Showing papers on "Bellows published in 2001"

An experimental undulating-fin device using the parallel bellows actuator

Abstract: To investigate the undulating median fin propulsion and its potential for implementation in man-made underwater vehicles, a "fin actuator" has been developed. The device consists of eight parallel bellows actuators or PBAs (fin rays) arranged in a series and interconnected via a flexible material (fin membrane). The PBAs are pneumatically driven and allow for bending movements in any orientation plane. Position data are provided by flexible electrogoniometers. The forces generated from the fin actuator undulations are measured by a pair of tri-axial force sensors. Initial testing has concentrated on 2D fin ray motions, whereby each PBA moves laterally, with the deflection angle performing a sinusoidal variation. Preliminary measurements, for a range of the propulsive waveform parameters, demonstrate reversible thrust generation and good agreement with the theoretical predictions of a momentum-based model.

Apparatus, system, and method for precision positioning and alignment of a lens in an optical system

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for precision positioning and alignment of a lens in an optical system, wherein a first support for coupling to the peripheral edge of the lens is connected to a concentric second support using a plurality of positioning devices. At least one positioning device is configured to move the first support in an axial direction relative to the second support. Each positioning device comprises a lever, an actuator, and a flexure. The lever has a pivot point and is mounted on the second support. The actuator is connected to the lever and used to operate the lever about its pivot point. The flexure has a first end connected to the lever between the actuator and the pivot point. A second end of the flexure is connected to the first support. A second positioning device is used to move the first support relative to the second support in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. Additional positioning devices can be used to provide for other types of motion such as, for example, rotation and tilt. In a preferred embodiment, the actuators are pneumatic bellows. A compressed gas supply module is fluidly connected to the bellows, and a control module in communication with the compressed gas supply module is used to operate the bellows. An optional sensor module is used to provide data to the control module for positioning the first support relative to the second support.

Load detecting device

Abstract: In a load detecting device, a hermetically sealed sensor chamber is constituted by a sensor head, a bellows, a housing and a stem. A sensor chip for detecting pressure is housed in the sensor chamber that is filled up with liquid. When load is applied to the sensor head, the bellows contracts axially to vary pressure of the liquid. The sensor chip senses the pressure of the liquid so that the load applied to the sensor chamber is detected with higher detecting accuracy.

Method and apparatus for welding

Abstract: The subject method pertains to a method and apparatus for welding. The subject invention can be utilized for welding very thin sections of stainless steel. The subject technique can incorporate a laser, such as a Nd:YAG, CO2, or diode laser. Furthermore, the laser may be a continuous wave (CW) or pulsed type. The subject invention can reduce or eliminate the need for expensive seam tracking or line following devices to compensate for tooling tolerances, stamping tolerances, and other effects leading to movement of the parts as they are rotated under a welding means. The subject invention can enable high quality symmetrical welds on thin sections of material, while reducing the attention required by a human operator. Furthermore, the method can be applied to other materials. Because of the nature of the beam delivery system, the spatial mode structure of the laser beam is no longer critical to the weld quality of the finished product. The method can be applied to weld the inner and outer diameters of welded bellows sections.

Mechanical face seal

Abstract: A mechanical end face seal comprising two relatively rotatable seal rings, a resilient bellows for providing a secondary seal between one seal ring and either a housing or a rotating shaft and a finger spring element nested in the bellows. The resilient bellows comprises an elastomeric material, such as molded rubber, and has a single convolution having a general cross-sectional shape of an inverted “Omega.” The finger spring member comprises a plurality of generally “U” shaped spring fingers which provide the axial biasing force to urge the ring faces in sealing relation. In a preferred embodiment, the spring includes ferrules for providing radially inward force on a flange portion of each end of the bellows to maintain the secondary seal.

Flexible pipe element

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible pipe element (1), especially for exhaust pipes (9) pertaining to internal combustion engines for motor vehicles. Said pipe element comprises helical or annular convoluted bellows (2); at least one strip wound hose (4) which is coaxially adjacent to the bellows, and is coiled in a spiral-shaped manner or comprises a plurality of ring segments; at least one spacer (5) which is locally arranged between the bellows and the strip wound hose (4); and an externally arranged knitted hose (3). The inventive pipe element has an overall rigidity of 5 N/mm at the most.

A new device for microincremental automatic distraction osteogenesis.

Abstract: We have invented a distraction device that can be placed intraorally and provides autodistraction. The device consists of two units: an implantable component that is applied directly on the bone, and an external component that is distant from the surgical site. The external component is mounted on a standard, battery-driven portable syringe driver or infusion pump. A fine flexible non-compressible tube connects the two. The compression of the bellows in the external component causes fluid to be forced through the connecting tube into the distraction component. The combination of the sealed system and incompressible fluid guarantees expansion of the bellows of the distraction component and gradually separates the bone segments.

Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles

Abstract: The invention discloses an exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles including a bellows (10), an outer braid member (20) spaced from the bellows and braided with a predetermined angle, a retainer (30) having a support (31) inwardly curved at both ends thereof for engaging to a ring damper (40), the retainer being affixed to the ends of the bellows (10) and installed between the outer surface of the bellows (10) and the outer braid member (20) to prevent direct contact thereof, the ring damper (40) located outward the support (31) formed in the retainer (30), a fixing cap (50) coupled to the outer diameter of the outer braid member (20) in order that the outer braid member (20) and the retainer (30) are located outward the bellows (10), wherein the outer braid member (20) absorbs tension in excessive outer forces, i.e., displacement of tension and compression, and the ring damper (40) controls the displacement of compression and shear displacement by the ring damper (40), thereby controlling the bellows within the elastic range.

Air spring arrangement

Abstract: The invention relates to an air spring arrangement consisting of at least: air spring bellows (2) consisting of an elastomer material and comprising two bellows ends, said bellows being mostly provided with an embedded strength support; and a cover and rolling piston (3), each of which has a connecting area (14) for the respective bellows end (8). At least one connecting area is provided with a clamping fit element and a fixing ring (15) which has a clamping functional surface. The inventive air spring arrangement is characterised in that at least one connecting area (14) is shaped like a cone, in such a way as to form the corresponding cone surfaces of the clamping fit element and the fixing ring (15). The clamping occurs automatically when the air spring bellows (2) are subject to pressure, by means of the fixing ring (15), which is also subjected to pressure. The cone-shaped connecting area (14) is also provided with a position support (17) which is used when the air spring bellows (2) are without pressure. Several different embodiments are provided.

Non-invasive medical probe

Abstract: A non-invasive medical probe includes a suction cup adapted to be secured by vacuum to a patient's skin and supporting an electrode, a source of vacuum, and a resilient walled tube structure connecting the source of vacuum to the suction cup, the source of vacuum including a resilient bellows operative when fully compressed and then released to apply a predetermined low level of vacuum to the suction cup and an arrangement connected with the bellows for enabling the bellows to be further extended manually in order to increase the vacuum applied to the suction cup to a higher level, the arrangement including a thumb ring secured to a closed end of the bellows and a finger abutment at an opposite end of the bellows.

Optical fiber cable

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber cable for an automobile wiring having light weight property, waterproof property and required mechanical rigidity. SOLUTION: A foamed coating layer 12 is applied around a coated optical fiber 11, and the layer 12 consists of a high foamed layer 13 having 100% or nearly 100% foaming rate and a low foamed layer 14 having the foaming rate gradually decreasing from the layer 13 to the periphery, and an outermost corrugated surface layer 15 formed like bellows in the outside of the low foamed layer 14 and having 0% or nearly 0% foaming rate.

Air spring strut

Abstract: The device has a pneumatic spring (1) joined at one end to an inner wheel bearer (3) of the wheel suspension of a motor vehicle and at the other end to the motor vehicle body (5). The device has outer and inner hollow cylinders (8,9), a piston element (2) in the inner hollow cylinder that is connected to the outer hollow cylinder and rolling bellows (10,11) sealing inner and outer chambers (7,6).

Method and apparatus for manufacturing packaging bags, and bags obtained thereby

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing packaging bags having lateral bellows, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps consisting in: forming respective cutouts ( 150, 160 ) in each of the two lateral, bellows-forming zones of a packaging bag sheet ( 100 ) so that the bag has only two thicknesses superposed at the mouth of said bellows, at least over a portion of its width; and heat-sealing ( 184, 186 ) the adjacent edges of the sheet to the peripheries of the cutouts ( 150, 160 ) to close the bag. The invention also provides apparatus for implementing the method and bags obtained thereby.

Annihilation of shocks in forced oscillations of an air column in a closed tube.

Abstract: Effects of a periodic array of Helmholtz resonators on forced longitudinal oscillations of an air column in a closed tube are examined experimentally. The column is driven sinusoidally at a frequency near the lowest resonance frequency by oscillating bellows mounted on one end of the tube. Frequency responses are obtained for small and large amplitudes of the excitations. While the array lowers the resonance frequency and the peak value, its dispersive effect, i.e., the dependence of the sound speed on a frequency, can annihilate the shock effectively.

Combined valve device for braking pressure and level regulation in motor vehicle, has common pneumatic medium flow section for connection to first and/or second pressure modulation connections

Abstract: The device (1) has a pneumatic medium tank connection (2,3), first and second pressure modulation connections (5,6) to a brake cylinder (9,10) and air spring bellows (11,12), whereby the flow path from the tank connection to the pressure modulation connections has a common medium flow section (13,14) for connection to the first and/or second pressure modulation connection.

Valve unit and container

Abstract: A valve unit for sucking out a liquid inside a container main body, comprising a suck-in pipe (21), a bellows (22), a shaft case (16), a piston shaft (30), and a piston head (20). A first check valve (23) is installed upstream of the bellows and installed downstream is a second check valve (24). Installed between the shaft case (16) and the piston shaft (30) is a locking portion (35) for locking them together. The piston shaft (30) does not interfere with the second check valve (24) when the locking portion (35) locks, and fixes the second check valve (24) in its closed state when the piston head engages the port (12a) of the container main body with the locking portion (35) not locking.

Structure of fuel injector using piezoelectric actuator

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector has a simple structure that is easy to install and remove a piezoelectric valve actuator in and from the fuel injector and to adjust fuel injection characteristics finely and that allows an overall size of the fuel injector to be decreased. The fuel injector includes a housing to be installed in the engine and a structural element serving to install the piezoelectric valve actuator in the housing to be detachable easily. The piezoelectric valve actuator is retained in an actuator casing fitted in the housing so that it can expand or contract to move a needle valve. The actuator casing has an extensible portion in itself or is coupled to a bellows in alignment for enabling the piezoelectric valve actuator to expand, thereby allowing the size of the actuator casing to be minimized.

Dispenser drain attachment for flowable media

Abstract: A dispenser drain attachment includes a threaded cap having a tapered drain socket and an associated drain tube. The interior of the drain tube has a double diaphragm which seals the drain tube, as well as an elastic gas bellows for dispensing liquid portions by alternating deformation of the diaphragm disks of the double diaphragm, which acts as a one-way valve. Such deformation is the result of pressure conditions which change when the gas bellows is compressed and then again released. The dispenser drain attachment is assembled from only two one-piece structural parts, each of which is produced by a two-component injection molding procedure.

Pneumatic spring with oscillation damper adjusted as a function of the support pressure

Abstract: Spring strut with a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper which can be adjusted as a function of the support pressure. The pneumatic spring has a spring space bounded by a U-type bellows, which spring space is pneumatically connected to a damping device which can be adjusted as a function of a support pressure. A component which having a duct connects the spring space and the damping device is embodied without a hose and is integrated in the spring strut in such a way that it does not form any essential surface change in an unrolling piston associated with the U-type bellows and the unrolling piston forms at least a part of this duct.

Decoupler for exhaust pipe of automobiles

Abstract: The invention discloses a decoupler for exhaust pipe of automobiles including a bellows ( 10 ) made of metal and formed in cylindrical and a repeatedly corrugated shapes for absorbing bending and expansion to maintain the exhaust gas to be airtight; an inner sleeve ( 20 ) in a cylindrical shape, disposed inward the bellows ( 10 ) for protecting the bellows ( 10 ) and passing through the exhaust gas at high temperature; a guide member ( 40 ) disposed at the one end of the bellows ( 10 ) for forming circular-arc surfaces ( 41, 42 ) at both ends of a cylindrical portion ( 43 ), with respect to the motion center of the bellows ( 10 ), wrapped outward the bellows ( 10 ); a cover member ( 50 ) disposed at the other end of the bellows ( 10 ), for having inclined sections ( 51 and 52 ) symmetrically formed at the opposing ends of the body portion ( 53 ) thereof at a predetermined angle, wrapped outward the bellows ( 10 ); first mesh ring ( 60 ) and second mesh ring ( 61 ) disposed between the guide member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 50 ), forming a sliding surface in contact with body portion ( 53 ) of the cover member ( 50 ) and the circular-arc surfaces ( 41, 42 ) of the guide member ( 40 ); and first cushion mesh ring ( 70 ) and second cushion mesh ring ( 72 ), each disposed between inclined sections ( 51 and 52 ) of the cover member ( 50 ) and the first and second mesh rings ( 60, 61 ), made of compressive and expansive material, wherein compression and expansion of the first and second cushion mesh rings ( 70, 71 ) function to absorb the compression and tension displacement from the pitching vibration. The guide member ( 40 ) slides along the first and second mesh rings ( 60, 61 ) to absorb the bending displacement, thereby absorbing the displacements due to the pitching vibration and rolling motion. The present invention has an effect to improve the durability of the exhaust system and passengers' comfort and prolong the life of the exhaust system as well as reduction of the wear and friction noise.

Boots for uniform speed joint

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide boots for a uniform speed joint in which the grommet is made of more flexible resin than the bellows and the sealability of the grommet to a counterpart is further improved and the grommet is integrated with the bellows in less man-hours. SOLUTION: The bellows 3 is made from resin by blow molding and the grommet 1 can be welded with the bellows 3 and made of a more flexible resin than the bellows 3 by injection molding. The bellows 3 is integrally welded with the grommet 1 at a position where the fastening force of a clamp of the grommet 1 does not transmit. As a rigid resin layer is not formed on the surface of the grommet 1, the fastening force of the clamp set in a flat part 13 is directly transmitted to the grommet 1 made of a flexible resin. In this way, a high sealing property to the counterpart is exhibited. COPYRIGHT: (C)2002,JPO

Vehicle suspension having annular air chamber

Abstract: An annular bellows unit for replacing a vehicle suspension coil spring that encloses a shock absorber or hydraulic actuator includes annular second flange members that are sealingly connected at opposite ends of respective inner and outer bellows members to form a closed chamber, and a fill port in one of the flange members for pressurizing the chamber.

Variable-length dip tube for a fluid transfer container

Abstract: A dip tube ( 10 ) of variable length which can be connected to a valve or pump and be inserted through an opening in the top end of a container to accommodate full extraction of liquid contents from containers of varying height. The variable length of the dip tube is accomplished by making the dip tube in two sections, the shorter lower section ( 14 ) of a flexible plastics material and comprising a flexible bellows portion ( 16 ) that contracts and extends in length while over the lower end ( 20 ) of the longer section ( 12 ), in a freely moving but directionally guided manner, so that the flexible bellows cannot bend excessively. The bellows portion allows the length of the dip tube to vary so that its lower end ( 28 ) contacts the bottom of the container. It is adapted to be used in returnable circuit containers for dangerous goods, fitted with dry-break or dripless valves.

Packaging and dispenser device enabling variable quantities to be dispensed

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging and dispensing device for applying a cosmetic and/or care product, in particular to the hair and/or the scalp, the device comprising a receptacle including a bellows having first and second regions that are moved towards each other when the bellows is compressed. On being compressed, the bellows enables a quantity of substance to be dispensed. The device also has an adjustment member for modifying the compression stroke of the bellows, and thus the quantity of substance that is dispensed. The device is arranged in such a manner that the bellows is compressed by thrust exerted by the user substantially on the axis of the bellows.

Method and apparatus for monitoring pipeline expansion joint conditions

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a pipeline expansion joint, in particular the conditions of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. A sensor is positioned so as to sense one or more physical characteristics of a pipeline fluid flow. A signal generated by the sensor(s) is received by a suitably configured electronic controller. The controller, in turn, is connected to a flow control valve, that is movable between at least an “off” or “no-flow” position, and a flow permitting position, connecting a source of compressible medium and the volume confined between the two (or more) balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. An accumulator may also be provided, that may be connectable via the flow control valve, to the confined volume. The controller will be operably configured to cause the valve to be moved, in response to signals received from the sensor(s) that correspond to stored numerical data in the controller that represent different potential operating conditions. In an alternative embodiment, the controller may also be suitably connected to various external communication devices, for communication of a signal representative of, e.g., a failure condition, to a predesignated recipient.

Determination of the force on each wheel of a vehicle

Abstract: Bellows pressure (p) is measured by an internal sensor. A further sensor in or near the air suspension unit, measures its resilient displacement (e). These results are entered into a computer forming part of the suspension unit. A function stored in the computer, describes the effective cross sectional area (A) of the air spring as a function of resilient displacement. From these data alone, the force transmitted by the air spring is calculated.

Vibration decoupling exhaust connector

Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an attachment construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows to at least one of the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus may include a liner tube structure having inlet and outlet liner tubes.