Patents Examined by Richard S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4646624
    Abstract: Sensed pressures are applied to a differential pressure sensor such that one-half the sensed pressure drop is applied to each of a pair of redundant pistons. Failure of one of a pair of bellows which seal opposite faces of the pistons from one another effects application of the entire pressure drop across the piston associated with the remaining, operable bellows for fail-safe operation of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. Stearns
  • Patent number: 4621565
    Abstract: An electrical switch for sensing operation of a hydraulic cylinder, the switch being normally open and closing an electrical circuit when the cylinder is pressurized to effect a desired operation only when there is fluid at a predetermined pressure in the cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is the slave cylinder of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control and the electrical circuit controlled by the switch is, for example, the motor vehicle engine starter motor relay circuit, such that the starter relay circuit is inhibited unless sufficient pressure is present in the cylinder, corresponding to the pressure necessary to cause the slave cylinder output member to fully release the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventor: Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4617855
    Abstract: An interlock switch mounted in the end of a hydraulic slave cylinder adapted to operate the release mechanism of a motor vehicle mechanical clutch, the slave cylinder being hydraulically connected to a master cylinder having an input member operable by the motor vehicle clutch pedal. The switch is adapted to close the motor vehicle starter relay circuit for a position of the slave cylinder output member corresponding to full release of the clutch, such that the clutch must be fully released in order to allow starting the motor vehicle engine. Preferably, the switch takes the form of a pair of concentric sleeves, each carrying appropriate contacts for closing the circuit, one of the sleeves being reciprocable in unison with the slave cylinder output member, and the other sleeve being automatically adjustable for initial position adjustment and for subsequent readjustment to compensate for wear of the clutch, such that closure of the switch always corresponds to a full release of the motor vehicle clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: David L. Wrobleski, David K. Mienko, Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4615258
    Abstract: In a drive device operated by pressure fluid a progressive linear or swinging or rotary movement of a driven element is produced by means of at least one lifting element. Between the lifting element and the driven element there is arranged at least one wedge which carries out a stepwise reciprocating movement under the influence of the lifting element. In this way the driven element is pushed forward step by step in the loaded direction via a force locking. This drive device permits a force-locked connection to the object to be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Georg Hirmann
  • Patent number: 4614149
    Abstract: A brake booster device which includes a front shell having a circular outer periphery, a rear shell having a circular outer periphery and being connected with the front shell to form a booster housing, a power piston diaphragm member disposed within the housing and dividing the same into a constant pressure chamber and a variable pressure chamber, a first pair of opposed sleeve portions provided on the inner peripheral portion of the front shell and extending radially inwardly to thereby form a figure 8 shape in the interior of the front shell, a second pair of opposed sleeve portions provided on the inner peripheral portion of the rear shell and extending radially inwardly to thereby form a figure 8 shape in the interior of the rear shell and a rod member interconnecting each of the first and second pairs of sleeve portions and which is inserted thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Omi
  • Patent number: 4611528
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic actuator having opposed openings adapted to alternately function as inlets and outlets for moving the element of the actuator in opposite directions and a variable displacement pump with loading sensing control for supplying fluid to said actuator. A pilot pressure operated meter-in valve is provided to which the fluid from the pump is supplied and pilot pressure is applied to the meter-in valve for controlling the direction and displacement of movement of the meter-in valve and the direction and velocity of the actuator. A pair of lines extends from the meter-in valve to the respective openings of the actuator and a pilot pressure operated meter-out valve is associated with each line of the actuator for controlling the flow out of the actuator when that line to the actuator does not have pressure from from the pump applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Vickers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Vinod K. Nanda, Henry D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4610192
    Abstract: A reciprocable device comprising a reciprocable member mounted for reciprocating movement within a chamber and a valve system for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of such member. The valve system includes first and second valve elements, a connector joining the valve elements and a bistable spring, which is actuated by the reciprocable member, for driving the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventors: E. Dale Hartley, F. Scott Hartley
  • Patent number: 4608913
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator comprising a hydraulic cylinder whose rod is connected to the shaft driving the controlled device by means of a transmission. The end of the rod of the cylinder penetrates into an accumulation chamber connected to the intake circuit of said cylinder through a distribution circuit comprising at least one non return calibrated valve and a balancing distributor with push rod and spring return which allows the drive fluid of the cylinder to be admitted into said accumulation chamber when the rod of said cylinder is at the end of travel under the effect of the drive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Applications Mecaniques et Robinetterie Industrielle A.M.R.I.
    Inventor: Maurice Bonafous
  • Patent number: 4606257
    Abstract: The drive system for cells for fused salt electrolytic production of aluminum is supplied with compressed air via a compressed air network with compressor and compressed air reservoir. It comprises at least one working cylinder with piston and piston rod, a slide valve situated after the junction from the compressed air network, compressed air pipes and a microprocessor. During the thrust movement in the normal work cycle, the working cylinder forms a circuit together with a 5/2 channeling valve, a 3/2 channeling valve and the related compressed air pipelines; the said circuit is fed compressed air via a pressure reducing valve and the compressed air pipeline running from it. By briefly switching over the 5/2 channeling valve normal pressure can be employed and the positive chamber of the working cylinder evacuated, as a result of which the thrusting force supplied by the system can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Pfister
  • Patent number: 4602482
    Abstract: A reservoir tank includes a cap, a strainer, and a cap seal which is attached to the cap so as to prevent hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank from leaking out. The cap seal is integrally formed with a cylindrical projection which is adapted to be pressed in resilient engagement with the outer periphery of the strainer, so that an inner space within the strainer defined by the inner side of the cap, the cap seal, the wall of the strainer, and the surface of the hydraulic fluid is separated by the projection from an outer space defined by the wall of the reservoir tank, the wall of the strainer and the surface of the hydraulic fluid. A tip of the projection of the cap seal is lower than the lower end of a thread portion of the cap when the cap engages with the reservoir tank. Therefore, hydraulic fluid adhering to an inner part of the cap and the cap seal does not drip and adhere to the thread portion of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kubota, Sachio Ohno
  • Patent number: 4596178
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a tandem brake booster comprises a front shell, a rear shell coupled at its outer peripheral rim within an annular stepped flange of the front shell, and a partition wall member assembled within the front shell to subdivide the interior of the coupled shells into two chambers and having an annular radial flange interposed between an annular shoulder of the stepped flange and the outer peripheral rim of the rear shell. The annular stepped flange is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections engaged with the outer peripheral rim of the rear shell. The outer peripheral rim of the rear shell and the annular radial flange of the partition wall member each are formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial recesses which are arranged to permit removal of the rear shell and the partition wall member from the front shell when opposed to the corresponding radial projections of the front shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzuru Sugiura
  • Patent number: 4585172
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydraulic actuation via multiple synchronized hydraulic motors with air purging, synchronizing, and force limiting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond W. Gazzera
  • Patent number: 4578951
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-circuit hydraulic brake system with slip control, in particular for automotive vehicles, wherein wheel brakes (26, 27, 41, 42) are connected via electromagnetically actuatable multiple-position valves (38, 39, 88, 40, 24, 89) to brake circuits which are hydraulically isolated from one another, wherein the brake circuits are adapted to be pressurized by a tandem master cylinder (1), on the one hand, and are connectible to a dual-circuit pump aggregate (76, 77) adapted to be driven electromotively, on the other hand. Both outlets of the pump aggregate (76, 77) are connected to normally closed brake valves (43, 44) which are governed by the master cylinder pressure and separating valves (11, 12) which are adapted to be closed by the outlet pressure of the brake valves (43, 44) are inserted into the connections between the tandem master cylinder (1) and the wheel brakes (26, 27, 41, 42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Belart, Jochen Burgdorf
  • Patent number: 4579044
    Abstract: A two-speed, pilot-operated selector valve which directs hydraulic fluid to two motor elements with a common output shaft to obtain a high-torque, low-speed mode, or to one motor element, while recirculating the second element in a loop, to obtain a low-torque, high-speed mode. The spool has a built-in logic mechanism which, while shifting from one position to the other, prevents any momentary condition where a motor discharge port is blocked or a fluid path exists that bypasses both motor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: David E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4573322
    Abstract: A driving device having a piston pyrotechnically driven in a cylinder, the piston being connected by pulling means to an element to be driven, the cylinder having a stroke limit stop at a rear end thereof, as viewed in driving direction of the piston in the cylinder, includes damping means disposed between the piston and the stroke limit stop of the cylinder, the damping means braking the piston in a predetermined manner upon failure of the pulling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Repa Feinstanswerk GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4569272
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic actuator having opposed openings adapted to alternately function as inlets and outlets for moving the element of the actuator in opposite directions, a pump for supplying fluid to said actuator, pilot operated meter-in valve to which the fluid from the pump is supplied for controlling the direction of movement of the actuator, and pilot operated meter-out valve associated with at least one opening of the actuator for controlling the flow out of said actuator. The pressure of fluid being supplied to the actuator by the meter-in valve means is sensed and caused to produce a force opposing the movement of the meter-in valve means by the pilot pressure and also applied to a device for controlling an overhauling load resulting in a smooth and accurate control of the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Vickers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry D. Taylor, Vinod K. Nanda
  • Patent number: 4566370
    Abstract: A piston pump arrangement is provided which includes a drivable crank shaft supported in a crank drive housing for rotational movement. The crank shaft is drivingly connected to horizontally disposed axially reciprocating pump pistons. In order to facilitate driving of the crank shaft from either the right side or the left side to accommodate the available space requirements and driving motor connections, the crank drive housing is provided with fastening support surfaces arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane through the axis of the crank shaft and the axes of the pump pistons. To accommodate attachment of auxiliary aggregates, such as lubricating/cooling circuit mechanisms, fastening points for such aggregates are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of the crank shaft axis and the pump pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Uraca Pumpenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nabil Hanafi
  • Patent number: 4566477
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to a steering motor and an auxiliary apparatus is capable of smoothly changing between conditions in which it directs relatively small and relatively large flows of fluid to the auxiliary apparatus. The apparatus includes a priority valve assembly having a valve member positioned in accordance with variations in the demand for steering fluid. A land on the valve member cooperates with a fixed valve surface to form a variable size orifice through which fluid flows to a steering controller. A second land on the valve member cooperates with a fixed valve surface to form a variable size main auxiliary flow control orifice through which all of the fluid flow to the auxiliary apparatus is directed during relatively low fluid flow rates to the auxiliary apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Barker, Jim L. Rau
  • Patent number: 4566371
    Abstract: Attitude control mechanism for a flexible bag component of a composite pneumatic chamber including a fixed section over which an inturned portion of a flexible bag pneumatic chamber section rolls includes a cantilever bag attitude control stem having its root anchored in a mounting closing the end of the flexible bag remote from the rigid pneumatic chamber section and extends through a central guide aperture of at least one frame mounted within the rigid pneumatic chamber section for substantially linear reciprocation guidance so as to prevent appreciable buckling of the flexible bag as it is contracted axially by movement of the mounting carrying the stem toward the rigid pneumatic chamber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Nicholson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ray B. Jorgensen, Robert T. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 4566276
    Abstract: An inlet assembly for a brake master cylinder including an inlet member made of synthetic resin installed in the cylinder body of the master cylinder for connecting with a hose communicated with a reservoir installed in a vehicle body. The inlet member includes a first member integrally forming a first tubular portion on a cylinder body side of the inlet member which is fitted into an inlet portion of cylinder body, a second tubular portion for operative engagement with the hose, and a second member having a mounting portion for mounting on the cylinder body, the first member being integrally connected with said second member by heat welding or a similar form of connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Komorizono, Akihiko Miwa