United States Steel Corporation

Other

Armada Corporation

William L Pringle

Peter A Hochstein

Harold W Milton, Jr

The subject invention relates to a fluid pressure intensifier (32) for increasing the pressure of an incompressible fluid and comprises a fluid reservoir (112) supplying fluid to a cylinder housing (72). The housing (72) includes first inlet (88) and outlet (90) cylinders extending between opposite ends (74,76) of the housing (72) and slideably receiving first inlet (96) and outlet (100) pistons therein. Second inlet (92) and outlet (94) cylinders are spaced parallel to the first cylinders (88,90) and further extend between the housing ends (74,76) for slideably receiving second inlet (98) and outlet (102) pistons therein. The first pistons (96,100) are forced in unison axially through the housing (72) to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first outlet cylinder (90). A fluid channel (156) allows passage of the fluid from the first outlet cylinder (90) to the second inlet cylinder (92) and thus forces the second pistons (98, 102) in unison in opposing directions through the housing (72) to further increase the pressure of the fluid in the second smaller outlet cylinder (94). The fluid is then expelled from the housing (72) through an outlet (151) to an actuating device.

Fluid pressure intensifier

A shampoo dispensing container is in the shape of an action figure, such as an army figure, and has a fluid pumping system that operates to dispense shampoo from the container in an exploding type pattern as one of the arms of the action figure is operated in a combat type movement.

Shampoo dispensing container

A thermal energy scavenger assembly (10) includes a plurality of integral elements (12) made of temperature sensitive material having first and second ends (14, 16). The integral elements (12) comprise a first portion (18) which is subjected to predetermined cyclic temperature changes to cause the first portion (18) to undergo thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformations in response to heat to pass from a martensitic phase when at a temperature below a phase transformation temperature range and capable of a first high level of recoverable strain to an austenitic parent phase and a memory shape when at a temperature above the phase transformation temperature range and capable of a second lower level of recoverable strain. The integral elements (12) further include a second portion (20) which is integral with the first portion (18) but which is also incapable of the shape memory responses. The second (20) portion is not subjected to the predetermined cyclic temperature changes. Thus, the second portion (20) acts to limit the stress to which the first portion (18) is subjected as the first portion (18) of the temperature sensitive elements (12) is subjected to temperatures above the phase transformation temperature range and transformed from the martensitic phase to the austenitic parent phase.

Thermal energy scavenger

A hydraulic brake actuator assembly (12) for selectively actuating a friction brake 28 including a first hydraulic actuator 30 being responsive to fluid pressure from a hydraulic fluid source 100 for directly actuating the friction brake 28 as a service brake. The assembly (12) is characterized by including a second actuator 32, 32' being in fluid communication with the first actuator 30 and having a brake-off condition for storing fluid therein and a brake-on condition for releasing the stored fluid to the first actuator 30 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a parking brake. A method of selectively actuating the friction brake 28 includes the steps of storing fluid in the second actuator 32, 32' as the first actuator 30 is responsive to fluid pressure from the fluid source 100 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a service brake, and releasing the stored fluid from the second actuator 32, 32' to the first acutator 30 to actuate the friction brake 28 as a parking brake.

Brake actuator assembly and method

An apparatus (10) for flaring an end portion (14) of a deformable tube (16), the end portion (14) having an annular burr (18) extending into the tube (16), the apparatus including a conical projection (20) for flaring the end portion (14) of the tube (16) when the tube (16) is forced thereon and characterized by the conical projection being of a predetermined radius and having a predetermined slope for engaging the burr (18) as the end portion (14) of the tube (16) is forced onto the conical projection (20) to force the burr (18) into the inner surface of the flared end portion (14). A method of flaring the end portion (14) is provided and includes the steps of flaring the end portion (14) and forcing the burr (18) into the inner surface of the flared end portion (14) to form a flared end portion (14) having a rounded edge and a substantially uniform wall thickness.

Tube having a flared end

A milling assembly 10 for machining an I-beam 12 including tube flange portions 14, 16 and a web portion 18 therebetween including a pair of oppositely disposed and spaced milling heads 134 for milling the two flanged portions 14, 16 of the I-beam 12 and a support table for supporting the I-beam 12 thereon for reciprocating movement relative to the milling heads 134 to bring the ends of the I-beam 12 in contact with the milling heads 134. Alignment buttons 49, 76, 108, 124 are mounted on the support table for aligning the I-beam 12 upon the support table 128 in a predetermined position and three clamping stations 24, 26 and 28 are mounted on the support table 128 for fixedly clamping the I-beam 12 along the length of the support table 128.

Mount machining assembly

A tube construction includes first and second tube members 16, 24, each of the tube members 16, 24 having a flared end portion 96. A joint for connecting the tube member 16, 24 together includes an annular resilient seal 98 having a pair of side faces 100. Each of the side faces 100 includes an outwardly tapering flat portion 101 and integral intermediate portion 103 as viewed in cross section. The joint further includes an annular ferrule 18 having a pair of inwardly sloping annular portions 26, 102 and an annular central portion 104 interconnecting the inwardly sloping annular portions 26, 102. Each of the inwardly sloping annular portions 26, 102 engages the flared end portions 96 so that the flared end portions 96 are clamped between the inwardly sloping annular portions 26, 102 and against the side faces 100 with the intermediate portion 101 of the seal 98 clamped between the open ends of the flared end portions 96 to perfect a seal between the two tube members 16, 24. An apparatus 10 for joining the tube members 16, 24 together includes a first tube support 12 having a pocket 14 for receiving the first tube 16 with the ferrule 18 disposed thereon and a second tube support 20 having a pocket 22 for receiving the second tube support 24. A hydraulic actuator moves the first and second tube supports 12, 20 between an open position for receiving the first and second tubes 16, 24 in the pockets 14, 22 and a closed position to crimp the cylindrical portion 28 of the ferrule 18 over the outside of the flared end 96 of the second tube 24. The apparatus is characterized by at least one of the first and second tube supports 12, 20 including a pair of arms 28, 30, 32, 34 pivotally connected together along the respective lengths for scissor-like movement between a receiving position opening the pockets 14, 22 therein and a retaining position closing the pockets 14, 22 therein.

Apparatus for joining flared ended tubes

A method is provided of making a collar (10') having an annular flat outer surface (118) and an inner surface having an inwardly tapering first portion (120) and peripheral outwardly tapering notch portion (122). The method includes the steps of providing a die assembly including a die cavity having an annular seating surface (130) with an opening (132) therethrough and an annular side wall (134) and a reciprocating forming die (136). The die (136) includes a shoulder portion (138) closely fitting against the side wall (134) of the cavity (128) and a cylindrical portion (140) and a frustoconical portion (142) therebetween. The forming die (136) enters the die cavity (128) whereby the cylindrical portion (140) enters the opening (132) of the seating surface (130) so that the cylindrical portion is spaced therefrom. A preformed cylindrical collar (10) is disposed in the die cavity and compressed between the shoulder (138) and seating surface (130) to cold form the first portion (120) of the preformed collar (10) against the frustoconical surface (142) and to cold form the notch portion (122) within the space between the cylindrical portion (140) and the seating surface (130). The collar (10') is mounted on the frustoconical portion (150) of an axle (148) so as to press-fit the inwardly tapering portion (120) of the collar (10) against the frustoconical portion of the axle (148) and securing the collar (10) to the axle (148). The peripheral face (152) of the collar (10') is machined away a predetermined amount into the notch portion (122) as the notch portion (122) provides clearance between the machining tool (156) and the wheel axle (148).

Method for manufacturing a bearing support collar

A fluid cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder housing including a closed end portion and a piston assembly including an end piece member having at least one projection extending therefrom for abutting the closed end portion of the cylinder housing so as to prevent the piston assembly from completely engaging the closed end portion, a washer member having a projection extending therefrom and a cup member. The washer includes bulges on both sides thereof circumferentially spaced from the projection such that the bulges are disposed against the surfaces of the end piece member and cup member when the projection of the washer is inserted within the projection of the end piece member so as to allow fusing of the bulges with the end piece member and the cup member.

Fluid cylinder assembly

A brake support assembly to be mounted on a vehicle axle housing for supporting a brake shoe assembly and an actuator therefor comprising a backing plate adapted to be fixedly mounted on a vehicle axle housing and two anchoring plates removably attached to the backing plate for pivotally supporting the brake assembly. Each anchoring plate includes projections which correspond to bores in the backing plate for positioning the anchoring plate at a predetermined position on the backing plate whereby the anchoring plate may be removed and replaced while maintaining a constant positioning of the brake assembly. In a first embodiment, the anchoring plate includes integral projections extending therefrom. In a second embodiment, the anchoring plate includes a tapered bore extending therethrough for supporting a pin. The pin extends from the plate defining the projection which corresponds with the bore in the backing plate. The backing plate also includes a pocket for retaining a spherical bushing which provides a low friction support for the actuator shaft whereby the bushing allows for small amounts of variation in the alignment of the actuator shaft.

Brake support assembly

A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain the wires during a first phase and whereby the cam responds to the unstraining of the wires during a second phase. A housing defines fluid compartments through which hot and cold fluid passes and flows radially through the wires whereby the wires become unstrained and shorten in length when subjected to the hot fluid for causing a reaction between the cam followers and the cams to effect rotation of the wheels about the central axis of the assembly, which rotation of the wheels is extracted through beveled gearing. The wires are grouped into a plurality of independent modules with each module having a movable plate, a fixed plate and the associated hydraulic pistons and cam follower. The hydraulic pistons and cam follower of a module are disposed at ends of the wires opposite from the ends of the wires at which the same components of the next adjacent modules are disposed so that the cam followers of alternate modules react with one of the cams and the remaining cam followers of the remaining modules react with the other cam. There is also including stress limiting means in the form of coil springs associated with alternate ends of the wires for limiting the stress or strain in the wires.

Thermal energy scavenger (flow control)

A constant velocity joint having first and second rotatable bodies, at least one of the bodies being angularly and axially displaceable with respect to the other. An elongated member for transmitting torque between the bodies extends in its longitudinal direction transversely in a slot in one of the bodies and is connected to the other body. The member is slidable along and pivotable about its transverse axis in the direction of the slot length so as to provide free axial and angular movement of the bodies during their rotative movement. Apparatus is also provided for keeping the member centered in the slot, and includes a ball mounted on the center of each side of the member which rides in a semicircular longitudinal channel along the center of the slot sidewall and is freely slidable and rotatable therein.

Constant velocity joint

A heat exchanger assembly and method for making the assembly. The assembly includes a pair of plates having longitudinal grooves which are joined together with the grooves mating with each other to define fluid-carrying channels extending between the ends of the plates for receiving a heat exchange fluid. The plates include an engaging intermediate surface between certain channels and the fluid-carrying channel passages may be arranged in groups having a laterally spaced relationship from each other. Header means having orifices for connection to the fluid-carrying channels are at each end of the plates for providing a continuous closed path. The plates and channels are coiled to extend about and around one of the header means which provides a circular configuration. The grooves in one of the plates include bosses for providing self-spacing of adjacent convolutions of the channels and plates. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of making the above-described heat exchanger assembly including the steps of rolling longitudinal grooves in a pair of plates on a common mill and forming intermittent bosses in one of the plates, crossing over the plates and mating the longitudinal grooves to define fluid-carrying channels, simultaneously seam welding the plates together, dipping in a plating solution, cutting to a desired length, joining the channels at each end of the plates to a header means, and coiling the plates and channels by bending transversely to the longitudinal extent to extend the plates and channels about and around one of the header means to provide overlying convolutions of the plates and channels.

Heat exchanger

A brake shoe assembly and an apparatus and method for making same wherein the brake shoe includes a pair of spaced parallel arcuate ribs having outside radii secured to the underside of an arcuate plate with the inside radii of the arcuate ribs having a greater thickness than the outside radii. In accordance with the apparatus and method for making the brake shoe assembly, a straight length of rectangular bar stock having opposite faces is bent into an arcuate shaped member while maintaining the bar stock substantially flat with the opposite faces extending transversely to the axis of bending at a bending station. Subsequently, a plurality of holes are pierced between the opposite faces of the arcuate member at a piercing station. Thereafter, the outside periphery of the opposite faces of the arcuate member are trimmed at a trimming station to a predetermined arcuate rib configuration including a predetermined outside radius with a semicircular portion at one end of the arcuate rib concentric with a hole therein and a notch disposed in the other end of the arcuate rib. Finally, the concentric hole at one end of the arcuate rib and the notch at the other end define working surfaces which are finished to a predetermined machined finish at a finishing station.

Brake shoe assembly, apparatus and method for making same

An axle housing assembly including a cup-shaped center housing having flattened portions which are diametrically opposed from each other. Tubular housing members, each having an end face which is circular in cross section, are connected to the flattened portions of the cup-shaped center housing by a friction weld. The tubular housing members include a connecting portion extending axially from the end face, a first frustroconical portion interconnecting an intermediate portion to the connecting portion and a second frustroconical portion extends axially from the intermediate portion. The cross-sectional area of the connecting portion is thicker than the first frustroconical portion which gradually decreases in thickness toward the intermediate portion. The cup-shaped center housing defines a cavity having an opening thereto and includes a flange portion extending inwardly about the periphery of the opening and a cover plate is mounted on the inwardly extending flange portion. A spring seat member having a configuration providing first and second contact areas is welded to the tubular housing member. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of making the above-described axle housing assembly comprising the steps of forming the cup-shaped center housing from a flat plate and forming the flattened portions, forming the tubular housing members, forming openings in the flattened portions and connecting the tubular housing members to the flattened portions so that the tubular members are disposed over the openings.

Growing community of inventors

Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, United States of America

William L Pringle