Abstract: A metallic bellows is manufactured by a first step of bulging a straight raw pipe into a primary formed body having formed on a periphery thereof a corrugated bellows section, and a second step of subjecting at least one of crest portions and trough portions of the bellows section of the primary formed body to roll machining by means of a pair of forming rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for simultaneously securing a plurality of display articles onto a hangable merchandiser are disclosed. The apparatus includes a strip shaped hangar and a detachable handle secured to the strip. The handle is used to secure the display articles to the strip and then the handle is detached from the strip. The process reduces the cost of securing display articles to the strip.

Abstract: A metallic seal includes a cold formed substrate layer and one or more additional layers. At least one of the layers offers improved resistance to high temperature stress relaxation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing strain-detecting devices is provided. First, plural cylindrical substrates, each of which has one end closed by a diaphragm, are fixedly placed at predetermined positions of a fixing plate. A positioning marker is previously given to the fixing plate. The fixing plate having the substrates is then assembled into a jig. The jig sustains the substrates so that an outer surface of the diaphragm of each substrate is held at the same level. Through positioning the substrates, all the diaphragms are then positioned in place in a plane direction of the fixing plate with reference to the positioning marker. A strain gage portion is simultaneously formed on each of all the diaphragms. The fixing plate is then disassembled from the jig. In this step, the substrates with the strain gage portions, i.e., strain-detecting devices, are separated from the fixing plate.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a bellows by bulge forming, an annealing step is carried out during the bulge forming process of the bellows so that the capability of the material to elongate is recovered, and the workability of the bellows is improved in effect. In particular, the ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter can be made greater than a value that can be achieved by a single forming step. Therefore, the deflection (stroke) of each annular bulge or pleat can be increased for a given stress or the number of annular bulges and the length of the bellows can be decreased for a given stroke of the bellows.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a metal bellows includes a dispenser containing a supply of ring shaped metal foil sheets feeding a jig situated adjacent to the dispenser that coaxially positions the metal rings. A mandrel applies a pressure normal to the surface of the foil sheets, and a laser is focused on a locus of points a top surface of the top pair of the rings, the locus of points being positioned adjacent to one of the outer perimeters and inner edges of the rings. A regulator coupled to the laser forms energy pulses suitable to weld the pair of metal rings proximal to the laser together, the energy pulse being insufficient to penetrate the second metal ring of the pair.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a bellows by bulge forming, an annealing step is carried out during the bulge forming process of the bellows so that the capability of the material to elongate is recovered, and the workability of the bellows is improved in effect. In particular, the ratio of the outer diameter to the outer diameter can be made greater than a value that can be achieved by a single forming step. Therefore, the deflection (stroke) of each annular bulge or pleat can be increased for a given stress or the number of annular bulges and the length of the bellows can be decreased for a given stroke of the bellows.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a bellows having pleat walls with S-shaped profiles comprises a primary forming process for forming a formed bellows, a pressing process for compressing the formed bellows in the axial direction, and a stretching process for pulling the compressed bellows in the axial direction, thereby obtaining desired pitches and free length. After the stretching process is carried out, the bellows is subjected to an annealing and ageing heat-treatment process. An apparatus for manufacturing the bellows comprises a pair of molds that have their respective forming surfaces in shapes corresponding individually to the pleat walls. The die is slightly retreated away from the pleat walls just before the dies open in the diametrical direction after the pleat walls are formed.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial, multi-lumen lead wherein the distal end of the lead body is cored to provide a stopped bore co-axial with the axis of the lead body. A distal electrode is inserted into the stopped bore without an additional tubular segment and glue joint. A first lumen in the lead body has an axis which is off set from the axis of the lead body itself. A low voltage conductor passes through the first lumen. A second lumen is also offset from the axis of the lead body. The lumens may have a circular or other cross section. A plurality of non-coaxial lumens may be provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for welding the inside diameter and the outside diameter of bellows diaphragms for forming a bellows without using chill rings or spacers. This universal welding fixture consists of at least one drive wheel and at least one idler wheel for holding and aligning different size bellows diaphragms. A concentrated heat source such as a laser beam is applied at the edge for joining diaphragms together.

Abstract: An improved thin walled threaded spacer for use in preventing thread galling in adjacent sections of drill pipe in a drill string is formed by mechanically deforming a strip of copper/beryllium alloy containing 2% beryllium to form a preform having a hollow, truncated conical section and then mechanically deforming the conical section to impart helical grooves therein.

Abstract: Omnidirectional bellows for reciprocal displacement is provided which, by preventing disproportional stretching or sagging in the midsection of bellows from occurring under any circumstances of positional alteration or intensive vibrations, allows normal reciprocal displacement operation to be continued. The omnidirectional bellows comprises, in a combination of a guide-rail with the bellows formed of multiple concaved sheets of same size and same shape communicating each with other for covering flexibly longitudinally along with one side of the guide-rail, a contour along with each inner border of said multiple concaved sheets being formed to follow cross-sectional profile in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide-rail, and at least said each inner border being surface treated with material having small slipping resistance and large friction strength.

Abstract: Disclosed is an accumulator comprising: a pressure vessel; an elastic bellows in which a compressed gas is sealed, an end of the bellows being fixed to an interior of the pressure vessel; a flow path having an opening communicating with the interior and an exterior of the pressure vessel; a valve connected to a movable end of the bellows to operatively close the opening according to elastic motion of the bellows; and a hydraulic chamber partitioned from a gas chamber formed in an interior of the bellows containing the compressed gas. The valve comprises an upper surface which can cover the opening, and plural circular protrusions which surround the entire circumference of the opening and can closely contact the circumference of the opening.

Abstract: A method includes the round billet skelping, several runs of each round billet drawing up to a given size, packing the drawn billets into a multilayer bank, corrugating the bank with the bellows formation as a result and its heat treatment. Each round billet is skelped of the age-hardenable nickel alloy containing components of the following group: niobium, aluminum, titanium, tungsten and molybdenum. Each round billet is drawn, heated up to the temperature of 1000-1130° C., held in the shielding medium at the above temperature, and cooled down, after that the above operations of drawing, heating, holding and cooling are repeated until the given size of each round billet is reached. The drawn round billets are packed into the multilayer bank and the bank is corrugated for forming the multilayer bellows. The heat treatment of the bellows is made by its heating up to the temperature of 1000-1130° C.

Abstract: A gangway bellows for rolling stock, where the bellows has corrugated regions forming a deformable volume, and comprises a plurality of assembled-together modules, each module being made of a rubber-base material and including at least two corrugated regions that are assembled together by vulcanization.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a remote seal of the type used in the process control industry includes welding a circular metal sheet of a material fusible to a housing. The sheet has a hole formed therein with an inner diameter. The method further including attaching a diaphragm made of a metal to the sheet along the inner diameter of the hole in the sheet. A remote seal includes a flange face and a disc attached to the flange. The disc includes an inner diameter. The remote seal further includes a diaphragm attached to the disc along the inner diameter of the disc.

Abstract: A vibration decoupling connector apparatus, for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an annular vibration damping member connecting a down pipe to a mounting member for permitting restricted axial, lateral and angular movement of the down pipe, relative to the mounting member, which may be affixed to an exhaust manifold, for example. The apparatus also includes a sealing construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows.

Abstract: A connecting joint for a radio frequency waveguide line comprises a tubular metallic braid wire shield connecting two beam line pipe ends thereby making the inside surface appear as a continuous beam tube. The metallic braid wire is secured within a bellows assembly that allows the connecting joint to expand or contract as is appropriate for changes in ambient conditions or conditions within the waveguide line. The connecting joint is capable of supporting either positive or negative pressure within the joint while the exterior of the joint may vary with ambient conditions.

Abstract: A shell is 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 hole 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.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having a flexible member and moveable piston is provided. A bead surface of the flexible member is secured into a channel in the moveable piston to create an air-tight seal which can withstand tensile stress. The hollow piston increases the volume of the air reservoir which contributes to a reduction in the spring rate.

Abstract: A three-side covering seam-type bellows includes a plurality of essentially C-shaped sheets of mutually identical configuration, the sheets being piled to each other for forming the bellows. The bellows has a pair of obliquely extending lower edges provided for each of the sheets. An outer sewing line extends along the outer peripheral edge of each of the sheets, the outer sewing line extending to the inner end of the obliquely extending lower edges, and an inner sewing line extends along the inner peripheral edge of each of the sheets, the inner sewing line being terminated at terminating points on the inner peripheral edges extending from the inner end of the obliquely extending edge and spaced apart from the inner end. A pair of unsewn portions are formed between the inner ends and the termination points.

Abstract: In manufacturing a metal bellows of high rigidity by using relatively simple equipment, a plurality of annular concavities are formed around the outer periphery of an unprocessed tube to form an intermediate product. Then, a core iron is inserted into the intermediate product while the annular concavities around the outer periphery are braced. Subsequently, the intermediate product is pressed in its axial direction to be formed into the metal bellows.

Abstract: A bellows is formed from a plurality of elemental pieces. A plurality of the elemental pieces are integrally formed as a one piece of continuous sheet material defining borders between the pieces. The border includes partial discontinuous for identifying folding portion of the pieces for mating adjacent pieces. Continuity of adjacent pieces is maintained by bridging portions which serves as positioning means for precisely mating the adjacent pieces for connecting peripheral edges for completing the bellows.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

Abstract: A folding garment bag including flexible inner and outer cover panels, an internal pivotal frame mechanism, and a handle extendable from inside the bag to full extension for pulling in a direction of minimum width. The garment bag can be tightly folded and bound for compact stowing, or released, whereupon the frame mechanism is spring loaded to force the folded halves of the bag apart in an inverted V-shape configuration. The frame mechanism includes wheels protruding beyond the cover panels for wheeled transport.

Abstract: A metal bellows for use in a mechanical seal is rolled from a flat sheet and seam welded along an axial diagonal line. The bellows includes corrugations or convolutions having inner and outer crowns of identical radii. The end corrugation or convolution at each end of the bellows is axially compressed to provide an annular double-thickness bearing and support surface against which an end ring is located in face-to-face connection. A similar bellows of multiple plies is similarly constructed using a plurality of tubular bodies.

Abstract: The strength of slats attached to an inflatable packer assembly by welding is increased by forming the slats of an age-hardening materials, welding the slats to the inflatable packer assembly in an annealed condition followed by age-hardening of the welded slats. A slat structure having much greater strength than welded cold-worked material is realized. Final assembly includes the steps of sliding an overlying sleeve over the end fitting, the weld and a portion of the slats and engaging threads on the interior of the sleeve with external threads on the end fitting. The sleeve can thereby be unaffected by the heat treatment steps.

Abstract: The strength of slats attached to an inflatable packer assembly by welding is increased by forming the slats of an age-hardening materials, welding the slats to the inflatable packer assembly in an annealed condition followed by age-hardening of the welded slats. A slat structure having much greater strength than welded cold-worked material is realized.

Abstract: A bellows for use in fluid control devices includes a head, a shoulder, a blind hole extending from an opening in the shoulder to the head, and a hollow compressible neck between the head and the shoulder, through which the blind hole extends. The neck includes a thin-walled, circumferential band located between the shoulder and the head. The bellows is formed by forming, in a body of thermoplastic material, an inner bore having an inner diameter. Next, at least one thin-walled circumferential band is formed between the head and the shoulder. Finally, the body is deformed to cause each circumferential band to bow.

Abstract: A method for providing a perfectly flat top with a sharp edge on a dynamic pressure sensor using a cup-shaped stretched membrane as a sensing element. First, metal is deposited on the membrane and surrounding areas. Next, the side wall of the pressure sensor with the deposited metal is machined to a predetermined size. Finally, deposited metal is removed from the top of the membrane in small steps, by machining or lapping while the pressure sensor is mounted in a jig or the wall of a test object, until the true top surface of the membrane appears. A thin indicator layer having a color contrasting with the color of the membrane may be applied to the top of the membrane before metal is deposited to facilitate the determination of when to stop metal removal from the top surface of the membrane.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method and apparatus for hydroforming thin-wall metal corrugated tubing which include first preforming the corrugated tubing in a conventional hydroforming operation of the type in which each convolution is formed separately. Semi-resilient spacers are then inserted between the sides of adjacent internal convolutions, while non-resilient washers are inserted between the sides of adjacent external convolutions. The corrugated tubing with the inserted spacers and washers is then highly compressed to the total thickness of the individual elements, with the spacers and washers controlling the radii formed at the crests and troughs of the convolutions. The resulting corrugated tubing has trough and crest radii on the order of 11/2 to 2 metal thicknesses, has an extension/compression ratio of 4 or greater, and can be compressed nearly flat.

