Abstract: A pressure driven apparatus comprising a housing, at least one flexible membrane located within the housing dividing the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. At least one input or exhaust cam assembly operates in conjunction with the at least one flexible membrane to provide an expansion zone within the housing. Fluid enters the housing producing movement of the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is connected to a drive member such that the movement of the fluid within the expansion zone results in the membrane imparting a force to the drive member. The flexible membrane includes seals used to maintain a dynamic and movable seal with respect to the housing. A lightweight journal-less crankshaft and non-friction variable speed transmission with inherent clutch and free spin are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure driven apparatus comprising a housing, at least one flexible membrane located within the housing dividing the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. At least one input or exhaust cam assembly operates in conjunction with the at least one flexible membrane to provide an expansion zone within the housing. Fluid enters the housing producing movement of the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is connected to a drive member such that the movement of the fluid within the expansion zone results in the membrane imparting a force to the drive member. The flexible membrane includes seals used to maintain a dynamic and movable seal with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A system for moving fluids includes a pump device having a housing and at least one piston movable in the housing to displace fluids thereby causing flow. An actuator device is connected to the at least one piston for moving the piston within the housing to displace fluids as the actuator device is moved. The actuator device includes a plurality of side portions connected to one another to form a vacuum therein and movable relative to one another as the actuator device moves reciprocally between first and second positions with one of the side portions being connected to at least one piston thereby moving the at least one piston within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and manufacturing methods for a fluid filled lens reservoir system. The eyeglass reservoir system includes a temple piece having a cavity, a bladder positioned within the cavity and configured to repeatedly compress and relax, the bladder being made of a flexible material, and a connecting tube coupled to an inlet port of a lens module and to the bladder, configured to carry a fluid between the bladder and a fluid filled lens cavity of the lens module. The eyeglass reservoir system further comprises a compression arm contacting the bladder and configured to transmit force from an actuator to the bladder to cause movement of the fluid between the bladder and the connecting tube. The bladder and connecting tube are made of a flexible material such as polyvinyledende difluoride. The connecting tube further comprises a flared end configured to couple to the inlet port of the lens module.

Abstract: A safety device is provided having a clamping system that uses pressure admission into a chamber of a clamp element dependent on the position of a weight to be carried relative to the clamping system. For this purpose a valve is provided in a medium supply line, which valve is to be opened or closed by means of a movable actuation element. Here, the actuation element should be movable in the same direction in which the weight moves, preferably in a vertical direction. As a result of the arrangement of such a valve, the device couples the vertical movement or position of the weight with an actuation of the valve, and thus to provide an additional control for the pressure admission into the chamber or the clamping force resulting therefrom. A preferred chamber has curved top and bottom walls that elongate with a pressure drop.

Abstract: A swivel motor has a plurality of work chambers and a join system between the work chambers that joins the work chambers at least by pairs. The arrangement of the joined work chambers is carried out in such a way that the work chambers which are connected to the first pressure medium connection alternate with those which are connected to the second pressure medium connection. At least two work chambers associated with different pressure medium connections are connected to a pressure compensation element, and the pressure compensation element is formed by a compensation space that is divided by a movable dividing element. A partial compensation space is connected in each instance to at least one work chamber of a pressure medium connection, and the dividing element is held in an initial position by oppositely acting springs. The spring force characteristic is formed by a spring arrangement which comprises a plurality of springs and has at least one coil spring and one elastomer spring.

Abstract: In order to improve its durability, a fluid pressure type actuator is comprises an expansible/contractible body having opposite ends sealed by plug members and expands/contracts when fluid is supplied to and discharged from the body; a wrapping body for wrapping the outer peripheral surface of the expansible/contractible body and having its opposite ends fastened and fixed to the plug members; an inlet/outlet for fluid formed in the plug members; and an auxiliary member for preventing or suppressing local deformation in which the wrapping body expands outward when the fluid is supplied to the expansible/contractible body.

Abstract: A fluid-powered mechanical actuator having a proximal end and a distal end and having a plurality of hollow tubular elements hingedly connected in end-to-end linked relationship to form a variable angle therebetween, each such link having one degree of freedom; provision to bias the elements in a direction to minimize the angle between them; a flexible elongated chamber enclosing a space within it, the chamber situated within the linked elements and within the link therebetween, substantially contained thereby, the chamber having a flexible but non-expansible wall; and apparatus to provide to the space within said chamber a pressurized working fluid; whereby the pressure of the working fluid causes said chamber to straighten within said elements, especially at said links, thereby moving the relative position of the elements in a manner to act against the biasing means, thereby to cause an increase of the angle between them by providing an increase in working fluid pressure.

Abstract: A fluid-powered mechanical actuator having a proximal end and a distal end and having a plurality of hollow tubular elements hingedly connected in end-to-end linked relationship to form a variable angle therebetween, each such link having one degree of freedom; provision to bias the elements in a direction to minimize the angle between them; a flexible elongated chamber enclosing a space within it, the chamber situated within the linked elements and within the link therebetween, substantially contained thereby, the chamber having a flexible but non-expansible wall; and apparatus to provide to the space within said chamber a pressurized working fluid; whereby the pressure of the working fluid causes said chamber to straighten within said elements, especially at said links, thereby moving the relative position of the elements in a manner to act against the biasing means, thereby to cause an increase of the angle between them by providing an increase in working fluid pressure.

Abstract: A fluid powered linkage (12) has at least three side plates (18) of substantially equal width joined by connectors (17) to form a polygon of variable cross sectional area. An upper plate and a lower plate enclose a variable volume within the polygon. At least one port (37) allows fluid to enter into or leave from the enclosed variable volume in a controllable manner. Seals prevent fluid from entering or leaving the enclosed variable volume other than through the one or more ports. Two abutments (19, 11) are located on the side plates or connectors and the distance between the two abutments varies non-linearly with, but in the same direction as, the variable cross-sectional area. Optionally, an inner surface of one or more of the side plates defines a recess. A preferred linkage has a cross-section in the shape of a diamond or rhombus of varying internal angles, or a half or quarter thereof. In use, the obtuse angle preferably ranges from nearly 180 degrees to about 135 degrees.

Abstract: A flexible actuator 2 according to the invention includes a movable part 6, an actuator body 8, a reservoir 10, and a pump 12 that moves a liquid between the reservoir 10 and a main liquid chamber 4. The movable part 6 includes a long tube 16 that forms the main liquid chamber, frame members 18a, 18b . . . aligned at predetermined intervals along a length of the tube, and a core member 20 that holds the alignment of the frame members. The tube includes a narrow hollow portion 24 that communicates between flat expanded hollow portions 22a, 22b . . . . Among the plurality of expanded hollow portions, the expanded hollow portion at a base has a largest transverse cross sectional area, with transverse cross sectional areas of the expanded hollow portions gradually decreasing toward a tip, and the expanded hollow portion at the tip has a smallest transverse cross sectional area.

Abstract: A fluid power operable actuating means, which possesses a flexible contractible tube (2) extending between two spaced head pieces. such flexible contractible tube being caused to expand radially when its inner space is subjected to fluid pressure and transmitting simultaneously axial forces, due to contraction, to the head pieces. The flexible contractible tube (2) comprises an elastically deforming flexible tube body (5) which is provided with supporting means contributing to increasing its strength and/or to transmitting force. The supporting means are in a form with a special geometrical shape having a cross sectional outline on the inner periphery (15) and/or the outer periphery (16) of the flexible tube body (5) which is non-circular and/or such supporting means are in the form of several portions of the body of the flexible tube (5) with properties of the material of the flexible tube body which are different from one another.

Abstract: In a pressure-responsive actuator, the inside of a case is divided into first and second air chambers by a diaphragm, and a coil spring is accommodated in the second air chamber for exerting a spring force for urging the diaphragm in a direction to decrease the volume of the first air chamber. A rod is coaxially connected at one of opposite ends to a side of a retainer mounted to a central portion of the diaphragm on the side of the first air chamber and at the other end to a tip end of an arm fixed at its base end to a driven shaft rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a plane parallel to the rod. In this pressure-responsive actuator, the case is provided with a tilt-restricting portion for restricting the tilt of the rod to a range in which the contacting of the diaphragm with the inner surface of the case can be avoided. Thus, the tilt of the rod is restricted so that the diaphragm is prevented from being brought into contact with the inner surface of the case.

Abstract: A PC board actuator that emulates a muscle fiber includes a first pressure source, a second pressure source lower than the first source, at least one expansion chamber alternately communicating with the first and second pressure sources, first and second valves mounted with the PC board that opens and closes the chamber with respect to the first and second pressure sources, and an actuator member interacting with the expansion chamber to apply a force to the object. The actuator is preferably formed using planar batch technology and the valves preferably comprise electrically controllable flap valves mounted on the PC board. Alternatively, the actuator includes antagonistically arranged expansion chambers that operatively apply reciprocating forces to the object. In other embodiments, the actuator includes plural expansion chambers arranged in series or in parallel in order to increase the overall extent of attainable displacement or to amplify the force generated by the actuator.

Abstract: An air pump includes a first sheet, a second sheet, an inflation valve and a check valve. The second sheet is directly connected to the first sheet so as to form a chamber. The inflation valve is provided on the chamber to lead air into the chamber when the chamber is extended. The check valve is also provided on the chamber to discharge the air in the chamber when the chamber is compressed. The air pump can be built in an inflatable product.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fluid displacement apparatuses and methods. The inventive apparatus comprises: a housing having an interior space; a crankpin positionable in the interior space; and a plurality of articulated displacement members positionable in the interior space such that the articulated displacement members extend from the crankpin and define in the interior space a plurality of displacement zones. The inventive apparatus can be embodied as a pump, a compressor, a fluid flow meter, a stirling-type engine, a relay system, an actuator, and many other devices.

Abstract: In a hydraulic pump, an elastic sealing member for performing sealing between a cylinder and a slide piston reciprocating in the cylinder is provided in the front end side of the slide piston and along the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder so that the elastic sealing member receives a compression force from a front end surface of the slide piston in a compression stroke of the slide piston and swells into a pump chamber because of elastic deformation due to the compression force to thereby reduce the volume of the pump chamber. Accordingly, the elastic deformation of the elastic sealing member in the compression stroke is used to increase the discharge quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (10) for generating high regulating forces and large regulating distances with a web (12) for the transmission of regulating forces, which actuates an internal pressure, which may be purposefully influenced, in an actuator cavity (14), sealed at least in an indirectly pressure-tight manner, wherein a tubular cavity profile (13) forms the active actuator cavity (14), the shell surface of which is heavily indented in linear form in the effective direction (11) of the regulating forces and in the longitudinal direction of the cavity profile (13) to receive and operate the web (12), and the cavity profile (13) is divided into two mirror-symmetric partial cross-sectional faces (15).

Abstract: An undulated diaphragm, which has an approximately circular, flat plate-shaped central portion and a peripheral portion composed of a series of alternate, approximately concentric convex and concave portions, is clamped between two undulated container members each having an approximately bowl-shaped recess. The recesses of the container members are each composed of a series of alternate, approximately concentric concave and convex portions, which are complementally formed to correspond to the approximately concentric convex and concave portions of the diaphragm when extended. When the pressure in one recess is raised, the diaphragm successively moves toward the other recess and finally comes in contact with the second recess completely and snugly fits thereto. When the pressure in the first recess is lowered, the diaphragm successively moves toward the first recess and finally comes in contact with the first recess completely and snugly fits thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique force generating mechanism which is easily adapted for use in a compact lightweight tool requiring high work forces. The mechanism includes a force generating member disposed within an actuation chamber where either pneumatic or hydraulic fluid pressure is allowed to bear against a relatively large ram surface causing a deflection of the ram in a first direction and translation of the ends of the ram in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A working force, larger than the force of the fluid bearing on the ram surface, is thereby generated along this direction of translation.

Abstract: A pneumatic rotary drive includes a housing which is connectable to a pressure medium source and is closed in a pressure medium-tight manner by plane covers. A rotatable shaft extends out of the housing through at least one of the covers. A belt which is in engagement with the shaft is arranged within the housing so as to form moveable pressure chambers. At least one guide body arranged within the housing is surrounded by the belt. At least one of the guide bodies is provided with a spring element for resiliently adjusting the effective circumference of the at least one guide body.

Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator including a barrier having narrow openings, an inflatable sac having two portions, a first portion including working surface external to the barrier means, and a second portion compactly folded behind the barrier means, and a movable member positioned for engagement by the working surface of the sac and moved when the sac is inflated and the second portion of the sac is drawn through the narrow openings in the barrier means.

Abstract: A belt-driven rotary drive having a belt closed upon itself which is connected, within a pressure fluid-tight housing over roller-shaped bodies with the formation of movable pressure chambers, to a rotatable shaft which is extended out of the housing and the movable pressure chambers can be acted on by pressure fluid. In order further to develop a belt-driven rotary drive of this type in such a manner that the sealing action and the friction caused thereby can always be adjusted in simple manner from the outside, it is proposed that the closed belt (1) be adapted to be pressed on itself over a part of its length, with the formation of two pressure chambers which are pressure fluid-tight from each other, by a static pressing member which acts in the direction towards one of the roller-shaped bodies and that the pressing member be functionally connected for the adjustment of the pressing force with an adjusting device which is adjustable from the outside.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated rotary drive includes a housing which is closed in hydraulically tight manner by flat covers and can be connected to a source of pressure fluid, a rotatable shaft extending through the covers out of the housing and a belt which is arranged at least in part within the housing with the formation of movable pressure chambers and is operatively connected to the shaft. In order to create a rotary drive which permits any desired extension to external structural groups as well as a modular extension to a plurality of rotary drives, it is proposed that axially extending channels (2, 2') for receiving and forwarding the pressure fluid to the pressure chambers and electrical connections be integrated within the shaft and that the shaft (3) be provided on both axial ends with coupling elements for the coupling outside the housing of mechanical and/or electrical attachment modules which can be coupled to the rotary movement.

Abstract: A bendable actuator includes a tubular body made of an elastic material, a reinforcing braided structure surrounding the tubular body, and closure members closing both open ends of the tubular body and the reinforcing braided structure, respectively. At least one closure member is formed with a connecting aperture communicating with an internal space of the tubular body. A restraining device is provided at least partially between the closure members for partially restraining extension of the actuator in the axial direction. When the tubular body is supplied with a pressurized fluid, the actuator is extended in the axial direction while being curved at the same time.

Abstract: An actuator, which directly converts fluid pressure to rotary movement, has generally cylindrical and helically fluted circumferential wall, an end wall bearing an output member, and a fixed opposite end wall. The actuator may be a one-shot device providing substantial torque and driving the output member through a relatively wide angle by having a pyrotechnic gas generating charge mounted inwardly of the fixed end wall and by exceeding the elastic limit of the circumferential wall which is metallic to so as to withstand pyrotechnically generated gas.

Abstract: An actuator for use in an arm or hand of an industrial robot comprises a tubular elastic body of which interior is separated into a plurality of pressure chambers by an axially extending partition, and means for adjusting respective pressures of the pressure chambers to render the tubular elastic body to take a motion at a multi-degree freedom. At least the outer peripheral part of the tubular elastic body has an anisotropic characteristic with respect to modulus of elasticity. The axial direction of the tubular elastic body is a direction small in modulus of longitudinal elasticity, while the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular elastic body is a direction large in modulus of longitudinal elasticity.

Abstract: A system for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to have a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to means for signaling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signaling means are activated. In a modification of the present invention, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signaled to persons in the area.

Abstract: A piston system for use in an internal combustion engine comprises a flexible piston disposed adjacent a combustion chamber of the engine and a piston drive means movably disposed adjacent the flexible piston such that the drive means can deform the flexible piston of the engine and combustion in the combustion chamber can force the flexible piston to move the drive means.

Abstract: A pressure fluid actuator having an elongated tubular chamber, a slot extending longitudinally along the wall of the chamber, a flexible hose member within the chamber and an improved reciprocally movable bracket having an upper portion extended through said slot and connected to a workpiece, which is slidable along the exterior of said chamber, and a lower portion having a rotatably mounted shaft with a pair of rollers for engagement with said flexible hose member to create a reciprocal movement of the bracket.

Abstract: Small-sized engine operated by an expanding gaseous fluid, which comprises a cylinder (18), a piston (20) and an inlet valve (38), the upper parts of the cylinder (18) and the piston (20) cooperating momentarily with a perforated (29) resilient membrane (28) circumferentially secured to the cylinder (18) and performing the functions of a pneumatic seal temporarily.

Abstract: According to the invention, the device comprises a housing (1), two chambers (2, 3) interconnected through a pipeline (4) and disposed in the housing opposite to each other. Each chamber (2 or 3) has a piston made in the form of an elastic sleeve (10 and 11), whose one end is turned inside out and secured to the inner surface of the pipeline (4) at the point of its connection to the chamber (2 to 3). Each piston is kinematically connected to the working member (7) via a shaft (5 or 6) mounted in the chamber (2 to 3), one end of which is kinematically connected to the working member (7), and a drum (8 or 9) connected to the other end of the shaft (5 or 6) and provided with a reverser. Secured on the drums (8 and 9) are the other ends of the sleeves (10 and 11). The pressure space formed by the spaces of the chambers (2, 3) and the space of the pipeline (4) is communicated with a fluid medium supply system (14).

Abstract: An aspirator and resuscitator for newborn animals comprising a cylindrical accordion bellows and adaptors for removing fluids from the nasal and oral passages and for delivering air to and removing air from the breathing passages. The bellows and an adaptor are connected to a central handle which is also the fluid conductor between the bellows and the adaptor. The position and arrangement of the handle provide an effective grip for the whole hand and facilitate the holding and operating of the device effectively and quickly and with safety for the animal. An arrangement is provided for assuring effective and uniform stacking or compressing of the bellows pleats and minimizing the likelihood of damage to the bellows during use.

Abstract: A fluid induction and delivery machine having a chamber of variable volume defined by at least one fixed curved wall, a movable wall facing the fixed wall, and parallel fixed flat walls connecting the curved wall and the movable wall, the movable wall having a rigid middle portion and flexible end portions and being connected between the fixed flat walls.

Abstract: An inflatable umbrella comprising a flexible canopy having at least one enclosed space adapted to be filled with a fluid for inflating the umbrella to an open condition. A self-contained compressible reservoir containing a fluid supply communicates with the enclosed space, and means are provided for compressing said reservoir, which may either be of the manual or automatic type.

Abstract: An expansible chamber device in which a cylinder of preferably rectangular configuration supports a pair of opposing flaps pivotally attached to the corners of the cylinder. The flaps sealably and slidably engage the top surface of a piston disposed within the cylinder such that the surface area of the flaps together with the exposed surface area of the top surface of the piston between the flaps constitutes the effective working area of the device. This area is considerably greater than the area of the piston surface itself whereby overall efficiency of the chamber is increased.

Abstract: An internal pressure engine comprises at least three like members called hedrons movable between two parallel end plates. Each of the hedrons has opposite end faces engaging the end plates, an inner face extending between the end faces and a sealing face disposed relative to the inner face at an angle equal to 360.degree. divided by the number of hedrons. The sealing face of each hedron engages the inner face of the next adjacent hedron so as to form a working chamber bounded by the end plates and the inner faces of the hedrons. The hedrons are supported and guided for translatory movement along rectilinear paths to vary the volume of the working chamber while maintaining the sealing faces of the hedrons in engagement with the inner faces of adjacent hedrons. Movement of the hedrons is synchronized by means of an oscillating member which is pivotally connected with each of the hedrons. Oscillatory movement of the synchronizing member is converted into rotary movement of a drive shaft by a crank mechanism.