With Distinct Fluid Or Article Handling Or Directing Feature Patents (Class 403/34)
  • Patent number: 6361237
    Abstract: A coupling device includes first and second relatively rotating members mounted about a common axis and first and second lines fixed between the first and second members. The first line is adapted to wrap around the first member in a first direction and around the second member in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the second line is adapted to wrap around the first member in the second direction and around the second member in the first direction. A guide is revolvably mounted to the first and second members for translating the first and second lines between the first member and the second member as the first and second members rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gordon O. Salmela
  • Patent number: 6196752
    Abstract: A pivot structure for a vehicle wiper device is provided. The pivot structure prevents foreign matters from invading through a body exterior sheet into a dash board area, for example. The pivot structure may be used in both left-side-drive vehicles and right-side-drive vehicles. A first regulating rib and second regulating rib are formed on respective fixing pieces, which extend from the outside periphery of a pivot holder. The first and second ribs are formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line X passing through the center axis of the pivot shaft on the right side and the left side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Komiyama
  • Patent number: 5735627
    Abstract: An articulating mechanism for use in a single- or multiple-fluid-path painting robot is presented. The articulation design is particularly suitable as a wrist-joint and is free from the problems of dead space and single-fluid-path limitations found in conventional wrist-joint designs. The mechanism is based on coupling two cylindrical casings coaxially so that arm casing, wrist casing and the flange ends are coaxially joint about a shaft axis. The end sections of each components are sealed while leaving a fluid space of a given spacing between the outer and inner casings. The casings provide a fluid passage space extending in the direction of the casings and is provided with fluid delivery holes for the delivery of paint and other fluid medium. The designs include a blocking member so that cleaning of the robotic device, and quick maintenance or color changes can be carried out during production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Nagao, Shingi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5727895
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a line holder on a wheel control element of a braked wheel, with releasable fasteners by way of which a fastening limb of the line holder can be fixed on a mating surface of the wheel control element. In order to be able to provide brake cooling without excessively increasing the unsprung wheel mass or increasing the work involved in assembly to any considerable extent, a baffle arrangement for deflecting a flow of cooling air can be mounted on the wheel control element. The arrangement can be fixed simultaneously by the fasteners of the line holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Raimund Busse, Roland Kaempf, Harald Liegert, Hans Weisbarth
  • Patent number: 5667329
    Abstract: A quick change PVC pipe connection system (10) comprises a pipe (12) having a pair of opposite spaced apertures (14) extending through one end (16). A fitting (18) has a flange (20) with a pair of opposite spaced orifices (22) extending through the flange (20). A pair of pins (24) are provided. A facility (26) within the pipe (12) is for forcing each pin (24) through one aperture (14) in the pipe (12) and into one orifice (22) in the flange (20) of the fitting (18), when the end (16) of the pipe (12) is inserted into the flange (20) of the fitting (18), so as to retain the pipe (12) to the fitting (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: James Herbert Yoder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5664898
    Abstract: The locking ring includes a body having an axis and a hole along the axis. The body receives a shaft in the hole. The body includes a cavity, a first passageway communicating with the cavity, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the body to a portion of the shaft disposed in the hole. The locking ring further includes a piston member having a piston head and a piston rod connected to the piston head. The piston head is disposed in the cavity, and the piston rod projects from the cavity in a direction parallel to the axis. The piston member moves relative to the body when pressure is supplied to the cavity via the first passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Femas S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gino Ferrari, Franco Maioli
  • Patent number: 5205665
    Abstract: An aviator harness fitting includes a releasable member secured to a buckle member by means of a movable bolt. A pressure inlet is provided to enable translational motion of the bolt in the manner of a piston. When actuated, the bolt moves to a release position to permit separation of the releasable and buckle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Armand J. Aronne
  • Patent number: 5129447
    Abstract: A fluid cooled thermal skin is bolted to a sufficient back structure. In-line coolant flow paths are arranged to pass the cooling fluid through the bolt head. The in-line paths are recessed adjacent the bolt head to mate with flow openings in the head. In one embodiment the paths through the bolt head are parallel paths, requiring alignment of the bolt head. In another embodiment alignment of the bolt head is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Larry D. Hamner
