Fluid Spring Patents (Class 92/134)
  • Patent number: 10215167
    Abstract: A connecting rod (24) has a modified end adapted to ensure that a lubricant film of sufficient thickness exists in an end bearing thereof when the connecting rod is placed in both tension and compression. The connecting rod includes an elongated body portion or shaft (40), a big end (42) defining a first coupling bore (44) at a first longitudinal end of the body portion (40), and a small end (46) defining a second coupling bore (48) at a second longitudinal end of the body portion (40). The small end (46) and the big end (42) each have a proximal side (50,52) nearest the shaft (40) and a distal side (54,56) furthest from the shaft (40). An opening (100) is formed in the shaft (40) adjacent the proximal side (52) for adjusting a stiffness of the proximal side (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Howden Thomassen Compressors BV
    Inventors: Bernd Brogle, Antal Langelaar, Petrus Nicolaas Duineveld
  • Publication number: 20150053076
    Abstract: A pressure accumulator for connection to a hydraulic fluid-driven percussion device. The percussion device includes at least one impact piston arranged to carry out a reciprocating motion caused by the pressure from the hydraulic fluid. The pressure accumulator is arranged in communication with a hydraulic fluid space of the impact piston. The pressure accumulator includes a space that extends at least partly around the impact piston when the pressure accumulator is mounted on the percussion device. A partition divides the space into two separate pressure chambers so that the pressure chambers are located an axial direction of the impact piston in relation to each other when the pressure accumulator is mounted on the percussion device. A first of the two separate pressure chambers is intended to be filled with a compressible medium. A second pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid space of the impact piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Construction Tools PC AB
    Inventor: Anders Lundgren
  • Patent number: 8939062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for constructing a gas-filled double-acting hydraulic cylinder (1) with gas spring action, comprising: —a cylinder sleeve (3) with a cylinder bottom (3a) and cylinder head (3b) —a piston/piston rod assembly (5) a hydraulic fluid seal on the piston (9) —a connection for the head-side chamber (13) to a hydraulic line; —a connection for the bottom-side chamber (15) to a hydraulic line, —a gland (20) with a bore, the gland being attached between the cylinder bottom (3a) and the piston (9), the piston rod (7) extending over the entire stroke of the piston rod through the bore, wherein the gland comprises two seals —(25), one for providing a seal with the cylinder sleeve (3) and one for providing a seal with the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Tone Oudelaar, Willem Herman Masseling
  • Patent number: 8366414
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) having a diaphragm (11), a solenoid with a movable magnetic armature (8) as a drive element for the diaphragm (11), and a stop element (9) for adjusting the stroke for the drive element (8). The diaphragm pump includes at least one elastic damper (36) between the drive element (8) and the stop element (9), which elastic damper (36) has at least one compression chamber (26) which is surrounded and formed by at least one elastic boundary wall and by at least one rigid boundary wall of the drive element (8) and/or stop element (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: KNF Flodos AG
    Inventors: Stephan Kaufmann, Christian Kissling
  • Patent number: 8360751
    Abstract: A pump has a pump barrel formed from a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section. Each section has a biased piston moveable within the section and the pistons are connected together to form a variable volume chamber between the pistons. As the connected pistons move toward the larger diameter section, a volume of fluid is moved through an inlet valve into the variable volume chamber of increasing volume. When the pistons are moved toward the smaller diameter section, a differential volume of fluid is discharged from the variable volume chamber of decreasing volume through a discharge valve into a discharge conduit. The pistons are actuated to move within the pump barrel by application and release of pressure at a remote end of the discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Grant Duncan
  • Patent number: 8225694
    Abstract: A piston rod assembly for coupling between a power end and a fluid end of a high pressure reciprocating pump. Part cylindrical members are clamped together via pistons arranged orthogonally to the rod axis. The members grip the power and fluid end components in a knuckle joint or ball and socket. By providing orthogonal loading, a large contact area is obtained between the members and the components, which gives a mechanical advantage in keeping the parts together even when a maximum reciprocating force is applied by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Spicket Valves and Pumps Limited
    Inventors: George Coulter Kennedy, Arnaud Fusilier
  • Patent number: 8186900
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a housing and a tensile member disposed within the housing. The tensile member comprises first and second end portions. Each end portion sealingly engages the housing to form a hydraulic chamber therebetween. A first connector pivotally coupled to the first end portion. The axial position of the first connector relative to the housing is controlled by pressure within the hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: National-Oilwell, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Dale Riley, Randall Ferrain Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120097024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for constructing a gas-filled double-acting hydraulic cylinder (1) with gas spring action, comprising: a cylinder sleeve (3) with a cylinder bottom (3a) and cylinder head (3b) a piston/ piston rod assembly (5) a hydraulic fluid seal on the piston (9) a connection for the head-side chamber (13) to a hydraulic line; a connection for the bottom-side chamber (15) to a hydraulic line, a gland (20) with a bore, the gland being attached between the cylinder bottom (3a) and the piston (9), the piston rod (7) extending over the entire stroke of the piston rod through the bore, wherein the gland comprises two seals (25), one for providing a seal with the cylinder sleeve (3) and one for providing a seal with the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Tone Oudelaar, Willem Herman Msseling
  • Patent number: 7055319
    Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder with a piston and a connected piston rod. The piston defines opposed chambers wherein a compensating device is disposed in at least one of the chambers. The compensating device includes a capsule of an elastic material containing a gaseous medium which is compressed comparable to the volume displaced by the piston rod when fully retracted. When the piston rod is in its protracted position, the compensating capsule expands so that the pressure within the hydraulic chamber of the cylinder reaches a value that will minimize the absorption of any air into the cylinder and not overload the bearing seal through which the piston rod extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Patent number: 6918247
    Abstract: A system is provided having a hydraulic circuit configured to move one structural member relative to another, and an assist cylinder connected between the structural members and configured to generate and retain potential energy when the one structural member moves from a greater potential energy position to a lower potential energy position, and to convert the potential energy to kinetic energy used to generate a force exerted through the assist cylinder that assists the hydraulic circuit in returning the one structural member toward the position of greater potential energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Jack E Warner
  • Publication number: 20010027719
    Abstract: An energy-saving method and an energy-saving device for operating a single-acting cylinder device provided with a return function, which comprises a cylinder part (2) with an interior duct (50) and a piston (4) which is arranged in a movable manner in the duct (50) and which defines a working chamber (5) and a return chamber (6) in the duct (50). The piston (4) executes a working stroke and a return stroke in the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Per-Ake Wahlberg
  • Patent number: 6283011
    Abstract: This cylinder, which may be entirely pneumatic, has two working pistons 26 and 27 linked to a working rod 28, slidably mounted on which are two small auxiliary pistons 37 and 38 which can be displaced in an auxiliary chamber 35. The latter, being permanently supplied with a compressed gas, can cause the return, by means of the piston 38 or 37, of the fitting 26-27-28 to an intermediate position shown in the drawing, respectively from a fully extracted position (towards the right) of the rod 28 or a fully retracted position (to the left) of this rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ARO
    Inventor: Ludovic Assumel-Lurdin
  • Patent number: 6279315
    Abstract: A pneumatic unlocking and closing apparatus for doors has a soft braking phase at each end position. The apparatus includes a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit having a working chamber acting on a large piston area and a return chamber acting on a piston area which is reduced by the piston rod. The apparatus is operated by a substantially closed pressure actuation system having a compressed air pump creating both a working pressure in the working chamber and a less high counter pressure in the return chamber. The pressure system includes a first or plus tank having a certain predetermined high pressure to act as the working pressure in the working chamber for expelling the piston during the ordinary working stroke thereof; and a second or minus tank into which the air of the working chamber is evacuated when the piston is to be returned to its fully retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Safe Net i Harads AB
    Inventor: Bert Harju
  • Patent number: 6085884
    Abstract: An actuating element for a clutch includes a stop which is adjustable by an automatic adjusting device for ensuring that the actuating stroke of a piston increases in the releasing direction of the clutch and that the actuating stroke is displaced away from the clutch in response to wear of the clutch linings when the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Robert Seufert, Thomas John
  • Patent number: 6085501
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically adjusting the lightening of a working unit (U) of a machine by use of a hydraulic ram (57) associated with a hydropneumatic accumulator (67). Use is made of a second hydraulic ram (58) of which the piston (53), which can move as far as a predetermined position (PP) in the cylinder (C2) and which is detached from the rod (46) of the first hydraulic ram (57), acts directly or indirectly on the latter rod via the oil (O) contained in the first hydraulic ram (57). The working unit (U) is raised and lowered by the second hydraulic ram (58). When raising the working unit (U), the volume of oil in the first hydraulic ram (57) is increased or decreased in such a way that the working unit (U) is always at a predetermined height (HP) at the end of raising travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventors: Martin Walch, Joel Wilhelm, Bernard Wattron, Rino Ermacora, Alain Guesdon
  • Patent number: 6052992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heterogeneous structure for energy accumulation-dissipation (10), the structure being constituted by a porous capillary solid matrix (11) of open capillary porosity and of controlled topology, with capillary passages (12) of varying section and/or mutually interconnected to form labyrinths, and by a liquid (13) surrounding the porous capillary matrix and defining a liquid/solid separation surface, with the matrix (11) being lyophobic relative to said liquid. The area of the separation surface then varies isothermally and reversibly as a function of the external pressure to which the heterogeneous structure (10) is subjected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: D L D International a part interest
    Inventor: Valentin Eroshenko
  • Patent number: 5904071
    Abstract: A piston rod assembly has a release link connector (12) coupled to a power end component (10) and a fluid end component (11). The connector (12) allows quick release of the assembly and includes one or more tension links (15,20) which do not extend or protrude beyond the axial limit of the ends of the body (13) of the connector (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: T M Kennedy & Company Limited
    Inventors: George Coulter Kennedy, Steven Flindall
  • Patent number: 5522221
    Abstract: An actuator for use in an active suspension system is controlled by a valve responsive to differential pressure across the piston of the actuator. The valve operates to allow movement of the piston so as to reduce the pressure differential. The valve is also controlled by signals indicative of position of and load applied to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Microhydraulics Inc.
    Inventors: George Kadlicko, Will Halina
  • Patent number: 5383714
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a dump bed which can be pivoted from a horizontal orientation to a fully upright position to facilitate loading of material onto the dump bed and unloading material therefrom. A hydraulic or other type cylinder is used to raise and lower the dump bed. The cylinder is oriented at an acute angle from the horizontal and is attached at one end to a rear portion of the dump bed. The other end of the cylinder is attached to a crossbeam at a forward location. The dump bed includes downward extending arms and extensions that carry pivot pins about which the dump bed rotates. The location of the pivot axis in this manner creates a crank arm that provides the cylinder with the leverage necessary to raise the dump bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: H. Victor Hunter
  • Patent number: 5381662
    Abstract: A hand-held bleeder stroke tool for bleeding gas from a cylinder/piston assembly, such as a vehicle master brake cylinder assembly. The present invention utilizes a rod with a push member at one end of the rod. The push member is generally spherical and contacts the piston of the assembly to force or stroke the piston into the cylinder and forcing the gas from the cylinder. At an end generally opposed to the push member, the rod is secured to a handle to provide effective gripping. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a stroke indicator assembly comprising a slider movably mounted to the rod as well as length markings on the rod as visual gauging features for determining equal length strokes of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Echlin Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Ethen, Timothy P. Connelly
  • Patent number: 5375417
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor having a plurality of cylinders, with each cylinder having an expansion chamber (15), defined in part by a piston plate (2); and a diversion chamber (16) which is divided into two chambers by a slide plate (11), with the diversion chambers connected to a pressure supply line (27) and to a pressure diversion line (28). The piston plate is connected to a piston rod (5) by a lock (3). The expansion chamber holds an amount of compressed air held constant throughout the operation cycle. Expansion of the expansion chamber moves the piston plate and piston rod (5) to rotate a crankshaft (5a). At the end of the expansion stroke, the piston rod is disconnected from the piston plate. The expansion chamber is compressed by pressurizing the diversion chamber below the slide plate (11), forcing the slide plate and push rods (7) upwards, which pushes the piston plate upwards, until the piston plate can be held at a top position by a lock (3').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Wolfgang Barth
  • Patent number: 5193430
    Abstract: Presented is an air cylinder apparatus including a control mechanism that is operable to interject mechanical dead-stops to control the linear translation of the piston of the air cylinder to predetermined increments of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Adolf M. Ilgovsky
  • Patent number: 5191808
    Abstract: The arrangement comprises a stop bar (1) formed from a cylindrical rod having a lengthwise slot therein. The stop bar (1) is secured to a fixed support within an actuator casing (7). A stop plate (15) is slidably secured in the slot and presents upper and lower stop edge portions (16, 17) for engagement with spaced limbs (23) of arm means for converting linear motion into angular motion. The position of the stop edge portions (16, 17) relative to the stop bar (1) is adjustable by means of replaceable shims (21) in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Prime Actuator Control Systems Limited
    Inventor: Michael A. Calvert
  • Patent number: 5181468
    Abstract: A device for controlling the operating pressure between the two rotary cylinders in a machine used for processing layers such as webs, ink films, or the like for instance on an offset printing machine. The device includes a pneumatic jack having an outlet rod of a piston thereof which acts to position each bearing supporting an end of a central shaft of a cylinder. When a chamber of the jack is subjected to pressure, the rod acts against the shift of the bearing in a direction which causes an increase of the distance between the two cylinders. A fixed, though adjustable, arresting piece acts against a shift of the bearing in a direction which would cause a reduction of the distance between the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventor: Edouard Borel
  • Patent number: 5140894
    Abstract: A gas spring actuator which, when attached to a valve, will return the valve to its initial position after the valve has been moved to a second position by application of a pressurized fluid that opposes the gas spring. The gas spring is charged to a predetermined gas pressure. A hydraulic fluid is applied in an opposing manner to drive the piston in one direction to operate the valve and simultaneously pressurize the gas in the gas spring. Upon removal of the hydraulic pressure, the pressurized gas returns the piston, and the valve, to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Axelson, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Snyder, M. Wayne Perkins, Joe D. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 5133245
    Abstract: The stroke length in a positioner of the type having a piston rod movable through a cylinder can be preset through a continuous range of adjustment. A first detent element provided at the end of the cylinder engages another detent element positionable along the rod to limit stroke length. Spacing between the two detents is continuously adjustable by rotation of a threaded sleeve coaxial with the rod. Once installed in a recliner seat or the like, the device is secure against accidental changes in the stroke setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: P. L. Porter Company
    Inventors: Jimmy C. Lee, Calvin R. Stringer
  • Patent number: 5067531
    Abstract: A bench top volumetric container filler is provided and consists of a mechanism to pump a predetermined amount of fluid from a reservoir into a container by using a volumetric piston pump operated by a vertical pump driving cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Kenneth Herzog
  • Patent number: 5058538
    Abstract: An actuator which is used, for example, to operate an internal combustion engine poppet valve is configured to open the poppet valve by means of a high pressure hydraulic fluid. This fluid powers the actuator piston and, at the same time, compresses air to accomplish both damping of the piston and conversion of the kinetic energy of piston translation into potential (pneumatic) energy. The actuator is held or captured in the second or valve-open position by a hydraulic latch and when released, is returned by the stored pneumatic energy to its initial position. Damping of the returning actuator piston is accomplished by a separate adjustable pneumatic orifice arrangement to assure gentle seating of the poppet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick L. Erickson, William E. Richeson
  • Patent number: 5050782
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a plunger and an elongate barrel having a cylindrical bore which receives the plunger. The plunger includes an axial passage which delivers a volume of liquid as the plunger is depressed downwardly into the barrel. The volume of liquid delivered depends on the length of the downstroke of the plunger, and a mechanism is provided which allows the plunger to be rotated to limit the length of the downstroke to a predetermined percentage of total length. In this way, premeasured volumes of liquid may be delivered by the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Linda J. Wei
    Inventor: David H. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5044701
    Abstract: An elastic body apparatus includes a pneumatic pressure sealing member formed of a hollow flexible material and sealing therein a high pressure pneumatic gas, a movable member driven by an external force against the pressure of the pneumatic pressure sealing member, a fixed shell enveloping a fixed portion of the pneumatic pressure sealing member, and an elastic shell having plate spring portions for applying a spring force in the same direction as the pressing direction of the pneumatic pressure sealing member to the movable member, and disposed at a position enveloping a displacing portion of the pneumatic pressure sealing member. The elastic shell serves as a shell and a spring body, and even if the pressure of the pneumatic pressure sealing member is increased, the pneumatic pressure sealing member is prevented from being deformed in excess of a normal level, and the pressure is transmitted to the movable member through the pneumatic pressure sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Miyako Jidosha Kogyo Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Yasuhiro Miyama
  • Patent number: 5036751
    Abstract: A process for the precise adjustment of the lost travel of a piston in a master cylinder. Master cylinders typically include a number of components in spatial series arrangement, with all components having individual tolerances. The individual tolerances regarding the lost travel of the piston or pistons, can combine additively in the master cylinder. The resulting lost travel, hence, is relatively large and varies with individual master cylinders. The process provides that the lost travel of the piston or pistons in the master cylinder can be precisely adjusted and, hence, can be kept very low. The position of the piston or pistons is measured in the condition in which they just seal the associated equilibrium ports. Subsequently, the position of the pistons is calculated in consideration of the desired lost travels and, by adjustment of the force planes acting on the desired point, the resting position of the piston and pistons, respectively, is fixed to the desired distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Seip, Peter Boehm, Kurt Saalbach, Klaus Bergelin
  • Patent number: 4961316
    Abstract: A hydraulic lifting arrangement for a lift assembly on a materials-handling vehicle includes a working piston-cylinder device (17) for raising and lowering the lift assembly, a reversible pump assembly (40) for operating the piston-cylinder device, and an electric motor for driving the pump assembly. The piston-cylinder device (17) is a double-acting device and has two working chambers (28,29), which are connected to the pump assembly by connecting pipes (46,47). The pump assembly comprises a first and a second hydraulic pump (41,42) having fixed displacements. The pumps are so arranged in the system that together they supply hydraulic medium to and receive hydraulic medium from solely the first chamber (28) whereas only the pump motor (41) supplies and receives hydraulic medium to and from the second chamber (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: BT Industries Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrew Corke, Lennart Johansson
  • Patent number: 4957193
    Abstract: An actuating cylinder having a fluid pressure operated piston member connected by a friction member to a push rod to which a brake shoe, or the like, may be attached as the output member. A force transfer lever is arranged between the piston and push rod to transmit the piston force to the output member with mechanical advantage only after the friction connection is overcome by resistance at the push rod, such as occurs by engagement of the brake shoe with the wheel of a railway vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Hideo Tamamori
  • Patent number: 4955245
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, comprising:a cylinder,one or two pistons reciprocally movable in that cylinderone or two racks, each carried by a piston,a pinion coupled to the rack(s),an output connecting part coupled to that pinion for connecting to a device for driving, such as a butterfly valve,means for connecting to a line for medium under pressure for causing the pistons simultaneously to move towards or move away from one another, thereby causing the execution of a corresponding pivoting movement of the output connecting part, andresetting spring means for forcing the pistons into a terminal rest position.The invention provides an actuator with the feature that the resetting spring means comprise at least one gas spring which is connected between the cylinder and a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Holland Hellas Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus C. J. G. Janssen, Joseph H. M. Tiehuis
  • Patent number: 4872613
    Abstract: An assembly for applying a fluid on a workpiece from a fluid storage supply includes a fluid supply for supplying a fluid. An air supply supplies compressed air. An injector is connected to the fluid supply for receiving fluid from the fluid supply and for receiving air from the air supply and injecting the fluid to the workpiece in response to the air being supplied thereto. A solenoid interconnects the air supply and the injector for controlling the air supply to the injector to actuate the injector. An accumulator receives exhausted air from the injector in response to the actuation of the injector and returns air from the accumulator after the actuation of the injector is completed to allow the injector to be actuated again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hucul, Ronald R. Matheson
  • Patent number: 4867355
    Abstract: A self-contained cartridge for transporting and dispensing liquid chemicals. The cartridge includes a hollow body member open at the upper end and divided into a lower closed tank for holding liquid chemicals and an upper open end compartment. A pump is provided to pump liquid chemicals from the closed tank. The pump is activated through a quick disconnect fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: John A. Vanderjagt
  • Patent number: 4836757
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resonant piston compressor in which a double-sided piston reciprocates within a cylinder and defines a valved compression space on one side of the piston and a balance chamber on its other side. The invention further includes a movable head adjustable between first and second positions to effect a large change in the total volume of the balance chamber between the two positions. In one position, of the movable head an extended balance chamber volume is coupled to the balanced chamber while in the other position of the movable head, the extended balance chamber volume is decoupled from the balance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter W. Curwen, Ralph Hurst
  • Patent number: 4821624
    Abstract: A stroke limiter for a hydraulic cylinder comprises two sleeve portions each having a channel located therein that are frictionally mounted to the piston rod adjacent to the piston. An elongated contactor is slidably received in each of the channels. The contactor is longer than the sleeve portion and extends past the bottom of the sleeve. The top of the sleeve is provided with a cutout portion which is adjacent to the contactor and provides a hydraulic fluid flow path from the piston mounted poppet valves. When the contactor contacts the end cap of the cylinder, the contactor slides upwardly in the sleeve and contacts the poppet valves in the cylinder unseating the valves and creating a hydraulic fluid flow path across the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4815359
    Abstract: The brake piston return mechanism (10) comprises a housing (22) which includes housing part (50) that forms with the housing a chamber (59) and an axially extending groove (55). Disposed within the axially extending groove (55) and forming a movable portion (58) of the chamber (59) is an annular actuation piston (70). The actuation piston (70) includes a pair of seals (74) to prevent leakage. Within the housing part (50) is a bore (40) enclosing brake tube (80) that includes an interior radially extending flange (84) and an exterior radially extending flange (82). The exterior radially extending flange (82) is engaged by the actuation piston (70). Located within the brake tube (80) is an adjuster mechanism (90). After the brake tube (80) has been displaced by the actuation piston (70) and braking has ceased, the brake tube (80) is returned to a running clearance (A) by way of the adjuster mechanism (90 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Black
  • Patent number: 4797073
    Abstract: A plunger pump has a plunger adapted to slide in the axial direction and rotate by a combination of worm and worm wheel. A cylindrical pump body has an axial extension at one free end through which a control pin extends upwardly at a right angle relative to the extension, while the plunger carried on the pump in a cantilever fashion has an inclined end face cam, an adjustment cam and a worm wheel on the same side as the axial extension. The worm wheel meshes with a worm directly connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the crankshaft is not held on the pump body. As the crankshaft is rotated, the plunger is caused to rotate by meshing engagement of the worm and the worm wheel and at the same time slide in the pump body by contact of the end face cam with the control pin whereby liquid held in the pump chamber is discharged from the delivery port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Tohoku Mikuni Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 4784107
    Abstract: A ball pitching system comprising a pneumatically actuated pitching arm and automatic ball feed system. The pneumatic actuation is provided by an automatic pressure sensor valve. Compressed air is provided by a DC compressor affixed to the frame of the pitching apparatus and may be powered by a conventional 12 volt vehicular battery system. In this manner the preselect pitching of baseballs and the like along a predefined trajectory can be provided at remote locations away from conventional power sources by using conventional automotive electrical supply. The system further provides a reliable, inexpensive assemblage require little maintenance and maximum enjoyment of use with baseballs and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Inventor: Eddy D. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4777800
    Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator for subsea use, which charges itself as it is lowered to the operating depth. The seawater and hydraulic fluid operate against unbalanced pistons (36, 52) with low pressure gas (42) therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Donald H. Hay, II
  • Patent number: 4766803
    Abstract: A control linkage for varying the length of stroke of a hydraulic cylinder is disclosed wherein a slide member is telescopically received within a bracket member, one of these members being connected to the extension end of the hydraulic cylinder while the other member is connected to the base end. A limiting mechanism in the form of a series of holes in one of the members alignable with a slotted opening in the other member and a fastener positionable within one of said holes and also through the slotted opening serves to limit the amount of telescopic movement of the slide member from the bracket member. As a result, the extension of the hydraulic cylinder can be selectively varied according to the preset length of the control linkage. An alternative embodiment in which a fastener is positionable within the holes externally of the slotted opening provides a two way stroke limiter by restricting the length of the retraction stroke of the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: New Holland Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert A. Cartee, Emmett G. Webster
