Variable Capacity Chambers Patents (Class 138/30)
  • Patent number: 5894861
    Abstract: A damper device has a sealed damper chamber defined by a flexible diaphragm and an upper cap. The damper chamber is filled with a pressurizing agent that creates a pressurized condition in the damper chamber by a phase transformation to the gaseous state from a solid or liquid state. To form the pressurized damper, the pressurizing agent is placed in the upper cap of the damper chamber in a solid or liquid state. The diaphragm is then positioned across the opening of the upper case and sealed in position, as for example by crimping the edges of the diaphragm between the upper cup and the lower base of the damper. As the solid or liquid pressurizing agent transforms to a gas, the pressure in the damper chamber increases to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jack R. Lorraine
  • Patent number: 5894862
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper is disclosed for reducing undesirable pressure differentials in a hydraulic system. The damper comprises a body assembly, including first and second inlet ports for connecting the damper to a hydraulic system. A pair of lap assemblies are provided for equalizing pressure differentials between the inlet ports. Each lap assembly is in fluid communication with each of said inlet ports. A metered passageway is provided for fluidly connecting each of said inlet ports. A slide is movably received within the lap assembly to permit reciprocal motion. The slide alternately blocks and unblocks the metered passageway in response to a predetermined pressure across one of the respective inlet ports, in order to equalize the pressure differential between the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Vickers, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Ogilvie
  • Patent number: 5868168
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved pipeline pulsation dampener, including a pressure vessel divided by a diaphragm of elastomeric material into first and second pressure zones. The first pressure zone is connected to a pipeline and receives any undesired pressure changes in the pipeline through a first flow passage in the pressure vessel, while the second pressure zone receives a second fluid at a preselected pressure. The diaphragm has a reinforcing insert for bridging the first flow passage to support the diaphragm when the pressure of the second fluid in the second pressure zone exceeds the pressure of the first fluid in the first pressure zone to restrain the diaphragm from extruding through the first flow passage. The reinforcing insert is encased in the elastomeric material of the diaphragm to prevent the insert and the bond between the elastomeric material and the insert from being exposed to the fluid being pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Keith C. Mott, Clifton T. Pursell
  • Patent number: 5862832
    Abstract: An improved gradient proportioning valve compensates for hydraulic inertia in a compact, reliably sealed valve assembly that is less susceptible to unswept volumes and gas permeation. A flat diaphragm is located within an accumulator volume integral to a valve manifold block. The compliance and damping of the diaphragm are optimized for the application's flow characteristics. Sealing of the diaphragm is provided by a sealing plug installed in the manifold block. The diaphragm has only one sealing joint. The sealing plug configuration allows for a more reliable clamping and sealing of the diaphragm which reduces and substantially eliminates the potential for leaks. Potential for unswept volumes is substantially eliminated by including the accumulator volume as a unitary part of the valve manifold. Air permeation into the fluid stream is substantially reduced by a reduction in surface area and exposed liquid volume in the accumulator, effected by including the accumulator volume as part of the valve manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Richard Victor, Robert J. Dumas, William W. Carson
  • Patent number: 5860452
    Abstract: A pulsation dampener or desurger for use in sterile or other high-temperature applications such as food- or pharmaceutical-processing plants has an outer case surrounding a concentric perforated mandrel. Flanges or other connectors provide for attachment to a piping system so that product flows through the mandrel. Enclosing the mandrel is a liner of polytetrafluoroethylene or other fluoropolymer; the liner in turn is enclosed by a resilient sheath which may be integral with the liner. Between the liner and the mandrel is a pressure chamber which fluctuates in volume responsive to surges in line pressure, dampening the amplitude of the surges. Expansion of liner and sheath is limited by pressure within a gas chamber in the region between sheath and case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Harrell P. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5819802
    Abstract: An I-type counterflow absorber for directly connecting with a piping system to absorb the impact force and noise resulting from water hammering in the piping system. It includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a valve member and a buffer mechanism. The inner tube forms a water passage with the piping system. The valve member is moveable and covers one end of the inner tube. The buffer mechanism is located between the inner tube and the outer tube, and has a damping chamber and an air chamber for absorbing the impact force and noise resulting from water hammering in the piping system. It can effectively protect the pumping device and piping end from water hammering damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Jui Hua Fan
  • Patent number: 5816291
    Abstract: A shock absorber in a liquid conduit (4) is provided. The shock absorber comprises a closed liquid tank (10), which is partly filled with gas and has a joint means (11) connected to the conduit (4). Via the joint means, liquid can flow to and from the tank (10) for compressing and decompressing the gas. The joint means (11) comprises a check valve means which, in its forward direction, permits a substantially free liquid flow from the conduit (4) to the tank and, in its rearward direction, permits throttled liquid flow from the tank to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: LJ Oljeledningar AB
    Inventor: Leif Johannesson
  • Patent number: 5816289
    Abstract: A noise and vibration dampening device for mixing valves for faucets and the like. The device comprises an envelope comprised of flexible material defining an air pocket. The envelope is disposed in an area where it is in contact with water but is out of the direct stream of the water flow. The water in contact with the envelope is also in contact with the stream of water flowing into the mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 5806705
    Abstract: A hydropneumatic pressure vessel comprising a tank wall having wall portions defining a closed cavity. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm separates the cavity into first and second fluid pressure chambers. An edge of the diaphragm is clamped between annular portions of the wall positions and other radially and axially off-set portions of the wall portions are fused to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Herald, Jr., Charles T. Molina, Jr., James C. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5803555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damper for a slip-controlled brake system of a vehicle. An elastic damper body is disposed in a damper chamber cut as a bore into a hydraulic housing block of the vehicle brake system. The elastic damper body includes an encompassing sealing edge that partitions the damper chamber into a chamber that can be acted upon by fluid and a residual volume. During pressurization, this damper body is elastically compressed or expanded. The advantages of the damper of the invention are a simple design, good damping properties and its ability to avoid the formation of cracks in its damper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst-Dieter Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5798156
    Abstract: A lightweight, low permeability liner for graphite epoxy composite compressed gas storage vessels. The liner is composed of polymers that may or may not be coated with a thin layer of a low permeability material, such as silver, gold, or aluminum, deposited on a thin polymeric layer or substrate which is formed into a closed bladder using torispherical or near torispherical end caps, with or without bosses therein, about which a high strength to weight material, such as graphite epoxy composite shell, is formed to withstand the storage pressure forces. The polymeric substrate may be laminated on one or both sides with additional layers of polymeric film. The liner may be formed to a desired configuration using a dissolvable mandrel or by inflation techniques and the edges of the film seamed by heat sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Fred Mitlitsky, Blake Myers, Frank Magnotta
  • Patent number: 5797430
    Abstract: An adaptive hydropneumatic pulsation damper is especially suited for hydraulic systems subject to pulsation with a strongly variable operating pressure. Because of good damping action, the pulsation damper makes a hydraulically firm coupling possible between hydraulic system elements, e.g., a pressure source and a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Becke, Joachim Esser, Heiko Bublitz, Uwe Kooths, Oliver Trecker
  • Patent number: 5785815
    Abstract: Process for damping pressure pulsations and apparatus for performing the process. The process of this invention serves for the damping of pressure pulsations in a fluid, particularly a fiber suspension, flowing in a closed system wherein the pressure pulsations to be damped are measured at a measuring site and compensated at a correction site, with a throttle position being located between the measuring and the correction sites, with the damping of the imparted pressure impulses occurring at the correction site, which pressure impulses are opposite to the measured pressure pulsations, with the time periods thereof being about the same as those of the measured pressure pulsations. Several apparatuses for performing the process are also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Sulzer-Escher Wyss GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Munch
  • Patent number: 5772414
    Abstract: A pressure equalizer for use with a reciprocating pump provides a liquid accumulation region to facilitate precise control over the amount of liquid discharged from the pump, and provides a short duration pressure spike to facilitate complete discharge of the liquid from the pump and associated components. The equalizer includes a housing mountable to the pump, in fluid communication with the pump internals. A variable volume assembly, including an isolation member, such as a flexible diaphragm, is carried by the equalizer housing and is in fluid communication with the pump. The diaphragm is adapted to expand outwardly and contract inwardly in conjunction with an increase and a decrease in pressure in the pump. Each the outward expansion and inward contraction are within a predetermined, preset range of movement. The equalizer includes a retaining member which is engageable with the diaphragm, and at least one biasing element positioned on the retaining member, operably connected to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.
