US5071108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic vibration isolation systems with automatic piston centering
Assignee: Newport Corp USA
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Filing: 1990-01-12
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Granted: 1991-12-10
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Expires: 2010-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic vibration isolation system, wherein an operating piston is displaced by vibrations relative to a chamber containing compressed gas, and automatically centers that operating piston for each inflation of the chamber with compressed gas. The isolation system may have a contoured centering guide for that piston.
Inventors
- 👤 Worthington B. Houghton, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:09
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/02; F16F9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In a pneumatic vibration isolation method wherein an operating piston is displaced by vibrations relative to a chamber containing compressed gas, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing a mechanical stop for said operating piston; providing a centering guide for said operating piston with first and second slanted surfaces having said mechanical stop therebetween and being engageable by said mechanical stop; separating said slanted surfaces from said mechanical stop during vibration isolation by said operating piston; centering said operating piston by engagement of said mechanical stop and said first slanted surface during each deflation of said chamber; and automatically centering said operating piston by engagement of said mechanical stop and said second slanted surface during inflation of said chamber with compressed gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a pneumatic vibration isolation method wherein an operating piston is displaced by vibrations relative to a chamber containing compressed gas, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing a mechanical stop for said operating piston; providing a centering guide for said operating piston with first and second slanted surfaces having said mechanical stop therebetween and being engageable by said mechanical stop; separating said slanted surfaces from said mechanical stop during vibration isolation by said operating piston; centering said operating piston by engagement of said mechanical stop and said first slanted surface during each deflation of said chamber; and automatically centering said operating piston by engagement of said mechanical stop and said second slanted surface during inflation of said chamber with compressed gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: said operating piston is automatically centered prior to each inflation of said chamber with compressed gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said centering includes the steps of: deflating said chamber; and automatically centering said operating piston while deflating said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: said operating piston is automatically centered upon inflation of said chamber with compressed gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: said operating piston is displaced by vertical vibrations; and said operating piston is automatically centered with respect to a vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1, including: providing said centering guide for said operating piston as a conically contoured centering guide having said first and second slanted surfaces to center said operating piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: said operating piston is displaced by vertical vibrations; and said operating piston is automatically centered by exertion of horizontal forces on said operating piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: said mechanical stop for said operating piston is provided as a mechanical stop ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a pneumatic vibration isolator including a chamber containing compressed gas, the improvement comprising in combination: an operating piston displaced by vibrations relative to said chamber; means for automatically centering said operating piston during deflation of said chamber; and means for automatically centering said operating piston upon inflation of said chamber with compressed gas; and means for suspending operation of both of said means for automatically centering said operating piston during vibration isolation by said operating piston.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a pneumatic vibration isolator including a chamber containing compressed gas, the improvement comprising in combination: an operating piston displaced by vibrations relative to said chamber; means for automatically centering said operating piston during deflation of said chamber; and means for automatically centering said operating piston upon inflation of said chamber with compressed gas; and means for suspending operation of both of said means for automatically centering said operating piston during vibration isolation by said operating piston.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An isolator as in claim 9, wherein: said means for automatically centering said operating piston during deflation of said chamber include a slanted conical area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An isolator as in claim 9, wherein: said means for automatically centering said operating piston during deflation of said chamber include a first slanted conical area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An isolator as in claim 11, wherein: said means for automatically centering said operating piston upon inflation of said chamber with compressed gas include a second slanted conical area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An isolator as in claim 12, including: a mechanical stop for said operating piston between said first and second slanted conical areas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-09 | 1995-06-10 | 1995-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-09 | 1999-06-10 | 1999-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-09 | 2003-06-10 | 2003-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |