Pneumatic system
AssigneeTechmaster, Inc.
InventorMichael J. Radosevic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic cargo stabilization system includes a first line configured to be coupled to a dunnage bag and configured to selectively convey a flow of a gas from a source to the dunnage bag, a second line in fluid communication with the gas in the dunnage bag, and a valve coupled in series with the first line, between the source and the dunnage bag. The valve includes a body that defines pressure supply port, a container port, and an exhaust port, a diaphragm assembly, and a spring member positioned to apply a biasing force to a first side of the diaphragm assembly, the second line conveying a feedback to a second side of the diaphragm assembly that opposes the biasing force.
Claims20
A pneumatic cargo stabilization system, comprising:
- a first line configured to be coupled to a dunnage bag and configured to selectively convey a flow of a gas from a source to the dunnage bag;
- a second line in fluid communication with the gas in the dunnage bag;
- a valve coupled in series with the first line, between the source and the dunnage bag, wherein the valve comprises:
- a body that defines pressure supply port, a container port, and an exhaust port;
- a diaphragm assembly operable within the body to selectively:
- limit the flow of gas through the pressure supply port, the container port, and the exhaust port;
- place the pressure supply port in fluid communication with the container port;
- and place the container port in fluid communication with the exhaust port;
- and
- a spring member positioned to apply a biasing force to a first side of the diaphragm assembly, the second line conveying a feedback to a second side of the diaphragm assembly that opposes the biasing force.
A pneumatic system, comprising:
- a container that defines an inner volume;
- a source configured to provide a pressurized flow of gas to the container;
- a first line having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the container;
- a second line having an end in fluid communication with the inner volume of the container;
- and
- a valve having a pressure supply port coupled to the source, a container port coupled to the second end of the first line, and an exhaust port, wherein the valve includes a diaphragm assembly operable to selectively control a flow of gas between the exhaust port, the pressure supply port, and the container port according to a first mode of operation whereby the pressure supply port is in fluid communication with the container port and a second mode of operation whereby the container port is in fluid communication with the exhaust port.
A method of stabilizing cargo, comprising:
- coupling a container to a source of pressurized gas with a first line;
- controlling the pressure within the container with a valve disposed along the first line according to a first mode of operation whereby the source of pressurized gas is in fluid communication with the container and a second mode of operation whereby the container is in fluid communication with an exhaust;
- and
- compensating for changes in at least one of pressure and temperature within a surrounding environment using a second line configured to provide a feedback to a diaphragm assembly of the valve, the feedback actuating the valve between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.