Apparatus to vary the force exerted on an actuator mechanism

US4531548A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• WABCO Steuerungstechnik GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Helmut Gottling · Altwarmbüchen, DE
• Walter Brausfeld · Hannover, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 2, 1983
• Grant date: Jul 30, 1985
• Expiry date: Dec 2, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/86919
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A force transmitting fluid actuator for use with a control device wherein an actuator member, movable within an actuator housing, actuates the control device due to the urging force of a plurality of pistons which can be selectively pressurized in unitary increments. The plurality of pistons are disposed within pressure chambers formed in the actuator housing in a symmetrical ring-shaped arrangement concentric to a single pressure chamber disposed on the vertical axis of the housing. A number of passageways interconnect the plurality of pressure chambers to form groupings of pressure chambers which act simultaneously in response to operation of a solenoid valve associated with each passageway. In addition to the symmetrical arrangement of the pressure chambers, the valve and passageway arrangement provide for a symmetric pressurization of the pressure chambers thereby resulting in a balanced force being exerted on the actuator. The amount of force each piston can exert on the actuator is limited by a piston stop designed to contact a portion of the housing while the actual piston force is transmitted by a spring disposed between each piston and the actuator. In this manner, fluctua…