Abstract: A guide rod extends longitudinally through the power piston of a vacuum power booster providing lateral support thereto and tying the master cylinder housing to a bracket on the rear of the power booster housing. A guide rod provides a means of positively laterally supporting the power piston, control valve and push rods of the power booster thereby providing the ability to reduce the relative supportive strength of the housing, housing divider and piston bearings.

Abstract: Pneumatic jack of the type comprising a rigid body (1) joined to the outer edge of a deformable membrane (2) so as to delimit with the latter a chamber of variable volume capable of being subjected to either atmospheric pressure of a negative pressure, via an air inlet located in the chamber. The body (1) and the membrane (2) each have, substantially in the center, an opening (15, 14) that can be closed, at least partially, by a disc (4, 3). Application in multiple position jacks.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring brake is improved so as to be not only tamper proof but repairable as well. Such a brake is formed of a spring chamber head and adapter head, both of which define rigid mating rims that are disposed in mutual, longitudinal alignment and in face-to-face relationship. The rims compress the periphery of a spring brake diaphragm therebetween. The rim of one of the heads is fabricated with a plurality of lugs thereon separated from each other by circumferentially spaced gaps therebetween. The rim of the other of the spring brake heads is provided with a corresponding number of radially outwardly projecting flanges having widths smaller than the gaps between the lugs. The flanges project radially outwardly from the head on which they are formed and into channels formed in the lugs on the other head. The flanges are thereby held in registration with the lugs by the compression of the periphery of the spring brake diaphragm between the mating rims of the heads.

Abstract: In a tandem type vacuum booster a coupling cylinder extending from the inner peripheral edge of a front booster piston is coupled to a piston boss with bolts, and the inner peripheral bead of the front diaphragm is held inserted between the front booster piston and the piston boss in which the coupling cylinder is increased in rigidity so that seal members are prevented from being adversely affected in seal characteristic by the deformation of the coupling cylinder, a reinforcing cylinder of synthetic resin which has an inward flange at the front end is fitted in the coupling cylinder extending from the inner peripheral edge of a front booster piston, and the reinforcing cylinder is held on the bottom plate of the coupling cylinder by the elastic force of a return coil spring applied to the inward flange. It is unnecessary to provide a particular mounting member for the reinforcing cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a removable thrust rod in a brake-booster of the partial vacuum type. The thrust rod (24) is attached securely to a skirt-shaped component (42) which surrounds the reaction disk (30) and to a component (44). A detachable component (50) comprises clipping fingers (54) which interact with the periphery of the component (44) and an annular part (52) which is flattened onto the piston (18) of the booster by a return spring (34).

Abstract: There now has been discovered a simple, straight-forward apparatus and method for animating figures. The apparatus and method in one embodiment employs a plurality of collapsible, fluid chambers, and associated structures for controlling the fluid pressure in each of the chambers. At least two of the chambers are physically arranged so that the inflation of one such chamber and deflation of the other complimentary chamber causes all or a part of the figure to assume a different spatial position, dependent upon the level of inflation of each of the chambers. In another embodiment, a single, inflatable chamber is employed, the chamber having a section of one wall which is less elastic than the remaining portion of the wall. Due to the differential in elasticity, upon inflation the chamber assumes a shape or configuration which is different from the noninflated chamber.

Abstract: Flexible robot arms are required for manipulation in environments having difficult access, for example, areas having restricted environments and areas beset with obstacles. An apparatus having various basic elements which are flat, arranged one on top of the other so as to tilt and are connected to one another by means of joints is provided. Here, the individual basic elements are arranged along a stacking axis. Between the individual basic elements, adjusting members, e.g. air chambers are provided which make it possible to set a precise angle between the respective basic elements. Control logic and a control bus with an electric power supply ensure in each adjusting member that the predetermined position is maintained.

Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a check valve in the spring chamber to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of an operating movable diaphragm. The brake actuator comprises a service brake housing divided into first and second service chambers by a diaphragm or piston, and a spring brake housing arranged in tandem with and attached to the service brake housing, also divided into a first and second spring chambers by a diaphragm or piston. The check valve connecting the first and second spring chambers blocks flow between the first and second chambers when the second spring brake chamber is pressurized and opens up flow between the two chambers when the second spring chamber is depressurized.

Abstract: An improvement of the inner periphery of a power piston which is connected to a valve body of a booster is disclosed. The inner periphery of the power piston comprises a radial portion which is disposed in abutment against an end face of a step formed on the valve body, an annular groove located radially outward of the radial portion, and a step formed at the boundary between the radial portion and the annular groove. The provision of the annular groove and the step assures sufficient strength around the inner periphery of the power piston without requiring an increased wall thickness of the power piston.

Abstract: A pressure control accumulator for hydraulic brake systems includes a housing having a brake fluid port and a cavity communicating with the port. A staged series of resilient membranes is disposed within the cavity for nullifying hydraulic brake fluid pulsations over a wide range of pressures. The staged series preferably includes a resilient diaphragm disposed adjacent the port for nullifying hydraulic brake fluid pulsations at low and normal pressures by itself and maintaining the brake fluid on one side of the diaphragm, and a resilient membrane disposed remote from the port and normally spaced from the diaphragm, the diaphragm and the remotely-disposed membrane cooperatively nullifying hydraulic brake fluid pulsations at high pressures by providing a plurality of resilient resistances in series. The remotely disposed membrane may be a second diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a hollow actuator rod between a spring chamber of a spring brake housing and a spring chamber of a service brake housing incorporates a valve within the actuator rod. The valve isolates the two spring chambers from each other in normal operation and releases a vacuum in the spring brake housing spring chamber when the spring brake is activated. A separate one-way check valve mounted in a well of the spring brake housing permits fluid to exhaust from the spring chamber to atmosphere and prevents contaminants in the atmosphere from entering the spring chamber.

Abstract: A tandem brake booster ( 12 ) having a flow path ( 145 ) between a control valve (118) and a solenoid valve (180) connected to a source of vacuum and the surrounding environment. The flow path (145) is created by first (140) and second (150) telescoping sleeves that are resiliently urged into sealing engagement with a front shell (58) and hub member (92) by a return spring (164).

Abstract: A valve mechanism for brake booster, in particular, of a brake booster which is provided with a mechanism for reducing a lost stroke, includes a first valve seat on which a plurality of tabs are formed, with communication areas being defined by spaces left between adjacent tabs. When the brake booster is inoperative, if the first valve seat moves close to the valve element such that the latter may be seated upon the first valve seat, the tabs abut against the valve element to assure a reliable communication between the inside and the outside of the first valve seat by means of the communication areas. When the booster is inoperative, the tabs are embedded in the valve element to block or interrupt the communication through the first valve seat. In the conventional practice, the design has been to minimize the lost stroke to the extent that the valve element cannot be seated upon the first valve seat when the booster is inoperative.

Abstract: An air-operated combination diaphragm spring brake has a tamper-resistant seal provided between a head (46) and a spring side of a flange case (18) which together form a spring chamber (16) housing a power spring (72). The head (46) has an annular rim (70), and the flange case has an annular flange (74) with a diaphragm (48) sandwiched therebetween. An annular lip (76) on annular rim (70) extends over the annular flange (74). A snap ring (82) is engaged by opposing annular grooves (80), (78) on the outside of the annular flange (74) and inside of the annular lip (76), respectively, to form the tamper-resistant seal.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator, formed by a housing having an elastomeric diaphragm dividing the interior into two chambers, comprises a pressure plate adjacent the diaphragm in one of the chambers with a large force compression spring between the pressure plate and the housing. A hollow actuator rod is mounted within the chamber for reciprocal movement with the diaphragm and the pressure plate and receives a permanently installed caging tool extending through a housing aperture, a pressure plate aperture and into the hollow actuator rod. The pressure plate includes a bearing in the pressure plate aperture to facilitate reciprocal movement of the pressure plate over the caging tool.

Abstract: The improved apply and relief valve mechanism (111, 112, 115, 117, 119, 120, 130, 132) for a fluid power apparatus (10) comprises a valve rod (112) having at one end (114) an integral, enlarged diameter spring retainer section (119), at a second end (113) a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or passageways (132) in the valve rod (112) and a circumferential groove (111), a generally cylindrically shaped seal/reaction piston (120, 130) attached to the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) by way of a snap ring (115) received within the circumferential groove (111), and a spring mechanism (117) disposed around the valve rod (112) to abut the spring retainer section (119) and bias the reaction piston (120, 130) into engagement with the snap ring (115). The passageways (132) in the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) provide for improved fluid flow so that the fluid power apparatus (10) will not experience self actuation.

