Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Measuring and Reading the Size of a Parameter of a Remotely Positioned Device
TECHNICAL FIELD
A sensor-reader combination, measuring the size of a parameter of a device,
the combination comprising a measuring space, in which the size of said
parameter is to be
measured, said sensor is remotely positioned from said space, and said sensor
is closely
positioned to the reader, said space and said measuring space are
communicating during a part
of the time in which the size of said physics parameter is to be measured.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention was initiated with solutions for the problem of optimizing
ergonomically the reading of a parameter such as pressure or temperature of a
tyre by manual
operation of a piston chamber combination, e.g. a floor pump. Current pressure
gauges are
positioned so far away from the user, that she or he needs to have a telescope
or biniculars to
enable a normal reading. As no user will use such view enhancers, many
pressure gauges are
being equipped with a manually rotatable pointer of a color, different from
the pointer of the
pressure gauge. The first mentioned pointer is pointing at the desired end
pressure, and is set
before the pumping session. Thereafter it is easier to assess on a distance of
the difference in
position of both pointers. The problem is, that end pressures of tyres
normally differ from each
other, and that the pointer needs to be set, mostly every time before starting
the pumping. This is
uncomfortable.
The reason for all this, is that the pressure of a tyre in most current pumps
is measured
pneumatically in the hose of the pump. This prohibits the transmittal of the
pneumatic
information from the hose of the pump to another part of the piston-chamber
combination,
normally the chamber, closest to the user of the pump, due to the fact that
there is a check valve
between the pump cylinder and the hose, at least in high pressure pumps.
A common used solution is using a wireless (= by means of electromagnetic
waves)
transmission for'this transmittal. It normally however means the use of
electronic parts, and
specifically batteries or another electric source. This is expensive,
ressources demanding and
change of batteries is uneasy to handle by a common user.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object is to provide solutions for measuring a parameter, in the case that
the device
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of which said parameter needs to be measured and said sensor are on a
(differing) distance from
each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the first aspect, the invention relates to a sensor-reader combination,
wherein the size
of said parameter is being simulated during the time no communication takes
place between
said device and said measuring space.
Specifically for piston-chamber combinations, such as innovative tyre
inflation pumps, where
the cross sectional area's of the chamber are differing during the stroke is
the size of the
operating force of these pumps not anymore representing the size of the
pressure in the tyre, and
it is necessary to have a reliable and non-expensive pressure reading of the
tyre pressure in a
gauge, nearby the user during the pump stroke, e.g. nearby the handle on top
of the piston rod in
case of a floor pump
Obvious solutions for the transmittal of the information of a size of a
parameter between parts of
the combination moving relatively to each other is e.g. by an elastic wire of
which each end may
be connected to each part. In a pump with high pressures, will the life time
of such wire being
negatively affected by the harsh climate of the inside of the pump, and if
not, the solution would
be expensive.
Another obvious solution would be to use contacts which glide over each other
during the
stroke, where e.g. a contact rail would be connected to one of the moving
parts, while a contact
(flexible strip, or a springforce operated contact) would slide on said rail,
and be connected to
the other part. Not a very reliable solution in a harsh climate inside a pump.
And, used in a floor
pump, this would possibly prohibit the handle to rotate enough for being
comfortable to pump
with. This solution would be expensive as well, and not very reliable.
An obvious wireless solution is to measure e.g. the pressure in the hose of a
pump, and transmit
the information wireless to a receiver on the piston rod, and have a reading
on a gauge on top of
a handle which is operated by the user. Even this solution seems to be
reliable, this solution is
expensive, only already by having an electrical source on two different
places.
Better solutions must be provided.
The key to this invention is the fact that the space of the tyre to be
inflated, is in direct contact
with the space in the pump under the piston, during overpressure or just
before balance of
pressure of the pump in relation to the pressure in the tyre. That means that
the size of the
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pressure / temperature in the tyre may be readable by measuring said parameter
in the space
under the piston of the pump, and in case of a high pressure pump, before the
check valve,
which is normally positioned between said space under the piston and the hose,
which connects
the pump to the valve connector, which is mounted on the tyre valve. Said
space is called the
measuring space. The measuring space is a part of the chamber and is
surrounding the bottom
part of the piston rod, and thereby it may be possible to communicate by a
channel
(pneumaticly) or by wires (electrically) between the sensor (a pressurized
spring in a
manometer, or a transducer mounted on said piston rod end Or mounted on a
printboard and
connected by a channel to the measuring space) through said piston rod to the
reader on top of
the piston rod (manometer or an electric volt/current meter or an electronic
display,
respectively). Said channel is ending at said piston rod end.
In the second aspect, the invention relates to a sensor-reader combination
wherein
said measuring space is communicating during a part of the operation with said
device.
In case of current pumps for tyre inflation, measuring of the pressure of the
tyre is done
in the hose of the pump. This hose is at one end connected to the chamber
through a check
valve, and at the other end connected to a valve connector. The check valve
limits the size of the
dead. space of the piston pump. In current low pressure pumps is no check
valve present, and no
pressure measuring is normally used.
The pressure in the hose may than be representative for the pressure in the
tyre, because the tyre
valve closes when there is pressure equivalency between the space in the hose,
and the space of
the tyre. This happens in current pumps, when the piston has reached its end
point after a pump
stroke, and is starting to return, thus when the overpressure in the chamber
drops. The reason is,
that the check valve between the cylinder (chamber) and the hose is closing as
well at this point
of time.
The pressure in the measuring space of the chamber, between the piston and
said check valve,
may than also be representative for the tyre pressure as well, when the piston
is about to return
for a new stroke - it is measuring then the maximum size of the pressure for
the last stroke. This
opens a solution where the tyre pressure / temperature may be measured at the
end of the piston
(rod) which is adjacent the space between the piston and a check valve. Thus
may a sensor
(measuring means) and a reading means be placed on one of the parts, e.g. on
the piston (rod) in
a piston pump e.g. for tyre inflation.The sensor may be positioned on the
piston rod, and best at
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the top of the piston rod, in order to enable a surface for the guiding means
of the piston rod. It
may then be possible to have a reading on a gauge which is positioned on top
of the handle of
the piston rod - thus closest to the user, and readable during operation.
E.g. in case of pressure reading: this reading may be done by a pneumatic
pressure gauge
(manometer) e.g. positioned on top of the piston rod, where the gauge is
connected by e.g. a
channel within the piston rod to the measuring space (between the piston and
the valve
connector or the check valve). The same is valid when a temperature is being
measured with a
e.g. bimetal sensor. Experiments show that the small size of said channel and
its long length is
not giving rize to dynamic friction. And, that indeed the pressure /
temperature in the tyre =
pressure / temperature in the hose = pressure / temperature in the measuring
space, when there is
overpressure in the pump and when there is balance of pressure, thus when
there is direct
communcation possible between the sensor and the device, of which the size of
the parameter is
to be measured. By a piston pump, it means that that happens during the pump
stroke, but not
during the return stroke.The measuring by the pressure sensor may also be done
by an electric
pressure transducer, which gives through an amplifier a signal to a digital
pressure gauge or an
analog pressure gauge (a volt meter or a current meter), e.g. positioned on
top of the piston rod.
The same is valid when the tyre temperature is being electrically monitored.
In order to make the sensor - reader combination still more profitable, the
sensor may be
assembled on the printboard comprising the reader, while the sensor is
communicating with the
measuring space through a channel.
In the third aspect, the invention relates to a sensor - reader combination,
wherein:
- the size of the parameter is measured in an enclosed measuring space.
Measuring in the enclosed space is only representing the size of the parameter
of the device
when there is direct communication possible between the sensor and the device.
When during a
part of the time communication is not possible, e.g. during the return stroke
of a piston pump,
the size of the parameter needs to be simulated.This may be done by a sensor
positioned in the
measuring space. The simulation needs to be done electronically, e.g. by a
chip or a computer.
The position of the piston rod may be the basis for the simulation of the size
of the parameter of
the device. The reading may be analog or digital.
Direct measuring in the measuring space may give fluctuations of the size of
the parameter, as
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e.g. in a piston floor pump for tyre inflation with regard to the pressure,
but also with regard to
the temperature. In order to ease the simulation the pump, a conditioned
measuring space may
be necessary, and this may be done by a so-called enclosed measuring space.
When the value of the parameter is measured in an enclosed measuring space, it
is necessary to
5 get the fluid in, measure it and read it. Thereafter get it out again for
the next measurement. E.g.
in case a pressure in a tyre is measured in a floor pump, a part of the medium
of the measuring
space may be entered into the enclosed measuring space for enabling the
measurement. This
may be done by a pneumatic check valve or an electrically controlled valve.
For getting the
contents of the enclosed measuring space out again after the measurement, a
new valve
(pneumatic check valve or an electrically controlled valve) may be necessary -
it may also be a
channel, which is so tiny that dynamic friction (depending on its length,
diameter and surface
roughness, but also by a screw which has a tiny hole as well, e.g. in the case
where the thread
has been locked by a locking fluid) may reduce the magnitude of the flow out
of the enclosed
measuring space, so much that this flow does not influence so much the
measurement, but only
during the return path of the pump stroke, which is not very relevant for the
reading. However, it
is necessary to monitor the reader in order to read and remind the max.
pressure of that stroke -
this may be not fully convenient.
This delay may be also used for the following purpose. E.g. in case of a
pressure measurement in
a piston-chamber combination, it may be neccessary to maintain the value of
the tyre pressure of
the last pump stroke done, when the piston is returning after that pump
stroke, until the value of
this parameter in the space adjacent the space between the piston and a check
valve or valve
connector has reached the maximum value of the pump stroke before, by the next
pump stroke.
The measured value is than representing the tyre pressure during said non-
communication
period. This construction functions very well in practise.
That temporary maintaining of this value may be done electronically (e.g. by
the use of a
condensator), by software controling an IC, by mechatronics - the position of
the piston rod in
relation to the pump, controlling an IC, or just by mechanics alone: e.g. an
enclosed measuring
space, which may be connected by an inlet check valve to the measuring space
(between the
piston and the valve connector, or the space between the piston and the check
valve between the
combination and the hose in case of a pump for tyre inflation), and an oulet
channel or a n outlet
charuiel. The inlet check valve may preferably be identical with the valve
between the
combination and the hose, so that opening and closing happen simultaneously.
When the requested pressure has been reached, will the movement of the piston
stop, and will
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the pressure in the enclosed measuring space become equal with the pressure in
the measuring
space, which is the pressure of the tyre. Firstly when the hose has been
disconnected from the
tyre valve, the pressure in the measuring space decreases to atmospheric
pressure (even there is a
check valve in between) when the valve connector is of a type which enables
communication
between the atmosphere and the pump, when disconnected from the tyre valve,
and will the
pressure in the enclosed measuring space decrease to atmospheric pressure.
The reading of the tyre pressure in the above mentioned simulation equipment
is only that
pressure at the very end of the pump stroke. It is necessary to monitor the
pressure during the
end of each stroke, which may not be convenient. In order to allow the
preservation of the
pressure (or temperature) during a pump return stroke, the enclosed measuring
space comprises
an outlet valve which may be initiated electrically, or be solely mechanical.
It may be done
manually, e.g. by pressing a button for closing the measuring space before the
pump session,
and opening up again, thereafter, by pressing said button again.
A simple automatic mechanical arrangement for a better simulating of the
(tyre) pressure
during the return stroke may be that of an outlet valve between the enclosed
measuring space
and the measuring space. The valve is comprising two pistons, one at each end
of the piston
rod, and each piston is communicating with the enclosed measuring space and
the measuring
space, respectively. The diameter of the piston communicating with the
enclosed measuring
space is smaller than that of the piston communicating with the measuring
space. This enables
that when the pressure in the enclosed measuring space is equal to the
pressure in the
measuring space - thus during pumping strokes - the valve is closed. A proper
fitting of the
piston rod to the housing, eg. a sliding fit, may enable that the movement of
the piston rod of
said valve from being closed, to become open and vice versa will be delayed.
Thus, while
pumping, the valve remains closed, even during the return stroke, which does
not take a long
time - the reading shows the current tyre pressure. When the desired (tyre)
pressure has been
reached during pumping, the pump will be disconnected from the space to be
inflated (tyre)
and the pressure in the measuring space will drop to atmospheric pressure,
said valve will
open, and the pressure in the enclosed measuring space becomes equal to
atmospheric
pressure. It is now e.g. possible, that a manometer mounted on top of the
handle of the piston
rod of a piston pump, is showing the current (tyre) pressure while pumping,
while it is not
nessary for the user to constantly monitoring the reading of said manometer,
in order to obtain
said information about the current (tyre) pressure.
An improvement for the valve arrangement may be that the ducts on the side of
the piston rod
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may be so long that the spaces behind the valves and the housing - on each
side of the bearing
of the piston rod, always are communicating with each other, thus irrespective
the position of
the piston rod in the bearing. When this would not be the case, it may be
possible that one or
both of the above mentioned spaces are closed in a certain position of the
piston rod - a
movement of the valves, would result in a higher pressure in such space,
higher pressure than
that of the atmosphere - this may be obstructing the movement of the piston
rod, and thus of
the movement of the valves.
Said valve arrangement may be used with any the type of a piston for a pump,
actuator, shock
absorber or motor.
The tyre pressure simulation in the enclosed measuring space during the return
stroke of the
piston is an example, which is quite simple. There may be other, and more
complex
simulations. These simulations may of course be done by a computer program or
a
programmed IC, which is controlling the inlet and outlet valves, while the
last mentioned are
valves which may be controlled electrically/electronically. This may be done
in much bigger
and more costly installations, which may need maintenance, than that of a
floor pump for
inflation purposes.
During operations may a deviation of e.g. the pressure / temperature of the
device happen in
relation to the reading in the enclosed measuring space.
This may e.g. be the case when there is dynamic friction in the check valve
between the
measuring space and the hose of a pump, due to a too big velocity of the
piston during the
pumping stroke. This means, that the value read is higher than the actual
pressure in the tyre.
It may be avoided by using a check valve having a flow possibility which is
under all
circumstances big enough, for both the check valve of the pump and the inlet
check valve of
the enclosed measuring space. Another solution is, that the bearing of the
piston rod of the
pump has such a fitting with the piston rod suspension or with the piston
itself to the wall of
the chamber, that a maximum velocity can be defined. This should than be under
the velocity,
which gives a certain maximum flow said check valve of the pump.
Another deviation may occur when the check valve between the pump and the hose
is very
different from the inlet check valve of the enclosed measuring space. However,
having
experienced thatin experiments, the deviation was a structual one, which could
be solved by
an adaptation of the scale of the reader. This seems also to be necessary for
the remote
measurement of the tyre temperature. Still best would be to have identical
check valves, both
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for the pump and the enclosed measuring space.
The above mentioned examples of a floor pump for pumping tyres are are
exampoles only,
and the issues can also be used on other kind of devices and situations where
the size of
parameters have to be measured, e.g. nucleair particles.
In case of e.g. a container (envelope) piston type (claim 5) according to EP
1179140, which uses
an enclosed space, the enclosed space may be preferably positioned behind the
enclosed
measuring space, relative to the measuring space (the space adjacent the space
between the
piston and a check valve valve), if an electic gauge is used.
In case of a pneumatic gauge (= manometer), the piston rod may comprising the
enclosed
measuring space.
A piston-chamber combination comprising an elongate chamber which is bounded
by an inner
chamber wall and comprising a piston means in said chamber to be sealingly
movable
relative to said chamber at least between first and second longitudinal
positions of said
chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of different cross-sectional areas
at the first and
second longitudinal positions of said chamber and at least substantially
continuously differing
cross-sectional areas at intermediate longitudinal positions between the first
and second
longitudinal positions thereof, the cross-sectional area at the first
longitudinal position being
larger than the cross-sectional area at the second longitudinal position,
said piston means being designed to adapt itself and said sealing means to
said different
cross-sectional areas of said chamber during the relative movements of said
piston means
from the first longitudinal position through said intermediate longitudinal
positions to the
second longitudinal position of said chamber, wherein the piston comprises an
elastically
deformable container comprising a deformable material. Said piston means may
be
comprising an enclosed space communicating with the deformable container
(envelope), the
enclosed space may have a constant volume. The container(or envelope) may be
inflatable.
This may be necessary when having a measuring channel or a wire loom inside
the enclosed
space, if the enclosed space is relatively small, like the" situation is in a
floor pump for tyre
inflation. The circumpherential size of this piston type is that of the
chamber.
