Abstract: Actuators and methods of use are provided. An actuator may include an inner member made from an elastic material and defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid, the inner member being moveable in a longitudinal direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing an actuating fluid into the inner member; and an outer member made from an inelastic material and being disposed around the elastic inner member to control expansion of the elastic inner member in a radial direction, the outer member being moveable from a folded relaxed configuration to an unfolded extended configuration as the inner member moves from the relaxed state to the expanded state, wherein the movement of the actuator between the relaxed state and the expanded state causes a movement of a structure to which the actuator is attached.

Abstract: A fluidic exoskeleton system. The system can include one or more fluidic actuator units that have: a joint; a first and second arm coupled to the joint; an inflatable bellows actuator extending between a first and second plate associated with the joint, the inflatable bellows actuator defining a bellows cavity, the inflatable bellows actuator configured to extend along a length of the bellows actuator when inflated by introducing fluid into the bellows cavity; and one or more constraint ribs extending from the joint and surrounding portions of the bellows actuator along the length of the bellows actuator.

Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.

Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: Actuators and methods of use are provided. An actuator may include an inner member made from an elastic material and defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid, the inner member being moveable in a longitudinal direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing an actuating fluid into the inner member; and an outer member made from an inelastic material and being disposed around the elastic inner member to control expansion of the elastic inner member in a radial direction, the outer member being moveable from a folded relaxed configuration to an unfolded extended configuration as the inner member moves from the relaxed state to the expanded state, wherein the movement of the actuator between the relaxed state and the expanded state causes a movement of a structure to which the actuator is attached.

Abstract: This invention relates to an actuator assembly for a turbocharger pressure control valve assembly and a method of assembling a pressure control assembly of a turbocharger. The assembly comprises an actuator coupled to an actuator rod which in use is coupled to the valve assembly to control the position thereof. The actuator rod comprises an elongate member at least a portion of which is flexible. The actuator rod may be a resilient member which may be substantially straight when stressed. In use the actuator rod may extend in a substantially straight line between the actuator and the valve assembly.

Abstract: The diaphragm profile 10 is defined by a computer generated compound radius 10d beginning at 10f and ending at 10g. The compound radius is generally governed by the equation: ( t 2 ) R = ? E where, t=Diaphragm Thickness R=Radius of Curvature of Diaphragm Profile ?=Stress from Flexure of Radius “R” E=Modulus of Elasticity The profile limits diaphragm stresses to a prescribed and controlled level dictated by the initial formed profile of the diaphragm. As the bellows compresses, the gaps between adjacent diaphragm spans begin to close, thereby supporting the diaphragm and limiting further increases in stress. The remaining and shortened free span of each diaphragm is able to withstand the elevated pressures achieved during the compression process, ultimately offering a stable structure to the increase in loading. A lubricious wear strip 11 is used to protect the diaphragm from undesired wear that could result from metal to metal contact between the diaphragms.

Abstract: A multi-sided bellows cover has panel sections formed of extruded plastic panels that are connected end-to-end by bead-in-slot connections. The panel sections can be made of one or more rigid wall sections that are connected at the fold lines by flexible web sections or by the bead-in-slot connection. The panel sections are integrally molded by extrusion, and many serial wall sections alternating with web sections may be integrally co-extruded with one another.

Abstract: This invention relates to an actuator assembly for a turbocharger pressure control valve assembly and a method of assembling a pressure control assembly of a turbocharger. The assembly comprises an actuator coupled to an actuator rod which in use is coupled to the valve assembly to control the position thereof. The actuator rod comprises an elongate member at least a portion of which is flexible. The actuator rod may be a resilient member which may be substantially straight when stressed. In use the actuator rod may extend in a substantially straight line between the actuator and the valve assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a travel-transmitting element for an injection valve, comprising a pressure-loaded storage chamber which is filled with a hydraulic fluid and a storage element that is provided with an elastomeric bellows-type member. In order to ensure sufficient steadiness of the rotational speed over the service life, the inventive elastomeric bellows-type member is provided with a stiffening element which ensures constant radial stiffness over the service life at least in some sections thereof.

Abstract: In a fluidic drive for disposition between two components which are movable relative to each other comprising a hollow body with a duct for supplying fluid to, and discharging it from, the hollow body wherein the hollow body consists at least partially of a bellows structure, non-resilient ring elements extend around the hollow body in each of its pleats and a connecting structure extends at least at one side of the hollow body and interconnects the non-resilient ring elements.

Abstract: A multi-sided bellows cover has panel sections formed of extruded plastic panels in which rigid wall sections are connected at the fold lines by flexible web sections. The web sections are integrally molded by extrusion with at least one adjacent wall section, and many serial wall sections alternating with web sections may be integrally co-extruded with one another. Intermittently, a bead of one of the flexible web sections of one of the panel sections is captured in a slot of one of the rigid wall sections of another panel section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing pump comprising a chamber, an inlet valve located in an inlet pertaining to said chamber, and an outlet valve located in an outlet pertaining to said chamber. The chamber is divided into two partial chambers (2, 18) by a separating means. Said separating means comprises a separating valve (38) which opens in the direction of conveyance and which connects the partial chambers (2, 18). The separating means can be moved back and forth in the direction of conveyance and is connected to a drive device for this purpose. When the separating means is moved in the direction of conveyance, dosing liquid is sucked in via the inlet valve (6) and is simultaneously discharged via the outlet valve (28). This process is carried out smoothly and continuously.

Abstract: Both ends of a bellows-type outer cylinder [31] capable of axial expansion and contraction are connected in a leakproof manner to a pair of connection passage ends [20], thereby constituting an expansion passage [30]. A cylindrical resin film [33] having no permeability to fluid is arranged in an interior of the bellows-type outer cylinder [31], and the axial ends thereof are connected in a leakproof manner to said connecting passage end regions. The cylindrical region [34] positioned in the intermediate region of the cylindrical resin film [33] covers the inner surface of said bellows-type outer cylinder [31] in a leakproof manner.

Abstract: An expansion joint device (10) used for metal conduits comprises an inlet short tube (1), an outlet short tube (2), and a sleeve (3). Both the opposed inside ends of the two short tubes (1, 2) are in the inside of the sleeve (3) and form a compensating gap (6) between them. A bellows member (7), axially expansible with an external force applying on, is provided in the compensating gap (6) formed between the opposed inside ends of the two short tubes (1, 2). The two ends of the bellows member (7) are respectively connected with the inside ends of the two short tubes (1, 2) in sealed manner. At least one of the two ends of said sleeve (3) is free end with respect to the two short tubes (1, 2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bellows, in the bellows body of which are provided supporting frames which are welded to the outer pleats of the bellows body. The connection between the outer pleats of the bellows body and the supporting frames is formed by a high-frequency welded joint. The bellows according to the invention can be produced in a particularly economical manner and, if required, the bellows body can also be coated with PVC if the supporting frames--as usual--are produced from rigid PVC.

Abstract: A bellows for connecting hoses or apparatus operating in a partial vacuum including a corrugated tube reinforced on the outside by rings at the troughs of the corrugations. The tube further includes toric reinforcing rings on the inside of the crests of the corrugations, the length of the rings being adjustable so as to adapt to the deformation of the corrugations in service.

Abstract: A bellows construction is provided which defines multiple convolutions along the length thereof and having the ends of the bellows connected to respective fixed and moveable components by means of high temperature solder or weld metal. To protect the bellows against damage by overpressure, back-up rings are positioned in each of the inwardly and outwardly facing convolutions of the bellows structure. Back-up rings in the heat affected zones at the end portions of the bellows are composed of metal so that they will not become deteriorated by application of heat. Internal back-up rings in the central, non-heat affected zone of the bellows may be composed of a polymer material. All of the back-up rings of the externally facing convolutions of the bellows may be composed of polymer materials since they can be assembled within the respective convolutions. After the soldering or welding operations have been completed.

Abstract: In a flexible bellows used to implement some change of volume, material is added inside of the convolution walls to reduce the clearance volume associated with the fully compressed mode. For gas compression applications, this combination of bellows walls and independently-added filling material not only improves the volume and compression ratios available but also provides an opportunity to design for lower stress and longer life.

Abstract: A welded bellows is formed by welding together a stack of annular elements such that spacer rings are located between adjacent elements at the inner and outer diameters and are the locations for the welds. The spacer rings eliminate very small clearances/contact between movable members which can be the locations for stress risers in the presence of dirt.

Abstract: A vacuum brake power booster, in particular for motor vehicles, which includes a poppet valve (12) sealing two valve seats (18, 19) and which is axially deformable within the area of a rolling fold (15) also includes an annular part which is either mounted on the outside of the rolling fold (15) in a form-fit manner or arranged inside the elastic material (24) of the poppet valve (12). This annular part prevents the rolling fold (15) from being blown up outwardly due to the pressure differential prevailing between its two sides so that it will be possible to reduce the return force and thus also the response force.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump having a support ring positioned interiorly within the coil of the plastic bellows. The support ring is initially coiled to a diameter smaller than the normal bellows coil diameter. The free ends of the support ring have a telescopic relationship so that, when expanded to form a complete loop for supportive engagement within the bellows coil, the oppose free ends of the loop circumferentially engage one another and are positively held in telescopic engagement due to the circumferential hoop stress of the support ring.

Abstract: A scale utilizing an oil pressure gauge for displaying the measured weight is disclosed. In the scale, there is an apparatus for intermediate transmission of sensed pressure representing the weight applied on the scale. The apparatus includes a bellows-shaped envelope having an open end and a sealed end and forming a chamber therein for containing hydraulic oil, a base member connected to the open end of the envelope and an air leakage member positioned on the sealed end of the envelope. There is an oil passage formed in the base member to enable the hydraulic oil in the envelope to flow out. An annular clamp is used for the connection of the base member and the envelope. A knob is connected to the air leakage member to block the air passage. The apparatus for intermediate transmission of sensed pressure may further include a plurality of rigid metal retainers outside of the envelope for preventing the same from overly deforming in a radial direction.

Abstract: In the European patent application publication EP OS O No. 102 441 a high pressure pump is shown which uses tapered rings (disc spring derivatives) which are clamped together as a pump chamber. The clamping rings required cutting into sections which is expensive and time consuming. The present discoverings now show that the friction at compression of the coned rings was very large. The present invention now discovers that radially flexible ring portions should be provided to the coned ring portions in order to eliminate the friction and to reduce the time and cost of the production of the pump arrangement. The invention further provides U-type pump elements which eliminate the clamping rings. A second pressure led into the space in the housing which surrounds the pump elements makes it possible to increase the pressure in the pump, for example, to double the pressure.

Abstract: A pump has in a housing a revolvable shaft which drives a piston stroke guide body. Drive pistons are provided with piston shoes which run on the guide face of the piston stroke guide body and drive fluid supply pistons of smaller diameter. The pump preferies a fluid separator between lubricating and non-lubricating fluid, like for example, between oil and water, whereof one of the fluids flows through an inner chamber which is provided with inlet and outlet valves while the outer fluid acts in an outer chamber which is open toward the cylinder wherein the fluid supply piston reciprocates. Dead space fillers are provided to prevent losses by compression of fluid and seal means are assembled to prevent leakage of fluid from one into the other of the chambers. The fluid separator may be compressible and expandable within the plastic deformable range of the material whereof it is made.

Abstract: A flexible actuator, comprising at least a pressure tube, which is axially extendable and/or contractable under influence of a pressure fluid. The object of the invention is to provide a flexible actuator, which can perform straight axial movements as well as curved movements in one or more planes and which can also operate at very high pressures. These objects have been achieved by the fact that the tube (12) with the exception of its end, connection or attachment parts (13) is corrugated and that at least the portions (10) of the corrugated tube, which are located between its outward projecting folds (9), are equipped with means (8) of a material which is unextensible as compared to the material of the tube, and arranged substantially to prevent a radial expansion and/or contraction of the tube in said portions (10).

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: In a fluid pump or motor improvements are provided to the piston shoes therein to permit a higher pressure in the respective device. Other improvements are done to the hydrostatic bearings in radial piston or radial chamber type fluid motors and pumps. A further arrangement is, that plural pistons are applied to permit the use of two different fluids in the respective device. This leads also to the application of disc springs and their modification in a pump or motor to make the pumping of non-viscous fluids like water possible at very high pressure.

Abstract: A bellows for protecting spindles, guideways, and the like of machine tools comprises a pleated cover having inner and outer cover elements and support members between adjacent pleats. The inner cover element has inwardly extending flaps which may be secured to the support members or to each other to form such support members.

Abstract: A bellows including a reenforcement member having an edge attached to each side of the bellows body to eliminate distortion and damage upon the application of lateral forces. The reenforcement member has a central opening so as not to obstruct the movement of air within the bellows.

Abstract: A working head is adapted to impart reciprocal motion under a predetermined amount of force to a plunger through a working and return cycle and at a controllable rate of speed. A fluid circuit includes delivery and return lines extending between a source of fluid under pressure and the working head, and pilot control means associated with the fluid pressure source is operative to regulate the working and return cycle. The working head has a plurality of annular flexible casings of toroidal configuration with opposite sidewalls terminating in mutually opposed, inner bead-like edges and interconnecting means extending between the edges of adjacent casings serve to interconnect the casings in sealed, coaxially spaced relation to one another. Closures at opposite ends of the plurality of casings define a common sealed chamber therebetween. A support member fixes one end of the chamber against movement and permits axial expansion and contraction of the opposite end of the chamber with respect to the fixed end.