    Inventor: Yutaka Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5771936
    Abstract: A shell constituted by an outer shell and an end plate. The end plate has a port in communication with a liquid chamber. A bladder divides an internal space of the shell into a liquid chamber and a gas chamber. A gas is introduced into the gas chamber without the provision of a gas inlet in the outer shell located on the side of the gas chamber. For example, an accumulator is assembled by combining the outer shell, the end plate and bladder under atmosphere of a high pressure gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Sasaki, Katsumi Matsui
  • Patent number: 5746255
    Abstract: A frost-free water supply system drains down to avoid freeze-up during non-pumping periods, its operation being responsive to air pressure within the system. A compound hose used may have an inner hose part co-extruded with the outer hose. The inner hose portion is preferably of flattened section, which facilitates threading of the inner hose within the outer hose, when not co-extruded. The compound hose with a flattened inner section, when its air cavity is sealed at atmospheric pressure conditions, provides an inbuilt air cushion that can generate initial de-watering pressure as high as about 716 gms per square cm (10 psi). The elastic memory, due to its initial flattened shape, also contributes to the de-watering capability of the inner hose. One unepected result, upon draining the liquids, is an unusual "bump" in the residual pressure of the air trapped within the outer hose, whereby the inner hose is more thoroughly flattened and more completely de-watered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Roger C. Walsh, Douglas W. Eggins
  • Patent number: 5735313
    Abstract: A noise suppressor device for absorbing pulsating fluids is disclosed. A noise suppressor device has a housing which defines an axially extending bore. A resilient bladder is coaxially positioned in the bore. A spool assembly is coaxially positioned within the bladder. The spool assembly has an inner spool layer and an outer spool layer which coaxially surrounds the inner spool layer. The inner spool layer and outer spool layers each define a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The perforations in the outer spool layer are offset from the perforations in the inner spool layer such that a direct line of sight through the first perforations and second perforations is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Jenski, Jr., Jeffrey C. Shiery
  • Patent number: 5732741
    Abstract: A noise suppressor device for absorbing and dampening the noise of pulsating fluids is disclosed. The noise suppressor device has a housing which defines an axially extending bore. A resilient bladder is coaxially positioned in the bore. A spool assembly is coaxially positioned within the bladder. The spool assembly has a spool layer and a sleeve layer which coaxially surrounds the inner spool layer. The spool layer and the sleeve layer define a tortuous path for fluid to flow through from the axial bore to the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Shiery
  • Patent number: 5732740
    Abstract: A body of electrorheological ("Smart") fluid is disposed between hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic elevator system, and a chamber filled with pressure absorbing fluid. By introducing a field within the Smart fluid to maintain the Smart fluid in a given phase, the Smart fluid transmits the pulsations from the hydraulic fluid to the pressure absorbing fluid as a function of the pulsations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John Hornyack, William A. Wurts
  • Patent number: 5730506
    Abstract: A space-saving vibration damper that functions reliably for a long term. The vibration damper has a housing that includes at least one concave recess which is sealed by a disk-shaped diaphragm comprising a spring steel sheet. The diaphragm is connected by its edge to a planar surface of the housing by means of material-to-material bonding. The housing has, at the edge of the recess, a rounding that changes over continuously into both the recess and the planar housing surface toward the diaphragm. The hollow chamber disposed between the diaphragm and the recess is filled with air. The vibration damper is designed for use in slip-controlled hydraulic brake systems for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Friedow, Martin Maier
  • Patent number: 5728981
    Abstract: A power steering attenuation hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the hose construction comprising an outer flexible hose unit having an inlet end and an outlet end, a restrictor unit disposed in the outer hose unit and dividing the interior of the outer hose unit into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber interconnected by the restrictor unit, a first flexible tuning cable unit being interconnected to the inlet end and being disposed in the inlet chamber, and a second flexible tuning cable unit being interconnected to the restrictor unit and being disposed in the outlet chamber, each of the tuning cable units having an open outlet end spaced from the outlet end of its respective chamber, the ratio of the effective length of the first tuning cable unit to the effective length of the second tuning cable being approximately 3 to 2 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew van Ruiten
  • Patent number: 5718952
    Abstract: A stiff elongated hollow structural member has a double-walled structure in the shape of a tube made of an interior tube which has an annular cross-section and an exterior tube which has a different cross-section, in a concentric arrangement. The interior and exterior tubes bound a hollow space filled with an incompressible liquid. Responsive to pressure increases in the liquid, the exterior tube in the elastic material range is bendingly deformable in the direction of a ring-circular cross-section or to a ring-circular cross-section. This hollow structural member can be used as an adjustable stiffness torsion member such as a vehicle steering shaft. Another disclosed adjustable stiffness hollow structural member includes a flat plate facing a corrugated plate to form a hollow space for the incompressible liquid. Increases in pressure of the liquid forces the corrugated member to a more flattened configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace AH
    Inventors: Werner Zimmermann, Hans-Friedrich Siegling, Willi Martin, Klaus Drechsler
  • Patent number: 5718488
    Abstract: An oscillation damper that has a cup-shaped elastomer diaphragm body, with a bottom diaphragm. The diaphragm body is received tightly on an opening side in a bore of a housing, and fits around a protrusion of a closure body that closes the bore. Between the closure body and the diaphragm, a support body having an end face that is concave toward the diaphragm is received in the diaphragm body. A void formed between the diaphragm and the support body communicates with the atmosphere, through a conduit embodied on the support body and through an opening in the closure body. The oscillation damper can be used in hydraulic slip-controlled motor vehicle brake systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Schneider, Ernst-Dieter Schaefer, Guenter Krenz
  • Patent number: 5713412
    Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating vibration of a tube includes a cable disposed in the tube and spaced-apart attenuating assemblies mounted on the cable for frictionally engaging the wall of the tube in order to damp vibration of the tube. The assemblies also add rigidity to the tube in order to stabilize the tube against vibration. Each attenuating assembly comprises two spaced-apart end fittings mounted on the cable. A heat vaporizable insert is interposed between the end fittings for maintaining the end fittings in their spaced-apart relationship until the insert vaporizes. A preloaded coiled spring, which interconnects the end fittings and surrounds the insert, biases the end fittings towards each other after the insert vaporizes. A tubular, flexible and braided sheath, which is interposed between the end fittings, surrounds the spring and has respective ends thereof attached to the end fittings. When the insert vaporizes, the spring biases the end fittings closer together, thereby axially shortening the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Wepfer, Thomas M. Frick
  • Patent number: 5709248
    Abstract: Accumulators normally are teed into existing conduits and require large amounts of space or are placed in spool type bores having a spring biased piston slidably disposed therein. Most times these accumulators require a bladder that is vented to the atmosphere or a fluid chamber connected to a reservoir. In the subject invention, an accumulator 24 is provided that has a fluid filled member 36 which can be disposed in a closed chamber 32 of a housing 30 and connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The fluid filled member 36 has a fixed maximum surface to volume ratio and is capable of being compressed when subjected to a pressure higher than the pressure within. The accumulator may be integral with other components in the hydraulic system 10 and can be made with varying volumetric capacities and varying precharged pressures in order to match the requirements of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: C. Nickolas Goloff
  • Patent number: 5682923
    Abstract: Accumulators normally have a first chamber filled with a pressurized gas, a second chamber in communication with the pressurized fluid of a hydraulic system and an elastomeric member separating the chambers. In the subject invention, an accumulator is provided which has an elastomeric member disposed in a closed chamber of a housing. The elastomeric member has an outer surface with a non-uniform linear surface and a cavity extending inward from one end thereof and in communication with an inlet conduit. As the pressure is introduced into the cavity of the elastomeric member, the non-uniform linear outer surface is progressively forced against an interior surface of the closed chamber. The progressive compression of the elastomeric member acts to increase the volume of the cavity as the pressure of the fluid in the cavity progressively increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: C. Nicholas Goloff, Larry K. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5655569
    Abstract: A piston-less low pressure accumulator employs a gas-charged elastomeric bladder contained within a bore of a hydraulic control unit. Preferably, the low pressure accumulator contains a perforated metal member which limits compression of the bladder by hydraulic fluid beyond a fixed distance. The gas-charged low pressure accumulator may be manufactured with low parts count which encourages ease of assembly while providing freedom from sticking which may occur in piston-type accumulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Wendell Dean Tackett
  • Patent number: 5653263
    Abstract: A bubble storing device for storing a liquid under pressure has a container having an interior, a bubble composed of an elastic material and located in the container so as to subdivide the interior into a liquid chamber and a gas chamber, a gas valve and a liquid valve provided in the container and associated with a respective one of the zones. The bubble has at least two zones located one after the other in a longitudinal direction of the bubble and composed of different material, the zones including a first zone which is associated with the gas valve and composed of a material which is substantially insensitive to thermal loads, and a second zone which is associated with the liquid valve and composed of a material which is substantially insensitive to mechanical loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Killing
  • Patent number: 5645922
    Abstract: An impermeable elastic membrane for hydropneumatic accumulators is made from an impermeable film of completely hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, with a high molecular weight, and plasticized, with protective layers on both sides of polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, or ethylene vinyl acetate. The membrane may be used in the hydropneumatic suspension of an automobile. The film can be obtained by extrusion, by injection molding, or by pressure molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignees: Automobiles Peugeot, Automobiles Citroen
    Inventor: Benoit Le Rossignol
  • Patent number: 5638868
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic accumulator is introduced wherein a valve mechanism is used to seal a hydraulic fluid before the pressure charged piston reaches the end of the accumulator to minimize the loss of compressed gas by eliminating the pressure differential when the piston is fully extended, thereby prolonging the fatigue life of the accumulator vessel. Reduction of the pressure loading on the vessel will also prolong the life of the piston seals and metal bellows effectively extending the accumulator life and effectively allowing design for weight reduction and preservation of the integrity of the complete hydraulic or pneumatic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Valcor Engineering
    Inventor: Haim Loran
  • Patent number: 5631632
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a pressure monitoring system for monitoring a hydraulic pressure which is supplied from a fluid pump and accumulated in an accumulator. The pressure monitoring system includes an electric motor which drives the fluid pump to supply the hydraulic pressure in substantially linear proportion to a current fed to the motor, a current detection device which detects the current fed to the motor, and a pressure estimation device which estimates the hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator in response to the current detected by the current detection device. A malfunction detection device may be provided for detecting a malfunction on the basis of the output of the pressure estimation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakashima, Toshiaki Hamada, Tadashi Terazawa, Yuichiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 5620028
    Abstract: A brake module including an integrally formed manifold and accumulator provides a way of simplifying assembly, increasing packaging flexibility and reducing the total number of individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Johnston, James W. Zehnder, II, Richard E. Longhouse, William C. Kruckemeyer, Michael L. Oliver
  • Patent number: 5618629
    Abstract: A flexible partition member for a hydraulic accumulator, which divides an interior of a shell of the accumulator into two sections that provide a gas chamber and a liquid chamber, respectively. The flexible partition member includes an integrally layered composite portion which includes at least one gas-barrier layer and at least one elastic layer, each gas-barrier layer containing a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol, and each elastic layer containing as a major component thereof a polyamide resin selected from the group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 6-10 and nylon 6-12. The integrally layered composite portion includes two adjacent layers which include a gas-barrier layer and an elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Takamatsu, Koyo Murakami
  • Patent number: 5613520
    Abstract: A noise and vibration dampening device for mixing valves for faucets and the like. The device comprises an envelope comprised of flexible material defining an air pocket. The envelope is disposed in an area where it is in contact with water but is out of the direct stream of the water flow. The water in contact with the envelope is also in contact with the stream of water flowing into the mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 5606996
    Abstract: A mounting flange is formed at the opening of the bladder formed into the shape of a bag from elastic material such as rubber; and a thin wall section is formed to prevent stress concentration near the base of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Sugimura
  • Patent number: 5551767
    Abstract: A combination high pressure pump/attenuator suitable for use in vehicle control systems employs a high pressure pump outlet check valve located in the attenuator cavity and compressively loaded against its seat by the compressive force of a volumetrically and axially compressible attenuator element. In one preferred embodiment, the check ball is replaced by a projection molded into the attenuating element itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kelsey Hayes
    Inventor: Herbert L. Linkner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5542453
    Abstract: The pressurized hydraulic piston-cylinder device with an internal volume variation compensation device includes a hydraulic pressure cylinder; a piston movable in the pressure cylinder; a cap closing the functional end of the pressure cylinder; and a liquid contained in the hydraulic pressure cylinder between the cap and the movable piston. The cap includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body member which fits snugly fits over the functional end of the pressure cylinder and an end wall at another end opposite from the open end, and a resilient compensating diaphragm having an outer surface facing the pressure cylinder and an inner surface facing the end wall of the hollow body member. The resilient compensating diaphragm and the end wall bound a compensating chamber having a variable volume depending on a pressure of the liquid contained in the hydraulic pressure cylinder and acting on the outer surface of the resilient compensating diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas
  • Patent number: 5540486
    Abstract: A hydraulic control unit for a vehicle anti-lock brake system is disclosed which comprises a bore defining a chamber symmetrical about an axis and having a sidewall and a bottom wall. A fluid inlet passage is open to the bore from one of the walls and a damping orifice of substantially restricted diameter relative to the inlet passage is in open communication with the inlet passage. An attenuator is seated within the chamber and is sealed relative to the chamber to preclude the flow of brake fluid from the control unit. The attenuator includes a compressibly deformable solid core member that substantially fills the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Herbert L. Linkner
  • Patent number: 5539164
    Abstract: A power steering attenuation hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the hose construction comprising an outer flexible hose unit having an inlet end and an outlet end, a restrictor unit disposed in the outer hose unit and dividing the interior of the outer hose unit into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber interconnected by the restrictor unit, a first flexible tuning cable unit being interconnected to the inlet end and being disposed in the inlet chamber, and a second flexible tuning cable unit being interconnected to the restrictor unit and being disposed in the outlet chamber, each of the tuning cable units having an open outlet end spaced from the outlet end of its respective chamber, the ratio of the effective length of the first tuning cable unit to the effective length of the second tuning cable being approximately 3 to 2 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew van Ruiten
  • Patent number: 5538478
    Abstract: A tensioner for a chain or toothed belt which includes an oil reservoir. Oil contained in the oil reservoir is hermetically sealed by a diaphragm fixed to the oil reservoir by a plug. A pressurizing means is mounted between the diaphragm and the plug. The pressurizing means includes a compression spring and a bowl-shaped spring seat. A diaphragm is urged by the pressurizing means. A detent portion, extending upwardly from the diaphragm, is integrally formed on the surface of the diaphragm facing the atmosphere. The spring seat includes a recess at the central portion of the spring seat so that the detent portion of the diaphragm is engaged with the recess preventing free movement between the diaphragm and the pressurizing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsuya Nakakubo, Hiroyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 5536028
    Abstract: A power centering apparatus for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement. The apparatus includes a centering unit for providing the resistance to off-center movement and a trimming unit for varying the center position. The resistance unit includes a linkage extending between the steering system and a fixed vehicle member, and the trimming unit has a trim piston movable relative to a trim cylinder to vary the center position by changing the length of the linkage. A plurality of passages and check valves make the trimming unit operable by a single solenoid valve to supply gas free liquid to and remove gas contaminated liquid from trim chambers on opposite sides of the trim piston without intermixing these two liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Durrell U. Howard
  • Patent number: 5524671
    Abstract: An accumulator including a shell (1) divided into a gas chamber (9) and a fluid inflow chamber (6) by a bladder (32) made of a cold-resistant and gas-barrier laminated sheet which includes a polyvinyl alcohol type resin film (20) containing a polyol type plasticizer in an amount of 15% to 50% by weight, a rubber sheet layer (21) laminated at least on one side of the polyvinyl alcohol type resin film and a film (23) disposed therebetween of a non-vapor and non-plasticizer-permeable resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshida, Masatoshi Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 5505228
    Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator includes an elongated pressure vessel having a headed end which receives a charging valve and an open end which receives a fluid port fitting. Means are provided for sealingly securing the fluid port fitting within the open end of the pressure vessel to complete the vessel closure. A fluid coupling is coupled to a port within the fluid port fitting which terminates in an inclined surface and spherical plug seat. An elongated flexible bladder is sealingly secured to the fluid port fitting and is maintained in a cylindrical form by a semicylindrical bladder support. A plug valve is secured to the interior of the flexible bladder and engages the plug seat during the operation of the accumulator in the absence of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: William F. Summerfield
  • Patent number: 5499739
