PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS

• US 20150292635A1
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L & B Manufacturing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: L & B Manufacturing, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Buskirk, Loyd C., Meldahl, Brian R., Van Buskirk, Dylan C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,527,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0525 Height adjusting or levelling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/412 Pneumatic actuator

Abstract

A pneumatic actuator unit concept is disclosed which includes a unitary structure that has single or dual inflatable pneumatic air chambers mounted on and fixed to a common central base member or plate member that provides a base for the air chambers. Dual air chambers can apply force in different directions with respect to the base member. The operating air is supplied by way of access ports located in the central base member which also includes an integral internal control valve system. The air chambers are preferably airbag devices which may be sleeve-type airbags, single or multiple convoluted airbags or other inflatable apparatuses.

Claims

1. An airbag system comprising:

(a) a mounting arrangement comprising a central base adapted to carry at least one airbag mounted thereon;

(b) at least one airbag mounted on said central base; and

(c) wherein said central base further comprises an internal control valve system adapted to control the intake and exhausting of air for each of said at least one airbag.

2. An airbag system as in claim 1 wherein said internal control valve system further comprises at least one spool valve.

3. An airbag system as in claim 2 wherein the at least one spool valve is solenoid operated.

4. An airbag system as in claim 1 wherein said internal control valve system comprises a plurality of spool valves.

5. An airbag system as in claim 4 wherein the spool valves are solenoid operated.

6. An airbag system as in claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing and transmitting a signal indicative of the air pressure in each of said at least one airbag.

7. An airbag system as in claim 1 further comprising an intake port and an exhaust port associated with each of said at least one airbag and an intake spool valve and an exhaust spool valve associated with each of said at least one airbag.

8. An airbag system as in claim 7 further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing and transmitting a signal indicative of the air pressure in each of said at least one airbag.

9. An airbag system as in claim 7 wherein the spool valves are solenoid operated.

10. An airbag system as in claim 1 comprising a pair of airbags mounted on opposite sides of said central base.

11. An airbag system as in claim 1 wherein said central base further comprises intake and exhaust ports associated with each of said one or more airbags.

12. A double-acting airbag system comprising:

(a) a mounting arrangement comprising a central base adapted to carry at least one airbag mounted thereon;

(b) a pair of opposed airbags mounted on said central base; and

(c) wherein said central base further comprises an internal control system for controlling air intake and exhaust for said airbags, said control system further comprising at least one spool valve associated with each of said pair of opposed airbags to supply air to and exhaust air from each of said pair of airbags.

13. An airbag system as in claim 12 wherein said internal control valve system further comprises two spool valves associated with each of said airbags.

14. An airbag system as in claim 12 wherein the spool valves are solenoid operated.

15. An airbag system as in claim 12 wherein said internal control system comprises a pressure sensor for each airbag.

16. An airbag system as in claim 12 wherein the spool valves are solenoid operated.

17. An airbag system as in claim 12 wherein said internal control system comprises a pressure sensor for each airbag.

18. An airbag system as in claim 13 wherein said internal control system comprises a pressure sensor for each airbag.