Abstract: Flexible welded metal bellows comprising a plurality of diaphragms comprising flexible metal annuli free plates or rings having similar inner and outer diameters, alternate pairs of said plates having their outer and inner peripheries, respectively, welded to each other to form a fluid-tight connection therebetween. The invention comprises interposing and welding a metal annuli spacer plate or ring between at least one adjacent pair of said flexible free plates to space the free plates from each other and to prevent or reduce the pressure contact between the adjacent welds when the bellows is retracted.

Abstract: A spirometer comprises an upright, hollow frame structure having opposite end portions with an expansible and contractible bellows therein responsive to exhalation and inhalation. The bellows includes a hollow, resilient helical structure with a plurality of coils respectively having relatively broad upper and lower surfaces and relatively thin outer edges. Opposite end members close the helical structure, one of the closing end members being connected to one of the frame structure end portions for suspending the bellows inside the frame structure. A sheet of thin, fluid-impervious film extends the length of the helical structure when the helical structure is expanded and is heat shrunk onto the coils for forming convolutions engaging the upper and lower surfaces and outer edges. The sheath joins the opposite closed end members and defines an impervious outer wall structure for the bellows.

Abstract: The figure shows a variable rate aneroid capsule consisting of a bellows 24 sealed with vacuum inside and having helically formed convolutions 22 defining an outer helical threaded surface 20 that is matingly engageable with the helical threaded surface 18 of a nut 14 that is axially slidably but non-rotatably mounted in a stationary housing 10; the bellows having end shafts 30 and 32 extending rotatably through the housing for connection of shaft 30 to a device to be moved linearly, and for connection of shaft 32 through an adjustably mounted sleeve 38 to a lever 42 for rotating the bellows to progressively engage the convolutions with the nut 14 to render the engaged convolutions inactive by preventing expansion or contraction of the engaged convolutions and thereby reducing the number of active unengaged convolutions to thereby vary the stroke and spring rate of the bellows for the same pressure differential across the surface of the bellows.

Abstract: A positive expulsion tank incorporates an expanding bladder in the form of a metal bellows, which is adapted to undergo elastic deformation during a product storage condition to provide for thermal cycling of a stored product, and plastic deformation, during a product expulsion operation to achieve high efficiency expulsion of product from the tank. Convolution crests of the bellows are internally reinforced by rings, whereby plastic deformation of the bellows is caused to occur primarily in the root areas during the expulsion operation. As a result, the root areas are displaced radially outwardly towards the wall of the tank incident to axially directed extension of the bellows to lie in essential alignment with their adjacent crests when the bellows has been fully extended to complete the expulsion operation, thereby providing for expulsion efficiencies in excess of 97 percent.

Abstract: A fluid operated diaphragm assembly having a pair of diaphragm members each provided with annular inner and outer peripheral portions separated from each other by an annular fluted portion. A ring member is disposed between the outer peripheral portions of the diaphragm members and is secured respectively thereto whereby a chamber is defined between the diaphragm members inboard of the ring member. The diaphragm members each has a natural tendency to maintain its respective inner and outer peripheral portions coplanar with each other whereby the inner peripheral portions are normally spaced from each other a distance that is approximately the same dimension as the thickness of the ring member.

Abstract: A servomotor for power actuation of a mechanical or hydraulic control, for example brake master cylinders for motor vehicles, is disclosed. The servomotor includes a housing in which a power piston separates a low pressure chamber from a high pressure chamber. The power piston being movable from an idle position in response to a pressure difference between the chambers. The pressure difference being controlled by a valve associated with an inlet control member. An auxiliary power member is located in the high pressure chamber. The auxiliary power member has a pressure compartment connectible to an external pressure source. The auxiliary power member is adapted to move the power piston from its idle position irrespective of the establishment of the pressure difference, to permit the servomotor to be used in an automatic or emergency service brake system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus wherein complex multiplanar surface motion of the sea or other fluid body is converted into usable energy. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pair of flexible tubular pumping elements that pump a fluid, such as sea water, to load such as a storage means or an energy converter such as a turbine driven prime mover. The apparatus makes use of multiplanar waves and surface currents that axially flex the pumping elements to provide hydraulic or pneumatic pressure for pumping the water. Floats distributed along the pumping elements support the apparatus horizontally at the surface of the sea and act as a breakwater. Lever arm struts, attached to the floats, are coupled together with swivel connector linkage to form a flexible beam or truss structure that permits the pumping elements to flex axially as complex wave systems and currents apply natural multiplanar forces to the floats.