Showing papers on "Bellows published in 2004"

Thermodynamically driven reversible infuser pump for use as a remotely controlled gastric band

Abstract: An implantable artificial sphincter system provides long-term adjustment via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), minimizing invasive adjustment through adding or removing fluid via a syringe. An infuser device provides bi-directional fluid transfer via a flexible conduit to a sphincter band, such as a gastric band, by a combination of thermodynamic actuation and a piezo-electrically disengaged drum brake assembly that thereby achieves a desirable small volume device. A propellant within a propellant cavity surrounds a metal bellows accumulator biased at body temperature to either expand or collapse the bellows accumulator with the opposite direction of movement effected by a thermal element that heats in combination with a negatively-biased propellant or cools in combination with a positively-biased propellant. A drum brake assembly locks the metal bellows accumulator in place between adjustments by thermodynamic actuation by activating piezo-electric stack actuators that disengage calipers from a brake drum attached to the bellows accumulator.

Artificial intervertebral disc flexibly oriented by spring-reinforced bellows

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc includes: an upper retaining member secured to an upper vertebra; a lower retaining member secured to a lower vertebra adjacent to the upper vertebra; and a nucleus member flexibly resiliently formed between the upper and the lower retaining members having at least an outer and an inner bellows each reinforced and integrally formed with a helical spring to define an outer annulus between the outer and inner bellows and a core formed within the inner bellows.

High serviceability liquid cooling loop using flexible bellows

Abstract: A liquid loop cooling apparatus includes tubing enclosing an interior bore or lumen within which a cooling fluid can circulate, a moveable cold plate rigidly coupled to the tubing, and at least one flexible bellows coupled to the tubing and flexibly enabling movement of the moveable cold plate.

Study on slime robot: development of the mobile robot prototype model using bridle bellows

Abstract: Slim slime robot (SSR), looks like an active cord mechanism (the snake-like robot) and composes units that can stretch, shrink and bend actively, is for several tasks in narrow spaces such as to move under collapsed houses or for inspection of pipelines in plants. In this paper, we propose the new concept, which is named "bridle drive". We developed the prototype model of the units of the SSR-2.3. Each unit has a bridle bellows composed of a large caliber bellows and wire lock system. The use of bridle bellows allows to produce a high output using air pressure, its shape can be changed by controlling the length of the wires.

Lead assembly with flexible portions and method therefor

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an outer insulative body, a conductor, and at least one electrode electrically coupled with the at least one conductor. The outer insulative body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and has an intermediate portion therebetween. A flexible portion for example having a bellows portion is disposed along the lead body.

Study of millimeter wave high-power gyrotron for long pulse operation

Abstract: The development of a high-power millimeter wave source, gyrotron, is under way for fusion application. A performance of ∼10 s oscillation has been attained at 1 MW level output for 170 GHz frequency. Although the pulse extension was interrupted by a sudden outgassing in the gyrotron, the cause was confirmed to be the local heating of the internal component due to stray RF deposition. To suppress the heating, the inner surface of the component (bellows for RF beam steering mirror) was coated with copper, which reduced the Ohmic loss to 1 10 of the original one. Moreover, forced water cooling for the bellows was incorporated. As a result, no sudden pressure increase was observed, and a quasi-steady-state oscillation of 100 s with 0.5 MW power level was demonstrated at 170 GHz. The temperature of the major components of the gyrotron stabilized, which indicates a prospect for a 1 MW-CW, 170 GHz gyrotron.

Bellows with spring anti-gravity device

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods of attenuating vibration, particularly for modern stepper machines and other types of vibration sensitive equipment. The attenuation system exhibits good vibration attenuation in the axial or support direction, and exhibits low or substantially zero lateral stiffness to prevent transmission of any vibrations between any of various portions of the machine. In one embodiment, an apparatus for attenuating transmission of lateral vibration between a first mass and a second mass comprises a vibration attenuation device including at least one bellows oriented along a support axis. The at least one bellows is connected between the first mass and the second mass and has an interior volume pressurized with a fluid to an internal fluid pressure which is greater than a zero-stiffness pressure such that the vibration attenuation device exhibits a negative lateral stiffness. A positive stiffness device is coupled between the first mass and the second mass. The positive stiffness device has a positive lateral stiffness which may be substantially equal to or greater than the negative lateral stiffness in magnitude.

Design, fabrication, and testing of a near constant pressure fuel delivery system for miniature fuel cells

Abstract: This paper presents two alternative designs of near constant pressure, fuel delivery system for micro fuel cells and other microfluidic devices. They provide a zero power solution for fuel storage and delivery. Both the fuel delivery systems namely, linear actuation pump and rotary actuation pump, use passive spring-driven actuation mechanism to pressurize the fuel reservoir at pressure of 6.5 and 2.0 psig, respectively. Flexible parylene bellows of 1 ml capacity are used as a fuel reservoir. The bellows are fabricated using sacrificial wax based molding technique. The structural components of the pumps are fabricated using micro-stereolithography. Commercially available miniature bearings are used in the final assembly to minimize the frictional forces in the moving parts. The test results show that these pumps can be used in microfluidic devices to pump fluid continuously at near constant design pressure. They are small in size (in the order of tens of millimeter) and also function as a package for microfluidic components. The performance of the two pumps are evaluated and compared.

Pneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle, comprising pneumatic suspension bellows (3) and an electronically controlled level control unit (1), which aerates and bleeds the pneumatic suspension bellows (3) as required by means of an electrically operated valve device (6, 7, 32, 33, 44, 45). The invention provides a pneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle, which is equipped with an electronic controller for the level control and in which the level of the vehicle body can nevertheless be modified during an interruption or malfunction of the power supply. To achieve this, the inventive system comprises at least one manual actuating element (18, 19), which when manually actuated permits the aeration and/or bleeding of the pneumatic suspension bellows (3), even during a malfunction of the power supply to the electronically controlled level control unit (1).

Particle Damping Applications

Abstract: Particle damping is a generalization of impact damping technology (also known as acceleration dampers), but also provide additional damping mechanisms when compared with other kinetic energy based vibration dissipation devices. Due to their inherent design simplicity, in recent years there has been considerable interest in this technology. Most of the reported results have been obtained empirically, however, recently there has been some activity in the construction of analytical/numerical models to simulate the energy dissipating performance of particle dampers. The work described in this paper documents experimental work and representative test results of various particle dampers used to suppress excessive vibration of cantilever type space structural subsystems of various sizes subjected to transient and steady-state vibratory disturbances. It is experimentally demonstrates that the performance of these devices are highly amplitude dependant. It is also experimentally shown that there are three distinct damping performance regions for transient type excitations. In addition to partially filled cavity particle dampers, other particle dampers are also investigated such as particles-in-ball and preloaded particle dampers. In its simplest form, a particle damper consists of a cavity box of various shapes and sizes that are partially filled with particles. Particles can be metallic, ceramic, polymeric, composite or a mixture of various materials. The particle size may vary from application to application and may vary from a few micro-inches to a tenth of an inch or more. The shape of the particles may be near spherical, cylindrical or irregular in shape. The shape, size and material of the particles will influence flow characteristics of the particles in the cavity. Other particle damper configurations are also experimentally studies. In one configuration a polymeric ball is partially filled with particles. The ball is then placed in a cavity that is secured to a vibrating structure. The vibration sets the ball in motion in the cavity. Since the ball is only partially filled with particles, any rolling action of the ball will set the particles in motion against one another and maintain a new surface level, similar to a fluid leveling itself to maintain equilibrium due to gravity. The ball will eventually collide with cavity walls thus functioning as an impact damper with additional frictional losses due to particle friction and other losses due to elastic/plastic deformation of particles and the polymeric material of the ball. In another application, the particles are placed in a confined elastic cavity such as a metallic bellows or a rubber tube and sealed at the ends. The elastic walls of the rubber tube will induce compressive forces on the particles as more and more particles are stuffed into the tube. The amount of particles in the elastic cavity will determine the amount of preload on the particles. Any bending action of the particle filled elastic tube will be accompanied with relative rubbing motion among the particles, thus dissipating energy by dry friction.

Vehicle air-suspension system and method of operation

Abstract: A vehicle air-suspension system, especially an air-suspension system designed as a partly closed system, and a method for operating the system are provided The air-suspension system includes at least one compressed-air delivery device, a plurality of air-suspension bellows and valves constructed and arranged for control of the filling of one, several or all air-suspension bellows with compressed air discharged by the compressed-air delivery device The method avoids an undesirably large pressure rise on the pressure-outlet side of the compressed-air delivery device as the effective delivery capacity of the compressed-air delivery device is automatically controlled as a function of the state defined by the arrangement of the valves

High temperature line expansion installation with bellows

Abstract: An flexible coupling is shown for an insulated piping system of the type used to convey steam and other high temperature fluids. The coupling uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to couple conventional lengths of insulated pipe. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.

Clean device with clean box-opening/closing device

Abstract: In a load port portion of a conventional clean device, it can happen that cleanliness is reduced by dust caused by wear of bellows and a lid is not separated by its weight from a main body. In order to solve such problems, a clean device is structured as follows: a lid of a clean box has a non-circular reception hole, a load port portion of the clean device has an opening/closing mechanism with a projection fittable in the receiving hole and has a buffer chamber, one end of bellows of the buffer chamber is connected to the bottom surface of the buffer chamber, and the other end of the bellows is fixed, on the outside of the buffer chamber, to raising/lowering means of a port door.

Bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units

Abstract: A bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units, especially for vibration dampers or MacPherson strut units for motor vehicles, is located between the end of a piston rod and a cylinder, and covers the part of the piston rod which projects out from the cylinder to provide protection against dirt and/or damage. An interior space of the bellows undergoes a change in volume as a result of the relative movement of the piston and cylinder. The end area of the piston rod distal from the cylinder includes at least one flow connection leading to the interior of the bellows. The flow connection allows an incoming and/or outgoing flow of air. The end area of the piston rod, i.e., the end which passes through a mounting bearing connecting the piston-cylinder unit to the body of the vehicle, is provided with a flow connection connecting the interior space of the bellows to the atmosphere.

Vibration damping coupling

Abstract: A vibration damping bellows with a high vibration absorbing effect and whose a simple structure. In a vibration damping coupling, for example, the vibration damping bellows is formed by interposing viscoelastic material, material with low elasticity, or combination thereof between an inner member and an outer member, which are made of stainless steel. The stainless steel inner member and/or outer member may be omitted when occasion demands. The material of the stainless steel plate, for example, may be SUS 304 that is austenitic stainless steel. Further, flanges to perform connection with pipes may be provided in both ends of the bellows. The viscoelastic material may comprise elastomer such as silicone rubber and vibration damping alloy.

Lid structure of container

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the operation of pouring drink additive and to increase capacity for the drink additive by making a lid structure compact. SOLUTION: The lid structure of the container comprises: a helical engaging section 21 having an annular sealing step 21a abutting on the open end face of a PET bottle body 1 so as to seal a liquid in it; a cylindrical lower storage section 22 designed so as to have an outward flange 22a on the upper brim side is connected and fixed on the upper end face of the annular sealing step 21a and a lower open end 22b extends into the opening 11 of the PET bottle body 1; bellows upper storage section 23, expandable and contractible, whose lower brim is connected to the outward flange 22a of the cylindrical lower storage section 22; a lid cutting section 24 extending in the bellows upper storage section 23 and cylindrical lower storage section 22 such that the upper end of the lid cutting section 24 is fixed to the inside bottom of the bellows upper storage section 23 and a pointed cutting blade 24a at the lower end pointed; a protective cover 25 surrounding the periphery of the bellows upper storage section 23; and a water-resistant partition lid 26 sealing the lower open end 22b of the cylindrical lower storage section 22. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Disposable cartridge for mixing exothermic or endothermic reaction substances, and relative cartridge-support assembly

Abstract: The cartridge has two compartments normally for containing two substances of the mixture, which are separated by a preferential break member; one of the two compartments contains a liquid solvent, and is fitted with a bellows having an intake valve and for producing a pumping action by varying the volume of the bellows by exerting pressure on the bellows. The bellows first causes breakage of the member to mix the two substances, and then produces flow of the mixture to accelerate its reaction. The cartridge is insertable inside a cavity of a support for heating or cooling in predetermined conditions.

A means of gripping for gripping and lifting an object

Abstract: A means of gripping 101 is made up of a gripping magnet 105 and a vacuum gripper 103 which is provided with a vacuum chamber 107 that is connected to a means of producing a vacuum through a vacuum inlet 109 and a passage 111. An inflatable bellows 119 is attached to the gripping magnet 105 for pulling the gripping magnet 105 loose from a plate 102. The space 117 in the bellows 119 is connected to a means of blowing air through an air inlet 115 and the passage 111. The means of producing a vacuum and the means of blowing air are integrated into one single apparatus that can produce a vacuum as well as that can blow air, which apparatus preferably is a pump that works in two directions. In order to grip the plate 102, the gripping magnet 105 is brought into the lower position by drawing air out of the pressure chamber 117 in the bellows 119 through the passage 111 creating a vacuum in the space 107. For releasing the plate 102 air is blown into the pressure chamber 117 in the bellows 119 through the passage 111 as a result of which the gripping magnet is pushed upwards and air is blown into the vacuum chamber 107.

Spinal disc replacement

Abstract: A spinal disc replacement has at least one bellows disposed between two spaced-apart plates. The bellows are compressible anteriorly/posteriorly and left/right. Several embodiments have top plates and bottom plates which are torsionally rotatable. Methods of use are provided.

Capacity control mechanism in variable displacement compressor

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid large capacity operation in a refrigerant shortage condition and a high speed operation condition in a variable displacement compressor SOLUTION: A displacement means 64 is installed to a capacity control valve 32 The displacement means 64 is composed of a first pressure chamber 57, a second pressure chamber 58, bellows 59, a transmission rod 61, and an energizing spring 62 The second pressure chamber 58 is communicated with a suction chamber 131, and the inside of the second pressure chamber 58 is a suction pressure region When pressure in the suction pressure region is reduced below reference pressure Po set in advance, the transmission rod 61 moves a driving rod 38 (a valve element 381) to open a valve hole 41 COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Nested bellows expansion member for a submersible pump

Abstract: A multi-diameter bellows for use in a seal section of a submersible pump. The bellows is adapted to surround a shaft that communicates the motor with the pump. The bellows is made of a first collapsible section and a second collapsible section. The volume of the bellows is varied by moving a coupling member that attaches the first collapsible section to the second collapsible section. The coupling member has an outside portion for connecting to the second collapsible section and an inside portion for connecting to the first collapsible section. The coupling member additionally has a transitional section between the outside portion and the inside portion. The transitional portion of the coupling member allows the inside portion to be located within the second collapsible section, i.e., allows the collapsible sections to be “nested”, which increases displaced volume for a given stroke length of the coupling member.

Emergency pneumatic spring with centring action

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring (LUF) for a rail vehicle (SFZ). Said spring comprises two bellows rims (BF1, BF2), mounted one above the other and interconnected by pneumatic-suspension bellows (LBA). One of the bellows rims (BF1) comprises a groove (NUT) and the other rim (BF2) a counterpart (GGS) for said groove (NUT), which permit an automatic centring of the two bellows rims (BF1, BF2) in relation to one another in the transversal direction (Q) of the vehicle, if the pneumatic spring (LUF) fails.

Pneumatic suspension system for motor vehicle, has pneumatically-operated venting valve for connecting bellows and/or pressure accumulator with atmosphere

Abstract: An electrically-controllable valve device (18) comprises a pneumatically-operated venting valve (78) which is pilot-controlled with the compressed air from the pneumatic suspension system via an electromagnetic control valve (88). Via the venting valve, pneumatic suspension bellows (8,10,12,14) and/or a pressure accumulator (6) is connected with the atmosphere.

Axial vibrations of U-shaped bellows with elastically restrained end conditions

Abstract: Previous work by Li et al. in the area of axial vibrations of bellows dealt with fixed end conditions. However, it is seen on several occasions that bellow ends are welded to a small pipe spool that has a lumped mass such as a valve or an instrument. Hence, the present paper aims at finding out the effect of elastically restrained ends on the axial natural frequencies. The analysis considers finite stiffness axial restraints on the bellows, i.e. solving the set of equations with non-homogeneous boundary conditions. Two bellow specimens are considered for comparison having the same dimensions as taken by Li in his analysis. The transcendental frequency equation deduced is accurate as the first, second and third mode frequencies computed are in close agreement to the ones obtained by Li.

