Abstract: The invention disclosed comprises an air cushion system that utilizes a two-diameter piston and a floating bushing to create an effective air cushion seal which prevents the piston from hitting the barrel bridge.

Abstract: A brake unit for automatically adjusting slack between the brake surfaces of a railway brake has a pre-stressed spring which is released during the initial stroke of the brake piston in a braking application so as to expedite contact of the brake surfaces. After slack has been overcome, further movement of the piston in the braking direction will cause the force-transmitting components to be coupled together so that braking force is transmitted directly to the brake surfaces by subsequent movement of the piston in the braking direction. The release of the pre-stressed spring during the overcoming of slack in the brake rigging will increase the speed of the brake application with respect to the speed of the braking piston.

Abstract: A free piston compressor for gases and liquids in which the positive pressure of the incoming fluid holds the piston against the piston rod during the intake stroke. In a specific form, the cylinder head is a plug of larger diameter than the piston which can be unscrewed to permit removal and replacement of the piston for service.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a valve actuator, a vane type fail safe actuator is disclosed. The actuator comprises a housing enclosing a vane which is integral with a shaft extending through the housing to a rotary operable valve. Fail safe operation is provided by a spring return mechanism connected to the housing. Compressed air is utilized to operate the actuator and the spring return mechanism which assures complete valve closure when the air supply fails or is reduced below a predetermined minimum setting.

Abstract: A hydraulic force multiplying device comprising a main body having inlet and outlet ports, input and output rods with one ends thereof being slidably connected with one another in the main body, an annular piston slidably engaging with the inner circumference of the main body and the outer circumference of the input rod and being associated with the output rod, two liquid chambers partitioned by the piston and connected respectively to the inlet and outlet ports, a connecting passage connecting the two liquid chambers, a valve mechanism provided between the input rod and the output rod for controlling the liquid flow passing through the connecting passage, and a by-pass passage provided between the piston and the input rod for connecting the two liquid chambers in the non-actuated condition of the device.

Abstract: A fire-safe valve actuator which cooperates with a bolted bonnet type valve to define a bolt chamber with an exterior shroud supporting the actuator housing and providing a substantially imperfect barrier to prevent an external fire from coming into direct contact with the bolts or studs and nuts that connect the bonnet to the valve body. The bolt chamber may also be filled with an insulation material. The actuator may have a return spring connected to the actuator stem through a bearing so that the winding and unwinding of the spring does not result in any substantial torque being applied to the actuator stem. Similarly, any diaphragm in the actuator can be connected to the actuator stem by a bearing so that rotation of the stem will not impart torque to the diaphragm.

Abstract: This valve actuator is primarily intended for use with rotary cut-off valves. It includes a housing which is attached to the valve body for receiving the valve stem and a longitudinal passage slidably mounting opposed piston elements. The piston elements include spaced shoulders which engage the remote end of a radial arm mounted within the housing and attached to the stem for rotating said stem. The radial arm includes a cam at the remote end having opposed cam faces alternately engaged by the piston elements and configurated to provide a minimum gap between the cam and the piston shoulders during the rotation of the valve between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated brake unit has a push rod (3) axially movable in a housing (1) and a piston (2) with a wedge element (7) axially movable substantially perpendicular thereto. A wedge surface (12) on the wedge element is arranged to transmit a force from the piston to the push rod via a working roller (8) on the push rod.In order to reduce the dimensions of the wedge element (7) and to give a smooth transition from the brake application stroke to the brake operation stroke the wedge surface (12) at its end remote from the piston (2) has an edge (13) intended for coaction with the working roller (8) during the brake application stroke.

Abstract: A hydraulic force multiplying device has a housing having an inlet port connected to a source of hydraulic pressure and an outlet port, an input rod and an output rod, one end of each of the input and output rod being slidably connected with one another within the housing, a free piston slidably disposed between the outer circumference of the input rod and the inner wall of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing into an inlet side oil chamber and an outlet side oil chamber, the free piston being associated with the output rod, a passage formed in the input rod for connecting the two oil chambers, and a valve for controlling oil flow in the passage. The valve consists of a valve member and a valve seat provided respectively on either the input or the output rod and the other of the input and output rods. The valve is formed to allow the relative movement between the input and output rods in the valve closing direction with the valve member engaging with the valve seat.

