Patent US3878867A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3878867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid line shock absorber
Assignee: Josam Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1973-11-14
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A water and air impermeable elastomeric diaphragm bellows sleeve, mandrel formed or molded with longitudinal corrugations between cylindrical end portions, with the corrugated length circumferentially contracted by temporary binding, is inserted into a metal or plastic shell tube; and the sleeve end portions are expanded and sealingly secured to the surrounding shell end regions by respective molded elastomer retainers or adapters having a ribbed sleeve portion urging the respective end portion to sealing engagement, in smaller sizes, against the shell, and in larger sizes against the inner surface of an integral adapter collar portion in turn thereby urged into sealing engagement against the shell; the shell ends being closed by adherently bonded pipe-connecting caps or by one blind cap and a pipeconnecting adapter cap, to form respectively an ''''in-line'''' or an ''''on-line'''' shock absorber unit, after the gas-confining chamber defined between shell and sleeve is pressurized with air needleinjected at a through-shell elastomeric charging plug. Line service water pressure expands and ruptures the binding to free the corrugated length.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D Dirks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/04; F16L55/045; F16L55/05; F16L55/052; F16L55/053; F16L55/054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A shock absorber unit for a liquid conveying line, comprising: a substantially rigid cylindrical shell tube; an elastomeric expansible and contractable diaphragm sleeve enclosed in said tube; securing means inserted in and anchoring each respective sleeve end into sealed anchored relation with the interior surface of the shell tube whereby there is defined a circumferential gas chamber between the tube, sleeve and sleeve ends; shell end caps fitted and sealingly secured onto the respective ends of said tube to define with the diaphragm sleeve interior, a liquid chamber, at least one of said caps being an adapter cap whereby liquid line piping may be connected to said unit to put the liquid in the line in communication with said liquid chamber; said sleeve and shell being impervious to said liquid and to an inert gas captured in said gas chamber; each said securing means comprising a molded elastomeric anchor element affording an internal sleeve portion inserted in the respective diaphragm sleeve end and having a plurality of spaced external circumferential ribs for gripping engagement with the interior surface of the diaphragm sleeve end and also having an external circumferential outer end flange providing a radial stop shoulder extending over the edge of the adjacent end on at least one of the diaphragm sleeve and shell tube; said securing means further including a generally cylindrical metal ring radially expanding the anchor sleeve portion to grippingly engage the interior of, and outwardly expand, the diaphragm sleeve end in retentive relation to surrounding structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A shock absorber unit for a liquid conveying line, comprising: a substantially rigid cylindrical shell tube; an elastomeric expansible and contractable diaphragm sleeve enclosed in said tube; securing means inserted in and anchoring each respective sleeve end into sealed anchored relation with the interior surface of the shell tube whereby there is defined a circumferential gas chamber between the tube, sleeve and sleeve ends; shell end caps fitted and sealingly secured onto the respective ends of said tube to define with the diaphragm sleeve interior, a liquid chamber, at least one of said caps being an adapter cap whereby liquid line piping may be connected to said unit to put the liquid in the line in communication with said liquid chamber; said sleeve and shell being impervious to said liquid and to an inert gas captured in said gas chamber; each said securing means comprising a molded elastomeric anchor element affording an internal sleeve portion inserted in the respective diaphragm sleeve end and having a plurality of spaced external circumferential ribs for gripping engagement with the interior surface of the diaphragm sleeve end and also having an external circumferential outer end flange providing a radial stop shoulder extending over the edge of the adjacent end on at least one of the diaphragm sleeve and shell tube; said securing means further including a generally cylindrical metal ring radially expanding the anchor sleeve portion to grippingly engage the interior of, and outwardly expand, the diaphragm sleeve end in retentive relation to surrounding structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
A shock absorber unit for a liquid conveying line, comprising: a substantially rigid cylindrical shell tube; an elastomeric expansible and contractable diaphragm sleeve enclosed in said tube; securing means inserted in and anchoring each respective sleeve end into sealed anchored relation with the interior surface of the shell tube whereby there is defined a circumferential gas chamber between the tube, sleeve and sleeve ends; shell end caps fitted and sealingly secured onto the respective ends of said tube to define with the diaphragm sleeve interior, a liquid chamber, at least one of said caps being an adapter cap whereby liquid line piping may be connected to said unit to put the liquid in the line in communication with said liquid chamber; said sleeve and shell being impervious to said liquid and to an inert gas captured in said gas chamber; each said securing means comprising a molded elastomeric anchor element affording an internal sleeve portion inserted in the respective diaphragm sleeve end and having a plurality of spaced external circumferential ribs for gripping engagement with the interior surface of the diaphragm sleeve end and also having an external circumferential outer end flange providing a radial stop shoulder extending over the edge of the adjacent end on at least one of the diaphragm sleeve and shell tube; said securing means further including a generally cylindrical metal ring radially expanding the anchor sleeve portion to grippingly engage the interior of, and outwardly expand, the diaphragm sleeve end in retentive relation to surrounding structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