Abstract: A brake booster, and more particularly, an improvement of a coiled spring which is disposed within a valve body to return an input shaft to its inoperative position is disclosed. The coiled spring of the invention is generally cylindrical, and is disposed between a retainer secured to a tubular portion of the valve body and a step on the input shaft. The coiled spring includes a seat section which is disposed in abutment against the step on the input shaft and which has an inner diameter chosen to be less than the adjacent coil. Such arrangement enables an arcuate space 20d to be maintained radially between the seat section and its adjacent coil. The arcuate space is utilized as a pressure passage which allows the passage of the atmosphere. If the coiled spring is rapidly compressed upon operation of the booster, the described space is maintained, allowing an unhindered passage of the atmosphere through the space. This improves the response upon operation of the booster.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tandem brake booster by selectively choosing a front shell having a first cylindrical body with first effective diameter, a transition shell having a second cylindrical body with a second effective diameter and a rear shell having a third cylindrical body with a third effective diameter. The cylindrical body of the transition shell is an integral component of an end wall which separates the interior the resulting tandem brake booster. The end wall has a peripheral ledge with a flange extending therefrom and a groove located on the flange connected to the second cylindrical body. An annular surface on the first cylindrical body is crimped into the groove on the flange while a corresponding annular surface on the second cylindrical body is crimped onto the third cylindrical to join the transition shell with the rear shell to form an integral unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

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 tandem type vacuum booster, the inner peripheral end of a front booster piston and the inner peripheral bead of a front diaphragm are clamped between a front end of a sleeve fitted over the outer periphery of a piston boss and a flange provided on the piston boss and are thereby fixed to a front portion of the piston boss, while the inner peripheral end of a rear booster piston and the inner peripheral bead of a rear diaphragm are clamped between a stopper member mounted on the piston boss and a rear end of the sleeve and are thereby fixed to a rear portion of the piston boss. A first port for communicating the front and rear working chambers with the control valve, and a second port for communicating the front and rear vacuum chambers with the control valve extend through both the piston boss and the sleeve, and communication between both the ports is inhibited by a single annular sealing member mounted at an axially intermediate portion of a junction surface between the piston boss and the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: A valving arrangement as provided for a vehicle brake booster wherein an inlet valve has two ring members. The inlet valve, by providing the two ring members, one ring member inserted within another member, is less vulnerable to leaks due to a lack of parallelism.

Abstract: An enclosed shell is divided by a center plate and a pair of front and rear diaphragms which are disposed on the opposite sides of the center plate into four chambers. A center body is fitted over a valve body which internally houses a valve mechanism. The center body slides relative to the central portion of the center plate with a seal member interposed therebetween. The inner periphery of the front diaphragm is inserted inside the center body, and is held between the valve body and the center body at a location rearward of the seal member, whereby the overall length of the brake booster is reduced.

Abstract: A robotic joint wherein an elongated support member attached at one end to a base has the other end thereof pivotally attached to one end of a lever, the other end of the lever extending away from the support member. A tension strip extends along the support member and over the other end of the lever, the ends of the tension strip being attached to the base on opposite sides of the support member. A pair of bladders positioned between the tension strip and the support member on opposite sides thereof can be inflated to apply a tensile force to the strip and cause the lever to pivot, carring with it a finger which is attached to the lever.

Abstract: A brake booster provided with a function to serve as an automatic brake is disclosed. Bellows disposed within a shell has a rear bead which is axially held sandwiched between an annular recess formed in the inner periphery of a front power piston and a retainer which is a press fit over the outer periphery of a valve body. When the atmosphere is introduced into an internal space defined within the bellows to operate the brake booster as an automatic brake, the bellows tends to expand, whereby the rear bead becomes pulled axially and radially. However, a displacement of the rear bead is prevented by being held between the annular recess in the front power piston and the retainer, thereby effectively preventing a failure of a hermetic seal in the region where the rear bead is connected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum brake-booster of the tandem type comprising two compartments (22, 24) separated by a stationary plate (20), each of the compartments being divided into a front chamber and a rear chamber by way of a piston (26, 28) and of an isolating diaphragm, at least the inner edge of which is equipped with a bead (38), each of the pistons (26, 28) being fixed to a movable hub (42) containing a valve mechanism, the piston (26) of the front compartment being so fixed by way of a cylindrical sleeve (30). According to the invention, the hub (42) possesses, on its periphery, a groove (32) into which penetrate respectively the inner end (34) of the piston (28) of the rear compartment (24) and the rear end (26) of the cylindrical sleeve (30), the bead (38) of the inner edge of the diaphragm (40) of the rear compartment (24) ensuring the locking of the assembly as a whole.

Abstract: The compressed air radial motor includes a supporting disc, supporting a plurality of fluid cells, which is pneumatically controlled by a control head disposed rotatably fixed in the motor housing and which is rotatably connected to a conical supporting disc supported on the motor shaft via the fluid cells, a diaphragm being disposed at the outer front side of the control head which, on the inner side, is under the flow pressure of the pressure medium flowing through the driving-side of the control head, and, on the other side, supports the control head against the supporting disc via a counter surface in the motor housing.

Abstract: A bellows actuator has at least one bellows chamber comprising at least three chamber segments arranged around an axis. Each of the chamber segments forms a radially outwardly extending protrusion comprising four chamber wall portions, which merge with one another along fold lines which extend peripherally and radially of the bellows chamber and converge radially outwardly to meet at radially outermost apexes of the chamber segments. The bellows actuator is expansible and contractible along the axis by flexure of the wall portions relative to one another about the fold lines in response to pressure changes within the bellows chamber.

Abstract: In a tandem type booster, the inner peripheral end of a front booster piston and the inner peripheral bead of a front diaphragm are clamped between a front end of a sleeve fitted over an outer periphery of the piston boss and a flange provided on the piston boss, so that they are connected to a front portion of the piston boss, and a rear booster piston and the piston boss are coupled to each other in a bayonet manner by retaining pawls formed on a inner peripheral end of a rear booster piston and retaining grooves provided in the outer periphery of the piston boss. The rear booster piston, the sleeve and the piston boss are engaged with one another while preventing relative rotation therebetween, and an inner peripheral bead of a rear diaphragm is clamped between the rear booster piston and a set ring and connected to a rear portion of the piston boss.

Abstract: A brake booster such as of a tandem type having a center plate disposed within a shell is disclosed. A valve body has a stepped end face, from which a cylindrical portion extends rearwardly. The cylindrical portion extends through a rear power piston and a rear diaphragm while maintaining a hermetic seal therebetween, with a distal end of the cylindrical portion being disposed within a variable pressure chamber of a rear chamber. The internal space of the cylindrical portion defines the rear end of a variable pressure passage. This arrangement allows the rear end of the variable pressure passage (the cylindrical portion) to be disposed in radially overlapping relationship with the rear power piston, thereby allowing the external diameter of the valve body to be reduced. In this manner, the effective area of the front power piston connected to the valve body may be increased as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A brake booster is disclosed. More specifically, an improvement relating to a reinforcing plate which is used to reinforce a shell to which a master cylinder is connected is disclosed. The reinforcing plate comprises a pair of members, i.e. a first reinforcing plate which is disposed along the inner surface of the shell which provides a mounting surface for a master cylinder, and a second reinforcing plate which is disposed along the inner surface of the shell at a location radially outward of the mounting surface for the master cylinder. The rigidity of the shell can be increased without increasing a sheet thickness thereof.

Abstract: A gripping actuator comprises a plurality of flexible cylinders arranged adjacent to one another. The inside of each of the flexible cylinder is divided into a plurality of pressure chambers with partition walls that extend axially inside the flexible cylinder. The actuator has a pressure adjuster for adjusting pressures in the respective pressure chambers of the flexible cylinders so that the flexible cylinders may operate at individual degrees of freedom in achieving cooperative motions.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster of the tandem type for the brake boosting of motor vehicles, comprises a movable hub (15) driving a push rod (11) by of a reaction disk (17), a closed containment composed of a front shell (1) on the same side as the master cylinder and of a rear shell (3) on the same side as the actuating pedal, which define a front chamber and a rear chamber separated by a separating element (5) having an annular partition (9), and a front piston (25) and a rear piston (35) respectively arranged coaxially in the front and rear chambers. These chambers are themselves respectively divided by a sealing diaphragm (27, 37) fixed to each of the pistons (25, 35), in order to define, within each of these, a sub-chamber of constant pressure (21, 31) and a sub-chamber of variable pressure (23, 33), the pistons (25, 35) being movable in the axial direction under the effect of the differences in the pressures prevailing between the sub-chambers of each chamber.

Abstract: An improved break-away, end-of-arm robotic tooling assembly that has been designed to prevent damage to the robot arm in the event it would come in contact with something it should not. The robotic tooling assembly has a two inch inside diameter bore for air and paint lines. The robotic tooling assembly is compliant in all directions with the exception of a pulling force and it can be reset on repeating registration structure within the robotic tooling assemble. An air switch is incorporated which instantly signals the robot controller to perform an emergency stop.

Abstract: A pneumatic booster for use, for example, in a brake system of a vehicle, and designed so that the overall axial length is reduced without interfering with the operation thereof. The booster comprises a valve body which is movable back and forth between first and second positions in a housing that is divided by a diaphragm with a power piston into front and rear chambers communicated with respective pressure sources, a valve which allows at least one of the front and rear chambers to selectively communicate with the pressure sources which differ from each other in the level of pressure, and a guide which slidably fits on the outer periphery of the valve body. The valve body has a passage one end of which opens on the outer periphery thereof to connect one of the front and rear chambers to the associated pressure source, the opening of the passage being positioned in the axial direction of the valve body so that the guide overlaps the opening when the valve body is at either the first or second position.

Abstract: An improvement of a variable pressure passage which is formed in a valve body of a booster, for example, a brake booster, is disclosed. The valve body which is disposed within a shell of the booster comprises a first and a second tubular member which are connected together. An axial space is defined by the outer peripheral surface of the first tubular member and the inner peripheral surface of the second tubular member when they are integrally connected together, and forms a variable pressure passage providing a communication between forwardly and rearwardly located, variable pressure chambers. This avoids the formation of an axial bore and a radial opening which are formed in a solid portion of a single member valve body, as occurs in the prior art, thus allowing the mechanical strength of the valve body to be improved.

Abstract: In a method for displacing forces, particularly loads (P), either a force (P) acting on a guide surface (23) is reduced by an opposing force and simultaneously displaced, or a pressing force (P) is caused to act on a guide surface (23) in order to produce a displacing force (P2). In order to reduce the frictional resistance of the force (P) on the base (A, B) on which it acts, this force can be reduced by an opposing force and the force then displaced. The opposing force is produced, for example, by a known self-guided membrane cell (20) or a piston. Part of the force is supported displaceably on a wedge surface (23). This method permits advantageous displacement of forces, particularly loads, in opposition to friction forces.

Abstract: All-elastomer fluid-pressure-actuatable twistors have an elongated tubular wall of resilient elastomeric material extending between first and second mounting ends spaced from each other along a twist axis extending longitudinally within the twistor. The tubular wall encircles its twist axis and surrounds an elongated interior chamber. Interior reinforcing webs of resilient elastomeric material are joined to the wall. These web-partitions extend longitudinally within the chamber, separating the chamber into longitudinally extending compartments. By applying torque or other preform means in a first sense to the first mounting end relative to the second mounting end, the tubular wall and interior webs become twisted in the same sense around the twist axis into a generally helically-twisted configuration.

Abstract: A peripheral sealed interlock for a dual diaphragm tandem vacuum booster with front and rear housings is provided. An outer radial peripheral end of a divider of the inventive interlock is greatly simplified and in the preferred embodiment a bead of a secondary diaphragm is allowed to seal on a rear housing member as well as with the periphery of the divider. The interlock provides a simplified design allowing independent compression of primary and secondary diaphragm beads while at the same time providing an interlock which require lower compression for assembly and sealing.

Abstract: A brake booster includes a center plate disposed within a shell. A seal member is provided to interrupt a communication between a variable and a constant pressure chamber which are located across the center plate. The seal member is formed with a lip, acting as a check valve which releases to the variale pressure chamber any pressure developed in the constant pressure chamber which is to be sealed by the seal member and which rises above the pressure in the variable pressure chamber.

Abstract: A bendable actuator includes a plurality of elastic extensible members arranged in parallel and extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic extensible members. The actuator further includes connecting members arranged in a manner embracing the elastic extensible members and connecting respective ends of the elastic extensible members. The actuator includes an elastic member arranged between the connecting members and surrounding the elastic extensible members to resist extending forces of the elastic extensible members and to restrain bending of the elastic extensible members. With this arrangement, linear extension and bending of the actuator are realized by adjusting supply and exhaust of the pressurized fluid into and from the elastic extensible members.

Abstract: Single or multiple flexible robotic manipulator trunks can be made from individually activated, three degree-of-freedom, flexible robotic links. Three dimensional positioning and orientation of the distal end of each link is achieved exclusively by elastic deformation of the flexible link assembly without revolute or prismatic joints. The activating bending and torsional moments required for such a positioning are generated by the antagonistic action of a plurality of prestressed, inflatable, laterally bendable and axially extensible tubular actuators with the anisotropic, circumferentially reinforced walls. The positioning motion, working forces and manipulator arm stiffness are all controlled by asynchronously modulated pulse streams which regulate the distribution of energy from a common source of fluid under constant pressure.

Abstract: A pneumatic driver is disclosed. The pneumatic driver includes a frame and a shaft movable between an extended driving position and a retracted position relative to the frame. A first inflatable air bladder is supported by the frame. The first inflatable air bladder is operatively connected to the shaft so that when the first air bladder is inflated, the shaft is moved into an extended driving position. A second inflatable air bladder is supported by the frame and operatively connected to the shaft. When the second air bladder is inflated, the shaft is moved to a retracted position. A valve manifold operatively connects first and second air bladders for controlling inflation and deflation of the air bladders. The frame includes longitudinal guide rods and transverse frame members fixed to the guide rods. A shaft support member having the shaft mounted thereto is slidably mounted on the guiderods. Support rods are mounted to the shaft support member by bolts received in orifices to provide a clearance fit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tamper-resistant fluid-operated brake actuator having a power spring housed within a head or cap which is attached to a flange case having one or more diaphragms or pistons responsive to changes of fluid pressure within the brake actuator chambers. In one embodiment, the head is attached to the flange case by a substantially continuous curvilinear annular metal retaining member which must be inelastically deformed or destroyed in order to remove the head from the flange case, thus rendering tampering more difficult. In another embodiment, the annular metal retaining member of the present invention is integral with the actuator head and which is metal-spun or the like onto the flange case.

Abstract: A double-acting actuator includes a first tubular body made of an elastic material, a first reinforcing braided structure surrounding the first tubular body, a second tubular body made of an elastic material surrounding the first reinforcing braided structure to form a space outwardly thereof, and a second reinforcing braided structure surrounding the second tubular body. The actuator further includes closure members for closing and joining ends of the first and second tubular bodies and reinforcing braided structures, and guiding device for permitting axial movements of the first and second tubular bodies but restraining lateral movements thereof. The first and second reinforcing braided structures are so constructed that initial braided angles thereof permit of the first braided structure elongating and permit of the second braided structure contracting when the pressurized fluid is supplied into the first and second tubular bodies.

Abstract: A seal unit is provided for a brake booster such as of a tandem type which includes a center plate within its shell. The brake booster includes annular means disposed within the shell for maintaining a hermetic seal between the center plate and a valve body. An axial portion of the center plate is formed with an axially extending cylindrical portion, the end of which is folded radially inward to define a U-shaped fold. The annular seal means is fitted inside the cylindrical portion, with its part disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the fold. This effectively prevents the annular seal means from being withdrawn from the center plate.

Abstract: A pneumatic booster has a housing which includes a forward shell and a rearward shell, and a diaphragm which is installed inside the housing and secured at the outer peripheral portion thereof to the housing. The diaphragm has a bead formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The rearward shell has a bead retaining portion which has a bead retaining groove that opens radially outward. The forward shell has an outer peripheral portion. The bead is received into the bead retaining groove across one edge portion of the bead retaining groove and clamped between the groove and the outer peripheral portion of the forward shell. The dimensions of the bead and the bead retaining portion are set so that the inner diameter of the bead is greater than the outer diameter of the edge portion of the bead retaining groove. Thus, the rearward shell and the diaphragm can be assembled together without the need to bend the diaphragm in advance, and the assembly process is correspondingly facilitated.

Abstract: A six-legged, insect-like, self-propelled walking robot (hexapodal arthrobot), includes twistor-pairs in the waist, hip and knee of each leg and walks by pr0gramming fluid pressure in these twistor-pairs at the joints of respective legs in a predetermined controlled sequence. As a result of a predetermined sequence of six controlled variable pressures, this six-legged robot firmly plants three of its legs on the ground for providing stable ground support for walking. The three legs on the ground are propelling the robot forward with walking motion, while the other three legs are lifted and swing forward to an advanced position and are then lowered onto the ground for taking over their support and walking role in their turn, while the first three legs are then being lifted and swung forward to an advanced position, and so forth, for providing a stable forward walking motion. By reversing the sequence of six controlled variable pressures, a stable reverse walking motion is produced.

Abstract: A fluid actuator including a pair of hingedly interconnected members between which is located a fluid expansible element such as a bellows which may be expanded upon application of fluid pressure to cause pivotal movement of the hingedly interconnected members. The actuator may also include a further pair of hingedly interconnected members which are themselves hinged to the first pair of members and which define with the first pair of members a space for receipt of the fluid expansible element.