Apparatus for cushioning the motion of a reciprocating member

Claim 2

In a glassware forming machine, apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means in both directions, comprising: means for reciprocating the reciprocating means; first hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in one direction, said first cushioning means comprising a first housing, a cylinder disposed in said first housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said first housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said first cushioning means; second hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in the opposite direction, said second cushioning means comprising a second housing, a cylinder disposed in said second housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and a second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said second housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said second cushioning means; said metering orifices of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means each having a diameter which is greater than the dimension of the orifices in the direction of the flow of fluid therethrough, whereby said first and second hydraulic cushioning means each provide a cushion with substantially constant deceleration of the reciprocating means and which is independent of the viscosity of said liquid; and means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts at least one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means.

Claim 3

Apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means comprises: a shaft disposed in the reciprocating means having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating means; contact means disposed on one end of said shaft and adapted to contact said piston on said hydraulic cushion means as the reciprocating means nears the end of its stroke in the direction of said cushioning means; and adjustable locking means adapted to engage said shaft opposite the end on which said contact means is disposed for adjustably locking said shaft and said contact means to the reciprocating means.

Claim 4

Apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means comprises: a shaft disposed in said piston of said hydraulic cushioning means to be contacted, the longitudinal axis of said shaft being substantially parallel to the axis of said piston, said shaft extending in at least one direction beyond said housing of said cushioning means; contact means disposed on said end of said shaft extending beyond said housing and adapted to contact a portion of the reciprocating means as the reciprocating means nears the end of its stroke in the direction of said cushioning means; and adjustable locking means adapted to engage the end of said shaft opposite the end on which said contact means is disposed for adjustably locking said contact means with respect to said piston.

Claim 5

Apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means comprises: a threaded shaft disposed in said piston of said hydraulic cushioning means to be contacted, the longitudinal axis of said shaft being substantially parallel to the axis of said piston; contact means being one end of said threaded shaft and adapted to contact said reciprocating means as the reciprocating means nears the end of its stroke in the direction of said cushioning means; and adjustable locking means adapted to engage the end of said shaft opposite the contact means end of said shaft for adjustably locking said shaft with respect to said piston.

Claim 6

Apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means as defined in claim 1, wherein the total volume of said first chamber, said second chamber and said third chamber of said first hydraulic cushioning means remains constant during operation of said first cushioning means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means as defined in claim 1, wherein the total volume of said first chamber, said second chamber and said third chamber of said second hydraulic cushioning means remains constant during operation of said second cushioning means.

Claim 8

In a glassware forming machine, apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means in both directions comprising: means for reciprocating the reciprocating means; first hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in one direction, said first cushioning means comprising a first housing, a cylinder disposed in said first housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and a second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said first housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said first cushioning means; second hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in the opposite direction, said second cushioning means comprising a second housing, a cylinder disposed in said second housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and a second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said second housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said second cushioning means; means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts at least one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means; fluid connection means for connecting said first hydraulic cushioning means with said second hydraulic cushioning means; fluid inlet means in said third chamber of said first hydraulic cushioning means in fluid connection with a source of hydraulic fluid; fluid outlet means in said third chamber of said second hydraulic cushioning means; means for sensing the fluid pressure in one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means; and means for adding additional hydraulic fluid to said fluid inlet means in response to a pressure sensed by said means for sensing the fluid pressure below a predetermined limit.

Claim 9

In a glassware forming machine, apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means in both directions comprising: means for reciprocating the reciprocating means; first hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in one direction, said first cushioning means comprising a first housing, a cylinder disposed in said first housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and a second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said first housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said first cushioning means; second hydraulic cushioning means disposed to be contactable by the reciprocating means to cushion the motion of the reciprocating means in the opposite direction, said second cushioning means comprising a second housing, a cylinder disposed in said second housing, said cylinder having a plurality of metering orifices therein, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and forming with said cylinder a first chamber on one side of said piston and a second chamber on the opposite side of said piston, a third chamber adapted to be filled with liquid, disposed between said second housing and said cylinder and in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, said piston adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of the stroke of the reciprocating means in the direction of said second cushioning means; means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts at least one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means; fluid connection means for connecting said first hydraulic cushioning means with said second hydraulic cushioning means; fluid inlet means in said third chamber of said first hydraulic cushioning means in fluid connection with a source of hydraulic fluid; fluid outlet means in said third chamber of said second hydraulic cushioning means; means for sensing the fluid pressure in one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means; and means for adding additional hydraulic fluid to said fluid inlet means in response to a pressure sensed by said means for sensing the fluid pressure below a predetermined limit.