With Means To Provide Unequal Flow Rates To Or From Opposed Working Chambers Patents (Class 91/463)
  • Patent number: 9032986
    Abstract: A volume booster for a fluid flow control device comprises a supply path for supplying a fluid boost to facilitate actuation of an actuator in a first direction, and an exhaust path for enabling controlled exhaust to facilitate actuation of the actuator in a second direction. The supply path defines a supply resistance that is set by the geometry of a supply trim component. The exhaust path includes an exhaust resistance that is set by the geometry of an exhaust trim component. The supply and exhaust trim components are independently removable and replaceable with replacement components to customize the exhaust and supply resistances, and therefore, the exhaust and supply capacities for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michel K. Lovell, Kenneth W. Junk, Ryan J. Jwanouskos
  • Patent number: 8844566
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 8807168
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a trim cartridge, a diaphragm assembly, and a control element. The trim cartridge defines a cartridge supply port and an upper planar surface. The cartridge supply port is disposed along a supply path of the volume booster and the upper planar surface is disposed along an exhaust of the volume booster. The diaphragm assembly defines an exhaust port on the exhaust path. The control element is movably disposed in the trim cartridge and includes a supply plug, an exhaust plug, and a stem. The supply plug engages the cartridge supply port and the exhaust plug engages the exhaust port. The exhaust plug further includes a lower planar surface that is coplanar with the upper planar surface of the trim cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 8689832
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device having a body having a inlet connection, an outlet connection, a discharge port and a booster module disposed within the body. The booster module including a control element and an actuator element having a noise-reducing trim element with a supply path extending between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and an exhaust path extending between the outlet connection and the discharge port. The noise-reducing trim element being coupled immediately adjacent to the discharge port such that the noise-reducing trim element distributes a fluid flow to the discharge port via the exhaust path into a plurality of fluid jets to substantially inhibit jet recombination at the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 8631826
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a body having an inlet connection, an outlet connection, and a discharge port. A supply path extends between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and a booster module is disposed within the body. The booster module includes a control element and an actuator element and defines an exhaust path extending between the outlet connection and the discharge port. A supply port is disposed within the booster module along the supply path between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and at least a first damping means operatively connected to the booster module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Michel K. Lovell, Ryan J. Jwanouskos, Gary L. Scott, Kenneth W. Junk, Mark Stiehl
  • Patent number: 7966771
    Abstract: A door operator includes a housing, a first pressure compartment; a second pressure compartment, a drive unit disposed in the housing and coupleable to a door via an output shaft, the driving unit being associated with the first pressure compartment, a hydraulic pump in hydraulic connection with the first and second pressure compartments, a motor in driving relationship with the hydraulic pump, and a spring force accumulator disposed in the housing. The spring force accumulator is associated with the second pressure compartment and coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Bienek
  • Patent number: 7845268
    Abstract: An asymmetric volume booster assembly includes an actuator movable in a first direction and a second direction, a first booster in fluid communication with the actuator, and a second booster in fluid communication with the actuator. The first booster includes a first supply passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the first exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The first exhaust passage is configured to produce a first fluid flow resistance. The second booster includes a second supply passage and a second exhaust passage, wherein the second supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the second exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The second exhaust passage is configured to produce a second resistance to fluid flow. The first fluid flow resistance is greater than the second fluid flow resistance, such that the actuator moves substantially symmetrically in the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Junk
  • Patent number: 7458212
    Abstract: A back-pressure valve comprises a case having first and second oil chambers through which oil passes. A piston is slidably accommodated within the case to partition the first oil chamber and the second oil chamber. A spring urges the piston in a sliding direction. A projecting member and a check valve allow the first oil chamber to communicate with the second oil chamber when the pressure of the oil in the first fluid chamber reaches a predetermined pressure. An area of the piston on which oil pressure is received in the first oil chamber is made lager than an area on which oil pressure is received in the second oil chamber. A part of the piston located at an end thereof opposite to the end thereof which faces the first oil chamber communicates with the outside of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Koizumi, Toshio Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7458310
    Abstract: An asymmetric volume booster assembly includes an actuator movable in a first direction and a second direction, a first booster in fluid communication with the actuator, and a second booster in fluid communication with the actuator. The first booster includes a first supply passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the first exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The first exhaust passage is configured to produce a first fluid flow resistance. The second booster includes a second supply passage and a second exhaust passage, wherein the second supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the second exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The second exhaust passage is configured to produce a second resistance to fluid flow. The first fluid flow resistance is greater than the second fluid flow resistance, such that the actuator moves substantially symmetrically in the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Junk
  • Patent number: 7392734
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator using a fluid cylinder capable of imparting stiffness to a fluid cylinder such as an air cylinder with a simple constitution, a control method thereof and a choke valve device. The actuator is provided with a fluid cylinder 1, a first choke valve device 3 and a second choke valve device 5. The fluid cylinder 1 has a cylinder chamber 7 and a piston 12 dispose slidably in the cylinder chamber 7 so as to partition the cylinder chamber 7 into a first chamber 9 and a second chamber 11. The first choke valve device 3 is disposed between a fluid pressure source and the first chamber 9; and the second choke valve device 5 is disposed between the fluid pressure source and the second chamber 11. Each of the choke valve devices 3 and 5 is provided with a discharge valve mechanism capable of changing the opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Ichiro Kawabuchi
    Inventors: Ichiro Kawabuchi, Kiyoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7305914
    Abstract: An actuator includes a piston within a cylinder, the cylinder having a first fluid port in communication with an open side of the piston, and a second fluid port in communication with a shaft side of the piston. The piston travels in a first direction, toward the shaft side of the piston and in a second direction, toward the open side of the piston. The actuator includes a valve circuit configured to selectively couple the first fluid port with a high-pressure fluid source when piston travel in the first direction is desired, and with a low-pressure fluid source when piston travel in the second direction is desired. The valve circuit is further configured to couple the second fluid port to the high-pressure fluid source when piston travel is desired in the first or second direction, and to close the first and second fluid ports when no piston travel is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7296406
    Abstract: A controlled piston (20, 62, 102) having a first end (24, 64, 104) mounted in a controlled piston sleeve (22) and a spool (16) movably mounted in a spool sleeve (18), a first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) from the spool (16) to the controlled piston first end (24, 64, 104), the position of the spool (16) affecting a position of the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), an FFV (42, 68, 110) in an FFV sleeve (44, 70, 112) in the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) having a first end section (46, 74, 116), a second end section (48, 78, 120) and a central section (50, 82, 126) having a third diameter less than the diameters of the first and second sections, the FFV (42, 68, 110) being shiftable between a first position blocking the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) and a second position allowing fluid flow past the central section (50, 82, 126) to the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), and a second fluid passage (56, 88, 134) from the spool (16) to the FFV first end section (46, 74, 116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Jr., George S. Wieger, Steven A. Lewis, Gregory A. Lafferty, John C. Van Oosterum
  • Publication number: 20040139850
    Abstract: A fluid circuit is provided to independently control the flow of fluid into and out of each end of an actuator. This is accomplished by having two different independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of one end of the actuator and by having two other independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the other end of the actuator. Regeneration of the fluid flow from one end of the actuator to the other end of the actuator is provided by blocking the exhaust flow of fluid to the reservoir by one of the independently controlled valves and redirecting the flow across the other of the independently controlled valves to join with the flow of the pump that is being directed to the other end of the actuator. This arrangement permits a portion or all of the fluid from one end of the actuator to be regenerated to the other end of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hayek, Vincent Triffaux
  • Patent number: 6450081
    Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for controlling the operation of an attachment or tool associated with a particular work machine wherein such circuit includes an actuator for controlling the operation of the attachment or tool, a control valve operable to control fluid flow to the actuator, a fluid path communicating the control valve with the actuator, and a pilot signal control device positioned in communication with both the control valve and a pilot pressure source and having a signal port in communication with the actuator for sensing the pressure associated therewith, the control device being responsive to the pressure associated with the actuator and being operable for sending a control signal to the control valve when a pressure condition in the actuator reaches a predetermined value, the control signal actuating the control valve so as to at least partially close such valve and maintain an operative pressure on the attachment actuator while, at the same time, decreasing the fluid flow through the control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Sorbel
  • Publication number: 20010050348
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6164385
    Abstract: An automatic depth control system is disclosed. The system includes a Console and remote Controller mounted in the tractor cab, power beyond Valving, and Depth Sensors, either ground contact or non-ground contact, mounted on the frame of the implement. The depth sensing system is provided to sense the actual penetration of an implement tool by determining the height of the implement frame above the ground. A circuit system is provided to receive the depth signal and to signal power beyond valving that will effect hydraulic corrections in order to maintain the select depth penetration. The Console includes an instrument panel having a toggle switch with AUTO, LOCK and MANUAL positions, an LED showing depth of tool penetration and a bargraph depicting variations from a desired depth and flashing lights on the bargraph to show depth corrections in process. The Console also includes a depth window in which no hydraulic correction would be made, a sensitivity switch, depth sensor switches and an UP/REPHASE switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew F. Buchl
  • Patent number: 5918528
    Abstract: A fluid flow control for controlling the speed of a piston in a fluid power cylinder is disclosed in which the flow control is located within the confines of the cylinder and includes a rotatable disk having tearshaped slots for communication of the exhaust fluid through the disk and out of the cylinder through discharge ports. Rotation of the disk to selectively position greater or lesser width portions of the tearshaped slot relative to an exhaust discharge opening in the cylinder permits selective, variable adjustment and throttling of the exhaust fluid to control the speed of movement of the piston in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Bimba Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: E. Wayne Hays
  • Patent number: 5522301
    Abstract: A two stage valve assembly responsive to signals from a control system for supplying pressurized fluid to two load lines. The first stage includes a motor that directs pressurized fluid from a jet pipe toward a receiver assembly having two receiver ports and a bleedoff area disposed between and separating the receiver ports. The second stage assembly includes two spool/sleeve assemblies that control the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the two load lines. A drain line from the receiver assembly includes a pressure relief valve, which insures that both spool/sleeve assemblies will be servo-controlled at all times. Cartridges may be inserted in the spool/sleeve assemblies to linearize the relationship between input current from the control system and the output force of an unequal area actuator connected to the load lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: E-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Roth, Raymond D. Atchley, Ori D. Chen-Zion, John B. Pegram, Maurice E. P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 5329767
    Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporating a double acting piston and cylinder and a bi-directional pump/motor derives energy from a drive system when operating in the pump mode and delivers energy to the drive system when in the pump mode and includes a circulation valve for supplementing fluid flow to and from and fluid supply in accordance with the unequal demands of the chambers driving the hydraulic actuator in one direction or the other by circulating fluid between the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Allan J. Hewett
  • Patent number: 5191826
    Abstract: In the case of a hydraulic control device for an oscillating load moving system comprising a double-acting hydroconsumer (V), which is adapted to be selectively connected to a pressure source (P) or to a reservoir (T) via two separate main lines (9, 10) and a control valve (C), and further comprising a load supporting valve (H), which is arranged in at least one main line (10) between the control valve (C) and the hydroconsumer (V) and which is adapted to be opened from the other main line (9) via a pilot line (16), a damping device (X), which consists of a bypass line (23) and an interference throttle aperture (D2), is connected to the pilot line (16) of the load supporting valve (H). The pilot line (16) has provided therein a throttle aperture (D1) which is smaller than the interference throttle aperture (D2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Heilmeier & Weinlein Fabrik fur Oel-Hydraulik
    Inventor: Rudolf Brunner
  • Patent number: 5168705
    Abstract: A flow control valve has a first variable restrictor to control a flow rate of a hydraulic fluid supplied from a hydraulic fluid supply line to a hydraulic actuator and a second variable restrictor to control a flow rate of the hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic fluid return line. A pressure compensating valve holds constant a differential pressure across the first variable restrictor, and a recovery circuit having a recovery line has a check valve that allows flow of the hydraulic fluid only toward the supply line. The recovery circuit receives at least part of the hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic actuator and returns it to the supply line at a portion between the pressure compensating valve and the first variable restrictor through the recovery line upon controlling of the discharged flow rate by the second variable restrictor to thereby recover the discharged hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toichi Hirata, Hideaki Tanaka, Kazunori Nakamura, Hideshi Koiwai, Yoneaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5138838
    Abstract: Hydraulic control of reversible hydraulic motors typically requires several different valves to provide for the various operating parameters. The subject hydraulic control circuit has only a pair of electrohydraulic control valves to provide all the typical operating parameters. Operation of the control valves is controlled by a microprocessor in response to receiving command signals from a manually controlled command signal outputting device which establishes a desired fluid flow rate and direction of flow through the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Crosser
  • Patent number: 5097747
    Abstract: The invention discloses a controlled connector-adjuster permitting two different speeds in the same stroke of a double-acting pneumatic pressure cylinder.In the absence of a control signal at the orifice (13) of the apparatus, the escape pressure from the cylinder (30) effecting its rod extension stroke, finds the return valve (14) closed and holds the piston (2) against the stop (9) whose adjustment defines a first flowrate between the needle valve (15) at the end of the piston and its seat (16), which flowrate corresponds to the high speed. The arrival of a pressure signal into the chamber (6) causes piston (2) to move until it abuts on a second screw (7) whose adjustment permits a second smaller flowrate than the first one and which thus determines the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Levenez
  • Patent number: 4930403
    Abstract: A directionally controllable air cylinder has a set of circumferentially disposed air passages formed at each end of a closed tube. A sleeve manifold surrounds the tube and is pneumatically sealed thereto by means of a plurality of O-rings. The O-rings are positioned such that they selectively expose the sets of air passages to the manifold for receiving compressed air and to the atmosphere for venting. The direction of piston movement is determined by the set of passages exposed to compressed air. A pilot piston moves the manifold in response to a pilot air signal in one embodiment and an electrically operated solenoid moves it in another version. The manifold may also be manually or mechanically moved to operate the air cylinder. Hydraulic cylinders utilizing fluids, other than air, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Royce Husted
  • Patent number: 4819541
    Abstract: The drive is controlled such that reduced pressure is applied during a forward motion phase and venting flow from the drive is used as dynamic control pressure to hold off application of full driving pressure until, through physical impediment, piston movement stops. This way rebounding is prevented and strong holding pressure (e.g. on welding electrodes) is made available after a low power motion phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignees: Lothar Schmitt GmbH, Hans E. Winkelmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz F. Pitsch, Hans E. Winkelmann, Helmut W. Frohnheiser, Guenther Herbert
  • Patent number: 4820136
    Abstract: A fluid pressure-intensifying system of the double-acting type has a recompression valve assembly that meters working fluid of the low pressure hydraulic cylinder to control low pressure piston travel upon reversal at the end of each pressure-intensifying stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Albert C. Saurwein
  • Patent number: 4753158
    Abstract: A pilot hydraulic system comprises a directional control valve having at least one pilot chamber for controlling the operation of a hydraulic actuator; and a pilot valve connected through a pilot line to the pilot chamber of the directional control valve for operation thereof. The pilot line includes a flow control valve which allows a free flow of hydraulic fluid from the pilot valve to the directional control valve while limiting a flow of hydraulic fluid from the directional control valve to the pilot valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Hitachi, Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toichi Hirata, Genroku Sugiyama, Shinichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 4748897
    Abstract: A base means (12) for directing fluid from a pneumatic control assembly to a number of pneumatic cylinders wherein the base means (12) is remotely mounted from the pneumatic cylinder and the pneumatic control assembly is mounted to the base means (12) and is in fluid communication with the base means (12) through base ports (38,40) which extend completely through the base means (12). The base means includes an upper and lower support surface (28,30), as well as side walls (31,32) and end walls (33,34) extending therebetween, and also includes communication ports (35,36) disposed on the faces of the walls. Flow passeges provide (44,46) fluid communication between the base ports (38,40) and the communication ports (35,36) and delivery means (48) extend between the communication ports (35,36) and cylinder ports located on either side of the piston in a pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventors: Ned W. Hoge, Dennis L. Bonacorsi
  • Patent number: 4745845
    Abstract: A flow regulating device is placed between a compressed air distributor and a double-acting jack for regulating the admission and exhaust flow of compressed air. The device includes a body with a cylindrical housing in which is mounted for axial sliding a movable member, and within which are two passageways transversed perpendicular to the body. Each passageway issues into a chamber defined by a bottom, the housing and the movable member. The two chambers are isolated by the movable member which comprises a central seal. The opening of the passageways are defined by stop members placed at both ends of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Styled LEGRIS
    Inventors: Andre Legris, Yves Levenez
  • Patent number: 4741249
    Abstract: Automatic device for economizing compressed air comprises a means for ensuring the passage of driving fluid under pressure during most of the stroke of the moving element of a user apparatus. The device consists of a single-unit body having a first circuit connecting a fluid supply pipe to one chamber of the cylinder actuator. The first circuit is controlled by a valve moving with a piston subjected to the action of an elastic means and slidably mounted in the body. The piston is actuated by the presence or absence of a pressure signal, the body having a second circuit by-passing the first circuit and connecting a fluid exhaust pipe to the cylinder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Styled Legris
    Inventor: Andre Legris
  • Patent number: 4651625
    Abstract: A pneumatic control assembly for a pneumatic cylinder having cylinder ports at the opposite ends thereof wherein the control assembly includes a valve body clamped directly to the pneumatic cylinder by a stud extending completely through the valve body and threadedly engaging the bore in the cylinder to provide the only means for maintaining the valve body attached to the pneumatic cylinder. An identical stud extends through an adapter to engage the other port in the cylinder and a pilot body is connected to the valve body by screws and includes electrically actuated solenoids for conducting pilot pressure to the valve body for allowing the full pressure to enter and exhaust from the respective ports in the cylinder to move the piston therein back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: United Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Ned W. Hoge
  • Patent number: 4630523
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic regulating device, particularly for aircraft controls, iuding a regulating cylinder having a regulating piston therein capable of being loaded at either end thereof for the positioning of which necessary volumes of operating fluid can be supplied separately to either end space of the cylinder by means of magnetically-operable valves; a computer by which switch pulses of variable duration to be fed to the magnetically-operable valves are determined in dependence on the specified adjustment distance of the regulating piston; restrictors which determine the throughput of operating fluid through the magnetically-operable valves and sensors which after the switching of a respective magnetically-operable valve generate electrical signals which are fed back to the computer purely as a confirmation of operation. The restrictors are so arranged in an operating fluid circuit that, on movement of the piston, operating fluid flows through only one of the restrictors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Tersteegen
  • Patent number: 4616476
    Abstract: A cylinder driving apparatus, wherein a head chamber and a rod chamber of a cylinder for driving a load upwardly and downwardly are communicated with a pressure accumulation tank by way of a balance pipeway equipped with an electromagnetic proportional flow control valve and a recycling pipeway equipped with a pressure control valve mechanism, respectively, and the load is driven by feeding air at reduced pressure to the rod chamber or discharging it to the external atmosphere by way of the pressure control valve mechanism while applying air pressure into the head chamber of the cylinder against the load by way of the electromagnetic proportional flow control valve for adjusting the driving speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Shokestu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naotake Oneyama, Akihisa Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 4610193
    Abstract: A load control system is disclosed for preventing the uncontrolled lowering of a load should a line failure occur in a hydraulic system. The system is designed to be used with a hydraulic cylinder having a movable piston therein which divides the cylinder into a head end and a rod end. Attached to the piston and extending out of the hydraulic cylinder is a piston rod which has a load secured to its free end. The load control system includes a source of pressurized fluid, the flow of which is selectively controlled to the hydraulic cylinder by a control valve. Positioned between the control valve and the head and rod ends of the hydraulic cylinder, respectively, are first and second valves each of which is normally biased towards a closed position by a common pressure. The first and second valves are urged toward an open position by fluid pressure taken between the control valve and the first valve and are movable by this fluid pressure in a proportional manner with the second valve being opened first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gary T. Barker, James A. Miller
