Abstract: A method of making a pneumatically operated actuator having a pneumatically operated movable wall interconnected by a feedback tension spring to a pilot valve positioner that is adapted to pneumatically operate the movable wall of the actuator in relation to a pneumatic signal directed to the positioner, the method including the steps of loosely projecting one end of the spring through an opening in the wall after the other end of the spring has been interconnected to the pilot valve positioner and pulling on the one end of the spring while directing a predetermined pneumatic signal to the positioner so that the wall will assume a position thereof relative to the one end of the spring and the actuator that corresponds to the predetermined pneumatic signal whereby the one end of the spring can be secured to the wall while the wall is in that position thereof and the spring is in the pulled condition thereof that caused the wall to move to such position.

Abstract: A two stage vacuum break or fluid motor device of the type used to control choke valves of internal combustion engine carburators. The motor uses a single diaphragm in which the fluid motor plunger operates in a first stage in response to movement of a portion of the diaphragm and in a second stage in response to movement of the entire diaphragm. The stages of movement are under the control of separate sources of manifold pressure which may be made available to the device independently of each other. The two stages of operation may be used to control one or more choke valves through a single output plunger or to control a pair of output plungers movable independently of each other.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator having a cap-shaped diaphragm cam rigidly attached to a resilient diaphragm retained in an actuator housing. The diaphragm cam is provided with opposed drive slots cut through the wall thereof, and with at least one correction slot cut through the wall at a bottom edge thereof. A drive pin coupled to a drive shaft is rotatably mounted with the drive slot such that a vertical movement of the diaphragm cam produces a rotational movement of the drive pin and the drive shaft. A correction cam having a shape corresponding to that of the correction slot is formed in the actuator housing beneath the correction slot and is firmly seated within the correction slot upon descent of the diaphragm cam to correct any rotational movement of the diaphragm cam.

Abstract: An adjusting drive operated by a pressure medium with a spring-loaded roller diaphragm secured to plates and displaceable within a housing by the pressure medium; the roller diaphragm actuates an adjusting member that is securely connected with a plate and extends out of the housing; in addition to its end positions, the adjusting member is also able to assume at least one intermediate position; the plates are thereby connected with each other by the roller diaphragm while a plate not directly connected with the adjusting member sealingly rests on a ring-shaped abutment projecting out of the inner wall of the housing in the intermediate position of the adjusting member.

Abstract: A piston is disclosed which is particularly adapted for multi-stage operation in a combined air and spring-loaded brake cylinder. The piston is formed of a resilient or elastic material such as spring steel, a synthetic resin or hard rubber and has a central portion of a reduced wall strength with respect to the surrounding peripheral portion of the piston. The central portion is thus capable of elastic deformation when subjected to a force exceeding a predetermined level. The reduced strength relationship of the central portion may be achieved by a reduced wall thickness, or by the use of radially extending slots. The piston thus has a differential deformability when a pressure is applied thereto such that the entire piston can be shifted as a unit until abutting a stop structure on the housing of the brake cylinder. The central portion of the piston can then be additionally displaced if an increased pressure or force is applied to the central portion.

Abstract: In a reciprocating pump, notably a metering pump, of the reciprocating type in which the pumping member, diaphragm or piston, is actuated by means of a slide block responsive to a rotating eccentric member, a ball is interposed between an adjustment screw controlling the length of the slide block stroke and the slide block. For this purpose, the ball engages an inclined surface formed in a hollow of the slide block. Preferably, the screw is magnetized and constantly attracts the ball to avoid movements of the ball in relation to the slide block and therefore any premature wear and tear of these members. The inclined surface may have a shape matching that of the ball.

Abstract: A valve device for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, which device has a diaphragm mechanism having a diaphragm to form at least one chamber which is connected to an engine port and has a valve member connected to said diaphragm via a rod to open the valve member against a force caused by a spring acting on the diaphragm, when a vacuum signal of a predetermined level is transmitted from the engine port. The device includes means for allowing adjustment of the position of the diaphragm with respect to the rod and means for securing the diaphragm to the rod after said adjustment of the position of the rod is perfected. Therefore, the EGR valve which is opened at the constant vacuum level can be obtained, with a minimum number of parts requiring high accuracy.

Abstract: A vacuum operated device is provided with a first vacuum chamber defined by a part of a casing and a first diaphragm; a second vacuum chamber defined by the first diaphragm, another part of the casing, and a second diaphragm; and a rod. The first vacuum chamber communicates with a vacuum source and the second vacuum chamber also communicates with the vacuum source through a changeover valve by which the second vacuum chamber is subjected to the vacuum from the vacuum source or to atmospheric pressure. The rod is secured to the first and second diaphragms at the central portions thereof thereby being axially movable according to the movement of the first and second diaphragms.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm having an arcuate ridge defines the pumping chamber of a fluid pump and is reciprocated by connection to the output shaft of an electric motor. The rigid plate portion of a connector is joined to the central portion of the diaphragm while the remainder thereof extends in an opposite direction where it is linked with an eccentric coupling carried by the output shaft of the motor. Although the diaphragm is driven in a rocking, reciprocating movement, the housing is formed with surface support portions which have radii of curvature such as to support the diaphragm during its distended periods, thereby assuring a long lifetime of diaphragm operation. The overall arrangement results in improved efficiency in pumping gases as well as liquids.

Abstract: A multiway valve with a spool as a closure member is axially movable in a central bore in a valve casing and has associated with each of its axial ends diaphragms of elastic material secured by their outer circumference to the casing and operating with a snap action. Associated with each of the diaphragms is a support wall bearing on a face of the diaphragm made of rigid material and made up of a plurality of flexibly-assembled sector-shaped component parts to provide flexible support of the diaphragm.

Abstract: In a fluid-pressure operated servo-motor in which an output force applied to an output member is augmented by differential pressures applied to opposite faces of a movable wall, a one-piece reaction plate of corrugated outline is interposed between the input and output members and the movable wall. In use the reaction plate transmits a load from the movable wall to the output member and transmits a reactive proportion of the output load back to the input member.

Abstract: A pin is integral with a diaphragm and extends from one side of the diaphragm. The other side of the diaphragm is subjected to a pressure or vacuum to create a pressure differential across the diaphragm to move the pin into or out of engagement with an article within a controlled environment. The diaphragm isolates a fluid, which produces the pressure differential across the diaphragm, from the controlled environment. In one embodiment, the pin is formed at the center of the diaphragm and moves only in a straight line. In another embodiment, the pin is formed eccentric to the center of the diaphragm so as to have a combination movement of angular and straight. The pin can be employed to stop an article such as a semiconductor wafer, for example, or to raise or to lower the wafer without the actuating fluid contaminating the controlled environment in which the semiconductor wafer is disposed.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes a cup-shape cylinder body housing a piston and having a generally flat base with a mounting hub projecting outwardly. A piston rod is slidably mounted in the hub and connects to a load such as a damper in an air mixing box. The base is formed with a bearing recess or depression means encircling the hub. The recess defines a spherical sector offset from the center of a complete sphere of the same radius. An annular swivel ring includes an inner diameter adapted to loosely fit over the hub and includes an outer periphery which is generally spherically shaped and defines a central spherical sector having a maximum planar diameter slightly larger than that of the sector defined by recess. The swivel ring is a two-part member having interconnecting slot and projection elements providing a snap joint connection, with the mounting plate firmly clamped therebetween. The swivel ring with the attachment plate fits over the mounting hub.

Abstract: A diaphragm fluid pump comprises a diaphragm piston assembly having a flexible diaphragm interposed and hermetically clamped at the outer rim thereof between upper and lower housings. The flexible diaphragm is integrally provided with a flexible sealing member of which the outer rim is interposed and fluid-tightly clamped together with the outer rim of the diaphragm between the lower and upper housings and the inner rim is fluid-tightly secured to a portion of the piston assembly to seal a portion of the flexible diaphragm exposed within a lubrication oil chamber.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump, especially a vacuum pump for gases, includes at least one diaphragm extending transversely through the pump housing and defining therewith a pumping chamber. Drive means connected to the diaphragm moves the latter between a suction stroke at which gas is sucked into the pumping chamber through an inlet and a compression stroke in which the gas is pushed out of the pumping chambers through an outlet. The diaphragm is clamped at its outer periphery to the pump housing and at its central portion to the drive means moving the diaphragm between the suction and compression strokes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a rigid wall having a curved surface which forms part of the combustion chamber. The remaining part of the combustion chamber is formed by a flexible curtain whose outer edge is attached and sealed to the rigid wall. The wall and the curtain together form a closed space whose geometry and volume depend on their relative position. When the curtain moves toward the wall, the two approaching surfaces displace gas toward the center of the combustion chamber, thereby compressing it or expelling it from the chamber.

Abstract: Improvements in a servomotor including a retainer coupling an annular diaphragm having its outer periphery sealingly attached to the servomotor housing and an axially movable power piston within the housing. The piston has a boss axially extending through the annular diaphragm and an external flange extending radially from the outer periphery of the boss for positioning adjacent the diaphragm, the diaphragm and power piston forming two pressure chambers. A valve member is slidably and sealingly disposed in a bore formed in the boss of the power piston for regulating pressure in the pressure chambers. The retainer has an axially extending cylindrical seat in which the boss is tightly positioned and a flange radially extending from the seat for pressing an inner portion of the diaphragm against the power piston flange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to constant stroke reciprocating piston pump with mechanically driven diaphragm coupler, including combination of adjustable pressure control means and priming valve for handling abrasive liquids such as paint, and texture.

Abstract: Tandem type vacuum brake boosters require a connection between their vacuum chambers. According to the present invention this connection is provided by the housing having crosspieces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing disposed about the periphery of the housing with channels formed between the crosspieces to enable the two vacuum chambers to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A servomotor having a metal backing plate for a diaphragm which separates the interior of a front shell and a rear shell into a front chamber and rear chamber. The metal backing plate is attached to a hub which extends through the rear shell. The hub has an axial bore with a first passageway which is connected to the front chamber and a second passageway which is connected to the rear chamber. A control means is retained in the axial bore by the metal backing plate being attached to the hub. When the control means is actuated, fluid under pressure enters the rear chamber and creates a pressure differential. The pressure differential develops a force across the diaphragm which is directly transmitted through the backing plate to an output push rod.

Abstract: In a power piston for use in a booster which includes a piston plate coupled with a diaphragm for receiving differential pressure acting thereacross, a valve body one end of which being secured to the center portion of the piston plate and a valve mechanism disposed in the valve body, the improvement resides in that there are provided a head portion and a hole respectively on one end of the valve body and in the center portion of the piston plate which have complementary configurations such that the hole can receive the head portion only when they are at specific angular positions, and there is provided a neck portion continuous with the head portion of the valve body and having an axial length sufficient to receive the piston plate thereon, the inner circumferential portion of the diaphragm is clamped by means of the piston plate and thus secured to the valve body.

Abstract: Pressure responsive force transmission apparatus such as may be used in automatic controls and for hydraulic and pneumatic lift or force mechanisms comprises a pair of substantially rigid lift elements each having a base plate, at least two guide arms projecting from the base plate, and at least two guide surfaces at the sides of the base plate. The pair of lift elements is mated together each with its guide arms engaging the guide surfaces of the other. A flexible inflatable bladder is disposed between the base plates of the mated lift elements. One of the lift elements is formed with a fluid transmission passage communicating with the interior of the bladder. By delivering fluid under pressure through said passage, the bladder is inflated and causes the lift elements to move apart.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid control system regulates the delivery rate of feed water to a boiler. A hydraulic actuated diaphragm pump having a plurality of diaphragm working chambers which are interconnected with check valve controlled inlets and outlets pumps the feed water to the boiler. Fluid surges or pulsations are prevented by the use of projection members on the face of the diaphragms and by a variably controlled pressure regulator responsive to the feed water pressure. The delivery rate of hydraulic fluid to the diaphragms controls the actual pumping output. A bypass line including a pressure regulating valve with pilot control and a modulating control valve controls a bypass hydraulic fluid rate which directly corresponds to the pumping output rate.

Abstract: A rolling diaphragm not subject to the formation of cusps. The rolling wall of the diaphragm is made up of two regions, one region intended to engage the lateral wall of the piston of the rolling diaphragm device, and another region intended to extend from the lateral wall of the piston of the rolling diaphragm device to the diaphragm clamping region formed by the cylinder body of the rolling diaphragm device. In the first mentioned region the rate of change of diameter along the rolling wall is relatively small, or minimized. The second region is circularly shaped in cross-section. The radius of curvature of the cross-section of that portion is relatively large, so that the rate of change of diameter of the rolling wall in that portion thereof is relatively large.

Abstract: A movable wall assembly for use in a servomotor having a resilient diaphragm with a bead radially compressed in a groove on a hub by a backing plate to form a seal between a vacuum chamber and a power chamber. The diaphragm correspondingly axially urges the wall assembly into contact with the hub to prevent relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump, especially a vacuum pump, in which a diaphragm of elastomeric material is clamped at its outer peripheral portion against a peripheral portion of a rigid wall which has, radially inwardly of the clamped portion, a concavely curved spherical surface forming with the diaphragm a pumping chamber with which inlet and outlet ports, each provided with a one-way valve, communicate. A central substantially rigid portion of the diaphragm is moved between a suction stroke increasing the volume of the pumping chamber, and a compression stroke. The wall surface and the diaphragm are constructed and arranged relative to each other that the volume of the pumping chamber is reduced substantially to zero at the end of the compression stroke and so as to permit easy sliding movement of portions of the diaphragm and the surface of the wall as the diaphragm approaches the end of the compression stroke.