    Abstract: A pressure vessel liner for fuel tanks used to store high pressure gasses including methane or compressed natural gas includes thermoplastic materials exhibiting low permeability and mechanical properties resistant to thermal and pressurization strains over the operating cycle of the fuel tanks. The pressure vessel liner is made from a material selected from the group consisting of modified nylon 6 or nylon 11. The present invention also discloses a method of forming a reinforced composite fuel tank wherein the pressure vessel liner is overwrapped with both low-angle helical and high-angle helical filament windings. The high-angle helical windings are overwrapped around the liner across at least the cylinder-to-dome transition region at angles between 60.degree. and 88.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the liner. High angle helical filament windings at these angles eliminate excessive composite windings typically added to account for weak transition points in these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Atlantic Research Corporation
    Inventors: Darton Greist, III, Irving E. Figge, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5494076
    Abstract: A noise and vibration dampening device for mixing valves for faucets and the like. The device comprises an envelope comprised of flexible material defining an air pocket. The envelope is disposed in an area where it is in contact with water but is out of the direct stream of the water flow. The water in contact with the envelope is also in contact with the stream of water flowing into the mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 5484079
    Abstract: A hydropneumatic filament-wound pressure vessel is disclosed. The vessel has first and second cup-shaped tank liners having circular open mouths which are provided with a seal and diaphragm assembly. The seal assembly includes a pocket formed by an inner wall and shelf associated with the first liner and a ledge associated with the second liner. The shelf, ledge and cylindrical wall cooperate with an inner surface of the second liner to provide an O-ring pocket. An O-ring is provided in the pocket and the O-ring defines the periphery of a flexible diaphragm which divides the interior of the liners into separate pressure chambers. A continuous filament is wound over the surface of the liners in an isotensoid pattern. Each liner has a geodesic dome surface extending between a diameter of the liner and a polar opening. The dome surface is defined by oppositely curving surfaces of revolution of a meridia joined by an inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Carter, Douglas M. Horner, Robert L. Zimmerman, Robert J. Pristas, James C. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5483994
    Abstract: A pressure sensor die is provided with a flexible membrane and a plunger which combine to amplify a low pressure signal while also providing media isolation between a fluid being measured and the internal components of a pressure sensor. One embodiment of the pressure sensor disposes an end of the plunger in direct contact with a pressure sensor die while another embodiment disposes an elastomeric diaphragm between the plunger and the pressure sensor die. This second embodiment creates a chamber between the plunger and the pressure sensor die in which a fluid is captured by movement of the plunger. The captured fluid is decreased in volume by movement of the plunger and the resulting increase in pressure in transmitted to a pressure sensitive portion of a pressure sensor die. The device is particularly useful in conjunction with applications where media isolation is required between the fluid being measured and the components of the pressure sensor, such as kidney dialysis machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Joseph Maurer
  • Patent number: 5476448
    Abstract: A surge suppresser which has a collapsible flexible wall that accumulates the aspiration fluid of an interocular surgical system. The surge suppresser has an inlet port and an outlet port that are connected to an aspiration line downstream from a surgical tip. The aspiration line is connected to a vacuum device which draws fluid from the tip. When an occlusion in the aspiration line occurs, the decrease in pressure caused by the vacuum device will cause the flexible wall to collapse and close the inlet and outlet ports of the surge suppresser. When the occlusion breaks, the inlet port initially opens and the outlet port remains closed so that the flexible wall is expanded by the flow of fluid from the surgical tip. The closed outlet port prevents a surge of fluid from the eye. Additionally, the ports are arranged in a parallel relationship to reduce the momentum of the fluid into the suppresser and further limit the surge of fluid from the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Alex Urich
  • Patent number: 5468056
    Abstract: A pressure compensator for an automobile brakeline is disclosed. The pressure compensator includes an upper housing having an inner surface that is approximately conic and has a plurality of serial recesses and protrusions. A resilient rubber having a supporting portion and a recess for containing pressurized nitrogen gas is supported below the upper housing by a lower housing. The rubber also includes an approximately conic upper operating portion that engages the recesses and protrusions of the upper housing to facilitate the balancing of oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Jae C. Kim
  • Patent number: 5460438
    Abstract: A damping device for pressure pulsations having a first hollow chamber for receiving hydraulic pressure fluid and a second hollow chamber. An elastic metal diaphragm that divides the second hollow chamber hermetically from the first hollow chamber. The second hollow chamber is evacuated, so that in the event that the metal diaphragm should possibly leak, no air can get into the hydraulic pressure fluid. The damping device can be used in hydraulic brake systems having a master cylinder and in other hydraulic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Hellmann, Wolfgang Maisch, Robert Mergenthaler