With Flexible Transmission Element Secured To Working Member Patents (Class 92/137)
  • Patent number: 4112826
    Abstract: Variable displacement reciprocating piston engine arrangements are disclosed wherein pistons drive a variable displacement oscillating rocker member connected with an oscillating lever that in turn drives a rotating shaft through a crank mechanism. The rocker member and oscillating lever are engaged at a sliding joint displaced from their spaced axes, forming an angular multiplier drive. The rocker member and its axis are movable to vary the piston stroke by changing the lever arm of the oscillating shaft connection with the rocker member, while at the same time the piston compression ratio is held constant or varied in a predetermined manner through adjustment of the piston positions by the same movement of the rocker member. Various drive and balancing arrangements are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Roy S. Cataldo
  • Patent number: 4108221
    Abstract: A container filling machine comprises a plurality of filling stations each including a container platform which is raised and lowered by a cam controlled elevating mechanism, for providing bottom-up filling; a cam-controlled pumping mechanism operating a piston pump for drawing fluid into the pump during a charge cycle, and pushing the fluid out of the pump during a discharge cycle; and an adjustable crank lever mechanism is included in the cam controlled pumping mechanism for providing adjustment of the volume of fluid being pumped. Operating in common with the filling stations are a pair of cams for operating the valves of each station, and in combination with each cam-controlled pumping mechanism provide greater than 180.degree. of machine time for continuously filling a container during the discharge cycle for each station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Gerhart Engineering & Machine Co.
    Inventors: Gerhart William Freimuth, Jerold Samuel Weiner
  • Patent number: 4095427
    Abstract: A flexible coiled linear actuator linkage is disclosed. The linkage couples the piston rod of a linear actuator to a rotatable control arm having a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of the piston rod during its power stroke. The linkage is threaded onto the piston rod of the linear actuator for a positive anchorage at one end and is secured by a connection loop onto a thrust lever of the control arm at the other end. During a positive displacement of the piston rod, the linkage transforms the longitudinal linear motion of the actuator into a pivotal rotary motion by a bending flexure of its body. A plurality of release loops for facilitating the disassembly of the connection between the actuator and the control arm are further provided according to another aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Design & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Stropkay
  • Patent number: 4080874
    Abstract: A pair of metering pumps are fixedly supported on a mounting frame and are driven in tandem by a reciprocable thrust mechanism for driving the piston or cylinder element of the pump. The thrust mechanism is movable transversely to the reciprocating direction and is supported on a frame. Two levers have respective ends linked to the thrust mechanism and to the frame, respectively. One of the reciprocable pump elements is suspended on a respective lever whereby reciprocation of the thrust mechanism causes corresponding reciprocation of the suspended pump element. The levers are held stationary with respect to the thrust mechanism and the suspension of the reciprocable pump elements holds them stationary with respect to the mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Wilfried W. Burkhard
  • Patent number: 4076021
    Abstract: This invention is a positive pressure respiratory apparatus to cyclically pump proper volumes of air for inspiration by a patient, through a breathing tube extended to the patient. The unit, formed in a compact package, includes a pump, a piston within a cylinder and a breathing tube extending from the cylinder to the patient. The cylinder volume does not greatly exceed the proper volume of air for inspiration by a patient. The piston is cyclically reciprocated within the cylinder at a rate which corresponds to natural or selected inspiration and exhalation breathing cycles of the patient, and this piston moves in the cylinder a distance sufficient to displace the aforesaid volume of air. A valving means permits air to enter the cylinder during the patient's exhalation cycle of breathing when the piston moves away from the cylinder end and to confine the flow of air to the breathing tube during the inspiration cycle, when the piston moves towards the cylinder end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Inventor: Harris A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4074611
    Abstract: The actuator includes two piston motors interconnected in opposed driving relation with a fixed axis rotary shaft, and fluid pressure control means for controlling the piston motors so that they rotate the shaft bi-directionally at constant rotational velocity with constant resultant torque. The two piston motors preferably are of different effective cross sectional areas, the smaller motor being continuously pressurized with fluid composed solely of fluid from a fluid pressure source, and the larger motor being selectively pressurized with fluid made up of fluid from the fluid pressure source together with fluid exhausted from the smaller motor. A single valve controls fluid flow to and from the piston motors to effect bi-directional shaft rotation, or maintain the shaft in a fixed position. The valve may be operated automatically by servo control means responsive to the positions of the piston motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Inventor: Ralph F. Hereth
  • Patent number: 4063825
    Abstract: A pair of pumps which are joined by a flexible connection passing over a rotatable device positioned for rotation in a substantially vertical plane. The rotatable means is driven alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions whereby the lifting of one pump occurs as the other pump is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Centre d'Etudes et de Realisations Industrielles de l'Atlantique C.E.R.I.A.
    Inventors: Joel Chardonneau, Claude Sable
  • Patent number: 4057257
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a cable cylinder to form an effective seal about a generally cylindrical cable section. The seal assembly includes first and second seal retaining member disposed on opposite sides of a seal element, all of which are disposed within a cylindrical bore of a gland member. The cylindrical bore includes a shoulder portion to retain one of the retaining members and a groove to retain the other for easy insertion and removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Tol-O-Matic, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Berg
  • Patent number: 4050852
    Abstract: A swash plate radial piston compressor having a toggle action connection means between the swash plate and pistons wherein each piston makes two reciprocations in its cylinder for each 360.degree. of rotation of the compressor input shaft. Means are provided for varying the angle of the swash plate such that a nutating ring, which encircles the swash plate in journaled fashion around the periphery of the swash plate will vary the length of the stroke of the pistons upon a change in the angular position of the swash plate causing a change of volume displacement of the compressor without changing the head clearance of the radial pistons, thus allowing the compressor to go to zero displacement while the input shaft continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byron L. Brucken, Roy E. Watt
  • Patent number: 4049365
    Abstract: A pump of the reciprocating plunger type for use in an oil well in which structure is provided for pulling downwardly on the pump plunger during its downward stroke rather than relying upon the pump rod or sucker rod to push the plunger downwardly thereby eliminating lateral deflection of the pump rod or sucker rod and resultant wear and damage which frequently occurs especially when pumping heavy crude oil or the like. One embodiment of this structure involves a tension member connected with the walking beam and extending downwardly below the plunger, around a roller assembly or the like and then back upwardly for connection with the bottom of the plunger so that as the walking beam moves downwardly to move the pump plunger downwardly, the tension member will be tensioned for pulling the plunger downwardly without applying compressive force to the pump rod or sucker rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Inventor: Virgil H. Sparks, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4047851
    Abstract: A bellows type expansible chamber pump having an exterior spring encircling it for biasing the pump in a suction direction, the pump being completely and quickly disassembled for cleaning purposes. The pump is mounted within an enclosure or box and is driven through an adjustable eccentric by an electric motor. A pump end section sets freely in the bottom of the box and can be manually shifted to prime the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Bender Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Lloyd F. Bender
  • Patent number: 4003547
    Abstract: An extremely fast-acting valve operator including a piston slidable in a pneumatic cylinder and connected by means of a chain and sprocket with the rotatable actuating shaft of a valve so that rapid movement of the piston imparts a rapid rotation to the shaft to open the valve. The piston is subjected to a high pressure gas but is initially restrained against motion within its cylinder by means of a quick release mechanism whereby release of said mechanism results in the piston undergoing immediate and rapid movement responsive to the expanding gas to thereby rapidly open the valve. This abstract is not to be construed in any way to define or limit the invention set forth below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Assignee: Lone Star Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis H. Snyder, Francis H. Snyder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3983760
    Abstract: A lever mechanism having an output end and an input end wherein the input end is pivotally mounted to a fixed support and provided with a track portion. The track portion has a spaced apart relationship to the pivot axis of the lever and is provided with a generally V-shaped portion and lateral side portions oppositely extending therefrom. A reference force is applied through a roller member which is positioned along the track by a variable input position signal applied thereto. The apex of the V-shaped portion is on a line through the pivot axis such that with the roller member held in a bottomed position and engaging both sides of the V-shaped portion there is no input moment applied to the lever mechanism and movement of the roller member in either direction from a null position produces a clockwise or counterclockwise motion of the output end of the lever mechanism, depending upon the direction of movement of the output end in response to the roller movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Henry P. Tyler, Joseph L. Peczkowski, Frank J. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 3973445
