US 9,435,360 B2 · Vacuum powered lifting mechanism

Abstract

A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container, includes a vacuum actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component movable in opposing first and second directions between first and second positions relative to a fixed structure, comprising:

a movable component;
a vacuum actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end mounted to the fixed structure, and the second end connected to the movable component, the vacuum actuator configured to move the movable component between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed structure, the vacuum actuator including one or more intake ports configured to connect in fluid communication with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to the first position, and the vacuum actuator including one or more bleed valve ports configured to vent the vacuum actuator to allow the movable component to move in a second direction to the second position.

A vacuum powered lifting system for providing lift to a movable component relative to a fixed structure, comprising:

a movable component;
a vacuum actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end mounted to the fixed structure, and the second end connected to the movable component, the vacuum actuator configured to move the movable component between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the fixed structure, the vacuum actuator including one or more intake ports configured to connect in fluid communication with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to the raised position, and the vacuum actuator including one or more bleed valve ports configured to vent the vacuum actuator to allow the movable component to move in a second direction to the lowered position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vacuum powered lifting mechanism

Life of this patent

Vacuum powered lifting mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20