Ball and socket joint with sealing bellows

Abstract: A ball and socket joint ( 1 ) is provided, for example, for a chassis bearing, with a ball ( 2 ), a pivot ( 3 ) originating from the ball ( 2 ), a housing ( 4 ) accommodating the ball, and a sealing bellows ( 5 ), which extends between the housing ( 4 ) and the pivot ( 3 ) and has a housing-side opening ( 6 ) and a pivot-side opening ( 7 ). The sealing bellows ( 5 ) has a circumferential sealing lip ( 8 ) for sealing at the pivot-side opening ( 7 ). The ball and socket joint ( 1 ) has a first guide ring ( 9 ), which guides the sealing bellows ( 5 ). The first guide ring ( 9 ) is arranged at the pivot ( 3 ). An especially favorable functional separation is achieved as a result between the guiding function and the sealing function.

Manipulator, probe device using it, and sample preparing device

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manipulator capable of improving the operation rate of a device by shortening the stop time of the device at replacing a probe, as for a manipulator for operating the probe inside a vacuum device SOLUTION: The device is provided with a vacuum guiding mechanism of taking the probe in and out of the vacuum chamber 1 of the device main body without opening the vacuum chamber 1 in the air in the case of taking the probe in and out of the vacuum chamber Concretely, an air lock chamber 3 is arranged in the vacuum chamber 1, and the air lock chamber 3 is connected to the vacuum chamber 1 of the main body through a vacuum bellows 2 A probe holder 5 is attached to the air lock chamber 3, and the probe 4 is moved together with the air lock chamber 3 by a moving mechanism 7 arranged in the main body The air lock chamber 3 is constituted so that the evacuation can be performed through a discharge port 9, and a space between the air lock chamber 3 and the vacuum chamber 1 is partitioned by a vacuum valve 8 A 2nd moving mechanism 10 is arranged so that the probe 4 can be moved between the air lock chamber 3 and the vacuum chamber 1 COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Device for lifting an air suspended axle

Abstract: A spacing arm for a lift of a rolling axle of industrial vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, intended for being incorporated in lifting devices of the type consisting of side parts (4) coupled in a transverse bolt (2) linking in an articulated manner a support (1) of the pneumatic suspension and a leaf spring arm (3) of a certain axle to be lifted, constituted of a spacing arm (11) divided by a bending line in a U-shaped transverse section (14) which is fixed to a bellows (6) and supports the leaf spring arm (3), and a longitudinal section in which a bar (16) is fixed which houses a spacer (7), internally fixed to the side parts (4) with regard to which the spacing arm (11) rotates, actuated by the bellows.

Metal bellows hydraulic accumulator

Abstract: A metal bellows hydraulic accumulator includes a bellows unit having a metal bellows portion and disposed within a pressure space of a pressure vessel, whereby the pressure space is sectioned into a gas chamber and a liquid chamber communicating with a liquid passage. The liquid chamber is sectioned into a first liquid chamber to which the bellows portion of the bellows unit is exposed, and a second liquid chamber to which the liquid passage is opened. An open-close valve is provided so as to establish and break communication between the first and second liquid chambers. A filter for separating foreign matter contained in operating liquid flowing toward the liquid passage, and a foreign-matter storing section capable of storing the foreign matter are provided in the second liquid chamber.

Pneumatic spring unit for vehicle with electronically controlled levelling unit has manual operating element to enable aerating and/or venting of air bellows by manual operation in event of power supply failure to levelling unit

Abstract: The pneumatic spring unit for a vehicle with air bellows (3) and an electronically controlled levelling unit (1) has an electrically operable valve unit (6,7) for the aerating or venting of the air bellows on demand. At least one manual operating element (18,19) enables aerating and/or venting of the air bellows by its manual operation in the event of power supply failure to the electronically controlled levelling unit. A manually operable valve unit (10,11) incorporating the manually operable element is provided in a branch (12,14,16) bypassing the electrically operable valve unit.