US3684404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflating apparatus
Assignee: Rocket Research Co
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Filing: 1971-03-16
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-03-16
Abstract
Abstract An inflating apparatus utilizing aspirating air from a compressed gas source and aspirated ambient air to inflate a life raft, escape slide, bag or other inflatable. There is an axially translating aspirating tube having a forward position in which ambient air is aspirated through a housing laterally into the tube by means of pressurized gas entering the tube through nozzles positioned behind the tube. The tube is held in this forward position by a locating piston responsive to pressure from the compressed air source, and there is in the piston a spring to urge the tube rearwardly. As pressure in the inflatable increases and pressure from the compressed air source declines, the tube by action of an annular back pressure diaphragm and the spring, translates rearwardly to reduce the aspirated air inlet area until the tube bears against a back closure plate so as to act as a closure valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyle D Galbraith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:21
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04F; F04F5/00; F04F5/44; F04F5/46; F04F5/466; B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C2009/0023; B63C2009/0076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
352 words
In combination with: a. a device to be pressurized by a pressurizing fluid and having a fluid inlet opening, b. means to supply a pressurizing fluid, c. an apparatus arranged to receive said pressurizing fluid from said supply means and to pressurize said device, said apparatus comprising: 1. a mounting structure comprising a base member, 2. an aspirating tube having a downstream end communicating with said device through said opening, and an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forward of said base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway, 3. aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base member and adapted to receive pressurizing fluid from said supply means and direct said pressurizing fluid in aspirated flow into said aspirating tube, 4. aspirating tube locating means responsive to pressurizing fluid from said supply means to Move said aspirating tube to its forward position, the improvement comprising means to move said tube between its open and closed positions and also to regulate the location of the aspirating tube between its forward and rear positions, in a manner to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway in response to back pressure in the device to be pressurized, the improvement comprising: a. a housing portion connected to said device to be pressurized and defining said inlet opening of said device, b. said aspirating tube being mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inwardly of said housing portion, and c. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface responsive to pressurizing fluid within said device in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in said device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
352 words
In combination with: a. a device to be pressurized by a pressurizing fluid and having a fluid inlet opening, b. means to supply a pressurizing fluid, c. an apparatus arranged to receive said pressurizing fluid from said supply means and to pressurize said device, said apparatus comprising: 1. a mounting structure comprising a base member, 2. an aspirating tube having a downstream end communicating with said device through said opening, and an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forward of said base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway, 3. aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base member and adapted to receive pressurizing fluid from said supply means and direct said pressurizing fluid in aspirated flow into said aspirating tube, 4. aspirating tube locating means responsive to pressurizing fluid from said supply means to Move said aspirating tube to its forward position, the improvement comprising means to move said tube between its open and closed positions and also to regulate the location of the aspirating tube between its forward and rear positions, in a manner to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway in response to back pressure in the device to be pressurized, the improvement comprising: a. a housing portion connected to said device to be pressurized and defining said inlet opening of said device, b. said aspirating tube being mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inwardly of said housing portion, and c. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface responsive to pressurizing fluid within said device in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in said device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said back pressure regulating member comprises an annular member connected to the aspirating tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
an aspirating tube having a downstream end communicating with said device through said opening, and an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forward of said base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
an aspirating tube having a downstream end communicating with said device through said opening, and an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forward of said base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base member and adapted to receive pressurizing fluid from said supply means and direct said pressurizing fluid in aspirated flow into said aspirating tube,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base member and adapted to receive pressurizing fluid from said supply means and direct said pressurizing fluid in aspirated flow into said aspirating tube,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said annular member is a diaphragm connected at a fixed location on both said housing and said aspirating tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said diaphragm is made of a flexible material and has a normal frusto-conical configuration, wherein the diaphragm tapers forwardly with the tube in its forward position and tapers rearwardly with the tube in its rearward position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
aspirating tube locating means responsive to pressurizing fluid from said supply means to Move said aspirating tube to its forward position, the improvement comprising means to move said tube between its open and closed positions and also to regulate the location of the aspirating tube between its forward and rear positions, in a manner to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway in response to back pressure in the device to be pressurized, the improvement comprising: a. a housing portion connected to said device to be pressurized and defining said inlet opening of said device, b. said aspirating tube being mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inwardly of said housing portion, and c. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface responsive to pressurizing fluid within said device in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in said device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