A shock absorber unit for a liquid conveying line, comprising: a substantially rigid cylindrical shell tube; an elastomeric expansible and contractable diaphragm sleeve enclosed in said tube; securing means inserted in and anchoring each respective sleeve end into sealed anchored relation with the interior surface of the shell tube whereby there is defined a circumferential gas chamber between the tube, sleeve and sleeve ends; shell end caps fitted and sealingly secured onto the respective ends of said tube to define with the diaphragm sleeve interior, a liquid chamber, at least one of said caps being an adapter cap whereby liquid line piping may be connected to said unit to put the liquid in the line in communication with said liquid chamber; said sleeve and shell being impervious to said liquid and to an inert gas captured in said gas chamber; each said securing means comprising a molded elastomeric anchor element affording an internal sleeve portion inserted in the respective diaphragm sleeve end and having a plurality of spaced external circumferential ribs for gripping engagement with the interior surface of the diaphragm sleeve end and also having an external circumferential outer end flange providing a radial stop shoulder extending over the edge of the adjacent end on at least one of the diaphragm sleeve and shell tube; said securing means further including a generally cylindrical metal ring radially expanding the anchor sleeve portion to grippingly engage the interior of, and outwardly expand, the diaphragm sleeve end in retentive relation to surrounding structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein the inner end of said internal sleeve portion is externally radiused to facilitate insertion and provide a non-acute margin engageable by the diaphragm sleeve to minimize local stressing and wear upon operative flexing of the latter and further has an inward internal stop shoulder engaged by the said metal ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A sHock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein said molded elastomeric element includes a coaxial skirt-like external collar portion integrally joined with the circumference of said outer end flange to define, with said internal sleeve portion, an annular slot with the respective end of said diaphragm sleeve retentively gripped therein, said external collar portion having a plurality of external circumferential ribs engaging the internal end surface of the respective shell tube end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 3, wherein there are two said ribs on the said internal sleeve portion and at least three said ribs on the collar portion spaced to alternate in axial position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein each of said caps is a fitting reducer adapter cap, whereby the unit may be incorporated in said line as a part of the liquid flow path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein the other of said caps is a blind cap, closing off the respective shell end, whereby the unit is adapted to serve as an on-line or upright type unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A shock absorber as described in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm sleeve, in the length portion extending between the anchored end portions thereof and defining said circumferential gas chamber, is provided with like circumferentially spaced longitudinal corrugations; the successive ribs and grooves of the corrugations smoothly rounded to present in a transverse section of the sleeve a circularly closed serpentine section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 7, wherein each of said caps is a said adapter cap, whereby the unit may be incorporated in said line as a part of the liquid flow path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 7, wherein the other of said caps is a blind cap, closing off the respective shell end, whereby the unit is adapted to serve as an on-line device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A shock absorber as described in claim 7, wherein said shell tube, at a location intermediate said caps, is provided with an inert gas-charging, gas-retaining inlet device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 7, wherein said caps are adherently bonded to said shell tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 7, wherein said sleeve end portions have an as-formed non-corrugated cylindrical shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein said rings are externally tapered and pressed into position to expand the respective internal sleeve portions into sealed anchored relation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A shock absorber unit as described in claim 1, wherein said rings in position are radially outwardly expanded to expand the respective sleeve end portions into sealed anchored relation.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |