Showing papers on "Bellows published in 1983"

Electrical connector grounding ring

Abstract: An electrical connector containing a grounding ring in the form of a metal bellows which is axially compressed when the mating halves of the connector are interengaged. The bellows provides a windowless EMI/RFI grounding shield for the connector.

Position-sensing apparatus

Abstract: A probe for sensing the position of a workpiece (154) comprises a housing (149) adapted to be secured to a coordinate measuring machine. A stylus (152) projecting from the housing is engageable with the workpiece for sensing the position thereof. The stylus (152) is secured to a movable member (110) supported within the housing (149) by three bellows (120, 130, 140) having mutually perpendicular axes (A, B, C) and each secured to the movable member (110) and the housing (149) in position therebetween. Since a bellows is inherently stiff in torsion about its axis but is flexible axially and transversely, the bellows (120, 130, 140) cooperate to constrain the stylus (152) for parallel motion. More particularly, any one first bellows (140) can expand or contract to accommodate movement of the stylus (152) in the direction of the axis (C1) of that the first bellows (140), a second one of bellows (130) prevents tilting of the stylus (152) by virtue of torsional stiffness. At the same time both the second (130) and third bellows (120) flex transversely to accommodate the expansion or contraction of the first bellows (140). The stylus is biased into a rest position determined by the condition of the bellows (120, 130, 140) when the stylus (152) is free. Displacement of the stylus (152) is determinable by inductive proximity sensors (156, 157, 158).

Liquid capacitance pressure transducer technique

Abstract: A pressure transducer for measuring the difference in pressures between two liquids, includes two very closely spaced plates (12 and 14), at least one of which (14) is a diaphragm, and opposed conductive coatings (18 and 20) on these two closely spaced plates. The space between the two plates is evacuated, and a low viscosity silicon oil is drawn in through a conduit to completely fill the space between the two plates. The conduit (44, 52) leading to the space between the plates is filled up to a certain point with the low viscosity fluid, and a thin membrane or bellows (42) tightly seals this conduit. One of the two liquids, the pressure of which is to be measured, is channelled to the outer of the membrane or bellows; and the other of the two liquids is conducted to the outer surface of the diaphragm of the pressure transducer. Two concentric capacitors are formed by the opposed conductive coatings (18 and 20, 22), with an inner variable capacitor having substantial changes as the diaphragm flexes, and the outer reference capacitor having very little change; but both of the capacitors being separated by the same dielectric liquid.

Gas mask construction

Abstract: A gas mask comprises an outer full mask and an inner half mask for closed cycle respirators leaving an interspace between the half mask and the full mask. The outer mask is sealed around the person's face by one or more sealing frames and the inner mask is sealed with the face around the wearer's nose and mouth. The construction includes a passage between the half mask and a full mask with a check valve which opens with exhalation resistance in a direction toward the space between the full mask and the half mask. The outer full mask has a wall with a linkage compensation device which is closed by a cover and includes a bellows which expands and contracts in the device in accordance with variations in pressure within the interspace between the two masks. A spring is employed to bias the bellows into one of an expanded or contracted situation so that the bellows may either expand or contract against the spring pressure during operation and provide a leakage compensation in the space between the masks.

Apparatus and method for suppressing vibration and displacement of a bellows

Abstract: Flexible bellows are utilized between two systems, such as a pumping system and a process station, to partially absorb system vibrations and to compensate for misalignment between the systems. It is common practice to either clamp a rigid spacer between flanges of the two systems (FIG. 3B) to separate them from each other, or to maintain the bellows in unsupported relationship between these systems (FIG. 4B). In the former bellows arrangement, the rigid spacer transmits vibratory energy between the two systems and the bellows tends to function as an undamped or underdamped unit that resonates at its own frequency to create additional vibratory energy, transmitted to the systems. In the latter, unsupported bellows arrangement (FIG. 4B), the pressure differential prevalent between the fluid flowing through the bellows and ambient normally causes extension or retraction of the bellows and resulting misalignment problems. The present invention substantially solves the above vibration and misalignment problems by providing an inflatable tube (20) in surrounding relationship about a bellows (14) to suppress vibration and displacement thereof. A method for isolating first and second systems (11,12) from each other to prevent the transmission of vibratory energy therebetween comprises the steps of attaching at least one flexible bellows (14) between the systems (11,12), surrounding the bellows with an inflatable tube (20), and maintaining a predetermined pressure in the tube (20) to urge the tube in flexible contact with at least some of the convolutions of the bellows (14).

Bellows expansion joint

Abstract: A novel bellows expansion joint design and method of preventing stress corrosion cracking incorporates an internal cylindrical weir or sleeve which defines an inner flushing chamber adjacent the expansion bellows wherein connections are provided on the exterior wall of the expansion joint body to allow the admission of a chemical solution or treating fluid directly onto the inside surface of the bellows from an external connection to the expansion joint. In addition, a further connection is provided to a second flushing chamber surrounding the exterior of the bellows so that a similar solution may be admitted and allowed to overflow from an upper portion of the chamber.

Aspirator and resuscitator for newborn animals

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.

Apparatus for positioning a workpiece in a localized vacuum processing system

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a semiconductor wafer with respect to a localized vacuum envelope so as to maintain a prescribed gap between the tip of the vacuum envelope and the wafer includes an x-y table, a stage assembly movable along the z-axis for holding the wafer and a z-axis actuator assembly. The z-axis actuator assembly includes a plurality of fluid-containing bellows coupled between the x-y table and the stage assembly and a hydraulic controller operated by a linear stepper motor for varying the fluid volume in each of the bellows in response to an actuator control signal so as to move the stage assembly along the z-axis. The z-axis actuator assembly can further include a flexible disk positioned in the plane of x-y movement and coupled between the x-y table and the stage assembly for preventing lateral and rotational movement of the stage assembly relative to the x-y table. The positioning apparatus is suitable for use in an electron beam lithography system.

Improvements in or relating to labelling apparatus

Abstract: A reciprocating labelling device is known but it is slow and expensive. High speed labelling devices can only handle paper labels and cannot be used with plastic labels. The invention provides a high speed compact labelling device particularly adapted for use with plastic labels comprising a rotary label applying means (120) having a plurality of bellows (124) arranged at intervals therearound. The label applying means is adapted to rotate between a label receiving position and a label applying position. A vacuum is applied to the bellows to retract them except at the label applying position and labels are held on the retracted bellows by suction. At the label applying position an overpressure is applied to the bellows causing the bellows to expand into contact with an object to be labelled. Objects of irregular size can thus be labelled. The apparatus also includes a detachable cassette (12) for a supply (16) of labels (22), the cassette including means for transporting labels (30) to the label applying means and for separating labels (32) from the label carrier (20). The cassette can be loaded and threaded up when detached from the rest of the apparatus and when loaded can replace an exhausted cassette on the apparatus without stopping the apparatus.

Energy conserving water heater control system

Abstract: Water temperature sensors in the form of thermisters are in physical thermal contact with the inlet and outlet pipes of a water heater and may be surrounded by insulating material to make them more insensitive to the ambient air temperature and more sensitive to the temperature of the respective water pipes and the water contained therein These two thermisters are connected in a bridge circuit connected to an operational amplifier whose output will be of a given polarity only if the measured temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value The operational amplifier's output is then used to adjust the effective thermostatic setting of the hot water heater in a two-valued control arrangement Alternatively, each of the two water temperature sensors may assume a purely mechanical form, such as an enclosed volume of fluid or plastic material operating a bellows or piston arrangement, so that at higher temperatures the volume increases and the bellows or piston moves in one direction while at lower temperatures, the volume decreases, and the bellows or piston moves in an opposite direction If two such mechanical sensor arrangements are connected to work in opposition to one another through appropriate spring linkages, the resultant mechanical movement is proportional to the difference in sensor temperatures and adjusts the thermostat setting of the heater in a proportional form of control

Image observation system

Abstract: An image observation system of the fibrescope type in which an optical pick-up A is located at one end of an optical fibre 4 remote from a picture receiver C includes bellows 5, 19 expanded and contracted by fluid pressure to move an element, such as an image pick-up lens, within an image pick-up. The bellows 8, 19 is connected via a fluid transfer tube 5 to a manually operated fluid pressure drive unit D. Manipulating the drive unit D forces a fluid into or withdraws a fluid from the bellows 8,19 via the transfer pipe 5 to expand or contract the bellows, thereby controlling the position or attitude of the element located at the end of the fibre 4.

Tuning and temperature compensation arrangement for microwave resonators

Abstract: The microwave resonator includes an enclosed resonator housing and a hollow central conductor having one end fastened to a bottom of the resonator housing and extending toward a top wall of the resonator housing. The other end of the central conductors is spaced from the top wall and includes an adjustable bellows assembly disposed coaxial of a longitudinal axis of the central conductor. A non-rotating, axially movable drive shaft is disposed coaxial of the axis of the central conductor within the central conductor. One end of the drive shaft is fastened to the bellows assembly and the other end of the drive shaft is coupled to a drive means disposed in the bottom wall to cause axial movement of the drive shaft to adjust the axial length of the bellows assembly and, hence, the axial length of the central conductor to adjust the resonant frequency of the microwave resonator. By selecting the material from which the housing and the central conductor is made to have a first selected coefficient of thermal expansion and by selecting the material the drive shaft is made from to have a second selected coefficient of thermal expansion. The first and second coefficients of thermal expansion are selected to minimize resonant frequency drift due to temperature variations and, hence, provides temperature compensation for the microwave resonator.

