339results about "Flexible wall reciprocating engines" patented technology

Methods and devices for pumping fluid are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a pump is provided having a first member with a passageway formed therethrough, and a plurality of electrically expandable actuators in communication with the first member and adapted to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the activators can create a pumping action to move fluid through the first member.

A flexible actuator assembly (20) including a flexible bladder device (22) having an expandable sealed chamber (23) adapted to substantially directionally displace between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, displacing a proximal portion (25) of the bladder device (22) away from a distal portion (26) thereof. An elongated tendon member (27) includes a distal portion (28) oriented outside the chamber (23), while an anchor portion (30) extends into the chamber (23) through a distal opening (31) in the bladder device (22). The tendon anchor portion (30) is further coupled proximate to the bladder proximal portion (25) in a manner adapted to: selectively invert displaceable portions (32) of the bladder device (22) when urged toward the deflated condition to position the anchor portion (30) and the bladder proximal portion (25) relatively closer to the bladder distal portion (26); and selectively evert the inverted displaceable portions (32) of the bladder device (22) when displaced toward the inflated condition which positions the anchor portion (30) and the bladder proximal portion (25) relatively farther away from the bladder distal portion (26) for selective movement of the tendon distal portion (28) between an extended condition and a retracted condition, respectively.

An attachment system for connecting a first member such as a lip plate (12) of a mechanical digging device to a second member such as a ground engaging tool (10). The first member has a lug portion (22) attached thereto the second member has a recess (50) arranged, in use, about the lug portion. A clamping member (60) is disposed between the lug portion (22) and the second member (10) such that the supply of pressure to the clamping member (60) acts to restrain disengagement of the second member (10) from the lug portion (22).

An engine uses a top dead center piston stop device. It is fed by compressed air, via a working capacity, which, in the bi-energy version, includes a device for heating the air supplied by additional energy. The active expansion chamber consists of a variable volume or charge piston sliding in a cylinder, coupled to a space above the engine piston via a passage. When stoped at upper dead center, the pressurized air is admitted into the expansion chamber with the smallest volume thereof and, under the effect of thrust, increases the volume thereof by producing work; the expansion chamber is then kept at a maximum volume during expansion of the engine cylinder driving back the engine piston in its downward stroke, providing work of its own. During exhaust, the two pistons travel in an upward stroke and simultaneously reach top dead center in order to resume a new cycle.

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

Energy for in-tire use is generated from the load induced reciprocating deflection of the tire inner walls above the tire-to-road contact patch adjacent to the shoulder of the tire. This energy is used to power in-tire monitoring electronics. For pulsatile energy generation with capacitive capture, the capacitor is optimally selected in real-time as a function of pulse width to maximize energy capture, or as a function of the pulse-captured energy. The resulting energy pulses are also used to measure the time duration of the contact patch from which the contact patch length is determined thus providing real-time tire geometry and, with tire pressure, real time tire load and, with temperature, tire air molar content. The loads on all tires provide real time vehicle mass and mass distribution. For electrical energy generation, magnet-coil, piezo-electric, and other power conversions are applicable. For non-electric energy generation, fluid bellows, rotary pump, and other power conversions are applicable. Further, run flat tires are designed with a cutout to accommodate and protect electronic devices mounted on an inner surface when running flat.

A flexible hydraulic muscle (20) comprising a fluid port (22), bellow (24), end seal (28) and attachment ring (30). Bellow (24) also defines a retracting spring bias for generating contracting forces within muscle (20). Fluid port (22) is designed to provide an anchor point for the muscle, while at the same time, providing a means to introduce and remove hydraulic fluid from bellow (24). End seal (28) and attachment ring (30) provide the second connecting point for the muscle. These two anchor points on each end of bellow (24) provide connection points to communicate contracting force from bellow (24) into useful work. End seal (28) is securely attached or bonded to the end of bellow (24) to provide a fluid tight seal, and designed to resist longitudinal forces on the connection.

An improved diaphragm substantially resistant to abrasive wear for use in certain applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm is in contact with another surface which would tend to abrade such diaphragm, such diaphragm comprising at least one layer of a flexible material selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric reinforced rubber, plastic and mixtures thereof and an abrasion resistant polymeric material having a predetermined thickness. This abrasion resistant polymeric material is adhered to such diaphragm at least in the portion that such diaphragm is in contact with another surface and is subject to abrasion. This type of abrasion generally occurs in the flange area of the diaphragm.

The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a dual diaphragm synthetic jet coupled to high performance dual actuator solenoids, wherein the synthetic jet is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.

A rolling diaphragm pump includes a housing, a rolling seal diaphragm disposed in the housing, a piston for driving the diaphragm, and a valve for regulating the flow of working fluid in a portion of the housing. A constant differential pressure is maintained across the diaphragm independent of discharge pressure of the pump. A method of pumping a viscous medium includes pumping the viscous medium by maintaining a constant differential pressure across a rolling seal diaphragm independent of discharge pressure of the viscous medium, with the diaphragm disposed between the viscous medium and a working medium and being driven by a piston.

The present invention relates to fluid control valves. The invention provides an improved diaphragm useful for a large hydraulically-operated valve or pressure regulating valve of the type used in pipelines to transport water, oil, gas, acids, alkalis and other fluids.The diaphragm being provided with an upper face arranged to be exposed to a control hydraulic pressure and a lower face arranged to selectively seal and open a passage between a valve inlet and a valve outlet, ribs on said upper face urging the diaphragm towards a sealing position. The diaphragm being characterized by the addition of an elastomer ring element disposed adjacent to the upper face and adjacent to the largest diameter of the diaphragm exposed inside a valve to which it may be assembled, an upper face of the flexible ring element being in pressure contact with a portion of the rigid body of the valve. The flexible ring element further urging the diaphragm towards its lower position and allowing closure of the valve without use of a metallic compression spring.

A fluid contact surface actuation system for a vehicle, including a first fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a first fluid passing over the first fluid contact surface; and a first fluid actuator coupled to the first fluid contact surface to move the first fluid contact surface between a first position and a second position to enable control of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, the first fluid actuator having a first resilient bladder that receives a second fluid such that pressure of the second fluid moves the first bladder between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

The present invention provides a diaphragm for use in pump applications in which at least a predetermined portion of such diaphragm is in contact with such outer piston which would tend to abrade such diaphragm. Such diaphragm is formed from at least one layer of a preselected flexible material. Such diaphragm comprises an outer bead like portion for securing the diaphragm to a pump housing. There is a annular flexure portion having a first end and a second end, such first end and such second end being generally flat and an arcuate shaped middle portion formed contiguously with the first end and the second end. Such first end is formed contiguously with the outer bead like portion. Such annular flexure portion has a substantially uniform first predetermined thickness. An enlarged bulbous portion is formed contiguously with the second end and extends around an inner periphery thereof. Such enlarged bulbous portion has a predetermined configuration. Such diaphragm has an enlarged section formed as a protrusion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of the generally flat second end. Such enlarged section is formed contiguously with the enlarged bulbous portion and extends around an outer periphery thereof. The enlarged section causes the second end to be thicker than such first predetermined thickness. Further, there is a generally flat center portion that is formed contiguously with the enlarged bulbous portion and extends around an inner periphery thereof.