Abstract: A servo booster is provided with a tube coaxial with the booster output rod for relieving the booster housing of braking reaction forces. The housing of a tandem master cylinder has an externally threaded rear end which is threadedly engaged with internal threads formed on a reduced diameter front part of the tube. The retracted position of the primary piston of the master cylinder is determined by abutment with the booster output rod, and this can be adjusted by turning the master cylinder housing relative to the tube.

Abstract: A device at a brake actuator for permitting thrust force transmission between an axially movable push rod (4) of the actuator and a brake block holder (6) moving out of line with the push rod.In order to ensure force transmission irrespective of the brake block holder movements and to avoid any slippage between the members a transmission part (5) is arranged between the push rod (4) and the brake block holder (6) and has spherical surfaces in engagement therewith, these surfaces having a common center.

Abstract: This invention relates to fluid pressure servo motors having two operatively independent fluid chambers, each chamber having a piston means therein movable in response to a fluid pressure differential so as to alter in use a two position device from one to the other of said two positions, each piston means having a lost motion means connection to allow the idle return of the piston in the event of cessation of the fluid pressure differential, wherein the two pistons are co-axial and move in opposite directions in response to the pressure differential and one piston is fixed to a stirrup formed as a wire loop which bridges the other piston to act in use against said device.

Abstract: A spring-loaded braking cylinder has a rapid release mechanism which disengageably connects the spring-loaded piston with the piston rod. A damping mechanism damps the relative movement between the piston and the piston rod which occurs upon release of the coupling between the spring-loaded piston and the piston rod. The piston rod is coupled to the piston by a transverse pin a portion of which projects into a transverse slot on the piston rod and another portion of which is movable within an L-shaped slot on the piston rod. An adaptor connected to the pin has a flange which acts as a piston within a closed chamber formed with the piston rod and filled with fluid. The spaces on both sides of the piston-like flange are interconnected by throttle passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to master cylinder and actuator assemblies in which a push rod connected to the actuator extends forwardly through a vehicle mounting member and is engageable at its forward end with a piston, there normally being a clearance between the push rod and the piston in their inoperative positions. Such assemblies suffer from the disadvantage that a desired working clearance is difficult to attain due to manufacturing tolerances. Embodiments of the present invention overcome that disadvantage and provide an assembly which includes a lateral projection (10) on the push rod (5), which projection limits rearward movement of the push rod relative to the mounting member (3).

Abstract: The cylinder has an open-ended longitudinal bore. A removable plug closes one end of the bore. A power piston is slidably mounted in the bore. A pressure inlet port admits pressure fluid into the bore between the plug and the piston for shifting the piston in the bore. A rod is slidably and preferably sealingly mounted in the opposite end of the bore. The rod shifts in response to an external force and to the force exerted by the power piston. The power piston is easily removed from the bore by removing the plug from the cylinder.

Abstract: A two stage vacuum break or fluid motor device of the type used to control choke valves of internal combustion engine carburators. The motor uses a single diaphragm in which the fluid motor plunger operates in a first stage in response to movement of a portion of the diaphragm and in a second stage in response to movement of the entire diaphragm. The stages of movement are under the control of separate sources of manifold pressure which may be made available to the device independently of each other. The two stages of operation may be used to control one or more choke valves through a single output plunger or to control a pair of output plungers movable independently of each other.

Abstract: A vehicular air disc brake of the wedge actuator type in which the wedge actuator is secured to the air motor by an annular fastener which is snap locked in place in a blind bore in the free end of the wedge actuator and which acts to secure the free end of the piston rod of the air motor to the wedge actuator in response to generally linear movement of the piston rod into the fastener. The fastener is split to allow insertion into the blind bore in the free end of the wedge actuator, and includes a plurality of finger portions which together define a single helical thread disposed within the blind bore; this single thread allows the threads on the air motor piston rod to ratchet therepast upon insertion of the piston rod, allows the piston rod to be threaded out of the fastener for disassembly purposes, and, in the event of inadvertent backing out rotation of the piston rod, allows the piston rod to reseat in the blind bottom of the wedge actuator brake in response to the next actuation of the air motor.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator including an advantgeously formed housing having a longitudinally extending cavity therein for retaining a bolt useful in releasing spring induced brake application, and apparaus for selectively communicating fluid from one side of a spring piston of the actuator to the other side of that piston through the cavity.

Abstract: This device comprises two movable elements of rigid material tightly interconnected by means of a deformable membrane forming therewith a tight internal enclosure, means for varying abruptly the volume of said enclosure by successively moving the two elements away from each other, maintaining them in spaced relationship and allowing them to be urged toward each other by the effect of the external hydrostatic pressure, in which the means for moving the two elements away from each other includes two cylinders and at least one piston slidable in one of said cylinders, associated to one of said movable elements and also to a push-member slidable in one of the cylinders and bearing on the other movable element and means for feeding said cylinder with pressurized fluid so as to maintain the elements in spaced relationship or to release them.

Abstract: An air/hydraulic actuator for a vehicle braking system uses a surface on a push rod to easily and quickly position the push rod with respect to a piston slidable in the base of a hydraulic master cylinder so that with no air pressure the air actuator push rod is just clear of the piston to ensure complete return of this piston.

Abstract: The invention is a new linkage for connecting the piston and the piston actuator in a high pressure pump. All of the compression forces transmitted from the piston actuator to the piston by this linkage will be axial forces parallel to the axis of the piston since the linkage will not transmit forces to the piston which are transverse to its axis. This linkage allows the use of hard brittle materials such as ceramic materials in the piston because any misalignment between the axises of the piston actuator and the piston will not result in bending forces being applied to the piston which would cause it to break.

Abstract: In a reciprocating pump, notably a metering pump, of the reciprocating type in which the pumping member, diaphragm or piston, is actuated by means of a slide block responsive to a rotating eccentric member, a ball is interposed between an adjustment screw controlling the length of the slide block stroke and the slide block. For this purpose, the ball engages an inclined surface formed in a hollow of the slide block. Preferably, the screw is magnetized and constantly attracts the ball to avoid movements of the ball in relation to the slide block and therefore any premature wear and tear of these members. The inclined surface may have a shape matching that of the ball.

Abstract: A control motor of the type used to control carburetor choke valves wherein the motor has an output member acted on by a pair of springs, one of which is effective to urge the choke valve towards its closed position when the engine is not operating and the other of which resiliently resists opening movement of the choke valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor and piston type compressor unit used for small refrigerators. The housing or cylinder of the compressor is attached to the motor casing and these two members, as a unit, are resiliently mounted in a sealed housing. In order to minimize the overall size of the unit, and specifically the outer housing, the piston connecting rod has a special shape at its crank end to facilitate the initial installation of the piston and connecting rod. The crank end of the connecting rod has a larger bore than the crankpin and the shape of the crank end is characterized by a recess which allows the crank end to clear the crankpin while being moved into surrounding relation to the crankpin after which a sleeve is installed between the crank end and the crankpin. The recess is strategically located so that while it facilitates the assembly operation there is no compromise or sacrifice with regard to the maximum loads the connecting rod can withstand.

Abstract: An axially oriented variable displacemnt pistoned device adaptable for use as motor and having a pivoted swash plate angularly positionable for establishing displacement of the device is fitted with externally mounted low pressure hydraulic actuators operably connected with the swash plate for operation thereof. Adjustable stops are provided in the device body to limit travel of the swash plate under urging of the low pressure hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling two rigid, elongated reciprocating elements while maintaining contact between the elements and eliminating relative longitudinal movement includes a hemispherically faced connector head connected to one of the elements. The coupling device further includes a retainer connected to the other of said elements into which the head is positioned. The connector head is contained in the retainer by a retaining member and biased against a bearing within the retainer by a plurality of Belleville washers. The force developed by the washers is sufficient to maintain the hemispherically faced connector head in contact with the connector bearing to insure that the connector head and bearing do not separate relative to each other during reciprocation of the rigid elements.

Abstract: In working cylinders whose power stroke can be shifted to different operating positions in two consecutive steps, the invention provides a control cylinder which is actuated independently of the generation of working pressure. The control cylinder acts on a joint lever which alters the distance between two separate parts of the power transmission to the tool and thus the effective length of the transmission. This arrangement has the advantage of small working volumes and low energy consumption.

Abstract: A hollow piston assembly for brakes or clutches comprises a first member having an annular plate portion, an inner cylindrical hub and a flange formed on the outer end of the plate portion. A second member defines an annular cavity therein and has an annular flange press-fit into a first recess defined at the juncture of the plate portion and the cylindrical hub of the first member and a radial flange press-fit into a second recess formed at juncture of the plate portion and the flange of the first member. The piston assembly may be reciprocally mounted in the housing of a brake package to selectively compress a plurality of interleaved friction discs upon pressurization of an annular actuating chamber, defined between the first member and the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a torque wrench, including a main body, an actuator including a piston/cylinder arrangement and cooperating spool valve which selectively supplies pressurized fluid to either side of the piston member. The actuator is supported in the main body and adapted to act upon and selectively reciprocate a thrust member relative to the main body, the thrust member being adapted to engage and pivot a torque arm for providing a torque output at an output shaft via a ratchet arrangement incorporated between the torque arm and the output shaft. The torque arm is supported independently of the thrust member and is not physically connected thereto.

Abstract: A fluid operated stepping motor comprising a cylinder housing having one or more fluid cylinders to alternately displace at least two cam engaging members when pressure from a pressure source is applied to one of the cylinders. The cam engaging members are diametrically opposed. A cam is secured relative to the cylinder housing and having a plurality of teeth asymmetrically disposed thereon, is also provided. Each tooth has a power profile surface and an idle profile surface. The power profile surface is slidingly engageable by one of the cam engaging members when pressure is applied to displace the said one cam engaging member axially whereby the power profile surface will cause relative rotational displacement between the cylinder housing and the cam.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operable servo positioner including a pair of operating piston units diametrally opposingly arranged relative to and abuttingly engageable with opposite sides of a mechanical operating member or lever for positioning the operating member in a preselected position determined by the degree of actuating pressure acting on the piston or pistons which are retractable by return springs, when relieved of actuating pressure acting thereon, completely out of contact with the operating member to an extent at which the operating member may be manually positioned, within a full range of positions, free of any resistance such as piston friction.

Abstract: A hydraulic device includes a rod connected with a piston for limited axial movement relative thereto for opening a passage through the piston while pulling on same and closing the passage while pushing on same. The rod and piston are connected by a separable coupling including cooperating coupling parts formed integrally on the rod and piston for connecting and disconnecting the rod and piston by relative lateral movement therebetween.

Abstract: This device comprises two movable elements of rigid material tightly interconnected by means of a deformable membrane forming therewith a tight internal enclosure, means for varying abruptly the volume of said enclosure by successively moving the two elements away from each other, maintaining them in spaced relationship and allowing them to be urged toward each other by the effect of the external hydrostatic pressure, in which the means for moving the two elements away from each other includes two cylinders and at least one piston slidable in one of said cylinders, associated to one of said movable elements and also to a push-member slidable in one of the cylinders and bearing on the other movable element and means for feeding said cylinder with pressurized fluid so as to maintain the elements in spaced relationship or to release them.

Abstract: A reciprocating adjustable stroke positive displacement fluid pump is provided with an expandable chamber driven in the displacement or feed direction by an eccentric drive acting through a driven member. The eccentric drive moves the expandable chamber to its limit of excursion in the displacement or feed direction. Adjustment means cooperating with stop means limits the excursion of the driven member and the expansion of the expandable chamber in the suction or intake direction so that the amount of fluid pumped is continuously adjustable from no volume to the capacity of the expandable chamber by positioning the stop means. The pump is further provided with means for driving a plurality of individually adjustable pumps from the same drive motor and with means for equalizing the load on the pump motor.

