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US 5,401,009 AGranted
Compound diaphragm bellows
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorsDavid C. Cunningham, Carl Riddle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compound diaphragm bellows is provided that substantially increases the stroke of conventional viscous fluid dampers without significantly compromising radial stiffness. A method of restraining movement in a first plane while enhancing elastic movement in a plan perpendicular to the first plane is also provided. The disclosed compound diaphragm bellows are constructed by connecting alternating edges of flexible member pairs to rigid sleeves. Stiffening members may be added to enhance the compound diaphragm bellows' radial stiffness.
Claims18
An assembly for controlling axial movement of an axially moveable member with respect to a fixed radial member, comprising:
- a first generally annular shaped flexible member attached along a radially innermost peripheral portion thereof to said axially moveable member in a manner generally perpendicular to the axis of movement of said movable member;
- a first generally cylindrical rigid member concentrically surrounding said axially moveable member and being attached to a radially outermost peripheral portion of said first flexible member;
- a second generally annular shaped flexible member attached to said first rigid member at a radially outermost peripheral portion thereof so as to be spaced from and generally parallel to said first flexible member, and having an interior opening which permits the moveable member to move therethrough;
- and
- a second generally cylindrical rigid member concentrically surrounding the moveable member and being attached to a radially innermost peripheral portion of said second flexible member, said second rigid member communicating with the fixed radial member.
2 more elements
A structure with enhanced elastic deformation characteristics comprising:
- a first force input means;
- a first flexible member, said first flexible member being substantially annular, said first flexible member having an aperture therein defining a first flexible member interior wall, the exterior edge of said first flexible member defining a first flexible member exterior wall, said first force input means being connected to said first flexible member at said first flexible member interior wall;
- a first rigid sleeve, said first rigid sleeve being substantially cylindrical, said first rigid sleeve having an aperture therein defining a first rigid sleeve interior wall, said first rigid sleeve interior wall having a radius greater than said first flexible member interior wall, the exterior of said first rigid sleeve defining a first rigid sleeve exterior wall, said first rigid sleeve exterior wall having a radius substantially equal to the radius of said first flexible member exterior wall, said first rigid sleeve interior wall and said first rigid sleeve exterior wall being substantially coaxial with said first flexible member exterior wall, said first rigid sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first rigid sleeve connected to said first flexible member;
- a second flexible member, said second flexible member being substantially annular, said second flexible member having an aperture therein defining a second flexible member interior wall, said second flexible member interior wall having a greater radius than said first flexible member interior wall but not as great as the radius of said first rigid sleeve interior wall, the exterior edge of said second flexible member defining a second flexible member exterior wall, said second flexible member exterior wall having a radius substantially equal to the radius of said first flexible member exterior wall and said first rigid sleeve exterior wall, said second flexible member interior wall and said second flexible member exterior wall being substantially coaxial with said first flexible member exterior wall, said second flexible member connected to said second end of said first rigid sleeve;
- a second rigid sleeve, said second rigid sleeve being substantially cylindrical, said second rigid sleeve having an aperture therein defining a second rigid sleeve interior wall, said second rigid sleeve interior wall having a radius substantially equal to the radius of said second flexible member interior wall, the exterior of said second rigid sleeve defining a second rigid sleeve exterior wall, said second rigid sleeve exterior wall having a radius less than the radius of said second flexible member exterior wall, said second rigid sleeve interior wall and said second rigid sleeve exterior wall being substantially coaxial with said first flexible member exterior wall, said second rigid sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second rigid sleeve connected to said second flexible member;
- a third flexible member, said third flexible member being substantially annular, said third flexible member having an aperture therein defining a third flexible member interior wall, said third flexible member interior wall having a radius substantially equal to the radius of said second rigid sleeve interior wall, the exterior edge of said third flexible member defining a third flexible member exterior wall, said third flexible member interior wall and said third flexible member exterior wall being substantially coaxial with said first flexible member exterior wall, said third flexible member connected to said second end of said second rigid sleeve;
- and
- said third flexible member being attached to a third rigid member.
5 more elements
An apparatus for controlling movement between an axially movable member and a fixed radial member, comprising:
- elastic deflection means for allowing controlled axial movement between said axially movable member and said fixed radial member through deflection of a plurality of parallel, spaced flexible members each defining an interior opening therein:
- radial movement prevention means for preventing relative radial movement of said flexible members, said radial movement prevention means comprising a plurality of rigid cylindrical members interposed between adjacent pairs of flexible members, wherein adjacent rigid cylindrical members are dimensionally, radially offset from one another;
- and
- wherein said fixed radial member is attached to one of said rigid members, and wherein said movable member is attached to one of said flexible members perpendicular thereto and extends through an aperture in said fixed radial member, allowing relative axial movement therebetween.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.