Vacuum actuator
US4364301A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1980 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF15B11/122
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum actuator for connection to a vacuum source, the actuator utilizing a diaphragm combination having three stable positions. An annular diaphragm, having its outer periphery fixed in a housing, has its inner periphery secured between two movable annular members, the diaphragm and the annular members forming a combination dividing the housing into upper and lower chambers. Two inlet ports individually supply a vacuum force or atmospheric pressure to the upper chamber, the first one of the ports including a projection extending toward a space formed by the movable members. A poppet valve normally closes an opening at the top of the space, the bottom of the space normally having access to the atmosphere. When vacuum is applied to the first port, the diaphragm combination is raised from a biased first position to the position where the poppet valve interrupts the vacuum through the projection, determining the second position. The application of vacuum force to the second inlet port then raises the diaphragm combination to the third stable position, the projection sliding the poppet valve to a lower position in the space formed by the movable members, closing the access to the atm…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.