Patent US4741247A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4741247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic actuator apparatus
Assignee: CRAFTS PUTNAM L JR
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Filing: 1986-09-17
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus disclosed herein provides controlled operation of a pneumatic actuator by effecting charging and discharging of the actuator through an intermediate step volume, the pressure in the step volume being regulated as a respective function of the existing pressure in the actuator during charging and discharging.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Robert Glomeau
- 👤 Gareth A. Keith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:14
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B11/00; F15B11/08; F15B11/12; F15B11/127; F15B11/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first pressure regulating means operative during charging to control the pressure in said step volume as a first predetermined function of the then extant pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said then extant pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said step volume as a second predetermined function of the then extant pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first pressure regulating means operative during charging to control the pressure in said step volume as a first predetermined function of the then extant pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said then extant pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said step volume as a second predetermined function of the then extant pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for defining a step volume is interconnected with said actuator to cause the step volume to vary as a function of actuator position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a check valve between said step volume and said discharging means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and means for operating said charging means and said connecting means alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps and for operating said discharging means and said connecting means alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and means for operating said charging means and said connecting means alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps and for operating said discharging means and said connecting means alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further comprising means interconnected with said actuator for generating a feedback signal, said generating means and said operating means being interconnected to provide servo control of the position of said actuator with respect to an externally provided set point signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume which varies as a function of actuator displacement; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for operating a pneumatic actuator from a source of gas under pressure, said apparatus comprising: means defining a step volume which varies as a function of actuator displacement; means for selectively charging said step volume from said source; first differential pressure regulating means for venting said step volume during charging to limit the pressure therein as a first predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said first function providing a step volume pressure which is higher than said actuator pressure; means for selectively discharging gas from said step volume; second differential pressure regulating means for controlling discharging of gas from said step volume to limit the pressure in said volume as a second predetermined function of the pressure in said actuator, said second function providing a step volume pressure which is lower than said actuator pressure; means for selectively connecting said step volume to said actuator; and said charging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for advancing said actuator in controlled steps, said discharging means and said connecting means being operable alternately for retracting said actuator in controlled steps.
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) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |