Abstract: The present invention provides a diaphragm for use in pump applications in which at least a predetermined portion of such diaphragm is in contact with such outer piston which would tend to abrade such diaphragm. Such diaphragm is formed from at least one layer of a preselected flexible material. Such diaphragm comprises an outer bead like portion for securing the diaphragm to a pump housing. There is a annular flexure portion having a first end and a second end, such first end and such second end being generally flat and an arcuate shaped middle portion formed contiguously with the first end and the second end. Such first end is formed contiguously with the outer bead like portion. Such annular flexure portion has a substantially uniform first predetermined thickness. An enlarged bulbous portion is formed contiguously with the second end and extends around an inner periphery thereof. Such enlarged bulbous portion has a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A composite pump diaphragm 10 includes a layer 12 fabricated from annealed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bonded to a layer 14 fabricated from an unreinforced thermoplastic elastomer including ethylene-propylene terpolymer (EPDM) and polypropylene. The diaphragm 10 is fabricated by chemically etching the PTFE layer 12, coating a surface thereof with a polyurethane adhesive, superimposing the layer 14 with layer 12 under heat and pressure, and allowing the superimposed layers to cure.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm substantially resistant to abrasive wear for use in certain applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm is in contact with another surface which would tend to abrade such diaphragm, such diaphragm comprising at least one layer of a flexible material selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric reinforced rubber, plastic and mixtures thereof and an abrasion resistant polymeric material having a predetermined thickness. This abrasion resistant polymeric material is adhered to such diaphragm at least in the portion that such diaphragm is in contact with another surface and is subject to abrasion. This type of abrasion generally occurs in the flange area of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A combination pump diaphragm and outer piston arrangement used in certain pump applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm is in contact with an outer piston which would tend to abrade the diaphragm. The combination comprises a diaphragm member which includes a generally flat portion, a generally flexure annular portion and an enlarged bead like wear ring portion disposed intermediate such generally flat portion and such generally flexure annular portion. Such bead like wear ring portion has a first predetermined diameter and a predetermined configuration. The outer periphery of such diaphragm member is secured to a pump housing. An outer piston member is disposed for securing such diaphragm member to a piston rod of a pump. Such outer piston member includes a generally flat portion contacting such generally flat portion of such diaphragm member and an arcuate portion contacting such enlarged bead like wear ring portion.

Abstract: A composite flexible diaphragm for a diaphragm pump. The diaphragm has a diaphragm body with an outer perimeter, a center axis, and first and second exterior surfaces. The body has a perimeter flange portion extending around the body adjacent the outer perimeter. The body also has a disc portion extending radially outward from the center axis. The body has a convoluted flex portion disposed between the perimeter flange portion and the disc portion. The composite flexible diaphragm has a first layer of a chemically resistant material defining the first exterior surface. The diaphragm also has a second layer of flexible material which is bonded to the first layer and defines the second exterior surface of the diaphragm. The first layer of chemically resistant material has a reduced material thickness in the area of the flex portion of the diaphragm body.

Abstract: A two-piece diaphragm assembly for a fluid powered diaphragm pump is provided. The diaphragm assembly includes a key as part of a overlay diaphragm extending towards a recess in a backup diaphragm, for properly aligning the overlay diaphragm and the backup diaphragm during installation of the diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm assembly also provides an improved mechanism for attaching the inner plate of the diaphragm assembly to the outer plate of the diaphragm assembly. A method of installing a two-piece diaphragm assembly onto a fluid powered diaphragm pump is also provided.