Abstract: In a disc brake in which the brake applying mechanism is actuated by movement of a first pull rod, the hydraulic actuator which effects movement of the pull rod comprises an assembly of piston and cylinder members of which one is rigidly fixed with respect to a housing and the other is movable relative thereto and acts on the first pull rod. A second pull rod is coupled to the first pull rod and is used for parking or emergency braking.

Abstract: A vehicle braking means is disclosed in which an auxiliary chamber 2 comprises a locking mechanism whose function is to lock together a piston 5 and a piston rod 16. The locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded guide 19 and locking elements 20 arranged to constantly contact the guide 19 and to engage the piston 5. To release the vehicle brakes, provision is made of a rod 21 or a pushrod 43 extending from the auxiliary chamber 2. As compared with the constructions known currently, the auxiliary chamber 2 is more readily operable and convenient in use.

Abstract: A differential comprises a pair of face gears, a carrier rotatably mounted between the face gears and a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on the carrier and intermeshing with the face gears for differentially permitting one face gear to rotate relative to the other face gear. The pinion gears are each rotatably mounted in bearings and a lubrication system is provided for pumping lubricating fluid to the bearings for lubrication and cooling purposes. The lubrication system comprises a double-acting pump mounted adjacent to the carrier and a rocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent to each end of the pump. A first end of the rocker arm engages a cam attached to the carrier whereas a second thereof engages an end of a piston rod reciprocably mounted in the pump to pump lubricating fluid to the bearing.

Abstract: The actuator piston has a generally cylindrical central projection about the exterior of which a similarly formed rolling diaphragm is closely fitted. The piston rod can turn freely, to avoid any twisting of the piston and diaphragm, and can also be axially withdrawn from its engagement with the piston. Return spring means extends into the diaphragm enclosed part of the piston.

Abstract: Concrete pumping apparatus of the positive displacement type in which primary and secondary pumping units are actuated in a manner such that the pumping discharges from the pumping units overlap in a manner to produce a substantially constant flow delivery, the pumping units having pistons operably connected to a pivoted rocker arm having a driving connection with a main shaft, and another overriding driving connection with the main shaft which varies the driving action of the rocker arm, wherein the pivot of the rocker arm is supported on a swingable lever having its outer end operably engaged with rotatable cam means carried by the main shaft.

Abstract: A brake cylinder for a hydraulic brake is constructed to have a resilient body between its piston and the brake fluid and to have a free space between the resilient body and the piston. The free space is free of hydraulic fluid and provides a space for the resilient body to occupy upon rise in the pressure of the brake fluid.

Abstract: A disc brake including a piston for urging a friction pad against one surface of a rotatable disc, in which a plate having a freedom of movement in radial directions is disposed between the piston and the friction pad for transmitting thrust from the piston to the friction pad.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a combined power trim and shock absorbing piston-cylinder unit of an outboard motor includes a reversible pump means having a trim-up port connected by a pressure responsive pilot valve piston cylinder units and a trim-down port through a reverse lock solenoid valve and a down-pilot spool valve providing full drain flow for trim-up and power flow for trim-down. An "up-reverse" pilot valve with a pressure operator is in parallel with the reverse lock valve and provides a restricted by-pass for limited trim-up in reverse. The trim-up hydraulic input or powered side of the cylinder units define a trapped hydraulic system creating "memory" in the system so after impact the motor returns to the original trim position. The return side permits relatively free-flow to permit "trail-out" under low impact. At high speed impact, the flow is restricted and cylinder pressure increases. At a selected point, a shock valve within the piston-cylinder opens and absorbs the shock forces.

Abstract: A piston for a fluid actuator being formed of two annular sheet metal members having axially and radially extending portions whereby when said piston transmits force, a box-like sheet metal structure is formed.

Abstract: Integrally formed brake shoe for use with cylindrical automotive brake drums in hydraulic brake systems are fabricated by bending and shaping sections of extruded lengths of the material having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Connector pins for transmitting brake actuating forces between the hydraulic cylinder pistons and the brake shoes are concavely rounded at their piston abutting ends, and either concavely or convexly rounded at their brake shoe abutting ends, for face-to-face sliding contact with complemental abutting surface portions, respectively, of the hydraulic pistons and brake shoes.

Abstract: A radial-piston machine has a rotor formed with a plurality of axially extending slots in each of whose bases is formed a piston-carrying radial cylinder. Each such piston is formed on its radially outer end with a part-spherical seat and a part-spherical portion of a respective piston shoe that rides on an eccentric cam in the housing is engageable in each seat. Each such piston shoe can move radially into and out of engagement with the respective piston. A pair of end members axially flank the piston shoes with play so that these shoes may also move axially relative to the rotor. The piston-engaging portions of the shoes are slightly narrower than the respective cross-slots so that angular free play is also present, and these portions are always engaged radially in the slots.

Abstract: A manual disconnecting device is provided for disengaging the brake push rod in a spring brake actuator having a movable piston holding the spring compressed by fluid pressure during normal operation. The device once manually disconnected is automatically reconnected upon a normal spring compression stroke of the piston. The disconnecting device provides a clutching device between the piston and the push rod engaging a nut threaded on the push rod with non-self-locking threads. In one embodiment the nut is journalled in the piston. In another embodiment there are clutch surfaces on both the piston and nut which are disengaged by a rotary motion from a special tool.

Abstract: A hand brake for manually actuating brake cylinders, particularly for an air braking system on railway vehicles, has a piston tube extending from the piston of a brake cylinder and an actuating rod connected to the brake linkage positioned within the piston tube. A device for adjusting the actuating rod with respect to the piston tube device comprises a thrust ring acting upon a portion of the piston tube. A brake ring is positioned around the piston tube and is rotatable by a manually actuated drive. Wedge gear displacing means are provided to displace axially the brake ring upon rotation of the brake ring. An intermediate element is connected to the piston tube and is displaced by the brake ring during axial displacement of the brake ring. The piston tube has a cam portion acting upon the thrust ring so as to displace the actuating rod axially upon axial displacement of the piston tube.

Abstract: A cylinder houses a slidable piston that is separated into two axially spaced portions. A rod interconnects the portions and permits lost motion between the portions when the piston is slid in either direction in the cylinder. By valving and conduits, the piston and cylinder draw quanta of air and liquid mix, for ice milk or the like, together in selected proportion, mix these together and forward them from the pump, e.g. to a freezing chamber. Means are provided, for instance the rod may be exchanged for one of another size, for varying said selected proportion. Preferably a sensor is provided to cause the pump to operate intermittently, e.g. to replenish mix which has been withdrawn from the freezing chamber. Also by preference the freezing chamber is maintained at 10-40 p.s.i.g. in order to tend to prevent reduction of overrun between the time when the air is mixed with the liquid mix and the time when the frozen confection is dispensed.

Abstract: In a spreading disc brake relative angular movement of the pressure plates to initiate the application of the brake is effected by a fluid pressure actuator acting on a pull-rod through a pivotal thrust coupling so arranged as to confine rocking movement of the pull-rod to a single plane normal to the brake axis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a piston-cylinder mechanism for the pivoting or tilting of the platform of a vehicle mounted goods elevator between a raised resting position and a lowered working position, including at least one piston rod slidably movable relative to a piston in the mechanism and uniformly movable by means of a driver together with the piston between a bottom position wherein the platform is lowered and an intermediate position determined by a stop limiting the piston travel, said piston rod being movable relative to the piston between said intermediate position and a position of maximum extension out of the cylinder wherein the platform is swung up, wherein a spring, adapted to be supplied with spring force when the piston rod is moved towards its position of maximum extension out of the cylinder, urges the piston rod from said position in a direction towards the bottom position thereby to initiate at all times a lowering of the platform.