    Abstract: This invention relates to mechanism for converting linear motion to rotary motion without the use of a crank or crankshaft. Two circular members which may be provided with teeth are driven simultaneously in opposite directions by a chain, belt or rack which is in turn connected to a piston reciprocating in a linear path. The invention is particularly adapted to vapor engines sometimes referred to as expanders. It also comprises both electrically and mechanically actuated valve motions, including a reverse means and means for varying cut-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Inventor: Hyde Whitcomb Ballard
  • Patent number: 3965802
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive for operating an elevator and disposed inside the elevator shaft on one side of the load-lifting member of the elevator comprises a hydraulic ram cylinder having two straight cylinder portions connected by a portion forming an arcuate bend. One straight cylinder portion extends up the path of ascent of the load-lifting member of the elevator, whereas the other straight cylinder portion slidably contains a hydraulic ram piston attached to one end of a universally flexible thrust-transmitting strand. The other end of the flexible strand is attached to a cylindrical body arranged to slide up and down said one straight cylinder portion and is provided with a carrier arm projecting to the outside through an axial slot in said one straight cylinder portion for supporting the load-lifting member of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1973
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Inventor: Max Jacobs
  • Patent number: 3951574
    Abstract: A high pressure, positive displacement, reciprocating plunger type pump is provided having mechanism for infinitely variable stroke adjustment and simple fluid flow. The pump may also include a poppet type feeder valve mechanism operatable from the same drive mechanism as reciprocates the pump plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: D-Cycle Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George Panuline
  • Patent number: 3945302
    Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a tool which permits the adjustment of a pressure responsive flow controlling diaphragm assembly while the diaphragm is pressurized. The tool is used to adjust the position of a central shaft threaded through the diaphragm and held in place by a locking jam nut. The central shaft and locking nut are received in a center bolt having a hexagonal head which holds the diaphragm assembly together. The tool comprises a base that is mounted over the pressurized face of the diaphragm in place of its normal cover. A series of concentric sockets extend through the base for engaging the center bolt and the lock nut. A center shaft extends through the sockets and has a section of an allen wrench received in a corresponding recess of the central shaft of the diaphragm assembly. Suitable passages in the base enable the diaphragm to be pressurized to a desired adjustment pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Downs
  • Patent number: 3940887
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled pneumatic swinging door operator comprising a pneumatic cylinder with a piston therein, a continuous loop connected to opposite sides of the piston and entrained at its ends over sprockets, one of which makes driving or driven connection with a door, a passive hydraulic system including a cylinder and a piston, the piston of which is carried by the side of the loop opposite the side carrying the pneumatic piston, and passage work in the hydraulic system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid in said cylinder from one side of the hydraulic piston to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Assignee: Republic Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren E. Slaybaugh
  • Patent number: 3932989
    Abstract: An illustrative system is disclosed for use as a rotary-drive engine, utilizing combustible fuel and a hydraulic system of energy conversion. An engine block defines a pair of expansion cylinders (combustion chambers) and an associated concentric pair of hydraulic chambers. The chambers matingly receive unitary piston structures for phase-opposed reciprocal movement.The hydraulic working chambers communicate with each other and can exhaust high pressure fluid through a control valve structure for drive power. Exhausted fluid is replaced in volume by low-pressure spent fluid. The body of the fluid contained in the hydraulic working chambers along with the piston means and springs connected to the engine block define an oscillatory system which is resonant at the operating frequency. That consideration, along with the absence of lateral loads on the pistons, results in relatively high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1976
    Inventor: Mihai C. Demetrescu