  • Patent number: 4759260
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fail-safe or auto-return actuator cylinder employing the air spring effect provided by compressed air trapped in an air-spring compartment; which air spring effect replaces the conventional mechanical coil spring employed in conventional fail safe or auto-return air cylinders. The air spring chamber integrally built into the cylinder body is connected to the compressed air supply tube through a check valve that provides the self-charging and self-recharging feature for the air-spring chamber and, consequently, the air-spring chamber remains fully charged with compressed air even when there is a compressed air leak from the air-spring chamber. The air-spring compartment stays charged or becomes automatically recharged even when there is a leak from the air-spring compartment as long as there is compressed air to actuate the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Yon S. Lew
  • Patent number: 4750870
    Abstract: In a resonant piston compressor utilizing a balance chamber to provide a gas spring effect for use in a heat pump arrangement and the like, an adjustable balance cylinder head which adjusts so as to increase or decrease the balance chamber volume so as to increase or decrease the stiffness of the balance chamber, depending upon the mode of operation desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter W. Curwen
  • Patent number: 4730743
    Abstract: A bridge-crane structure wherein major structural components to sustain loads imposed upon the span are also major functional components of hydraulically controlled hoist mechanism of the crane. Specifically, closed upper and lower elongate cylinders are rigidly laced by struts to define a bridge girder, of length corresponding to the length of the bridge; and these cylinders are charged with gas at elevated pressure and interconnected as major components of a hydraulic accumulator relied upon as a phantom counterweight in the hydraulic hoist mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Dynamic Hydraulic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan H. Rosman
  • Patent number: 4729224
    Abstract: An actuation installation for use under extreme environmental conditions, such as freezing, uses a two-fluid system in which one fluid is impervious to the extreme environment, and the other fluid, such as water, is not. A two-chamber accumulator-separator has a water chamber connected to a water source via control valves and a working fluid chamber connected to a hydraulic actuator port. The other actuator port is connected to a working fluid chamber of a two-chamber accumulator having a sealed air-pressure chamber. When water is admitted to the water chamber, the actuator will move in a first direction further compressing the air in the air pressure chamber. When the water is drained from the water chamber, the accumulator air-pressure moves the actuator in the opposite direction. The actuator is positioned in the extreme environment, with the remainder of the system installed in a protected environment such as underground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: James D. McAteer
  • Patent number: 4686870
    Abstract: Apparatus utilized in combination with a carriage reciprocating between a primary base position and a second position spaced away from the primary base position. The apparatus varies the distance of the second position of the carriage from the primary base portion of the carriage and includes a stop surface on the carriage and a plurality of secondary stop surfaces operatively associated with the carriage stop surface. The secondary stop surfaces are each movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position in which one of the secondary stop surfaces contacts the carriage stop surface when the carriage is moving away from its primary base position, and, a second operative position in which another of the secondary stop surfaces contacts the carriage stop surface when the carriage is moving from its primary base position. When a secondary stop surface contacts the carriage stop surface, the carriage is halted in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: James F. Mack
  • Patent number: 4681136
    Abstract: A device with use in combination with an expansible sleeve-type gas flow control valve in a production gas supply between a compressor and a delivery line provides pressure differential control as between the valve inlet and the valve outlet by relating hydraulic control pressure around the resilient sleeve of the valve to valve outlet gas flow pressure through a primary piston and cylinder assembly. The primary piston is linked to a secondary piston in a secondary cylinder of smaller diameter which in turn communicates with an accumulator for dampening pulsations in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventors: Richard J. Sequeira, Frank R. Valadez
  • Patent number: 4664298
    Abstract: A hand lever operated grease gun that has both high pressure and high volume modes by changing the mechanical advantage of the lever acting on a dispensing piston. A spring biased pivotal connection between the lever and a forwardly mounted supporting link is shiftable between two positions by depression of the lever against the biasing force of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry D. Shew