Tom Mcguane Industries, Inc.

Avm, Incorporated

The Bendix Corporation

Maremont Corporation

Other

George C Ludwig

William J Walters

Remy J VanOphem

Richard H Gould

Daniel P Dodson

Michael Slavin

George T Bata

Alexander J Craig, Jr

Raymen F Emery

A transversely mounted, single pneumatic spring, and dual bell crank and idler link assembly providing a compact counterbalance for hinged closures such as automobile trunk lids. Pneumatic spring enhancements, e.g., a multi-output force feature and a pressure decay compensation feature may be incorporated in the spring unit to enhance opening of the lid and to improve life expectancy of the pneumatic spring by minimizing and effectively negating pressure loss due to leakage of the gas past the shaft seal. Excess spring cylinder length can provide space of volume zones used for the enhancement features. Structure which provides a multiple output force for the pneumatic spring, utilizes positioning of the spring shaft end bushing and seal to vary the working volume by changing effective cross-section area of the piston shaft near the end of a compression stroke. The extra cylinder length enables a sealed partition wall to separate extra volume and the operative volume part of the cylinder. The extra volume is filled with a supply of gas under higher pressure than that of the spring operative gas pressure and, in conjunction with permeability characteristics of the spring shaft seal and the partition wall seal, enables compensation for leakage from the cylinder. Multiple force output provisions can be used in a substantially vertically disposed spring, filled with a predetermined quantity of oil, and used as a liquid-pneumatic shock absorber. A supplemental orifice type disc valve unit can be used in such a shock absorber, located near the closed end of the spring cylinder.

Pneumatic spring structure with dual output force and pressure decay

A transversely mounted, single pneumatic spring, and dual bell crank and idler link assembly providing a compact counterbalance for hinged closures such as automobile trunk lids. Pneumatic spring enhancements, e.g., a multi-output force feature and a pressure decay compensation feature may be incorporated in the spring unit to enhance opening of the lid and to improve life expectancy of the pneumatic spring by minimizing and effectively negating pressure loss due to leakage of gas past the shaft seal. Excess spring cylinder length can provide space or volume zones used for the enhancement features. Structure which provides a multiple output force for the pneumatic spring, utilizes positioning of the spring shaft end bushing and seal to vary the working volume by changing effective cross-section area of the piston shaft near the end of a compression stroke. The extra cylinder length enables a sealed partition wall to separate extra volume and the operative volume part of the cylinder. The extra volume is filled with a supply of gas under higher pressure than that of the spring operative gas pressure and, in conjunction with permeability characteristics of the spring shaft seal and the partition wall seal, enables compensation for leakage from the cylinder. Multiple force output provisions can be used in a substantially vertically disposed spring, filled with a predetermined quantity of oil.

A transversely mounted, single pneumatic spring, and dual bell crank and idler link assembly providing a compact counterbalance for hinged closures such as automobile trunk lids. In an automobile trunk installation, the assembly is installed with the spring in lateral disposition in the forward upper portion of the trunk, thus being effectively concealed. Alternative pneumatic spring enhancements, e.g., a multi-output force feature and a pressure decay compensation feature may be incorporated in the spring unit to enhance opening of the lid and to improve life expectancy of the pneumatic spring by minimizing and effectively negating pressure loss due to leakage of gas past the shaft seal. Excess spring cylinder length can provide space or volume zones used for the enhancement features. Structure which provides a multiple output force for the pneumatic spring, utilizes positioning of the spring shaft end bushing and seal to vary the working volume by changing effective cross-section area of the piston shaft near the end of a compression stroke. The extra cylinder length enables a sealed partition wall to separate extra volume and the operative volume part of the cylinder. The extra volume is filled with a supply of gas under higher pressure than that of the spring operative gas pressure and, in conjunction with permeability characterisitcs of the spring shaft seal and the partition wall seal, enables compensation for leakage from the cylinder. Multiple force output provisions can be used in a substantially vertically disposed spring, filled with a predetermined quantity of oil, and used as a liquid-pneumatic shock absorber. A supplemental orifice type disc valve unit can be used in such a shock absorber, located near the closed end of the spring cylinder.

Counterbalance apparatus with transverse pneumatic spring and bellcrank

A captive ball in a socket joint made with a minimum number of units capable of mass production and readily assembled with minimum labor. The ball and socket structure enables easy connection of the ball component to a machine element via open access to the ball component for a power driven tool, such as a pneumatic, rotary driver. The socket unit is a single unitary lug-shaped stamping made from flat sheet metal in which a socket recess with a spherical bottom is stamped or formed with a slotted aperture therethrough. The ball unit is a single unitary screw the head of which is ball-shaped and includes an integral drive device in the ball head. The screw-threaded shank of the ball unit projects through the socket unit aperture with the ball-head received in the socket recess. The slotted aperture permits universal swiveling movement of the ball unit relative to the socket unit. A nut, on the ball unit renders the ball unit captive in the socket unit. The nut is retained in the desired position by conventional cement, lock thread formation or other well known self locking screw and nut structure.

Captive ball and socket joint

A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass arrangements either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components. A dual force embodiment of the counterbalance unit is disclosed and utilizes a floating sealed piston below the main piston and rod assembly entrapping pre-charged gas in the space between the floating piston and the closed end of the cylinder.

Pneumatic counterbalance with dual force

Pneumatic counterbalance

A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector, a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal assembly. The cylinder is pressurized preferably prior to assembly of the bushing and seal assembly into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes an effective check valve and orifice by-pass structure for metered gas flow past the piston in one direction and free flow past the piston in the other direction of piston movement. A small predetermined amount of oil is contained in the cylinder and provides lubrication for the seals and piston and provides a damping effect at the end of the extension stroke. A standpipe sleeve is secured on the piston extending toward the seal assembly around the piston rod and controls disposition of the oil to assure damping at the end of the extension stroke. A piston and piston ring structure enhance reliability of control of the oil flow, by providing a peripheral piston to cylinder seal and assures that fluid only passes across the piston via the check valve and orifice by-pass structure in the piston.

Pneumatic spring counterbalance having improved damping structure

A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components. A dual force embodiment of the counterbalance unit is disclosed and utilizes a floating sealed piston below the main piston and rod assembly entrapping pre-charged gas in the space between the floating piston and the closed end of the cylinder.

Apparatus for making a pneumatic counterbalance

Method of making a pressurized pneumatic counterbalance

A fuel flow regulator for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbocharger is disclosed. The fuel flow regulator responds to intake manifold pressure. Thus the fuel flow regulator increases the maximum fuel flow to the internal combustion engine from a first maximum predetermined fuel flow rate when the intake manifold pressure is at a first predetermined intake air pressure level to a second predetermined maximum fuel flow rate when the intake air manifold pressure is at a second predetermined intake air pressure level. Additionally, the fuel flow regulator decreases fuel flow to a third maximum fuel flow rate which is less than the first predetermined maximum fuel flow rate when the intake manifold pressure is greater than the second predetermined intake air pressure level. Therefore, the fuel flow regulator protects the internal combustion engine from overboost of the engine by the turbocharger and for overfueling the engine.

Fuel flow regulator control for a diesel engine with exhaust gas driven

A pneumatic, piston/cylinder counterbalance in which the counterbalance force is obtained by differential pressure across the piston and in which the force changes due to temperature are compensated by use of a variable volume cylinder having one or more auxiliary chambers separated by walls, each including a temperature responsive bi-metal disc valve normally acting as a check valve permitting flow into the auxiliary chambers but preventing flow out of the chambers except when the temperature drops to a predetermined value. In the multiple auxiliary chamber embodiment, flow into and out from each chamber is controlled by an associated bi-metal disc valve responsive to successively lower temperatures to enable a more linear stabilization of force output regardless of temperature.

Multi-chamber temperature compensated pneumatic counterbalance

A sealed butterfly-type valve for an exhaust gas passage in an engine intake mainfold, the valve having a rotatably mounted stem carrying a gas flow modifying valve element disposed in the passage, and sealing against escape of exhaust gases along the stem is prevented by axially biasing the stem to urge an annular axial sealing face on the stem into engagement with an annular high temperature resistant bearing element of compressed graphite or the like surrounding the stem on the passage wall.

Valve, particularly crossover passage valve

A liquid cooled internal combustion engine including a water heated plenum associated with the intake manifold and a temperature controlled plenum valve in the water line extending to or from the plenum and operable to control the flow of water. The temperature controlled plenum valve comprises a plastic body including a base wall and a peripheral wall and a plastic cap including a base wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the peripheral wall of the plastic body. The peripheral wall of the base has a radially outwardly extending annular rib and the peripheral wall of the cap has a radially inwardly extending rib. The ribs are adapted to pass over one another to provide a snap fit during assembly. The base wall of the body has integral O-ring retainer for retaining an O-ring. A bi-metallic disc is positioned in the body within the confines of the peripheral wall of the body and normally engages said O-ring and is operable to engage the O-ring when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined amount.

Internal combustion engine with water heated intake manifold

A multiple resistance element assembly having two parts, an insulator base and a multiple resistance element having expanded metal resistance members. The ends of the expanded metal resistance members are serially connected by contiguous non-expanded metal sections joining the ends of adjacent members. Tabs formed from contiguous non-expanded metal are bent normal to the plane of the resistance members and are inserted into mating slots formed in the base, and lock the multiple resistance element to the base.

Multiple resistance element assembly and method of making same

A fuel pressure regulator assembly comprising a housing, a diaphragm separating the housing into a first and second chamber. The housing has a radial inlet extending to the first chamber and a connector having an axial outlet is mounted in the housing and extends axially into the first chamber. The connector supports a sealing ring. The diaphragm supports a valve member that is adapted to engage the sealing ring, and a spring in the second chamber urges said valve member against the sealing ring. The fuel pressure regulator assembly includes provision for increasing the fuel regulation pressure by varying the effective diaphragm area.

Growing community of inventors

Florence, SC, United States of America

George C Ludwig