Abstract: A pump diaphragm that is composed of two different shore-hardness materials of the same base polymer. The diaphragm includes a strong layer that will withstand hydraulic pressures and one or more soft layers that can be shaped into desirable sealing configurations. The diaphragm is constructed by first injecting a first thermoplastic material, with a relatively lower percentage of rubber filler, into a mold cavity and allowing the first material to cure. The hardened first material is then placed into a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic material which contains the same base polymer but a relatively higher percentage of rubber filler is then injected into the second cavity. The first and second material utilize the same base polymer and thus will have the same melt temperature, as well as a strong propensity to bond to each other when molten. The second material is introduced to the cavity at a temperature that melts the interface of the first material.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) has a shaped diaphragm (2) of elastic material. The central zone (3) of the diaphragm (2) is thickened in the direction of stroke and is surrounded by a flexible annular zone (5) held on the pump case by an external clamping edge (6). The central zone (3) of the diaphragm (2) is engaged by a connecting rod (11) with which the shaped diaphragm (2) is displaceable from a top to a bottom dead-centre position and vice versa. Radial ribs (19) as well as stabilizing ribs (19) extending in the circumferential direction are arranged on the underside (17) of the annular zone (5). Therefore a shaped diaphragm (2) is obtained which in the annular zone (5) is flexible about a circumferential line, but which nevertheless exhibits comparatively high flexural strength about a diametral line. Deformation of the shaped diaphragm (2) under vacuum is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A rolling head diaphragm and dome-shaped piston configuration where the geometry of the diaphragm and piston, and the length of stroke, are modified to enable the commonly known rolling wall action of rolling wall diaphragms to be extended into the center section of the diaphragm up over the piston head when it is at the lower end of it's stroke, thus eliminating the right angle of the head/wall juncture of common pistons and the tight radius of the head/wall shoulder molded into other diaphragms, thereby extending the maximum available stroke and improving diaphragm reliability and longevity.

Abstract: A pump diaphragm that is composed of two different shore-hardness materials of the same base polymer. The diaphragm includes a strong layer that will withstand hydraulic pressures and one or more soft layers that can be shaped into desirable sealing configurations. The diaphragm is constructed by first injecting a first thermoplastic material, with a relatively lower percentage of rubber filler, into a mold cavity and allowing the first material to cure. The hardened first material is then placed into a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic material which contains the same base polymer but a relatively higher percentage of rubber filler is then injected into the second cavity. The first and second material utilize the same base polymer and thus will have the same melt temperature, as well as a strong propensity to bond to each other when molten. The second material is introduced to the cavity at a temperature that melts the interface of the first material.

Abstract: A flexible pump diaphragm for pumping fluids is described in which the diaphragm has a number of ribs or troughs located radially across its circumferential flexure portion.

Abstract: A rolling piston comprises a substantially cylindrical piston slidably supported within a chamber. One end of the chamber is sealed by a first sealing cap including a circular base portion having a fluid inlet therethrough and opposite ends of a substantially tubular flexible diaphragm are sealingly anchored around a first end of the piston and around an inside periphery of the first sealing cap, respectively. The diaphragm comprises a cylindrical thin-walled outer sleeve having high axial tensile strength and a cylindrical, thin-walled inner sleeve inside the outer sleeve and contiguous therewith having high elasticity both longitudinally and radially.

Abstract: A bendable actuator includes a plurality of elastic extensible members arranged in parallel and extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic extensible members. The actuator further includes connecting members arranged in a manner embracing the elastic extensible members and connecting respective ends of the elastic extensible members. The actuator includes an elastic member arranged between the connecting members and surrounding the elastic extensible members to resist extending forces of the elastic extensible members and to restrain bending of the elastic extensible members. With this arrangement, linear extension and bending of the actuator are realized by adjusting supply and exhaust of the pressurized fluid into and from the elastic extensible members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compliant molded diaphragm which includes an operable surface area for forming a flexiblle barrier to prevent fluid flow between opposing sides of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is formed as a sandwich structure having first and second elastomeric layers and a third gas impermeable layer located between the first and second layers. The third layer may be provided as a thin layer of metal which is vapor deposited between the two elastomeric layers or may be a thin gas impermeable polymer film. The impermeable layer is preferably formed as a grid pattern in the operable surface area of the diaphragm such that portions of the first and second layers are exposed to each other whereby the first and second layers may be bonded to each other to prevent separation of the layers of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A semiconductor transducer or actuator is disclosed. The transducer and actuator each include a deflecting member with corrugations producing increased vertical travel which is a linear function of applied force. An accurate and easily controlled method that is insensitive to front-to-back alignment is also disclosed for forming uniform corrugations of precise thickness; independent of the thickness of the deflecting member. The cross-sectional shape of the corregations is not limited by the etching technique, so that any configuration thereof is enabled.

Abstract: A pressure vessel contains a flexible separator comprising three layers, an outer layer, an inner layer and an intermediate layer which is at least partly impermeable to gases. The intermediate layer comprises a metal film. A particular application of the pressure vessel is to braking circuits.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm, which operates and has the structure of a short-thick beam, is comprised of a plug having a channel, a tire cord reinforcement is bonded to the plug, an elastomer cured to the reinforcement means, and a sleeve bonded to the elastomer. This diaphragm is capable of being used in many applications, particularly, fluid-handling devices.

Abstract: A two-part, spliced air sleeve assembly for use with an air spring damper includes a first corded, resilient sleeve member bonded to a second corded, resilient sleeve member. The bond angles and fabrics of the first sleeve members are selected so that the first sleeve inflates to a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A first fastener secures the first sleeve member to the second portion of a damper. A second fastener secures the upper sleeve to a piston rod of the damper to form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid. When inflated for operation, the first sleeve has a smaller diameter than the second sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a control membrane of a carburetor including a carburetor chamber containing fuel. The control membrane defines a wall of this chamber and has a reinforcement portion in the center region thereof. This reinforcement portion transmits the membrane stroke to a controller lever. The control membrane provides for a simpler manufacture thereof and achieves a better functional reliability. The control membrane together with the reinforcement portion are configured as a one-piece component.

Abstract: An actuator for use in an arm or hand of an industrial robot comprises a tubular elastic body of which interior is separated into a plurality of pressure chambers by an axially extending partition, and means for adjusting respective pressures of the pressure chambers to render the tubular elastic body to take a motion at a multi-degree freedom. At least the outer peripheral part of the tubular elastic body has an anisotropic characteristic with respect to modulus of elasticity. The axial direction of the tubular elastic body is a direction small in modulus of longitudinal elasticity, while the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular elastic body is a direction large in modulus of longitudinal elasticity.

Abstract: A solid state pressure sensor utilizes a brittle diaphragm made of a material such as silicon, which is mounted between base plates of glass, and which deflects in response to pressure. The base plates of glass can have recesses formed therein to receive the diaphragm and provide a full support across the diaphragm under overpressure conditions to prevent overstressing the diaphragm, or the diaphragm can have such contoured surfaces for forming overpressure stop surfaces against the facing base plate. The diaphragm has grooves defining a central portion that deflects, and whereby the grooves will form webs joining the central portion to an outer rim so that the diaphragm acts similarly to a "free edge" diaphragm in its deflection characteristics. The grooves defining the webs can have various configurations for achieving the results desired.

Abstract: A diaphragm for pumps or the like of a dish-shaped body of nonreinforced thermoplastic elastomer having a curvilinear flexure sidewall portion of substantially less thickness than the central and flange portions to which it connects.

Abstract: A pressure diaphragm installed in a disposable cassette for use on a main pump unit is disclosed which allows pressure downstream of a fluid pump to be measured with a high degree of accuracy. The pressure diaphragm is located over a raised cylindrical pressure plateau, and is spaced away from the plateau on the top and on the sides thereof to allow for a free movement of the pressure diaphragm. Fluid flow is from one side of the pressure plateau to the opposite side, with fluid flowing between the pressure diaphragm and the top and sides of the pressure plateau, as well as through a channel disposed in the pressure plateau.

Abstract: An airspring sleeve and airspring that each have a chamber portion and rolling lobe portion reinforced with successive layers of embedded cord where cord in one layer is wound at opposite helical angles from cord of a second successive layer and where the cord is wound at inconstant helical angles in an annular band portion of least one of the sleeve portions.

Abstract: A diaphragm particularly for rolling-diaphragm type fluid pressure motors. The invention provides greatly improved service life of the motor, particularly under adverse condition in which conventional diaphragms fail quickly.

Abstract: A rolling-type bellows for vehicular pneumatic cushioning systems. In the installed state, support surfaces of the bellows that are adjacent to the end beads thereof are supported against vehicle parts that are movable relative to one another; the axial width of the support surfaces can vary. In the region of the annular support surfaces, the bellows are provided with raised interval axial ribs, which enhance the buckle-free continuous movement of the rolling folds, and reduces wear of the walls of the bellows.

Abstract: An oleoelastic energy accumulator includes a rigid casing, at least one membrane of a polymeric material having a high deformability, and a liquid. The membrane has a curvilinear form, e.g., convex, toward the inside of the casing to the borders of which the membrane is tightly sealed for delimiting or defining a closed space occupied by the liquid. In correspondence with the pressure variations in the liquid, the membrane acts like a piston and passes from an at-rest, curvilinear configuration, to a final substantially flat configuration as a result of gradual and successive compression of the membrane which, in this manner, accumulates energy.

Abstract: A high temperature pressure transducer and sensing apparatus to determine the deflection of the transducer diaphragm is disclosed. The pressure transducer utilizes a fused silica diaphragm (12) which is illuminated at selected locations by a coherent laser source (52) via optical fibers (38, 46). The light reflected by the diaphragm (12) forms interference fringe patterns which are focused by gradient index rod lenses (36) on the ends of optical fibers (40, 48) for transmission to a fringe counting circuit (54). By digital techniques, the fringe count is converted into a determination of diaphragm deflection.

Abstract: Plastic seals for use in valves which handle chemically reactive and aggressive media are described. These seals have a base layer made from porous PTFE and a covering layer of smooth, dense PTFE. The two layers are suitably sintered together. The seal is held in a seal holder which may be injection molded around the seal and may be made from a similar material. During the production of the base layer, the PTFE material is mixed with a flushable filler material which leaves a structure of pores in the layer after removal. These pores impart to the base layer an elastic property.A method for joining the seal to the seal carrier and a method for forming annular seals are also described.

Abstract: A pump with a plunger assembly that is received within an outer housing containing a fluid. The plunger assembly includes a slidable sleeve portion defining a vertical channel. A pair of thermally conductive, flexible membranes form outer and inner chambers within the vertical channel. One of the flexible membranes is detachably secured to the slidable sleeve portion, the other membrane constituting a common wall that separates the chambers. A charging fluid is fed to the outer chamber through an inlet valve and exits therefrom through an exhaust valve. A fluid to be pumped is fed to the inner chamber through an inlet valve and exits therefrom through an exhaust valve. The charging fluid governs the interior profile within the vertical channel for providing variable pressure to volume ratios within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to constant stroke reciprocating piston pump with mechanically driven diaphragm coupler, including combination of adjustable pressure control means and priming valve for handling abrasive liquids such as paint, and texture.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump, especially a vacuum pump, in which a diaphragm of elastomeric material is clamped at its outer peripheral portion against a peripheral portion of a rigid wall which has, radially inwardly of the clamped portion, a concavely curved spherical surface forming with the diaphragm a pumping chamber with which inlet and outlet ports, each provided with a one-way valve, communicate. A central substantially rigid portion of the diaphragm is moved between a suction stroke increasing the volume of the pumping chamber, and a compression stroke. The wall surface and the diaphragm are constructed and arranged relative to each other that the volume of the pumping chamber is reduced substantially to zero at the end of the compression stroke and so as to permit easy sliding movement of portions of the diaphragm and the surface of the wall as the diaphragm approaches the end of the compression stroke.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure vessel and more particularly to a pressure accumulator of the type including a rigid container having a pair of ports at its respective ends with a deformable partition or bladder therein having a mouth at one end affixed to one of said ports, said bladder separating two fluids such as gas or liquid under pressure in said container.The bladder is of the type formed from two separate sections, each substantially cup-shaped, so that when the rims of the sections are joined, a closed container will be formed.As the bladder expands t o force liquid from the other port of the container, stress will be imparted to the wall of the bladder as a result of the stretching thereof, and such bladder wall is conformed to minimize the stress that would otherwise be imparted to the junction between the two sections of the bladder.