  • Patent number: 4950098
    Abstract: A slat fence retainer for retaining slats in a chain-link fence includes a horizontally disposed slat-retaining element having a pair of spaced apart side walls, a base joining the bottom margin of the side walls and an open top. The element includes a vertical-slat retention means thereon. Plural, vertical slat elements are predimensioned to be received in the links in the fence. Each vertical slat element has at least one substantially planar and resilient flange at an end thereof and slots formed adjacent the end for engagement with the slat retention means to hold the vertical slat element in the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: VIP Company
    Inventors: Joshua B. Abbott, Patrick E. Kohls, Joseph W. Schoenheit, Fred O. Walden
  • Patent number: 4874259
    Abstract: A bearing device assembly includes a water pump shaft supported by a rolling bearing, and a plulley seat press fitted to one end of the water pump shaft. A recess or recesses in the form of a ring-shaped groove, a spiral-shaped groove, and a groove extending in the axial direction of the shaft, or the like are formed in at least one of the peripheral surface of the one end portion of the water pump shaft and the inner surface of the pulley seat. The recess prevents formation of an oil film on the fitting surface between the water pump shaft and the pulley seat at the time of press fitting the pulley seat, and also allows the remaining oil on the fitting surface to flow into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Sato, Nobuhiko Miyake, Souji Nishida
  • Patent number: 4863304
    Abstract: A rapid connector for use between an endoscope and a camera in which a base ring is connectible to a lens mount of the camera and to an ocular cone of the endoscope and comprises a delimiting glass pane with there being an enclosed space between the delimiting glass pane and a glass pane of the endoscope, and in which the enclosed space is placed in communication with a compressed air source via a radial bore in the base ring and a connector tube therein, and with the ambient atmosphere via an oppositely situated radial bore as well as a hole of the base ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Richard Wolf, GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Bauer, Helmut Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4813909
    Abstract: An elastic axial-rotation coupler has two inelastic devices for respective, inelastic connection to the two axially-rotatable structures, one of the devices defining an annular chamber therein. The annular chamber is closed axially and radially outwardly by the inelastic device defining it. At least one resilient element is in the annular chamber and connected to each device for rotatably coupling them resiliently and, thereby, so coupling the axially-rotatable structures which can be connected to the devices. The resilient element preferably is a rubber-elastic body. At least when the structures axially rotate the devices, a liquid is also in the annular chamber for impinging on the resilient element where the centrifugal force of its rotation with the devices would distort it. The liquid preferably has substantially the same density as the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Hans G. Eckel, Benno Jorg
  • Patent number: 4749298
    Abstract: A fastener (24) secures a thin sheet liner (16) to a supportive substrate (10) for protection against an adjacent high temperature environment (12). Cooling air (20) flows through a plurality of openings (34) and impinges (36) on the fastener (24). The fastener (24) is received within a dimple (32) in the liner (16) and includes an enlarged head portion (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar Bundt, Anthony M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4728314
    Abstract: An elastic axial-rotation coupler has two inelastic devices for respective, inelastic connection to the two axially-rotatable structures, one of the devices defining an annular chamber therein. The annular chamber may be open radially inwardly, but is closed axially and radially outwardly by the inelastic device defining it. At least one resilient element is in the annular chamber and connected to each device for rotatably coupling them resiliently and, thereby, so coupling the axially-rotatable structures which can be connected to the devices. The resilient element preferably is a rubber-elastic body. At least when the structures axially rotate the devices, a liquid is also in the annular chamber for impinging on the resilient element where the centrifugal force of its rotation with the devices would distort it. The liquid preferably has substantially the same density as the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Hans G. Eckel, Benno Jorg
  • Patent number: 4702635
    Abstract: The clamp apparatus transmits torque forces between a shaft and a hub. The clamp apparatus comprises conical rings, each having a conical surface together with a cylindrical inner or outer circumferential surface. The conical rings are drawn together by axial straining screws, thereby radially expending the clamp apparatus. Surface channels are provided on at least one of the conical surfaces into which a flowable lubricant may be forced under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Inventor: Ralph Muellenberg
  • Patent number: 4650364
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a roll ring (5) to an overhung roll shaft (1) by means of a taper sleeve (8) which transmits essentially the entire torque and which is loaded axially by a spring (43) supported on an abutment (47) adjustable on the free end of the roll shaft. The roll ring can be exchanged easily because of a cylinder part (21) arranged radially within the spring. This cylinder part forms a first annular cylinder space (40) for prestressing the spring, with which it interacts via a flange, and a second cylinder space (22) for drawing off the taper sleeve, to which it is connected via engagement means (28). The spring and the hydraulic devices can remain in place when a roll ring is assembled and removed, because their outside diameter is less than the bore of the roll ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Uwe Kark
  • Patent number: 4609081
    Abstract: A hydraulic snubber suitable for a skidding grapple or the like in which a twisted figure eight housing is provided to oppose free swinging in two mutually perpendicular horizontal directions, each portion of the figure eight body having a cylinder housing a rotor with each rotor and cylinder having radially extending vanes equipped with flexible, orifice equipped vane extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventor: Emory D. Hungerford
  • Patent number: 4456396
    Abstract: A hub is mounted or dismounted by the use of hydraulic pressure with the hub being the only movable member. Either of two seals of different diameters are used in conjunction with a third seal of an intermediate diameter so as to establish a differential annular area between the two seals in use. Depending upon which pair of seals is used, hydraulic pressure tends to either force the hub onto or off of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Elliott Turbomachinery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard P. Damratowski
  • Patent number: 4362545
    Abstract: An article suitable as an integral handle for an optical waveguide preform is disclosed. The article comprises a hollow tubular member defining a substantially longitudinal aperture and having one end thereof tapered and of diminishing wall thickness for the length of said taper. Adjacent the tapered end is disposed an outwardly extending protrusion which is embedded in one end of an optical waveguide preform forming an integral unit therewith. Means are provided for a substantially gas-tight connection to the handle so that a gaseous medium may be flowed through the handle and the optical waveguide preform in its porous soot form. Means are also provided for attaching and securing the composite structure to a source of gaseous medium. Also disclosed is the combination of an optical waveguide preform rigidly affixed to a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventors: Alan C. Bailey, Stephen B. Miller
  • Patent number: 4154543
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for disassembly of a tapered connection (20) by injecting fluid into a threaded bolt hole (24) and pressurizing the fluid by tightening the bolt (34). The pressurized fluid between the members (12, 14) forming the connection (20) forces the members (12, 14) to separate. The apparatus purges compressible air from the connection (20) thereby allowing the pressure to build and separate the members (12, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Clinton F. Moewe, Alfred C. LaGrow
  • Patent number: 4134701
    Abstract: A flexible joint construction such as is used in automotive steering linkages or the like wherein each housing is provided with an integral internal spherical bearing surface formed during the forging and inner cavity machining operations, with such housings being characterized by precisely localized hardened annular zones at the spherical bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Inventor: Victor R. McEowen
  • Patent number: 4105343
    Abstract: A releasable hub-shaft connection mechanism, in particular to be used in heavy machinery for transmitting strong torques, has a shaft, a hub surrounding the shaft and at least one bore with its axis parallel to the shaft and located at the junction of the shaft and the hub so as to penetrate each equally. A bushing with a cylindrical outer face and a conical inner face is accommodated in the at least one bore, and a tapering bolt is axially displaceable in the bushing, by means of this bolt the bushing is expandible. At a closed bottom end of the bushing, where the bushing has the smallest inner diameter, a further bore extending through the bushing to the outside is located and is connectable to a pressure medium conduit. The tapering bolt is displaceable from a clamped into a release position when the further bore is supplied with a pressure medium from said pressure medium conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke-Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: RE33962
    Abstract: A bearing device assembly includes a water pump shaft supported by a rolling bearing, and a .[.plulley.]. .Iadd.pulley .Iaddend.seat press fitted to one end of the water pump shaft. A recess or recesses in the form of a ring-shaped groove, a spiral-shaped groove, and a groove extending in the axial direction of the shaft, or the like are formed in at least one of the peripheral surface of the one end portion of the water pump shaft and the inner surface of the pulley seat. The recess prevents formation of an oil film on the fitting surface between the water pump shaft and the pulley seat at the time of press fitting the pulley seat, and also allows the remaining oil on the fitting surface to flow into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Sato, Nobuhiko Miyake, Souji Nishida