Abstract: An indicator includes a case mountable in a gas filling passage of a pressure container; a valve element which is urged toward one side of the case connectable to the pressure container, the valve element being movable in the case to a position balanced with gas pressure in the pressure container; a seal member for ensuring gas tightness between the valve element and the case; and an indicating member slidable relative to the case between a position protruding outside the case and a position not protruding. The spring force and a gas pressure force may be equally balanced at first and second balanced positions of the valve element.

Abstract: An indicator includes a case mountable in a gas filling passage of a pressure container; a valve element which is urged toward one side of the case connectable to the pressure container, the valve element being movable in the case to a position balanced with gas pressure in the pressure container; a seal member for ensuring gas tightness between the valve element and the case; and an indicating member slidable relative to the case between a position protruding outside the case and a position not protruding. The spring force and a gas pressure force may be equally balanced at first and second balanced positions of the valve element.

Abstract: A die separator cylinder for use in separating first and second portions of a metal forming die set comprises a housing including a bore. A piston is adapted to reciprocate in the bore between an extended position and a depressed position. The die separator cylinder further includes gas flow paths leading to and from the bore that define asymmetrical gas flow rates relative to each other so that said when the bore is charged with an inert gas, the inert gas biases the piston to the extended position with a force that varies depending upon a time interval elapsed since the piston moved from the depressed position to the extended position.

Abstract: An indicator includes a case mountable in a gas filling passage of a pressure container; a valve element which is urged toward one side of the case connectable to the pressure container, the valve element being movable in the case to a position balanced with gas pressure in the pressure container; an O-ring serving as a seal member for ensuring gas tightness between the valve element and the case; and an indicating member slidable relative to the case between a position protruding outside the case and a position not protruding. The O-ring is arranged on the valve element so that the O-ring is in contact with the case to ensure gas tightness when the valve element is in a first balanced position while a gas pressure in the pressure container is e.g. 7 MPa or higher and the O-ring is out of contact with the case not to ensure gas tightness when the valve element is in a second balanced position while the gas pressure is less than e.g. 7 MPa.

Abstract: A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A fluid spring assembly. The spring assembly preferably includes a body that slidably supports a piston that is attached to a piston rod. The piston serves to define a fluid chamber within the body that is charged with a pressurized fluid medium. The piston is retained within the body by a rigid retainer member. A biasing member is provided between the retaining member and the piston for resisting the force generated by the fluid medium within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid spring assembly. The spring assembly preferably includes a body that slidably supports a piston that is attached to a piston rod. The piston serves to define a fluid chamber within the body that is charged with a pressurized fluid medium. The piston is retained within the body by a rigid retainer member. A biasing member is provided between the retaining member and the piston for resisting the force generated by the fluid medium within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid spring assembly. The spring assembly preferably includes a body that slidably supports a piston that is attached to a piston rod. The piston serves to define a fluid chamber within the body that is charged with a pressurized fluid medium. The piston is retained within the body by a rigid retainer member. A biasing member is provided between the retaining member and the piston for resisting the force generated by the fluid medium within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A self-lubricating cylinder assembly for use in a press operable in an upright orientation and in an inverted orientation. The cylinder assembly contains a working fluid under pressure and lubricating oil. The cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body that has sidewalls that terminate in an opening at a first end and an end wall at a second end. The cylinder assembly further includes an interior wall assembly that connects to the cylinder body and has walls that extend within the cylinder body to the end wall. The wall assembly walls are preferably formed of a cylinder liner in connection with an insert. The cylinder liner has a piston mounted for reciprocal motion therebetween. A variable volume wall assembly space is defined as a space between the piston, the wall assembly walls and the housing end wall. An expansion reservoir is defined as a space between the side walls of the cylinder body, the wall assembly walls and the cylinder body end wall.

Abstract: A press assembly includes first and second members which engage opposite sides of a workpiece during operation of the press assembly. A cushion assembly is provided to absorb force transmitted from at least one of the members during operation of the press assembly. A high pressure reservoir is connected in fluid communication with a cylinder of the cushion assembly to receive fluid during operation of the press assembly. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cushion assembly at a relatively low pressure during operation of the press assembly. A valve is operable to block a flow of hydraulic fluid from the cushion assembly as the press assembly begins to operate from a closed condition toward an open condition to thereby retain the cushion assembly in a retracted condition. A secondary or pump cylinder may be actuated by operation of the press assembly to pump hydraulic fluid to the cushion assembly.