforcement plate. The master cylinder includes a flange mounted on the body and having an inner peripheral portion held against the central wall portion of the body in axial alignment with the annular ridge, and an outer peripheral portion spaced from the central wall portion by a distance such that the outer peripheral portion of the flange will not be forced into contact with the central wall portion when the master cylinder is actuated for braking action. Therefore, no localized forces are applied by the outer peripheral portion of the flange to the central wall portion of the body.

Abstract: A brake booster for automotive vehicles comprises a low-pressure casing sealingly subdivided into a low-pressure chamber and a working chamber by an axially movable wall. The two transverse end walls of the low-pressure casing are interconnected by a central reinforcement tube integrally formed with a master cylinder. The actuating piston of the master cylinder is connected to a guide piston which is guided in the reinforcement tube and which receives a rubber-elastic reaction disc in an end thereof remote from the master cylinder. A control valve casing is axially movable in the reinforcement tube, bears axially against the reaction disc and is connected to the movable wall by radial ribs extending radially through longitudinal slots in the reinforcement tube. The radial ribs are connected to a ring which encompasses the reinforcement tube and which is secured in a bowl-shaped hub member of the movable wall.

Abstract: A fluid pressure servomotor for automotive vehicle brakes embodying a housing provided by assembling two shells, a pressure responsive power wall in the housing, a valve mechanism associated with the power wall and being movable relative thereto to control the differential pressure across the power wall, an actuating member connecting the pedal for manually moving the valve mechanism, and an output member for connecting the power wall to a brake master piston. The shells are assembled by being locked together and can be disassembled and reassembled due to the provision of a mechanism for resiliently restoring a yieldable portion in a locking structure so that the shells are reassembled by a uniting axial movement and a subsequent rotative movement to lock the shells with each other in position against such resiliency.

Abstract: A vacuum type brake booster device is provided which comprises a booster shell of substantially elliptical shape in transverse cross section, a booster piston of similar shape as the booster shell and accommodated therein for axial reciprocating movement, and a diaphragm secured about the outer periphery thereof to the booster shell and about the inner periphery to the booster piston to divide the interior of the booster shell into a first working chamber in communication with a vacuum source and a second working chamber adapted to be selectively placed in communication with the first working chamber or the atmosphere by a switching valve. The diaphragm is also shaped substantially elliptically in transverse cross section, and includes a pair of opposite straight peripheral wall sections and a pair of opposite arcuate peripheral wall sections interconnecting the straight wall sections; the arcuate wall sections have a wall thickness greater than that of the straight wall sections.

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

Abstract: A vacuum type brake booster device comprising a booster shell, a booster piston accommodated in the booster shell, a piston diaphragm working together with the booster piston for dividing the booster shell into front and rear working chambers, and tie rods extending through the piston and the diaphragm for connection of the front and rear walls of the booster shell. The piston diaphragm is provided with reasonably arranged reinforcing beads integrally formed projected therewith for increasing the tensile rigidity of the diaphragm. Accordingly, the thrust force produced by the pressure difference between both the working chambers can be effectively transmitted from the piston diaphragm to the booster piston.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic temperature control system for automobiles and improved components thereof. The control system operates on the proportional stroke principle and comprises an in-car air sensing tube biased with ambient air; a sensor in an aspirator at the end of the tube; a moving pivot operated directly by the output of the sensor; and a feedback valve operated by the moving pivot for driving a vacuum-assist motor, the output stroke of which operates the various electrical and vacuum functions of the heater-air conditioning system.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller comprises a casing and includes a valve that is actuatable by either a diaphragm or a piston. Diaphragm actuation is provided by a diaphragm held by a retainer, the retainer being axially moveable within the casing in response to fluid pressure on the diaphragm. Piston actuation is provided by (i) the retainer and (ii) sealing means at the periphery of the retainer for providing fluid tight engagement between the casing and the retainer. With either diaphragm or piston actuation, even if the diaphragm ruptures, substantially no fluid can bypass the retainer, and the flow controller continues to function. A relief valve prevents rupture of the diaphragm if the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined valve.

