Abstract: A fluid cylinder includes an outer cylinder surrounding expandable intermediate and inner cylinders. A first sealed volume is defined between the outer cylinder and the intermediate cylinder, a second sealed volume is defined between the intermediate cylinder and the inner cylinder and a third volume defined within the inner cylinder. The first sealed volume is held at a lower pressure than the second and third volumes. At upper heights of the intermediate and inner cylinders, the pressures of the second and third volumes are approximately equal. Exerting a downward force on a linkage connected to a top end of the inner cylinder results in changes in pressure-volume relationships, causing the intermediate cylinder to fall and, upon release of the downward force, causing the intermediate and inner cylinders to rise again to their upper heights. The reciprocal motion generated can be harnessed for various purposes.

Abstract: A fluid cylinder includes an outer cylinder surrounding expandable intermediate and inner cylinders. A first sealed volume is defined between the outer cylinder and the intermediate cylinder, a second sealed volume is defined between the intermediate cylinder and the inner cylinder and a third volume defined within the inner cylinder. The first sealed volume is held at a lower pressure than the second and third volumes. At upper heights of the intermediate and inner cylinders, the pressures of the second and third volumes are approximately equal. Exerting a downward force on a linkage connected to a top end of the inner cylinder results in changes in pressure-volume relationships, causing the intermediate cylinder to fall and, upon release of the downward force, causing the intermediate and inner cylinders to rise again to their upper heights. The reciprocal motion generated can be harnessed for various purposes.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven multicylinder diaphragm pumping machine for pumping difficult-to-pump materials comprises pump cylinders each having at one end (20) an inlet/outlet (21) for fluid material to be pumped supplied under adjustable pneumatic pressure, and at the other end (30) an inlet and outlet (31,32) for hydraulic oil. A separator (40) movable to-and-fro inside the pump cylinder (10) is connected to the fluid-material end of the cylinder by a bellows-like flexible diaphragm (45) and to the fluid material end (30) by another bellows-like diaphragm (46) leaving an outer annular space (49) that contains hydraulic fluid. The total volume of pumping hydraulic oil in the cylinders (10.1-10.12) is maintained constant and equal to ½ the total displacement volume of the cylinders by a device (65) that compensates for thermal expansion and controls the necessary return flow of hydraulic oil for driving the pump.

Abstract: A double acting artificial lift system for use in a wellbore having two chambers, each having an inlet and outlet; a power gas string connected to both chambers; a liquid string connected to the outlets of both chambers; a vent connected to each chamber for selectively allowing a gas to pass outwardly of the chamber; and a double acting valve connected to the power gas string and the vents. The valve alternately allows the pressurized gas into each chamber, while venting the other chamber. The pressurized gas enters the chambers to cause any liquid in the chambers to pass through the outlet and into the liquid string such that the liquid extends continuously along the entire length of the liquid string. The venting allows the chambers to fill with liquid from the wellbore.

Abstract: A closed loop fully self-contained actuation system for converting a mechanical input motion into a mechanical output motion, which actuates a device such as a flight control surface on an aircraft, comprises an input actuator including a first fluid pressurizing means responsive to the mechanical input motion, and an output actuator including a second fluid pressurizing means, as well as a flexible fluid line extending between the first and second fluid pressurizing means to provide fluid communication therebetween. The second fluid pressurizing means is responsive to fluid flow through the fluid line, thereby initialing the output motion. The system is advantageous because it requires no hydraulic pumps, no accumulators, no reservoirs, and no dynamic seals or mechanical joints, permitting great reliability. The actuation system may be easily folded in conjunction with the apparatus on which it is employed, for compact storage.

Abstract: A closed loop fully self-contained actuation system for converting a mechanical input motion into a mechanical output motion, which actuates a device such as a flight control surface on an aircraft, comprises an input actuator including a first fluid pressurizing means responsive to the mechanical input motion, and an output actuator including a second fluid pressurizing means, as well as a flexible fluid line extending between the first and second fluid pressurizing means to provide fluid communication therebetween. The second fluid pressurizing means is responsive to fluid flow through the fluid line, thereby initialing the output motion. The system is advantageous because it requires no hydraulic pumps, no accumulators, no reservoirs, and no dynamic seals or mechanical joints, permitting great reliability. The actuation system may be easily folded in conjunction with the apparatus on which it is employed, for compact storage.

Abstract: In a sealing mechanism for a reciprocation apparatus for use in a cycle engine having a reciprocation member (108), such as Stirling engine, oil or a fluid is enclosed in a fluid room constituted by a pair of flexible partioning members (112, 113) such as diaphragms or multiple bellows and side walls (111a, 111b) of a cylinder (111) or the like, and the fluid room is divided in two parts (114, 115) by a pressure-resistive sealing member (116) fixed to inside wall of a rigid partion wall (111f) to roughly seal the fluid allowing sliding motions of the reciprocating member therein.

Abstract: A stroke variable device comprising a large diameter cylinder and a small diameter cylinder which are interconnected to each other. A large diameter piston and a small diameter piston are slidably inserted into the large diameter cylinder and the small diameter cylinder, respectively, and a cylinder chamber is formed between the inner end of the large diameter piston and the inner end of the small diameter piston. A first seal member is arranged to surround the projecting outer end of the large diameter piston, and a second seal member is arranged to surround the projecting outer end of the small diameter piston. One end of the first seal member is fixed to the projecting outer end of the large diameter piston, and the other end thereof is fixed to the housing of the device to form a first hermetically sealed chamber therein.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing liquids, especially for filling cartons at a higher rate of speed, is disclosed. The machine includes three bellows arranged in vertical alignment, with upper and lower sleeves interposed between the bellows. The discharge nozzle is located below the lowest bellows. The upper sleeve moves axially relative to the nozzle to control the opening and closing of the discharge valve. The lower sleeve also moves axially to control the filling and recharging of the bellows directly above the discharge nozzle. The method of operating the components in timed relation to achieve effective and efficient carton filling, as well as draining and cleaning, is disclosed.

Abstract: In a sealing mechanism for a reciprocation apparatus for use in a reciprocating engine having a reciprocation member (108), such as Stirling engine, oil or a fluid is enclosed in a fluid room constituted by a pair of flexible partioning members (112,113) such as diaphragms or multiple bellows and side walls (111a,111b) of a cylinder (111) or the like, and the fluid room is divided in two parts (114,115) by a pressure-resistive sealing member (116) fixed to inside wall of a rigid partion wall (111f) to roughly seal the fluid allowing sliding motions of the reciprocating member therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic spring suspension or shock absorber device, in particular for heavy motor vehicles, which a spring element comprising a housing for a spring bellows filled with a hydraulic medium which is in flow connection with a chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and in which a pneumatic spring is disposed which is deformable under hydraulic pressure, one end of the bellows being supported in the housing and medium being admitted at the other end via an abutment connected with one of the parts. In accordance with the invention, a compact low wear-and-tear spring suspension device is obtained in that the bellows is bent into a substantially circular arc shape and the abutment is movable along the circular arc.

Abstract: A differential pressure unit having overrange valves loosely mounted on a valve stem connected between the ends of a respective pair of movable bellows ends. A pair of spiral range springs bias both valves toward open positions. The valves include annular elastomers bonded to the edges of the apertured discs. The apertures in the discs act to allow the elastomers to seat and to unseat without causing lock-up. The discs are retained between plates and snap rings.

Abstract: Air motor having a crankcase about which a plurality of expansible chambers are arranged so that a crankshaft journaled within the crankcase can be connected to a bellows of the expansible chamber by a rod assembly. The crankshaft moves a cam means which in turn moves a valve assembly for controlling flow of compressed air into and out of the expansible chambers. Each expansible chamber is formed by a bellows concentrically aligned and placed within a cylinder to form an annular chamber therebetween. The rod assembly is received through a guide and seal means which maintains the rod axially aligned with respect to the expansible chamber, and seals the interior of the crankcase from the expansible chamber assembly. An intermediate chamber is formed between the crankcase and expansible chamber which greatly increases the efficiency of the motor.

Abstract: A differential pressure module is secured in switching relation to the actuating plunger of an electrical switching mechanism. Comprising the differential pressure module are two piston/cylinder assemblies connected together in back-to-back configuration by secured cross members forming a floating yoke. Each of the assemblies includes a diaphragm in communication with a separate oppositely directed fluid inlet and through which a force differential effective from the separate forces acting in opposition to each other is applied via the yoke against the switch actuator. A cast body intervening between the assemblies defines the fluid inlets while maintaining the pressure of each isolated from the other.