US3734258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling with quick release valve
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-24
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A drive for transmitting torque from a driving to a driven member includes an inflatable member which is adapted to connect the driving and driven members when inflated by a fluid under pressure. The drive includes a valve assembly having an inlet connected to a fluid supply, a first outlet in communication with the inflatable member and a second outlet for venting the inflatable member. The valve assembly has a movable one-piece valve member which has a first position for restriciting fluid flow between the inlet and the first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between the first and second outlets. When fluid is supplied under pressure to the inlet, the valve member has a surface area against which the fluid acts to move the valve member from the first position to a second position. In the second position, the valve member restricts fluid flow between the first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet which effects inflation of the inflatable member, resulting in the driving and driven members being drivingly connected thereby. A muffler may be utilized in connection with the second outlet to control the level of noise associated with the operation of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 E Roob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D25/00; F16D25/04; F16D25/042; F16D25/046; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2544; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86574; Y10T137/8667; Y10T137/86694; Y10T137/86702
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
363 words
A drive comprising relatively rotatable driving and driven members, one of said members carrying a resiliently inflatable member which upon application of pressurized fluid drivingly connects said driving and driven members, a valve assembly in fluid communication with said resiliently inflatable member, said assembly including a valve body having an inlet connected to a supply of pressurized fluid, a first outlet in communication with said inflatable member, a second outlet, and a one-piece valve member, said valve body having a substantially straight bore therethrough, said bore having reduced diameter portions at the opposite ends thereof for defining in substantially coaxial relationship of said inlet and said second outlet, said valve member being slidably and sealingly mounted in said bore, said valve member having a first position for restricting fluid flow between said inlet and said second outlet while providing for fluid communications between said first and second outlets, said valve member having a surface area against which fluid from said fluid supply acts to move said valve member to a second position for restricting fluid flow between said first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between said inlet and said first outlet to thereby reflect inflation of said resilient member to establish a drive between said driving and driven members, said valve assembly including biasing means for maintaining said valve member in said first position when the fluid pressure from said fluid supply is below a predetermined level, said valve member having an inner bore defining a first area in communication with inlet fluid when said valve member is in said first position and an exterior flange defining a second area of greater area than said first area in communication with inlet fluid when said valve member is in said second position, said exterior flange having a tapered area opposed to said second area, fluid pressure acting upon said tapered area being effective to move said valve member from said second to said first position, said valve member supporting a tapered member adapted to be slidably received in said second outlet to maintain said valve member in coaxial relation with said bore when said valve member is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
363 words
A drive comprising relatively rotatable driving and driven members, one of said members carrying a resiliently inflatable member which upon application of pressurized fluid drivingly connects said driving and driven members, a valve assembly in fluid communication with said resiliently inflatable member, said assembly including a valve body having an inlet connected to a supply of pressurized fluid, a first outlet in communication with said inflatable member, a second outlet, and a one-piece valve member, said valve body having a substantially straight bore therethrough, said bore having reduced diameter portions at the opposite ends thereof for defining in substantially coaxial relationship of said inlet and said second outlet, said valve member being slidably and sealingly mounted in said bore, said valve member having a first position for restricting fluid flow between said inlet and said second outlet while providing for fluid communications between said first and second outlets, said valve member having a surface area against which fluid from said fluid supply acts to move said valve member to a second position for restricting fluid flow between said first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between said inlet and said first outlet to thereby reflect inflation of said resilient member to establish a drive between said driving and driven members, said valve assembly including biasing means for maintaining said valve member in said first position when the fluid pressure from said fluid supply is below a predetermined level, said valve member having an inner bore defining a first area in communication with inlet fluid when said valve member is in said first position and an exterior flange defining a second area of greater area than said first area in communication with inlet fluid when said valve member is in said second position, said exterior flange having a tapered area opposed to said second area, fluid pressure acting upon said tapered area being effective to move said valve member from said second to said first position, said valve member supporting a tapered member adapted to be slidably received in said second outlet to maintain said valve member in coaxial relation with said bore when said valve member is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The drive of claim 1 wherein said inflatable member is a resilient inflatable member, the pressure of fluid exhausting from said resilient inflatable member acting upon said tapered area being sufficient to move said valve member to its first position in the event of failure of said biasing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second outlet includes a sound muffling device to muffle the sound of exhausting fluids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
280 words
In a drive having relatively rotatable driving and driven members with one of said members carrying an inflatable member which upon inflation drivingly connects said driving and driven members, a valve assembly in fluid communicates with said inflatable member, said valve assembly including a valve body having an inlet for connection to a supply of fluid, a first outlet in communication with said inflatable member, a second venting outlet, and a one-piece valve member, said valve body having a bore therethrough defining said inlet and said second outlet at the opposite ends thereof, said valve member being slidably mounted in said bore and having a first position for restricting fluid flow between said inlet and said second outlet while providing for fluid communication between said first and second outlets to vent said inflatable member and a second position for restricting fluid flow between said first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between said inlet and said first outlet to effect inflation of said inflatable member to establish a drive between said driving and driven members, said valve member comprising a generally cylindrical section, a flanged section, and a tapered section, said valve member deFining a first surface area against which fluid from said fluid supply acts to move said valve member to said second position and a second surface area of greater area than said first area, said second surface area exposed to fluid pressure only when said valve member is in the second position, fluid pressure acting upon said second area being effective to maintain said valve member in said second position, said valve assembly including biasing means urging said valve member to its said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
280 words
In a drive having relatively rotatable driving and driven members with one of said members carrying an inflatable member which upon inflation drivingly connects said driving and driven members, a valve assembly in fluid communicates with said inflatable member, said valve assembly including a valve body having an inlet for connection to a supply of fluid, a first outlet in communication with said inflatable member, a second venting outlet, and a one-piece valve member, said valve body having a bore therethrough defining said inlet and said second outlet at the opposite ends thereof, said valve member being slidably mounted in said bore and having a first position for restricting fluid flow between said inlet and said second outlet while providing for fluid communication between said first and second outlets to vent said inflatable member and a second position for restricting fluid flow between said first and second outlets while providing for fluid communication between said inlet and said first outlet to effect inflation of said inflatable member to establish a drive between said driving and driven members, said valve member comprising a generally cylindrical section, a flanged section, and a tapered section, said valve member deFining a first surface area against which fluid from said fluid supply acts to move said valve member to said second position and a second surface area of greater area than said first area, said second surface area exposed to fluid pressure only when said valve member is in the second position, fluid pressure acting upon said second area being effective to maintain said valve member in said second position, said valve assembly including biasing means urging said valve member to its said first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The drive of claim 4 wherein said valve member''s cylindrical section is axially slidable and sealingly engaged in said valve body bore adjacent said inlet, said cylindrical section having an axial bore therein for communication with said inlet, and a plurality of radial bores communicating said axial bore with the surface of said cylindrical section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The drive of claim 5 wherein said radial bores are sealingly engaged by said bore in said first position and said radial bores are in fluid communication with said first outlet in said second position.
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) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |