Motors: expansible chamber type – Relatively movable working members with one having motive... – One working member forms movable chamber for another
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-09-04
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3745)
Motors: expansible chamber type
Relatively movable working members with one having motive...
One working member forms movable chamber for another
C092S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283007
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to regulating or adjusting methods and apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in methods of and apparatus for effecting movements of one or more mobile components to any one of a plurality of different positions. For example, the improved method and apparatus can be resorted to for selecting and/or changing the positions of one or more mobile parts of a change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in cylinder and piston units wherein a mobile part (such as one or more pistons) is movable in a housing or body between two or more different positions.
It is often necessary to move one or more components of a prime mover or a motion transmitting unit between two or more positions and to reliably retain the component(s) in the selected position(s). Examples of such apparatus are so-called actuators, i.e., devices which can perform an action or can output signals in response to signals from a control system (e.g., a computer). Heretofore known apparatus of the just outlined character normally comprise or constitute electric stepping motors or fluid-operated (hydraulic or pneumatic) cylinder and piston units. A drawback of such conventional apparatus is that their controls are rather complex, expensive, bulky and/or (often) unreliable. As a rule, or at least in many instances, the controls include or constitute one or more circuits designed to compare the desired position(s) of one or more mobile components with the actual position(s), and to transmit to the actuator signals at least when the desired position(s) departs or depart from the actual (ascertained or monitored) position(s). In addition to the circuit(s), such control systems must embody one or more position- or movement-monitoring sensors, auxiliary circuits and/or others.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of locating one or more mobile components in any one of at least two different positions in a simple, efficient, reliable, time-saving and reproducible manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of regulating the operation of a fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit,
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of selecting and/or changing the ratio of a manually or automatically shiftable transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method which ensures reliable retention of one or more mobile components (such as pistons or plungers) in two or more different positions.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method which can be practiced by resorting to a simple, compact, reliable and highly versatile apparatus, particularly a unit wherein a cylinder is designed to receive two or more reciprocable pistons, plungers or analogous mobile components.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus, particularly a fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit, for the practice of the above outlined method.
Another object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with a novel and improved housing (such as a cylinder) and with a novel and improved assembly of mobile components (such as pistons) in the housing.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can accomplish the above outlined objects and the operation of which merely necessitates the provision of a source of pressurized hydraulic or pneumatic fluid.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of pistons and resilient elements (such as coil springs) for use in the housing or body or cylinder of the above outlined apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for transmitting motion from its mobile constituent(s) to one or more controlled or regulated parts or systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a transmission which can be controlled by or which can embody the above outlined apparatus.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a power train which can be put to use in a motor vehicle and wherein at least one system (such as a manual or automated or automatic transmission) can be combined with or can cooperate with or can embody an apparatus of the above outlined character.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of selecting the gears of and of shifting a change-speed transmission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the invention resides in the provision of a method of locating—in at least two different positions—an assembly of pistons which are movable with and/or relative to each other in a housing forming part of a fluid-operated (hydraulic or pneumatic) cylinder and piston unit and having a plurality of chambers with ports for selective admission and evacuation of a fluid at a selected one of a plurality of different pressures, The improved method comprises at least one step, namely the step of regulating the admission and evacuation of fluid into and from the chambers of the housing to thus effect at least one of (a) movements of at least one piston of the assembly relative to the housing, and (b) movements of at least one piston relative to at least one other piston of the assembly.
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the improved method can be resorted to in order to locate an assembly of plural pistons in at least two different Positions in a housing forming part of a fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit and having (a) a plurality of chambers with Ports for selective admission and evacuation of a fluid at a selected one of a plurality of different pressures within a predetermined range of pressures and (b) a plurality of stops for a first piston of the assembly. This method can comprise the steps of:
(a) introducing pressurized fluid into one of the chambers to thus move the first piston against a first one of the plurality of stops;
(b) introducing pressurized fluid into another of the chambers to thus move the first piston against a second one of the plurality of stops;
(c) altering the pressure of fluid in at least one of the chambers to thereby move at least one other piston of the assembly into abutment with the first piston while the first piston abuts one of the first and second stops to thus determine one of the plurality of different positions; and
(d) altering the pressure of fluid in at least one of the chambers to thereby move the at least one other piston into abutment with the first piston while the first piston abuts the other of the first and second stops to thus determine another one of the plurality of different positions.
Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a cylinder and piston unit which comprises:
(1) a housing having a plurality of chambers, ports communicating with the chambers, and spaced-apart first and second internal stops;
(2) means for supplying to and for receiving from the Ports a fluid at selected one of a plurality of pressures within a range of different pressures; and
(3) a piston assembly including a first piston which is movable in the housing between first and second positions in which the first piston respectively engages (such as abuts against) the first and second stops. The first piston is movable Lo such positions in response to a change of fluid pressure in at least one of the plurality of chambers, and the assembly further comprises at least one second piston which is movable in the housing relative to the first piston in at least one of the first and second positions of the first piston in response to changes of fluid pressure in at least one of the chambers.
The piston assembly can comprise a third piston which is movable in the housing jointly with the second piston. The pistons of the assembly have surfaces (such as end faces) each of which is being acted upon by fluid in one of the chambers. The surface o
Axmacher Detlef
Heintzen Dirk
AFT Atlas Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH
Darby & Darby
Leslie Michael
Look Edward K.
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