Containment and densification of particulate material

Abstract: Particulate material is poured into a container which is decay and heat resistant, the container is sealed and subjected to axial compression at elevated temperature to cause densification of the material, there being an arrangement for preventing substantial radially outward deformation of the container during compression. An important application is to immobilization of nuclear reactor waste in a synthetic rock structure formed during the high temperature compression step, and advantageously the containers are secured within an outer metal cannister for subsequent safe handling and disposal. An important embodiment includes a bellows container which advantageously is upwardly pressed into an inverted metal cannister restrained by an upper abutment, the bellows container becoming an interference fit within the metal cannister during the final portion of compression, but the bellows container wall itself being substantially sufficient to prevent gross outward deformation of the bellows container.

Leak indicating conduit

Abstract: A leak indicating conduit for conveying fluid includes an inner tube and an outer tube, in which the inner tube is separated from the outer tube by a space maintained at a pressure having a predetermined value from the range of values less than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure, and greater than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure. A leak indicating device is in continuous communication with the space for indicating a change of pressure in the space from the predetermined value. The indicating device includes a chamber in which an expansible bellows is mounted in communication with the space. The expansible bellows includes a movable plate supporting an indicating element for movement between a concealed first position, thereby indicating no change of pressure from the predetermined value, and a second, visible position, thereby indicating a change of pressure. An electrical switch for operating a separate indicating or control device can be mounted adjacent the expansible bellows, so that it is operated by the bellows as the bellows moves between its first and second positions. Where the leak indicating conduit is used as an expansion joint, the ends of the inner and outer tubes are secured to the pipes by annular attachment welds. Tapered rings are welded over the attachment welds and an aperture is defined in the outer tube, under the tapered rings for detecting leaks in the attachment welds.

The nonlinear characteristics of u-shaped bellows——calculations by the method of perturbation

Abstract: In this paper, the linear exact solution and nonlinear solution for U-shaped bellows have been obtained by using the general solution of circular ring shell[1] and the method of perturbation.

Elastic self carrying bellows

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic self-carrying bellows-body, in particular for vehicles, having been formed with ribs separated by spacings and interconnected with connecting means. The essence of the invention lies in that the thickness of the connecting means interconnecting the ribs is less on at least two opposite sides of the bellows-body, than that of the ribs and the ribs and connecting means are formed as monolithic units.

A connecting device

Abstract: not available for EP0094409Abstract of corresponding document: WO8301892To make it possible to move the upper rack in a dish-washing machine between different levels a special spraying system is required. A connecting device for this purpose shall according to the invention comprise a feed tube (10) along the rear wall of the washing cabinet having a connecting surface (19), a system of bellows (22, 23) which, as well as the upper spraying arm (12), is mounted on the upper dish rack (14). When the rack is pushed into the cabinet one of the couple of bellows encircles a port (20) in the connecting surface and the other couple of bellows abuts the surface tightly. When the fluid is brought to circulate in the system the outer ends of the bellows are pressed against the connection surface simultaneously as the upper rack is kept in an inner position in the cabinet by the door (16).

Stirling engine or heat pump having an improved seal

Abstract: A Stirling Engine or Heat Pump having two relatively movable machine elements for power transmission purposes includes a hermetic seal bellows interposed between the elements for separating a working gas from a pressure compensating liquid that balances pressure across the bellows to reduce bellows stress and to assure long bellows life. The volume of pressure compensating liquid displaced due to relative movement between the machine elements is minimized by enclosing the compensating liquid within a region exposed to portions of both machine elements at one axial end of a slidable interface presented between them by a clearance seal having an effective diameter of the seal bellows. Pressure equalization across the bellows is achieved by a separate hermetically sealed compensator including a movable enclosed bellows. The interior of the compensator bellows is in communication with one side of the seal bellows, and its exterior is in communication with the remaining side of the seal bellows. A buffer gas or additional liquid region can be provided at the remaining axial end of the clearnace seal, along with valved arrangements for makeup of liquid leakage through the clearance seal.

Low temperature rate controller

Abstract: A rate controller for use in outer space is provided where motion damping occurs by forcing damping fluid from one side of an actuator piston to the other side of the piston through an external line. The damping fluid is totally contained in a sealed system of metallic bellows with no seals required between moving parts and the external environment.

Bellows boot for secondary battery terminals

Abstract: A non-leaking flexible plastic bellows connection between the cover and the lead terminal of a secondary battery expandable plate, including circumferential grooves around the terminal for molding thereto one end of the plastic bellows while the other end is sealed to the plastic cover of the battery or formed integral therewith. The grooves in the upper end of the lead terminal may be formed in the terminal or in a sleeve of softer lead composition integrally attached to the end of the terminal. The lead cell connectors are integrally attached to the upper outer ends of these lead sleeves or terminals above the grooves therein.

Device for measuring the speed of the fluid in the annular space of a steam generator

Abstract: A device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the annular space of a steam generator; having within a probe housing, kept fixed relative to the outer wall of the steam generator, a probe. A seal between the probe and the probe housing is formed by an elastic bellows fitted in such a way that it constantly applies one end of the probe against the inner wall of the generator.

Lifting devices for use with baths etc.

Abstract: A self-contained seat assembly is provided for enabling handicapped persons to be lowered into and lifted out of a bath and comprises a seat 1 slidably supported on a frame 2 which is attached to a base 7. Between the base 7 and the seat 1 is a bellows 6 which can be extended by operating a pump within the base 7 using water within the bath. Alternatively a valve can be operated to allow water in the bellows 6 to be exhausted back into the bath so that a person sitting on the seat is lowered gently into the bath. The control handle 3 is connected via a cable 5 to operating controls for the pump and the valve and these are supplied with power through coiled cables 10 from a self-contained battery pack received in the top wall of the seat.

Protective guard for articulated shafting

Abstract: An improved guard for an articulated torque transmitting shaft such as the power transmission shaft connecting a tractor with an agricultural implement is disclosed. The guard according to the invention comprises bellows members for fitting over U-joints at either end and telescoping tubes connecting the bellows. The telescoping tubes are locked to the respective bellows by L-shaped keys which extend through slots formed through the tube and through the bellows and which have circumferentially extending tabs which ride in grooves formed in the universal joints, to locate the juncture of the tube and bellows with respect to the joint. In the preferred embodiment, the entire assembly is constructed of plastic.

Automatic steam box for textile articles

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically ironing textile articles and the like comprises a box-like structure provided with bellows doors, which are mechanically driven to open and closed positions. In the central portion of the bellows doors, an upright is pivoted which is also mechanically driven for alternately rotating through a 180° angle, and bearing two radially extending arms provided for supporting the textile articles to be ironed.

Bellows assembly for photographic cameras

Abstract: The invention is designed for photographic cameras which incorporate a bellows and require electrical connections between the parts separated by this bellows To provide a non-obtrusive and adaptable form of this electrical connection this invention provides flat, flexible electrical leads arranged between layers of the bellows and participating in undulating movements of the latter The ends of these leads may be connected to contact-carrying plates which cooperate with contacts on the camera and for replaceable lenses of the latter

Oscillating coolant pump

Abstract: An oscillating coolant pump includes a pair of opposed bellows mounted to reciprocate in a housing for moving a volume of fluid through a heat exchanger and an electronics package. The pump functions without the use of check valves.

Rotary shaft seal

Abstract: The invention is a novel rotary shaft seal assembly which provides positive-contact sealing when the shaft is not rotated and which operates with its sealing surfaces separated by a film of compressed ambient gas whose width is independent of the speed of shaft rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a disc affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. Axially movable, non-rotatable plates respectively supported by sealing bellows are positioned on either side of the disc to be in sealing engagement therewith. Each plate carries piezoelectric transducer elements which are electrically energized at startup to produce films of compressed ambient gas between the confronting surfaces of the plates and the disc. Following shutdown of the shaft, the transducer elements are de-energized. A control circuit responds to incipient rubbing between the plate and either disc by altering the electrical input to the transducer elements to eliminate rubbing.

Bellows shielding structure

Abstract: A folding camera including first and second housings pivotally mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and being interconnected by a flexible bellows. When the housings are in the operative position, areas of the bellows which would ordinarily be exposed to ambient light and to engagement by the fingers of a user are shielded therefrom by three planar, substantially rigid, opaque members which occupy a minimum of space when the housings are in the inoperative position.

Cap intended to be placed on the central outlet opening of a liquid container

Abstract: not available for EP0103600Abstract of corresponding document: WO8303239Most of the problems with containers, especially those containing a liquid, are experienced when tilting on a filling opening, particularly when the container is completely filled. For such containers (1), a cap (2) is proposed, which comprises a bottom, a hollow cylindrical body and an external flange (4). The face of the flange orientated towards the cap bottom is fixed to bellows (5) linked to the container (1) or being part of the latter. One or several emptying openings (7) are arranged in the portion of the hollow body which is surrounded by the bellows (5). By means of such arrangement, the content of the container can flow out only when a downward pressure is exerted on the cap (2).