  • Patent number: 4505109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering assembly having a bidirectional servomotor of the differential piston type which is connectable to steerable wheels. A directional control valve unit has a spool valve with two collars which cooperates with the housing to form first and second end control chambers and a middle chamber. A power circuit supplies pressurized fluid equally to the end control chambers and a manually operable control pump is operable to selectively and incrementally increase and decrease the pressures in the end chambers in a push-pull mode to effect movement of the servomotor piston in either direction. The control valve has two ports connected to opposite ends of the servomotor with one port providing fixed and constant fluid communication between the first valve chamber and one side of the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Svend E. Thomsen, Erik Kyster
  • Patent number: 4498854
    Abstract: This relates to a pneumatic feed system for moving a labeler head of a labeling apparatus for depositing labels in mold halves of a blow molding apparatus. The relatively heavy labeler head must be rapidly accelerated and then rapidly decelerated and at the same time moved sufficiently so as to provide for a large number of back and forth cycles per minute. There is provided in association with compressible shock absorbers a pneumatic system including a high pressure supply and a low pressure supply together with throttle valves such that the gas in the unpressurized end of the cylinder is rapidly compressed near the end of the stroke to function as a shock absorber and further, the cylinder is of a much larger diameter than that required for moving the labeler head so as to permit for the rapid acceleration as well as the rapid deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Continental Packaging Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Ross
  • Patent number: 4434708
    Abstract: An improved control valve for double-acting piston and cylinder asemblies is disclosed in which pressure for actuating a regeneration valve to direct hydraulic fluid from the contracting side of the piston to the expanding side, is controlled by a cylindrical check valve apparatus (86-112) which surrounds the valve plunger and controls the pressure of fluid flowing from the contracting side to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Bowden
  • Patent number: 4429621
    Abstract: An hydraulic system: a power assisted vehicle steering system which includes such an hydraulic system and a method of alleviating noise in an hydraulic system. The hydraulic system as applied to a vehicle steering gear (1) has an open center valve (3) which directs hydraulic fluid under pressure derived from a pump (12) and in response to a steering maneuver through a shaft (4) to a servo motor of the gear (1). Downstream of the open center valve (3) is a restrictor (8) through which hydraulic fluid from the valve (3) passes to a reservoir (11). The restriction effected by the restrictor (8) to fluid flow from the valve (3) to the reservoir is variable to provide a throttling action and a back pressure in the line (6) to alleviate noise in the valve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Cam Gears Limited
    Inventor: Frederick J. Adams
  • Patent number: 4383546
    Abstract: A gate valve having a top inlet and bottom outlet is provided with a horizontally disposed head slidable between closed and open positions. The valve body includes a seat concentric with an inlet passage and adapted to cooperate with a sealing surface on the head. An annular sleeve is provided within the inlet passage with one end of the sleeve being in contact with the sealing surface on the head. The sleeve and seat cooperate with the valve body and head to define an annular space. A means is provided to pressurize the space immediately prior to contact between the head and the seat. The head is biased to a closed position in the event of power failure. The valve is particularly designed for controlling downward flow of high temperature particulate material under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Ecolaire Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas Walters, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4365683
    Abstract: A power assisted vehicle steering system has a pressure biased piston and cylinder (1) actuation of which effects in the power assistance. The piston (2) has axially opposed faces (5, 7) with different effective pressurized areas of which the face (5) with the smaller area communicates with a first chamber (6) and the face (7) with the larger effective area communicates with a second chamber (8). A valve (10) which is axially adjustable (but may be rotary) in response to a steering manoeuvre controls flow of pressure fluid from the pump (9) to the piston and cylinder (1) for providing power assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Cam Gears Limited
    Inventor: Frederick J. Adams
  • Patent number: 4254798
    Abstract: The direction control valve comprises a housing having a stepped central boring for accommodating a sliding control piston having a section of larger diameter and a section of smaller diameter. The housing defines two load ports each communicating with an assigned boring section through an annular gap. One load port is directly connectable through its annular gap with a pressure releasing or venting port and the other load port is connectable to the same venting port through a central passage in the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Herion-Werke Kg
    Inventor: Helmut Ott
  • Patent number: 4215636
    Abstract: A machine adapted for travel along a pair of railway rails supported by concrete crossties and arranged to be attached thereto by a pair of clips disposed inside and outside of each rail together with a bolt passing through each clip into threadable engagement within the crosstie. An engine on the machine powers a pressurized fluid system which, according to control signals from an operator on the machine, moves the machine along the rails and according to other control signals moves work heads so as to position fluid driven sockets in engagement with the heads of the four bolts to be inserted into or removed from a crosstie. Devices on the machine then are operated to simultaneous screw or unscrew the bolts into or from the crosstie and during this operation each bolt is torqued to a specified limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Florida East Coast Railway Company
    Inventor: Irving E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4147093
    Abstract: The self-actuating fluid holding system includes a fluid pump and two fluid valves and two fluid motors all fluid-flow connected together. The valves are arranged to sense the proportionate flow therethrough and to the two motors, and when the flow is out of proportion, such as when one of the connecting lines or a connection breaks to permit the fluid to leak, then the valves have shut off closures which protect the system against fluid leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Donnell L. Dunn
  • Patent number: 4046060
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for use with double-acting shifting rams in a mine working.The system has a pump for supplying pressure fluid and main and return feed lines or conduits connected to the pump and laid along the working. An adjustable pressure-regulating device or devices serves to provide fluid at variable pressure in a further feed line or conduit.Each ram has its working chambers connected to a control device which is in turn connected to the main and further feed lines or conduits and to the return line or conduit. The devices can each be set to various positions to operate the rams in order to extend one of the rams its associated device is set to connect the working chamber used for extension (having the larger piston working surface area) to the further feed line or conduit, and to connect the other working chamber used for retraction (having the smaller piston working surface area) to the to the main feed line or conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia
    Inventors: Kunibert Becker, Walter Weirich
  • Patent number: 4033236
    Abstract: A closed center control valve for double acting motors having an inlet passage and a pair of control passages is provided with pre-sized restrictions in the control passages to control the flow rate to the motor so that a pre-selected velocity of movement of the motor is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Howard L. Johnson, John A. Junck
  • Patent number: 4022113
    Abstract: A flow control valve comprises a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough at one end terminating in a first port and intermediate its ends a second port which communicates with said bore and is adapted for a connection to a cylinder port. The body has an apertured valve seat intermediate said ports and communicating with said first port. A valve element is adapted for registry with and for adjustment away from said seat. An apertured cap is threaded into the other end of the body and receives a manually adjustable valve control pin threaded thereinto and nested and sealed within said cap for relative longitudinal movements therein. A valve pin retainingly engages the valve element and at one end is secured to the valve control pin. A spring is interposed in compression between said valve element and valve control pin normally biasing said valve element towards said seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Inventor: Leland F. Blatt
  • Patent number: 3971480
    Abstract: The invention specifically relates to an improved rotary actuator for operating a reciprocating member used for transferring articles from one position to another. The rotary actuator is air driven, and linkage is provided between the actuator and the reciprocating member for uniformly accelerating and decelerating the member between two positions. Cushioning of the actuator also improves the acceleration and deceleration characteristics of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Lynch Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: H249
    Abstract: Two solenoid controlled ball valves are employed in such a way that dual w rate control is provided to a missile control vane actuator. The result is the superior performance of an open center valve actuator over that of a closed center valve actuator with gas consumption savings approaching that of the closed center valve design and having the same complexity as a closed center design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gordon D. Welford