aspirating tube locating means responsive to pressurizing fluid from said supply means to Move said aspirating tube to its forward position, the improvement comprising means to move said tube between its open and closed positions and also to regulate the location of the aspirating tube between its forward and rear positions, in a manner to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway in response to back pressure in the device to be pressurized, the improvement comprising: a. a housing portion connected to said device to be pressurized and defining said inlet opening of said device, b. said aspirating tube being mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inwardly of said housing portion, and c. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface responsive to pressurizing fluid within said device in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in said device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein there are spring biasing means arranged to push said tube to a closed position, said spring means being arranged that with said tube in its forward position, said spring means acts with maximum force to move said tube toward its rearward position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the tube locating means comprises a piston and cylinder assembly mounted to said base and extending forwardly into the aspirating tube, said spring means being mounted to said assembly to urge said piston to a rearward position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said base member has a plenum chamber leading directly to both said nozzle means and said cylinder and piston assembly so that when pressurized fluid is delivered to said nozzle means, the pressurizing fluid is also acting on said piston and cylinder assembly to urge said tube to its forward position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said back pressure regulating member comprises an annular member connected to the aspirating tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said annular member is a diaphragm connected at a fixed location on both said housing and said aspirating tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said diaphragm is made of a flexible material and has a normal frusto-conical configuration, wherein the diaphragm tapers forwardly with the tube in its forward position and tapers rearwardly with the tube in its rearward position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein there is: a. a locating piston and cylinder assembly mounted to said base and extending forwardly into the aspirating tube and connected to said aspirating tube, b. a spring mounted to said piston and cylinder assembly and arranged to urge said assembly to a closed position, c. said back pressure means comprising a flexible annular diaphragm connected between said housing portion and said aspirating tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
296 words
An inflating apparatus adapted to receive high pressure fluid and direct said fluid in aspirating fashion to inflate a device, said apparatus comprising: a. a mounting structure comprising a base portion and a housing portion which is adapted to be connected to the device to bE inflated and which defines an opening by means of which said device is to be inflated, b. an aspirating tube mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inward from said housing portion, said aspirating tube having a downstream end adapted to communicate with said device through said housing opening, an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forwardly of the base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion is spaced forwardly of said base member so that the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway, c. aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base portion and adapted to receive high pressure fluid and direct said fluid in aspirated flow into the aspirating tube, d. aspirating tube locating means responsive to high pressure fluid to move said aspirating tube to its forward position, and e. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface adapted to be responsive to pressurizing fluid within the device to be inflated in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in the device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
296 words
An inflating apparatus adapted to receive high pressure fluid and direct said fluid in aspirating fashion to inflate a device, said apparatus comprising: a. a mounting structure comprising a base portion and a housing portion which is adapted to be connected to the device to bE inflated and which defines an opening by means of which said device is to be inflated, b. an aspirating tube mounted proximate to said opening and being spaced laterally inward from said housing portion, said aspirating tube having a downstream end adapted to communicate with said device through said housing opening, an upstream end, the upstream end of the tube having an inlet portion located forwardly of the base member, said aspirating tube being movable between a forward position where the tube inlet portion is spaced forwardly of said base member so that the tube inlet portion and the base member define an aspirated fluid passageway therebetween, and a rearward position where said tube inlet portion bears against the base member so as to close the aspirated fluid passageway, c. aspirating nozzle means mounted to said base portion and adapted to receive high pressure fluid and direct said fluid in aspirated flow into the aspirating tube, d. aspirating tube locating means responsive to high pressure fluid to move said aspirating tube to its forward position, and e. a back pressure regulating member connected between said aspirating tube and said housing portion so as to close an area therebetween and having a back pressure surface adapted to be responsive to pressurizing fluid within the device to be inflated in a manner that when fluid pressure increases in the device said regulating member moves the aspirating tube toward said base member so as to reduce the area of the aspirated fluid passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said back pressure regulating member comprises an annular member connected to the aspirating tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said annular member is a diaphragm connected at a fixed location on both said housing and said aspirating tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said diaphragm is made of a flexible material and has a normal frusto-conical configuration, wherein the diaphragm tapers forwardly with the tube in its forward position and tapers rearwardly with the tube in its rearward position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein there are spring biasing means arranged to push said tube to a closed position, said spring means being arranged that with said tube in its forward position, said spring means acts with maximum force to move said tube toward its rearward position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the tube locating means comprises a piston and cylinder assembly mounted to said base and extending forwardly into the aspirating tube, said spring means being mounted to said assembly to urge said piston to a rearward position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said base member has a plenum chamber leading directly to both said nozzle means and said cylinder and piston assembly so that when pressurized fluid is delivered to said nozzle means, the pressurizing fluid is also acting on said piston and cylinder assembly to urge said tube to its forward position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said back pressure regulating member comprises an annular member connected to the aspirating tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said annular member is a diaphragm connected at a fixed location on both said housing and said aspirating tube.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said diaphragm is made of a flexible material and has a normal frusto-conical configuration, wherein the diaphragm tapers forwardly with the tube in its forward position and tapers rearwardly with the tube in its rearward position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein there is: a. a locating piston and cylinder assembly mounted to said base and extending forwardly into the aspirating tube and connected to said aspirating tube, b. a spring mounted to said piston and cylinder assembly and arranged to urge said assembly to a closed position, c. said back pressure means comprising a flexible annular diaphragm connected between said housing portion and said aspirating tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |