Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In apparatus for controlling the delivery of pulses of compressed gas from a source of such pulses to a device which is to be actuated by such pulses, which apparatus includes a drive piston disposed in a cylinder to undergo reciprocating movement therein, a normally closed control valve disposed in a fluid conducting line arranged to be connected between such source and such device, opening of the valve, placing the source in pressure-transmitting communication with the device, and a stepping mechanism connected between the drive piston and the control valve to effect opening of the control valve in response to the reciprocating movements of the drive piston, the improvement wherein said stepping mechanism comprises: a reciprocating pump connected to be driven by said drive piston and having an input receiving a supply of liquid and a liquid output, said pump constituting means for conveying from its output a predetermined quantity of liquid upon each cycle of reciprocating movement of said drive piston; means defining an actuating cylinder containing an actuating piston and defining a first cylinder chamber provided with a liquid input connected to receive the quantities of liquid conveyed from said pump output for causing said actuating piston to undergo a unidirectional stepwise movement in said actuating cylinder in response to receipt of each quantity of liquid from said pump outlet; and actuating means operatively connected to said control valve and disposed in the path of movement of said actuating piston for opening said control valve in response to arrival of said actuating piston at a selected location along the length of said actuating cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In apparatus for controlling the delivery of pulses of compressed gas from a source of such pulses to a device which is to be actuated by such pulses, which apparatus includes a drive piston disposed in a cylinder to undergo reciprocating movement therein, a normally closed control valve disposed in a fluid conducting line arranged to be connected between such source and such device, opening of the valve, placing the source in pressure-transmitting communication with the device, and a stepping mechanism connected between the drive piston and the control valve to effect opening of the control valve in response to the reciprocating movements of the drive piston, the improvement wherein said stepping mechanism comprises: a reciprocating pump connected to be driven by said drive piston and having an input receiving a supply of liquid and a liquid output, said pump constituting means for conveying from its output a predetermined quantity of liquid upon each cycle of reciprocating movement of said drive piston; means defining an actuating cylinder containing an actuating piston and defining a first cylinder chamber provided with a liquid input connected to receive the quantities of liquid conveyed from said pump output for causing said actuating piston to undergo a unidirectional stepwise movement in said actuating cylinder in response to receipt of each quantity of liquid from said pump outlet; and actuating means operatively connected to said control valve and disposed in the path of movement of said actuating piston for opening said control valve in response to arrival of said actuating piston at a selected location along the length of said actuating cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the gas is air, the liquid is a lubricant, the device is a lubricating device for lubricating a moving system, and said drive piston is arranged to undergo such reciprocating movement in synchronism with the moving system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive piston and said reciprocating pump are constituted by an oil injector containing means for adjusting the value of the quantity of lubricant conveyed from said pump output upon each cycle of reciprocating movement of said drive piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said control valve comprises: a differential piston defining a valve body; and a reset spring connected to urge said valve body in a direction to block flow through said fluid conducting line; said differential piston presenting a surface which is exposed to air in said line only after said control valve is open, for holding said valve open as long as a pulse of compressed air is present in the line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuating cylinder defines a second cylinder chamber located at the opposite side of said actuating piston from said first cylinder chamber and isolated from said first cylinder chamber by said actuating piston, and said arrangement further comprises means defining a fluid-conducting path placing said second cylinder chamber in communication with the portion of said fluid conducting line disposed between said control valve and such device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 5 further comprising a first spring-biassed check valve connected in the liquid path between said pump input and said first cylinder chamber in a manner to permit liquid flow only in the direction from said pump outlet to said first cylinder chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 further comprising means defining a liquid flow path between said first cylinder chamber and said pump input, and a second spring-biassed check valve disposed in said liquid flow path for permitting flow of liquid only in the direction from said first cylinder chamber to said pump inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuating cylinder defines a second cylinder chamber located at the opposite side of said actuating piston from said first cylinder chamber and isolated from said first cylinder chamber by said actuating piston, and said arrangement further comprises means defining a fluid-conducting path placing said second cylinder chamber in communication with the portion of said fluid conducting line disposed between said control valve and such device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8 further comprising a first spring-biassed check valve connected in the liquid path between said pump input and said first cylinder chamber in a manner to permit liquid flow only in the direction from said pump outlet to said first cylinder chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 3 further comprising means defining a liquid flow path between said first cylinder chamber and said pump input, and a second spring-biassed check valve disposed in said liquid flow path for permitting flow of liquid only in the direction from said first cylinder chamber to said pump inlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said actuating cylinder defines a second cylinder chamber located at the opposite side of said actuating piston from said first cylinder chamber and isolated from said first cylinder chamber by said actuating piston, and said arrangement further comprises means defining a fluid-conducting path placing said second cylinder chamber in communication with the portion of said fluid conducting line disposed between said control valve and such device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 11 further comprising a first spring-biassed check valve connected in the liquid path between said pump input and said first cylinder chamber in a manner to permit liquid flow only in the direction from said pump outlet to said first cylinder chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 2 further comprising means defining a liquid flow path between said first cylinder chamber and said pump input, and a second spring-biassed check valve disposed in said liquid flow path for permitting flow of liquid only in the direction from said first cylinder chamber to said pump inlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said control valve comprises: a differential piston defining a valve body; and a reset spring connected to urge said valve body in a direction to block flow through said fluid conducting line; siad differential piston presenting a surface which is exposed to air in said line only after said control valve is open, for holding said valve open as long as a pulse of compressed air is present in the line.