Abstract: A vacuum powered pump includes a spring biased piston or diaphragm in a vacuum chamber coupled to a source of vacuum. When vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber, the piston or diaphragm is moved in a first direction against the spring. A delayed action valve is coupled to the vacuum chamber to allow ambient air to enter the chamber only after the piston or diaphragm has been moved a substantial distance in the first direction. When the delayed action valve opens, air enters the vacuum chamber and the force of the entering air together with the bias of the spring propels the piston or diaphragm in a second direction opposite the first direction. The delayed action valve automatically closes and the process repeats so long as a vacuum source is coupled to the vacuum chamber. The reciprocal movement of the piston or diaphragm effects a pulsatile pumping of fluid through a fluid chamber having at least one check valve.

Abstract: A reciprocable device comprising a reciprocable member mounted for reciprocating movement within a chamber and a valve system for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of the member. The valve system comprises a spool valve, a coupling mechanism for joining the reciprocable member and the spool valve, and a bistable spring, which is actuated by the reciprocable member, for driving the spool valve through the coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid pumping system comprises a reciprocable pump having a reciprocable member. A valving system controls the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of the member. In order to provide a much more compact unit, the valving system is arranged to be offset radially from the reciprocable member, yet is drivingly connected to the reciprocable member through a unique mechanism so that the valving system may switch states responsive to the stroke travel of the reciprocable member.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an expansible chamber device includes a piston movable within a cylinder, a head on the cylinder having intake and exhaust ports, a normally-open intake valve for closing the intake port automatically when the flow rate or velocity of a working medium entering the cylinder reaches a predetermined value, variable restraining means for inhibiting closing of the intake valve in response to flow, an exhaust valve for preventing escape of working medium from the cylinder until cylinder pressure is reduced to a set level, spring means for opening the exhaust valve at that level, and means operable near the top-dead-center position of the piston for automatically opening the intake valve and for closing the exhaust valve to enable the cycle to repeat. A unique system for controlling the variable restraining means, as well as methods for regulating the flow or working medium through said valves, also is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid pressure oscillator is provided with a cylinder containing a piston assembly. Fluid actuated reciprocation of the piston assembly is controlled by a valve mounted externally of the cylinder. The valve is alternately shifted between "advance" and "retract" settings by a reciprocating actuating rod removably received in the cylinder. A magnet on the piston assembly cooperates with magnetic elements on the actuating rod to automatically reciprocate the latter.

Abstract: A closed loop solar collector system (10) includes a fluid receiver (12) for collecting solar heat to vaporize a working fluid therein. A uniflow engine (15), connected to the receiver (12), is powered by the vaporized fluid to power a water wheel (19). The engine (15) includes a single piston (37) acting directly upon a pair of normally closed intake valves (50) projecting into the engine cylinder (35). Under low boiler pressure conditions, a spring loaded connecting rod (62) having depending arms (64) each engaging one of the intake valve rods (54b) when in a normally raised position coordinates simultaneous opening or closing of the valves (50) with a detent mechanism (63), enabling the piston (37) to operate in a nonexpanding state.

Abstract: In a driving device of the piston-flowmeter type, in particular for a proportioning pump, a distributor is mounted at one end of a piston cylinder for controlling the admission and discharge of fluid within two chambers formed respectively on each side of the piston. The distributor body is provided with circular flow passages and two pairs of valve-seats in cooperating relation with two seals of a two-position tubular valve. The valve has a central bore traversed by the piston rod and coupled to a resilient bistable mechanism for reversing the state of the valve and maintaining it in either of its two positions.

Abstract: A ratio pump for delivering first and second liquid beverage components in a desired ratio comprising a motor and a pump driven by the motor. The first beverage component is pressurized and is used as the driving fluid for the motor. The second beverage component is pumped by the pump. The first beverage component is exhausted from the motor and delivered along with a second beverage component delivered by the pump. The motor, which may include a piston, requires a predetermined amount of the first beverage component in order to drive the pump to deliver a known volume of the second beverage component.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for a cylinder-piston unit wherein the extreme positions of the piston are not positively controlled by a crankshaft or similar device. Inlet and exhaust valves are respectively mounted in a cylinder head and are operated by actuating rods projecting into the path of the piston.

Abstract: A reciprocable device comprising a reciprocable member mounted for reciprocating movement within a chamber and a valve system for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of such member. The valve system includes first and second valve elements, a connector joining the valve elements and a bistable spring, which is actuated by the reciprocable member, for driving the connector.

Abstract: A double-acting air-powered diaphragm pump having a pair of identical pump assemblies detachably secured within a frame-like manifold assembly. Each of the pump assemblies contains a pair of mating halves and a web-like resilient diaphragm defining an air cavity and a fluid cavity. Each of the diaphragms is operated by means of a centrally attached shaft, the facing ends of the shafts being joined by a chain link which allows for potential misalignment. The pump assemblies, which are substantially identical in construction, may be easily and individually removed from the manifold assembly for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A magnetic snap-action directional control valve mechanism preferably for use with a fluid pressure actuated reciprocating motor or pump (28). A driven member, represented by a tie rod assembly (42) in the described preferred embodiment, is caused to reciprocate at the same frequency as the reciprocating motor (28) due to contact of the driven member by a sealing member within the motor as represented by a piston (36) in the described preferred embodiment. The driven member includes a magnetic area which magnetically interacts with another magnetic area on the valve core of the magnetic directional control valve, thus causing the valve core (19) to also reciprocate at the motor frequency. Due to the nature of the magnetic interaction between the magnetic areas, the valve core (19) reciprocates in a snap-action fashion.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved pump jack characterized by a hollow piston rod which telescopes down over the sucker rod to which it is clamped for reciprocating motion. The cylinder, in turn, is fastened in fixed position directly to the upper exposed end of the well casing. As fluid is introduced into the lower end of the cylinder it raises the piston into engagement with a pushrod housed in the upper cylinder head that lifts switch-actuating means associated therewith into a position operative to actuate a switch located adjacent thereto thereby causing the latter to change state and actuate a multi-function solenoid valve so as to cut off fluid flow to the cylinder. As gravity lowers the sucker rod and piston exhausting the hydraulic fluid therebeneath, an adjustable stop engages the pushrod from above so as to return it together with the switch-actuating means associated therewith to their original positions thereby resetting the switch to complete the operating cycle.

Abstract: A fluid operated ram comprises a striker body guided in an upright housing between an active stroke and a return stroke and striking at the end of its active stroke an impact transmitter resting on a member to be driven into the ground by the ram. The striker body is connected by a piston rod to a working piston reciprocatedly arranged in a cylinder coaxially mounted on the upper end of the housing, so that the striker body is driven during reciprocation of the working piston. The working piston is a differential piston and divides the cylinder into a first chamber above the upper larger face of the working piston and a second chamber below the smaller annular face of the differential piston.

Abstract: An air operated reciprocating tool, including, an air operated double ended piston positioned within a cylinder for reciprocation within the cylinder, a valve assembly in communication with a source of air for controlling the application of the source of air in alternation to opposite portions of the piston for reciprocation of the piston, a shoe member for supporting a tool and with the shoe member mounted for sliding motion, and belt means forming a loop for interconnecting the ends of the double ended piston and the shoe member and with the belt means supported by pulley members located adjacent the ends of the double ended piston and with the reciprocating motion of the double ended piston transmitted to reciprocating motion of the shoe member.

Abstract: A liquid-operated reciprocating prime mover assembly includes upper and lower reservoirs formed of interlocking cylinders enabling relative expansion and contraction of the interior volumes thereof, and a shuttle valve disposed intermediately and connectingly between the upper and lower reservoirs for receiving a stream of operating liquid and directing the same alternatingly between the reservoirs. As the liquid is directed to each reservoir that reservoir is caused to expand, carrying the shuttle valve in a first direction along a rectilinear path, while when fed to the other reservoir the liquid causes the valve to be correspondingly carried in the opposite direction along the path. A body washing apparatus incorporating the prime mover assembly further includes an operatively rotatable brush assembly carried along the rectilinear path and supporting a brush rotatable as the shuttle valve traverses the path for cleansing contact with a user's body.

Abstract: A compressed air motor comprises a cylinder with a piston slidable in said cylinder and connected to a compressed air inlet through a slide valve mechanism which alternately admits respective opposite sides of the cylinder with compressed air for driving the piston in the opposite direction, and which also alternately vents the side of the cylinder in which the piston is moving. The construction includes an action rod mounted for movement in a direction parallel to the piston on each side thereof which is contacted by the piston after predetermined movement thereof. A snap-action lever mechanism is connected between the action rod and the slide valve mechanism so that the action rod, through the snap-action lever mechanism reverses the slide valve during each motion of the piston. The action rod member is returned to its starting position during the return movement of the piston by means of a stop member connected to an extension of the piston.

Abstract: A system for recovering energy from a pressured reactor comprising a reactor, a reciprocating engine connected to the reactor to receive reaction effluent from said reactor thereby driving the pistons of the reciprocating engine by expansion of the effluent and recovery apparatus downstream of the engine for recovering products from the effluent.The expanding reactor effluent is used to drive the pistons which are especially valved in conjunction with the effluent inlet port in the cylinder to facilitate handling the effluents, the pistons in turn operate a crankshaft through a crosshead which may power compressors or operate a generator to produce electricity. It is reasonable to expect recovery in a directly usable form, such as electricity, of over 25% of the energy theoretically available in the pressured reactor effluent in some cases.

Abstract: In a hydrazine powered engine, an intake valve arrangement for positively controlling the opening and closing of the poppet valve in a hot gas cylinder, the poppet valve being operated by the piston and gas pressure only. The poppet valve uses a pneumatic "spring" which holds the poppet valve against the piston while the valve is opened and closed. To accomplish this, a poppet valve is slidably mounted in a "pneumatic spring" chamber which reaches a pressure approaching the gas supply pressure and, during the opening of the valve, the "spring" chamber retains enough pressure to hold the poppet valve onto the piston. In addition, the bottom of the poppet valve can have a suction cup type configuration to hold the poppet valve on the piston during the down stroke.

Abstract: A double acting concrete pump having a pair of interconnected mud pistons driven by a reversing hydraulic actuator, which is reversed by the piston motion at the end of each stroke, and has a pressure relief to avoid bottoming at the end of a stroke. The mud pistons slide in cylinders which are lubricated and cleaned by a supply of lubricant circulated between the cylinders by the piston action. Concrete or similar mud-like material is drawn from a hopper and pumped out through a common outlet.

Abstract: A linear fluid-operated actuator includes a casing having a piston assembly slidingly movable in a main cylinder within the casing and provided with force transmitting means adapted to transmit the motion of the piston to the outside. A linear flow control assembly is provided including two valves which are each slidable within a valve cylinder positioned on either side of the main cylinder in coaxial relation and merging therewith. The valves are connected to each other for simultaneous movement and the size of the valve member, the extent of its movement and the position of an inlet and outlet port provided in each valve cylinder is such that the inlet in one cylinder is closed while its outlet is open, and the inlet of the other cylinder is open while its outlet is closed and communication between them is prevented. A retainer is provided for the valve assembly in either of its end positions and a spring is positioned between the piston and each valve.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston motor has the piston biased in return stroke direction and driven in power stroke by air pressure introduced between the head of the piston and a closure across the end of the working chamber cylinder. A valve which closes an exhaust port leading from the working chamber, is opened at the end of the power stroke by working chamber air pressure and the air pressure is evacuated from the working chamber. The valve is returned to closing relation to the port by the returning piston, thereby resetting the motor for another cycle of operation.

Abstract: A source of fluid, regulated as to pressure intensity before entry into a control valve assembly, drives a fluid biased piston motor. A mechanically actuated and fluid held valve in the control valve assembly controls pressurization of a pressure chamber in the piston motor displacing the motor piston through its return stroke. Pressure differential on opposite sides of a fluid operated valve actuator insures rapid opening of the valve and holding thereof in its open position during the motor piston return stroke. At the end of the return stroke, the pressure differential is eliminated to allow spring-biased closing of the valve and venting of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fluid operated hydraulic pump of the type using air pressure to produce high pressure hydraulic fluid wherein an air pressure driven motor and a hydraulic pump are positioned in adjacent axially aligned relationship and the air motor drives the hydraulic pump, the air motor including a reciprocable check valve for preventing air flow into the pump during the exhaust stroke of the pump thereby increasing the efficiency of the pump and reducing air flow through the pump. The check valve is disposed in the air inlet passage and is positioned in axially aligned relationship and adjacent to a reciprocable shuttle valve controlling exhaust air flow from the motor. Movement of the shuttle valve to a position permitting air to be exhausted from the air motor chamber also facilitates movement of the reciprocable check valve to a position wherein it prevents air flow into the motor.

Abstract: A machine having a housing wherein are arranged a stepped hammer piston adjoining the front portion of the machine and a stepped plunger adjoining the rear portion of said machine, said hammer piston and plunger being adapted for an axial movement in said housing. The hammer piston and the plunger are separated by resilient means. The pressure fluid fed into the housing provides for reciprocation of the hammer piston and the plunger. The hammer piston reciprocations consist of forward and return strokes. During the forward stroke the hammer piston transmits impacts to the tool. The presence of the hammer piston and the plunger with the resilient member in between increases the power of the hammer piston impacts transmitted to the tool, hence the machine efficiency. The machine may be advantageously used as a hydraulic hammer (quartering hammer) and a hydraulic percussive device for making holes and deep wells in soil.