Abstract: Please substitute the new Abstract submitted herewith for the original Abstract: The invention relates to operating a vehicle having an electro-hydraulic brake system. The vehicle can be operated in a manual and an autonomous driving mode. The brake system is divided into a first and a second hydraulic brake circuit. The two brake circuits can be hydraulically decoupled from one another by a circuit separating valve. The two brake circuits are each assigned to hydraulically enable at least one respective wheel brake of the vehicle. A brake pedal is brought into an at least partially actuated position during an autonomous driving mode.

Abstract: Ball screw rotary actuator with ball cage. In one embodiment, a ball screw rotary actuator includes an outer cylinder, a piston, and inner shaft. Outer ball bearings travel in helical groove between the outer cylinder and position to rotate the piston as it translates due to fluid pressure. The inner shaft is situated radially inward of the piston, and straight grooves are disposed between the piston and the inner shaft. Inner ball bearings travel in the straight grooves and rotate the inner shaft as the piston rotates. The ball screw rotary actuator also includes an outer ball cage to position the outer ball bearings in a spaced configuration, an outer indexing gear to control a position of the outer ball cage, an inner ball cage to position the inner ball bearings in a spaced configuration, and an inner indexing gear to control a position of the inner ball cage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination cylinder, including a service brake cylinder as an active service brake with at least one service brake piston actuated by a pressure medium, the piston actuating a brake mechanism via a service brake piston rod, and further including a spring-loaded brake cylinder as a passive parking brake with a spring-loaded brake piston actuated by a pressure medium against the action of at least one pre-loaded spring, wherein the spring-loaded brake piston in the event of the parking brake is actuated transmits the power of the at least one pre-loaded spring by means of a power-transmitting transmission to the service brake piston rod. According to the invention, the transmission is designed such that the movements of the spring-loaded brake piston and the service brake piston rod are coaxial and the power transmission increases with increasing stroke of the spring-loaded brake piston.

Abstract: A non-internal combustion reciprocating engine has an enhanced mechanical advantage lever system for efficiently converting linear motion from reciprocating pistons to rotary motion at a crankshaft. The engine comprises a chassis, at least two sets of binary cylinder systems mounted on the chassis, a crankshaft and a lever system. Each lever system has a piston lever, two thrust rods and a central drive lever. Each piston lever is pivotally attached to the chassis and pivotally attached to a piston rod extending from a piston cylinder. The two thrust rods are pivotally attached at one terminus to the piston lever and pivotally attached at a second terminus to the central drive lever. The two piston cylinders of each binary cylinder system work in concert to efficiently transfer power to the crankshaft.

Abstract: An earth-moving machine is provided with a first actuator cylinder, which can impart to a lifting arm oscillation around a corresponding pivoting shaft, and with a second actuator cylinder, which can maintain a loading unit in a pre-determined angular position during oscillation of the lifting arm itself; the first and the second actuator cylinder being disposed adjacent and parallel to one another, and being connected mechanically to one another in order to increase the resistance of the second actuator cylinder to the load generated on the second actuator cylinder itself by the lifting arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing a telescopic ram in a hydraulic elevator in which two or more pistons and a cylinder are simultaneously extended from and retracted into a foot portion mounted at the bottom of an elevator shaft includes a connecting cable which is fixed on one end to the shaft wall and on the other to one of the pistons and the cylinder and is deflected over a roller used for the synchronization. The connecting cable is a sheathed synthetic fiber cable.

Abstract: A swash plate 20 made of an aluminum-based material is allowed to be inclined in the axial direction of a rotary shaft 18 and to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 18 due to the engagement between guide holes 251 formed in the support arms 25 made of an iron-based material and heads 231 of to-be-guided pins 23 made of an iron-based material. The inclination of the swash plate 20 is guided based upon a slide guide relationship between the guide holes 251 and the to-be-guided pins 23 and upon a slide support action of the rotary shaft 18. The inclination-limiting protuberances 191 integrally formed on the rotary support member 19 made of the iron-based material come into contact with the to-be-guided pins 23. The swash plate 20 is inclined at a maximum angle in a state where the inclination-limiting protuberances 191 come into contact with the to-be-guided pins 23.

Abstract: A system for deforming or actuating an elastomeric structure is described. he system includes a plurality of tubes joined to the elastomeric structure. The tubes extend in the direction of a desired strain to be applied to the elastomeric structure and are constrained from circumferential expansion. When a pressurized fluid is applied to the tubes, the tubes deform causing a like deformation of the elastomeric structure.

Abstract: An opposed piston engine (10) comprising upper (12) and lower (14) cylinders and opposed pairs of pistons (16, 18) slidable therein and interconnected by rocker pivots (24, 26). A crankshaft (56) coupled to the rocker pivots (24, 26) constrains the movement of the pistons (16, 18) and is disposed with the crankshaft axis (58) intersecting the axis (44) of one of the cylinders (12, 14), whereby the geometry of the engine (10) is significantly changed thereby reducing torsional vibration and enabling a two stroke diesel version of the engine to be used as a power source for an aircraft propeller.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston (2) without any skirt is stabilized throughout its reciprocating motion by two or more connecting rods (4) connected between parallel spaced apart small ends (10) and parallel spaced apart crankshafts (5).

Abstract: The master cylinder piston retaining member (90, 190) comprises either a flexible, ribbed bellows type member (190) or a nonflexible member (90) attached at one end of the master cylinder (10) in order to retain the primary piston (30) within the master cylinder (10). A cartridge master cylinder (10) having an end member (18) attached at one end (16) and retaining a sleeve member (20) within the bore (14), includes a pair of pistons (30, 40) with one piston (30) biased by a top hat construction (50) comprising one member (52) telescopically and slidable received within the other member (54) and having a spring (55) extending therebetween so that the maximum expansion of the spring (55) is limited. The primary piston (30) of the master cylinder (10) is positioned within an opening (26) of the end member (18).

Abstract: A device designed to actuate the positive clutches of gearbox sliding gears following synchronization of the respective pairs of gears. A cylinder mechanism is provided on each sliding plate of the gearbox, as well as solenoid valves which are controlled by an electronic calculator to select and actuate the cylinders. Each cylinder mechanism includes two oppositely acting pistons, each connected to the sliding plate, and each sliding in its own cylinder which also includes a return spring which operates against each piston and which practically eliminates the clearance above the piston as the piston is about to be acutated.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a mechanical hand constructed to simulate the range of motion of a human band. The mechanical hand provides a remote manipulator device capable of reproducing all of the motions of the human wrist, hand, fingers, and thumb in a compact in-line package. The configuration of the hand allows the motion of each finger or digit to be independent of the motion the wrist and of the motion of each other digit. Also the motion of each joint of each digit is independent of the motion of each other joint on the same digit and other joints of other digits. Also, the hand allows the amount of pressure applied to an object by the digits and the resistance to motion of the joints in the hand by an external applied force on the hand to vary under the control of features inherent in the hand's construction. Further, a method for the organization of actuators for the hand, that may be fluid-activated cylinders, is described.

Abstract: A rotary/linear convertor which comprises a first member may be in the form of a piston (14, 15, 16, 17, 114, 115, 116, 117) and a guide which is preferably in the form of a cylinder (12, 112) the first member being arranged for linear movement within or along the guide and a second member (23, 24, 137) which is adapted for rotational movement. The convertor further includes connecting means operatively connecting the first and second members so that the respective linear or rotational movement of one member causes the respective linear or rotational movement of the other member.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary actuator particularly well suited for use in operating an aircraft flight control surface. The body has a stationary body portion and a rotatable body portion with an elongated annular sleeve reciprocally and coaxially mounted within the body. A tie-rod coaxially projects through the sleeve from end-to-end between the stationary and rotatable body portions to maintain their relative longitudinal position against axial separation during actuator operation. To each axially outward side of the sleeve is an annular ball deflector. The axially outward portions of the sleeve and the corresponding portions of the stationary and rotatable body portions have helical ball races formed therein to transmit torque between the body portions and the sleeve to cause the rotatable body portion to rotate in response to fluid-powered linear reciprocation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A housing (10, 12, 14) has first and second flexible membranes (32, 42) dividing it into two sealed chambers plus a third chamber from which the movable member (38) projects. Each membrane co-operates with a respective cup (40, 50) and return springs (54, 56) tend to urge both cups away from an end wall (26). The two cups are interconnected by a single piece member (58) which is inextensible but which can readily be bent in two to enable the cups to come into contact with one another. Each sealed chamber can individually be selectively connected to a source of reduced pressure via a respective orifice or pipe fitting (30, 28). The position of the movable member (38) can thus be changed.

Abstract: A crossed-bellows controller which includes four bellows arranged in cruciform. The bellows are surrounded by a movable baffle ring which serves as a baffle plate for a nozzle. A frame-shaped cage is provided within the baffle ring, with the cage being connected through one pair of bellows with a central member. The baffle ring is connected with the cage through the other pair of bellows.

Abstract: A gear lever actuator is provided for remotely or automatically moving the gear lever of a gearbox connected to an engine to be tested. The gear lever actuator comprises a first actuator for moving the gear lever between a neutral plane and gear selecting positions on either side of the neutral plane. Movable jaws are provided for clamping the gear lever during gear changing and for disengaging the gear lever when the engine and gearbox are running under load. The gear lever is then free to jump out of gear upon the occurrence of a fault, thus preventing damage to the gearbox.

Abstract: The safety device includes a self-closing cylindrical gate which, in closed position, blocks the hydraulic conduit surrounding the hydraulic turbomachine; the gate is housed, in the open position, in a chamber including two components near the hydraulic conduit defining wth the gate two orifices situated upstream and downstream with respect to the gate; pressure on top of the gate takes an intermediate value between the upstream and downstream pressures, and is determined by the ratio of the product of the discharge coefficient with the passage cross-section upstream orifice over the product of the discharge coefficient with the passage cross-section downstream orifice, so that a pressure is exerted on the upper edge of the gate, resulting in a force which tends to move the gate to close the hydraulic conduit.

Abstract: The device is used to operate a cylindrical gate which is used to protect and/or seal a hydro-electric installation including hydraulic turbo-machines; a set of hydraulic servomotors are distributed above the circumference of the cylindrical gate and connected with it by means of operating rods; each servomotor includes a cylinder and a piston; a minimum of three servomotors are interconnected between themselves, and a synchronizing device connects those interconnected servomotors; each servomotor includes a nut, thrust bearings, a threaded rod going through the nut and the thrust bearings to allow translation of the piston in the cylinder and to change this translation into a rotation.

Abstract: A fail-safe-open actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders joined to define piston chambers, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the ends of the assembly which corresponds to an open-valve position. To close the valve, a pressurized fluid, such as air, is introduced into the piston chambers and to the pistons at sufficient pressure to counter the resilient means so as to move the pistons away from their rest, valve-open positions, and thus move the valve stem perpendicularly to the axis of the piston chamber. A handwheel is provided to manually close the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of pressurized fluid, such as air, to the actuator.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the center of the assembly which corresponds to a closed valve position. To open the valve, a fluid, such as air, is introduced between the pistons, so as to move them away from their rest (valve closed) positions. A handwheel is provided to manually open the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of air to the actuator. Either a failure in air pressure or an electrical failure will result in the pistons being urged to the rest positions and also result in closing the connected valve, i.e., the failure mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to timing devices for pneumatic signals, of the kind comprising a pneumatic motor having gearing which is brought into coupled engagement with a timer when an input signal occurs so that a control member associated with the timer, which can be set for a desired delay between the input signal and an output signal, is moved from an initial position which determines the length of delay to a terminal position which marks the end of the delay and at which the output signal is produced.

Abstract: A fluid actuated chuck has two pairs of surfaces adaptable to engage a work piece with each of said pairs of surfaces being independently operable by the fluid. Such a chuck body includes means forming two pairs of surfaces carried and rotatably driven by the chuck body. Each of said surfaces of each of said pairs is free to move independently of the others. The chuck body also includes a pair of cylinders and passageways to deliver fluid thereto and carries a pair of pistons with one piston in each cylinder. Each of the pistons is free to move in the direction of the axis of rotation in response to fluid pressure within its cylinder. A first drive train forms a mechanical link between one of said pair of pistons and one of said pairs of surfaces, and a second drive train forms a mechanical link between the other of said pair of pistons and the other of said pairs of surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus having an alternately expanding and contracting chamber comprises at least one pair of cylindrical rollers each having an exterior surface in continuous rolling engagement with the surface of the other roller of the pair, the rollers being rotatable along parallel axes, and two parallel side walls, with each one of the rollers also being in continuous rolling engagement with one of the side walls. A third wall is opposite the rollers and joins the two side walls wherein the chamber is defined between these walls and the pair of rollers, and is enclosed.

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.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven device which in the exemplary form of the invention is an air tool driven by pistons. In the exemplary form there are two pistons having racks which drive the reciprocatable shoe through pinion gears. One piston drives in each direction. Each piston at the end opposite the driven end has an annular groove in it with a sealing ring with ports for communicating air to the area behind the ring for pushing it out against the inside surface of the cylinder. During a piston stroke at this end of the piston air is compressed to provide a cushioning and braking effect which improves the overall operation, and avoids excessive wear.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for a vehicle wheel includes a housing and piston-cylinder assemblies pivoted to side plates of the housing. Each assembly communicates with hydraulic fluid under pressure and a reciprocating piston rod of each assembly drives a pinion through a surrounding eccentric and driving ring when the assembly is rocked about its pivot connection. The assemblies with corresponding pinions are located around and in mesh with the outer periphery of a central pinion that is fixed to an output shaft to rotate the wheel. As each assembly rocks, a sliding valve within a control valve housing opens and closes return and inlet fluid ducts. An anchorage links each sliding valve to the housing for the mechanism. The latter housing affords the connection between the wheel and the vehicle frame and includes two spaced apart plates with strips between the plates that leave upper and lower blocks.

Abstract: A calendar stack is provided with pneumatic actuators of the expansible bag or bellows type wherein a selected roll has the end bearings thereof carried by a pair of pivoted control arms, the position of a respective control arm being selectively controlled, for upward loading or for downward loading of the stack by a single primary actuator. The selected direction of force application by the primary actuator is determined by a force transmission linkage shiftable by a secondary actuator between a first and a second position, for roll upward loading or roll downward loading.