Abstract: In order to reduce the forces transmitted by the reaction device of a vacuum brake booster, there is provided a first booster piston directly connected to the booster's output member and a second booster piston of smaller size acting solely on the reaction device. Both booster pistons are controlled by a control valve carried by the second booster piston. The second booster piston is arranged inside an internal cylindrical sleeve penetrating the first booster piston and interconnecting the transverse end walls of the booster housing.

Abstract: The vacuum brake boosters used today require a relatively heavy vacuum housing to gain the necessary stiffness for transmitting the mechanical actuating force. According to the present invention draw bars extend from one housing wall to the other parallel to the push rod and penetrating the vacuum piston in a sealed manner to receive the mechanical force. Thus, the vacuum housing does not receive the mechanical force and as a result can be constructed of lighter material. The movable sealing means provided between the vacuum piston and the draw-bars are in the form of small rolling diaphragms.

Abstract: Air pressure servomotor including front shell and rear shell coupled to said front shell so as to construct a housing, a diaphragm disposed in the housing, a piston plate located adjacent the diaphragm, input rod and output rod. The front and rear shells hold a cylinder structure which extends axially from the wall of the front shell to the wall of the rear shell and supports the shells axially, and which has slits running from the forward end to the intermediate portion thereof. A valve having a valve mechanism is slidably disposed in the cylinder structure and having a valve mechanism. Said input rod is connected to the foot pedal and the output rod is connected to the master cylinder. And when the foot pedal is operated to actuate the input rod, the action of the input rod is amplified by the operation of the valve mechanism and the piston plate and transmitted to the output rod therethrough, and then the master cylinder is actuated.

Abstract: A vacuum type brake booster device comprising a booster shell divided into front and rear halves, a booster piston accommodated in the booster shell, and tie rods extending through the booster piston for connection of the front and rear halves. The tie rod is firmly held upright at a prescribed position on the rear half wall by the combined action of a mounting support on the rear half wall, a stepped tie rod flange, an elastic sealing member disposed in said mounting support between the rear half wall and the stepped flange, a retainer ring inside the mounting support. Accordingly, the tie rod thus firmly secured to the rear half is readily aligned with and pass through a through hole in the front half to expedite the assembly of the front and rear halves and, in addition, use of the elastic sealing member contributes to the simplification of the construction.

Abstract: To provide a space inside the housing of a brake booster for installation of an end portion of a master brake cylinder, the hub member of the booster piston (movable wall) comprising an axial sleeve adapted to embrace an end portion of the master cylinder in the actuated position of the booster and a valve housing extending out of the booster casing opposite to the master cylinder and guided therein, the valve housing including internal longitudinal channels extending from its outer end to a chamber which surrounds the valve housing and leads to the working chamber of the brake booster.

Abstract: A small, accurate, reliable and economical pump which is particularly useful in intravenous (IV) feeding includes a disposable pump chamber and a pump housing. The disposable pump chamber has an inlet, an outlet, and first and second flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chambers. First and second cylinders in the pump housing are positioned to eceive the first and second flexible rolling diaphragms of the disposable pump chamber. First and second pistons are movable in the first and second cylinders, respectively. In addition, first and second valves are provided in the pump housing. The first valve controls fluid flow between the inlet and the first flexible rolling diaphragm pump chamber, while the second valve controls fluid flow between the first flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chamber and the second flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chamber. A motor and cam shaft drive the first and second pistons and the first and second valves.

Abstract: During assembly of a brake booster employed in a hydraulic brake system of an automotive vehicle, the two casing shells of the booster are moved relative to each other by compressing the elastic seal disposed between the two casing shells an amount until a predetermined distance is achieved between the surface at one casing shell used to mount a master cylinder on the booster and the force-transmitting end of the push rod of the booster. In this position, the two casing shells are then operatively connected to each other to maintain the predetermined distance. This method of assembly and the arrangement for implementing the method simplifies the manufacturing of a brake booster.

Abstract: To reduce the manufacturing costs of a vacuum brake booster, there is provided a holding member radially inserted into the control casing of the control piston, the holding member attaching the movable wall (booster piston) to the control casing and at the same time providing an axial stop for the control piston in the release direction of the booster. To reduce the axial length of the brake booster, the holding member is disposed within the air channel leading into the working chamber.

Abstract: A fluid operated pintle assembly for rotatively supporting a reel where clearance is provided between the walls of a pintle carrying piston and its cylinder and an annular diaphragm extends across the piston and cylinder in sealing engagement and extends down into the clearance.

Abstract: A brake booster for automotive vehicles includes a low-pressure casing which is sealingly subdivided into a low-pressure chamber and a working chamber by an axially movable wall. The low-pressure chamber includes a casing port adjacent the low-pressure chamber and a portion of the splashboard of the automotive vehicle to which the casing part adjacent the low-pressure chamber is secured at an outer annular sealing surface of the portion of the splashboard in a sealed relationship thereto. Located at the portion of the splashboard is an inner annular sealing surface to which the end of a central reinforcement tube for the low-pressure casing adjacent the working chamber is sealingly connected.

Abstract: A brake booster for automotive vehicles comprises a low-pressure casing which is sealingly subdivided into a low pressure chamber and a working chamber by an axially movable wall. Axially movable wall includes a flexible diaphragm abutting a diaphragm plate. The diaphragm plate extends with radial ribs through wide longitudinal slots of a central reinforcement tube of the low-pressure casing and transmits the boosting force from the diaphragm plate to a centrally located control valve housing. A sliding element axially slidable together with the movable wall is guided at the axially extending rims of each of the longitudinal slots and overlaps the rims of the associated one of the longitudinal slots adjacent the working chamber. A rolling diaphragm of the movable wall disposed between the diaphragm plate and the reinforcement tube, rolls over the sliding element upon the boosting force movement, the sliding element bridging the longitudinal slot at this point.

Abstract: A vacuum actuated type booster device for assisting master cylinder of automobile braking system. The device has a booster shell, a booster piston reciprocatably received by the booster shell, a diaphragm connected at the inner peripheral portion thereof to the rear side of a disc portion of the booster piston and at the outer peripheral portion thereof to the peripheral wall of the booster shell, a first and a second working chambers defined in the booster shell by the booster piston and diaphragm, a vacuum source with which the first and the second working chambers are normally communicated and an input rod slidably mounted in the booster piston. The second working chamber solely is brought into communication with the atmosphere as the input rod is moved forwardly so that the booster piston is driven forwardly by the pressure differential between the first and the second working chambers.

Abstract: The pilot operated valve assembly includes a flexible diaphragm (A) which selectively engages a valve seat (B) to open and close a fluid passage through the valve. The diaphragm has a plurality of filtering apertures 20 and an inward peripheral attaching projection 80. A diaphragm insert (C) is frictionally received in the diaphragm. The diaphragm insert has a pilot supply aperture 74 in fluid communication with a peripheral recess 76 extending inward from a peripheral edge. The diaphragm filtering apertures 20 are disposed in fluid communication with the peripheral recess 76 and the pilot supply aperture 74. The insert peripheral edge has a peripheral valley 82 for receiving the peripheral projection 80 of the diaphragm. The insert has a pilot outlet aperture 66 which is selectively opened and closed by an armature assembly (D). A guide shell (E) aligns the armature assembly (D) with the pilot outlet aperture 66 and defines a pilot reservoir with the diaphragm (A).

Abstract: A tandem brake booster (10) having a housing (12) with a cavity therein divided by a first wall (24) and a second wall (28) into first, second and third chambers (20, 26 and 30). The first and second chambers (20, 26) are connected to each other through a control valve (62) and the first and third chambers (20, 30) are connected to each other by a conduit (38). The second wall (28) is connected to the first wall through lever arrangements (100 and 102). When the first chamber (20) is connected to a source of vacuum, air is evacuated from the first, second and third chambers (20, 26 and 30). In response to an input force, the control valve (62) interrupts communication of vacuum to the second chamber (26) and allows air to be communicated to the second chamber (26). With air in chamber (26) and vacuum in the first and third chambers (20 and 30 ) a pressure differential is created across walls (24 and 28).

Abstract: A rolling lobe airspring of the type embodying a tubular flexible member of substantially uniform thickness throughout its length and circumference includes a modified piston. The piston includes a recess near its end which is secured to the flexible member. The end of the flexible member lies in the piston recess. A method of assembly of such an airspring is also described.

Abstract: In a servo booster for a vehicle braking system, of the kind having a tie rod for relieving the booster housing of braking reaction forces which extends through the movable wall(s) of the booster, the movable wall is sealingly connected to a wall of the housing by a bellows located substantially coaxially about the tie rod. The bellows has at least one integral reinforcing rib which completely encircles the tie rod. The rib resists ballooning of the bellows and also guides the bellows along the tie rod. In the case of a tandem booster having a stationary partition wall between a pair of movable walls, the interior of a bellows connecting the rear movable wall to the partition wall provides fluid communication between the chambers bounded by the rears of the movable walls. Fluid communication between the other two chambers is provided via a tubular member integral with the front movable wall and extending sealingly through the partition wall.

Abstract: A fluid circulating system including a pump and an accumulator-reservoir device of the bootstrap type in which operation of the pump energizes the device to maintain a pressurized system despite an increasing fluid density caused by lowering fluid temperatures. A light spring force is applied which establishes a minimal system pressure effective even when the pump is shut off and which maintains in its proper convolution a rolling diaphragm comprised in the accumulator-reservoir device.

Abstract: A method of fastening a first shell to a second shell to form a housing. The first shell which has a radial wall with a projection adjacent its peripheral surface is positioned in a fixture. A bead on a diaphragm assembly is located in a groove in the projection. The opened end of an annular wall on the second shell is placed around the bead and peripheral surface. The second shell is moved toward the first shell until the peripheral surface contacts a stop on the second shell. Thereafter, the opened end of the second shell is crimped into engagement with the radial wall to hold the peripheral surface in engagement with the stop. The fixture is rotated while a tool is brought into contact with the annular wall. The tool deforms the wall by creating a rib that radially compresses the bead into the groove and seals the housing.

Abstract: The vacuum casing of vacuum brake boosters is conventionally made of sheet steel. The vacuum casing is subjected to pneumatic and mechanical forces absorbed by the casing parts. Accordingly, the casing parts must be suitably strong, which results in added costs and added weight. To eliminate these and other disadvantages, there is disclosed a vacuum brake booster comprising at least two bolts extending through the vacuum casing parallel to the master cylinder push rod connected to the end walls of the casing and through at least one movable wall in the casing. The movable wall is slidably disposed on the bolts by means of slide seats.

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

Abstract: Known vacuum brake boosters are provided with a heavy sheet metal vacuum housing for transmitting reaction forces of the mechanical actuation to the booster carrier plate secured to a vehicle. According to the present invention the weight of the booster is remarkably reduced by providing draw bars for transmitting the reaction forces to the carrier plate inside the vacuum housing parallel to the push rod, penetrating the vacuum piston or movable wall and connecting both transverse end walls of the vacuum housing to the carrier plate. The draw bars are sealed at their point of penetration of the vacuum piston by small rolling membranes which are surrounded by tubular members fastened to the vacuum piston. A base plate assembly is provided including a base plate fastened to the transverse end wall of the vacuum housing adjacent the master cylinder, bolts fastened to one side of the base plate upon which the master cylinder is fastened and the draw bars are fastened to the other side of the base plate.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure responsive valve assembly includes a housing, a diaphragm piston including a diaphragm member and a piston member, the diaphragm member having an outer periphery secured to the housing and an inner periphery secured to the piston member, two pneumatic chambers defined by the diaphragm piston within the housing, one of the chambers selectively receiving both of the fluid pressures which are higher and lower than those within the other of the chambers, the diaphragm member having a curvature which expands towards either of the chambers, an expanding portion formed on either of the housing or the piston member and corresponding to the configuration of the curvature of the diaphragm member to thereby prevent the curvature of the diaphragm member from turning over, and a valve member for cooperation with movement of the piston member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rolling diaphragm apparatus in which an annular diaphragm is secured by its outer and inner peripheries respectively to a housing and a piston between which the diaphragm seals against fluid leakage. One of said peripheries is formed as a bead which locates in an annular seat on the part to which said one periphery is attached, the bead being retained on its seat by a resilient retaining ring that snaps into position on the seat part. The bead has a substantially radially directed face and a substantially axially directed face, both of said faces engaging with corresponding faces on the retaining ring which snaps into positive engagement with the seat part.Such a construction is particularly useful in vacuum boosters for motor vehicle braking systems.

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

Abstract: A vacuum power servo booster including a disc-shaped inner shell and a cup-shaped outer shell with a diaphragm secured between the two shells. A radially opening annular groove is formed in peripheral portions of the inner shell by a first annularly bent portion bulging radially inwardly and a second annularly bent portion oriented along the axial direction of the booster. The outer shell includes rectangular recesses into which extend inwardly at the open faces.

Abstract: A servo booster including a piston plate for receiving a differential pressure produced across two chambers which are defined in a shell casing, a cylindrical valve body having a valve mechanism therein for controlling the pressure across the two chambers, an aperture and a head portion formed respectively at the center portion of the piston plate and at an end portion of the valve body and being engageable with each other at a predetermined angular position, and the relative movement of the valve body and the piston plate in the direction of the axis of the servo booster being prevented by rotating the head portion through a predetermined angle in the aperture, wherein the improvement comprises a rotation preventing member rigidly mounted on the piston plate and having one portion thereof in fitting engagement with the valve body to prevent the relative rotation of the valve body and the piston plate.

Abstract: A working cylinder for pneumatic or hydraulic pressure media for producing a rectilinear operating movement. The working cylinder has at least one operating chamber which receives the pressure medium and includes one stationary rigid housing part which preferably has the medium feed inlet thereon and a movable rigid piston part, both of which are interconnected pressure-tight by an elastically deformable envelope device and are guided together. The envelope device is constructed as a rolling-bellow diaphragm and is substantially closed all around and defines the operating chamber which receives the pressure medium.

Abstract: In order to reduce the distortion of a servo booster housing in use the booster is provided with one or more ties which extend through the movable wall for transmitting reaction forces directly from the master cylinder housing to the vehicle bulkhead between which the booster is mounted. This enables a housing of lighter weight, such as a plastics housing, to be employed, and an overall saving in weight may be achieved. The front or rear housing wall, or both, is provided with a sleeve which encases part of the tie within the housing. The sleeve may perform various functions: it may be keyed to the tie to resist turning of the tie, it may be arranged to support a rolling diaphragm sealing the tie to the movable wall, and its free end may locate a peripheral bead on the rolling diaphragm.

Abstract: In order to reduce the distortion of a servo booster bousing in use the booster is provided with one or more ties which extend through the movable wall for transmitting reaction forces directly from the master cylinder housing to the vehicle bulkhead. This enables a housing of lighter weight to be employed, and an overall saving in weight to be achieved. A diaphragm support plate of the movable wall is sealed to the tie by a rolling diaphragm, and the support plate is provided with a tubular extension co-axial with the tie.

Abstract: In order to reduce the distortion of a servo booster housing in use the booster is provided with one or more force transmitting means which extend through the movable wall for transmitting reaction forces directly from the master cylinder housing to the vehicle bulkhead between which the booster is mounted. This enables a housing of lighter weight to be employed, and an overall saving in weight may be achieved.

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 vacuum booster device having a diaphragm the inner peripheral portion of which is rigidly clamped between the outer peripheral portion of a valve body and the central portion of a piston plate, wherein a rigid annular ring is attached to the diaphragm for preventing the radial outward movement of the material of the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is compressed axially between the valve body and the piston plate.

Abstract: A small, accurate, reliable and economical pump which is particularly useful in intravenous (IV) feeding includes a disposable pump chamber and a pump housing. The disposable pump chamber has an inlet, an outlet, and first and second flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chambers. First and second cylinders in the pump housing are positioned to receive the first and second flexible rolling diaphragms of the disposable pump chamber. First and second pistons are movable in the first and second cylinders, respectively. In addition, first and second valves are provided in the pump housing. The first valve controls fluid flow between the inlet and the first flexible rolling diaphragm pump chamber, while the second valve controls fluid flow between the first flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chamber and the second flexible rolling diaphragm pumping chamber. A motor and cam shaft drive the first and second pistons and the first and second valves.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for filling containers within a sterile chamber under aseptic conditions includes a vertically disposed nozzle (48) which forms an extension of the sterile chamber and which is arranged to have its lower outlet end inserted into an open container to be filled and which is provided with valve closure element (51) which is opened when the nozzle is at its lowermost position and which remains open during filling of the container which is accompanied by upward movement of the nozzle and of the closure element while maintained in open position so as to prevent splashing together with a drip proof seal (49, 52, and 53) for preventing dripping following closure of the valve means.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow in a fluid system such as a pipeline which includes a body defining an internal chamber in fluid connection with an inlet and an outlet. The valve further includes a deformable valve liner mounted within the chamber which sits against a valve seat and a frustoconical grill having a plurality of ports therein. The liner and the body define a control chamber which is coupled to a source of controlled pressure. A relief region is provided between the liner and the grill at the plane of intersection of the liner and the grill.

Abstract: A pressure regulating diaphragm comprises a central base plate section in the form of a hard disc, a peripheral sealing section having the form of a ring located concentrically with said plate section and an intermediate section located between said peripheral sealing section and said central base plate section, said intermediate section consisting of a film having a thickness of from 10 to 100 microns and made of a plastic resistant to chemicals and defining a deformable, flexible portion, whereby a desired shape can be obtained therein.

Abstract: A respiration unit for supplying a preselected limited volume of breathing gas to a patient at limited positive pressures, and at a preselected limited flow rate is disclosed. The system includes an air delivery cylinder having a drive weight which is free to move up and down. A diaphragm connected to the weight divides the cylinder into an upper control chamber and a lower delivery chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the control chamber through a first solenoid-controlled valve to regulate the lifting of the weight, and a second solenoid-controlled valve regulates the bleeding of air into the control chamber to release and regulate the rate of fall of the weight, thereby driving breathing gas under pressure out of the lower chamber. A control system regulates the lift and lower cycles of the drive weight to provide the required operation of the system, with various sensors being provided to allow patient control of the system under selected conditions, and to assure patient safety.

Abstract: There is disclosed an incentive spirometer for measuring, as desired, the inspiratory breathing capacity and/or the expiratory breathing capacity including a freely floating piston positioned within a chamber. The piston is responsive to an inspired breath inhaled from one end of the chamber and also responsive to an exhaled breath introduced into the other end of the chamber. A novel rolling seal is provided which causes extremely minute friction losses during movement and which effectively seals the area between the external perimeter of the piston and the internal surface of the chamber.

Abstract: The actuator piston has a generally cylindrical central projection about the exterior of which a similarly formed rolling diaphragm is closely fitted. The piston rod can turn freely, to avoid any twisting of the piston and diaphragm, and can also be axially withdrawn from its engagement with the piston. Return spring means extends into the diaphragm enclosed part of the piston.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes a cup-shape cylinder body housing a piston and having a generally flat base with a mounting hub projecting outwardly. A piston rod is slidably mounted in the hub and connects to a load such as a damper in an air mixing box. The base is formed with a bearing recess or depression means encircling the hub. The recess defines a spherical sector offset from the center of a complete sphere of the same radius. An annular swivel ring includes an inner diameter adapted to loosely fit over the hub and includes an outer periphery which is generally spherically shaped and defines a central spherical sector having a maximum planar diameter slightly larger than that of the sector defined by recess. The swivel ring is a two-part member having interconnecting slot and projection elements providing a snap joint connection, with the mounting plate firmly clamped therebetween. The swivel ring with the attachment plate fits over the mounting hub.

Abstract: Improvements in a servomotor including a retainer coupling an annular diaphragm having its outer periphery sealingly attached to the servomotor housing and an axially movable power piston within the housing. The piston has a boss axially extending through the annular diaphragm and an external flange extending radially from the outer periphery of the boss for positioning adjacent the diaphragm, the diaphragm and power piston forming two pressure chambers. A valve member is slidably and sealingly disposed in a bore formed in the boss of the power piston for regulating pressure in the pressure chambers. The retainer has an axially extending cylindrical seat in which the boss is tightly positioned and a flange radially extending from the seat for pressing an inner portion of the diaphragm against the power piston flange.

Abstract: A fastener for joining a first force transmitter to an independent second force transmitter to assure continuity in movement therebetween. The first force transmitter has a hub with an axial bore therein. A first slot and a second slot, each of which has a recessed section on the bottom, are located on the housing surrounding the bore. The second force transmitter has a cylindrical body with an oval groove located adjacent the end thereof. First and second wishbone shaped clip members which surround the oval groove have first and second tabs located thereon. The cylindrical body is located in the axial bore of the hub means and the first and second tabs are positioned in the recesses of the slots. When the tabs are located in the recesses in the slots the cylindrical body is locked to the hub.