Abstract: A bellows is formed from a plurality of elemental pieces. A plurality of the elemental pieces are integrally formed as a one piece of continuous sheet material defining borders between the pieces. The border includes partial discontinuous for identifying folding portion of the pieces for mating adjacent pieces. Continuity of adjacent pieces is maintained by bridging portions which serves as positioning means for precisely mating the adjacent pieces for connecting peripheral edges for completing the bellows.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved spring brake assembly, and a method for making same, which is particularly resistant to unauthorized disassembly and its consequent hazards. A diaphragm is locked between two opposing portions of a housing. The two opposing portions of the housing are both made of steel and are welded rather than clamped to one another. The weld is performed in such a way that the diaphragm is not burnt or otherwise damaged by the welding process. The opposing portions are configured as a cylindrical coupling between a male member having an inwardly extending lip, and a female member preferably having an inner circumferential ledge, which cooperate to trap the periphery of the diaphragm at an end of the coupling remote from the weld.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a pressure control valve, wherein a fuel introduction path and a fuel discharge path are formed in a housing; a spherical valve body mounting portion is formed in the fuel discharge path; and a spherical valve body is mounted to the spherical valve body mounting portion, previously, an annular rib is formed on a diaphragm and an annular groove is formed on the housing. Thereafter, the annular rib of the diaphragm is coupled into the annular groove of the housing to position the diaphragm, and vacuum suction is performed from the fuel introduction path to thereby the pressure in the housing and attract a diaphragm unit to the housing. In this state, a case is put on the housing, and this case is caulked to simultaneously fix the diaphragm and the case to the housing.

Abstract: The packer (4) is for use in isolating long lengths (i.e. heights) of a borehole (2), e.g. between sampling points. The packer includes bentonite (23) which is activated by the natural groundwater in the borehole. The water is admitted into the bentonite through narrow portholes (21), which delays the flow of water into the packer. The water is distributed evenly throughout the bentonite by blotting paper (14,16) which soaks up the incoming water and prevents the water passing to the bentonite until the blotting paper is all saturated. Alternatives to the use of blotting paper, to transmit the water evenly over and through the whole body of bentonite, include perforated corrugated plastic, corrugated cardboard, and perforated plastic pipes.

Abstract: An isolator for use in pressure transmitters for isolating the process fluid being sensed from a sensor, comprises an isolating diaphragm that is thin, and made of a suitable corrosion resistant metal, such as tantalum, and which must be anchored to an isolator housing made of a substantially different metal such as stainless steel. Tantalum is very resistant to corrosion, and is a high melting point metal, which is substantially higher than the material comprising the sensor housing so direct welding is virtually impossible. The present invention relates to securing a support ring of the same metal as the diaphragm surrounding the cavity formed for the isolator fluid, preforming a thin metal diaphragm made of the selected material, and then welding the diaphragm and a ring overlying the diaphragm directly to the support ring.

Abstract: A flexible hose assembly for a mercury line for a manometer, and including a length of convoluted hose having an end, an inner sleeve positioned over the hose and having an end welded to the hose end, a hose fitting having an end and a welding section spaced from the end with the fitting end welded to the inner sleeve, a braid positioned over the hose and inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve positioned over the braid and having an end welded to the braid end and to the fitting at the welding section. A method of producing such a hose assembly.

Abstract: A compact metal bellows preferably for converting pressure changes into lar motion, has alternating inner and outer welds accomplished by a laser weld technique. An inner weld fixture is provided for deflecting a portion of the bellows away from the very small beam spot of the laser weld process. The compact metallic bellows of the present invention is particularly adapted for fitting into a small space and taking advantage of its equal free length and solid length to provide a spring force equal the sum of the spring force of each of the several metallic diaphragms.

Abstract: An internally pressurizable lightweight high tensile strength multi-layered structure with an outer barrier layer envelope of elastomeric semi-permeable material for use as a cushioning device is provided. The outer barrier layer is bonded, at a multiplicity of sites, to substantially the entire distal surfaces of a double-walled drop-thread linked fabric wherein the filaments are comprised of a highly distorted, long chain, axially orientated crystalline molecular structure which has a low gas permeability. The bond between the barrier layer and the facing fabric is substantially increased by the presence of fibrils and texturizing. The drop threads which are likewise texturized, function as stress averaging members to maintain the composite structure in either a substantially flat or planar or contoured configuration without weldments within the select load-bearing areas.

Abstract: An expandable balloon wrapped media display system including: a transparent balloon (30); an accordion pleated sheet (11, 11a, 11b) having formed thereon a message, picture, graphic display, graphic design, or combination thereof; a first attachment member (15) fixedly secured to a first edge (21) of the sheet (11, 11a); the sheet (11, 11a, 11b) being folded up on itself at its midpoint (28) so as to present the left and right halves (26L, 26R) of a second edge (26) thereof in generally face-to-face relation; a second attachment member (22) having a tubular portion (24) and an axially extending flange (25) fixedly secured to a second edge (26) of the sheet (11, 11b); the folded accordion pleated sheet (11, 11a, 11b) being inserted into a balloon (30) with the first attachment member (15) engaging the polar extremity (34) of the balloon (30) most remote from the balloon's inflation aperture (31) and the second attachment member (22) having its tubular portion (24) disposed within the constricted neck portion (

Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator or water heater construction, typically includes a first wall in surrounding spaced apart relationship to a second wall. An insulating and sealing device of insulation material, such as fiberglass of foamed material partially enclosed in an open-topped envelope of plastic or foil material is circumferentially located in the space between the first wall and outer wall at a preselected location within the space. The insulating and sealing device which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial width of the space is radially compressed between the first wall surface and second wall surface. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the space to one side of the insulating and sealing device.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A method for making a steel/concrete tank is provided. A steel interior tank is pressurized during or after pouring of a concrete outer tank around a steel inner tank. Pressurization is commenced before the concrete has set, and is maintained until substantial setting of the concrete. The resulting structure is less susceptible than previous structures to cracking of the exterior concrete upon pressure-testing of the structure for leaks.

Abstract: A rigid metal pipe coupling for joining pipe sections comprises a sheet of metal having opposite edges for rolling into a generally cylindrical rigid sleeve. The metal sheet has an integrally formed expansible and contractible means formed intermediate the ends of the sheet, said means is adapted after rolling into said sleeve and under the action of a predetermined force to expand and contract thereby allowing said sleeve to permanently bend and accommodate a desired angle of connection between pipe sections.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluid-tight seal between a thin, flexible member and a member support including the steps of providing a pair of spaced apart braze material receiving recesses on an external surface of the member support having a combined depth to accommodate excess braze material during the brazing of the member to the support, positioning the member to extend across the recesses and the surface and brazing the member to the surface while maintaining the contact between the braze material and the member. An apparatus using this method to produce a fluid-tight seal for a thin, flexible member comprises a support surface, a pair of excess braze material receiving spaced apart recesses on the surface and having a combined depth for accommodating excess brazing material and a brazing material located between the member and the surface and covering the recesses and an adjacent portion of the support surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor composed of a substrate formed adopting a thin-film forming technique and a diaphragm which is formed on the surface of the substrate. The sensor includes an insulating diaphragm film which is formed of an etching-resistant material on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate such as to coat it, at least one etching hole provided such as to penetrate the diaphragm film and reach the substrate, a reference pressure chamber which is formed by etching to remove a part of the semiconductor substrate and a disappearing film through the etching hole, and at least one strain gage which is provided at a predetermined position in the pressure receiving region of the diaphragm film. All the processing steps of the sensor are conducted solely on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, namely, on a single side.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bellows members composed of stacks of annular elements which are joined together by weld seams produced alternately at inner and outer edges of the elements. In the invention at least some of the annular elements of a bellows member are mounted on a rotating fixture for welding the seams by a beam welder. During the production on one such seam the beam welding device is held stationary in relation to the elements.

Abstract: A flat-spread force measuring apparatus comprising a stiff rigid main body having an essentially plane top surface for receiving a load; a plurality of flat cavities provided in said body spaced to each other and extending in parallel to said top surface; essentially bubble free elastomeric material contained in said cavities; a plurality of pressure sensors one each arranged in contact to said elastomeric material in each of said cavities; a plurality of force introduction members one each arranged in an essentially vertical alignment to said pressure sensors and below them; and evaluation means electrically connected to said pressure sensors for combining electrical signals received therefrom and representing local force components transmitted from said load receiving body through said elastomeric material to said pressure sensors.

Abstract: The piston boot is first set at the middle portion of a cylinder jig having a small diameter upper step portion and a large diameter lower step portion with the middle portion position therebetween and having radial air blow off vents. The upper step portion is then inserted into an inner circumferential face of a piston while simultaneously advancing the lower step portion toward an end face of the piston from which the inner circumferential face extends and blowing air from the blow off vents, as a result of which the piston boot is radially expanded and fitted on an outer circumference of the piston adjacent the end face. A cup form jig slidably fitted around the lower step portion is then advanced toward the piston boot and further advances the piston boot until the piston boot is fitted into a piston boot fitting portion of the piston.

Abstract: An orifice plate mounting assembly includes a manifold having an interior cavity defining an elongated slot and fluid communication therewith and a pair of exterior vertical guide surfaces bracketing a recessed substantially planar surface surrounding the elongated slot. A pair of clamping members each having a clamp body, a clamping arm extending horizontally outwardly from the clamp body and defining substantially planar contact surfaces, and hinge elements are provided to horizontally position the planar contact surface of each clamping arm in planar contact with the respective portion of the planar orifice plate laterally of the linear array of orifices. Suitable securing elements bridge the manifold assembly in each clamp body to cause each planar contact surface to exert a clamping force against the orifice plate so as to, in turn, exert a clamping force between the planar orifice plate and the recessed planar surface.