A piston-chamber combination comprising an elongate chamber which is bounded
by an
inner chamber wall and comprising a piston in said chamber to be sealingly
movable
relative to said chamber wall at least between a first longitudinal position
and a second
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longitudinal position of the chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of
different cross-
sectional areas and different circumferential lengths at the first and second
longitudinal
positions, and at least substantially continuously different cross-sectional
areas and
circumferential lengths at intermediate longitudinal positions between the
first and second
longitudinal positions, the cross-sectional area and circumferential length at
said second
longitudinal position being smaller than the cross-sectional area and
circumferential length
at said first longitudinal position, said piston comprising a which is
elastically deformable
thereby providing for different cross-sectional areas and circumferential
lengths of the
piston adapting the same to said different cross-sectional areas and different
circumferential
lengths of the chamber during the relative movements of the piston between the
first and
second longitudinal positions through said intermediate longitudinal positions
of the
chamber, wherein the piston is produced to have a production-size of the
container in the
stress-free and undeformed state thereof in which the circumferential length
of the piston is
approximately equivalent to the circumferential length of said chamber at said
second
longitudinal position, the container being expandable from its production size
in a direction
transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the chamber
thereby providing for
an expansion of the piston from the production size thereof during the
relative movements
of the piston from said second longitudinal position to said first
longitudinal position. Said
piston means may be comprising an enclosed space communicating with the
deformable
container (envelope), the enclosed space has a constant volume.
The enclosed space has also a constant volume when the chamber is a
combination of cross-
sections with and without a constant circumferential length.
The circumpherential size of this piston type may be that of the chamber on
its smallest
circumpherential size.
In case of e.g. a piston type according to claim 1 according to EP 1179140 is
used, neither an
enclosed space 42 (Figs. 3A-C) is necessary, nor the inflation nipple 43
(Figs. 3A-C). The
enclosed space may be used then as channel 52 (Figs. 3A-C) or as inlet channel
for the
measuring space. The check valve 43 should than be put in a reversed position:
please see Fig. 9.
The sensor - reader combination may be used in any device where a the sensor
is remotely
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positioned in relation to the device of which a parameter needs to be
measured, such as pumps,
actuators, shock absorbers or motors.
The above combinations are preferably applicable to the applications.
5
Thus, the invention also relates to a pump for pumping a fluid, the pump
comprising:
- a combination according to any of the above aspects,
- means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber,
- a fluid entrance connected to the chamber and comprising a valve means, and
10 - a fluid exit connected to the chamber.
The invention also relates to an actuator comprising:
a combination according to any of the combination aspects,
means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber,
- means for introducing fluid into the chamber in order to displace the piston
between
the first and the second longitudinal positions.
The actuator may comprise a fluid entrance connected to the chamber and
comprising
a valve means.
Also, a fluid exit connected to the chamber and comprising a valve means may
be
provided.
Additionally, the actuator may comprise means for biasing the piston toward
the first
or second longitudinal position.
Finally, the invention relates also to a shock absorber comprising:
- a combination according to any of the combination aspects,
means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber, wherein the
engaging means have an outer position where the piston is in its first
longitudinal position, and
an inner position where the piston is in its second longitudinal position.
The absorber may further comprise a fluid entrance connected to the chamber
and
comprising a valve means.
Also, the absorber may comprise a fluid exit connected to the chamber and
comprising a valve means.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described
with reference to the
drawings wherein:
Fig. OL shows the combination of a pneumatic pressure / temperature gauge and
a
channel within the piston rod, where the measuring point is at the end of the
channel, the channel communicating with in the measuring space - the lower
part of the drawing has been scaled up 2:1. A scaled up detail is also shown.
Fig. OR shows the combination of a pneumatic pressure / temperature gauge and
a wire loom within the piston rod, where the measuring point is at the
transducer at the end of the piston rod, the transducer communicating with the
measuring space - the lower part of the drawing has been scaled up 2:1. A
scaled up detail is also shown.
Fig. IA shows the top of the piston rod of a floor pump with an inflatable
piston, with
an electrical gauge mounted on top of the handle, and the bottom of the piston
rod with the transducer in the enclosed measuring space.
Fig. I B shows the bottom part of Fig 1 A on a scale 2:1.
Fig. 2A shows the top of the piston rod of a floor pump with an inflatable
piston and a
pneumatic gauge mounted on top of the handle, an in-between channel which
ends in the enclosed measuring space.
Fig. 2B shows the bottom part of Fig 2A on a scale 2:1.
Fig. 3A- shows the top of the piston rod of a floor pump with an inflatable
piston
and a pneumatic gauge mounted on top of the handle, and the bottom of the
piston rod comprising an enclosed measuring space.
Fig. 3B shows the bottom part of Fig. 3A on a scale 2.5:1.
Fig. 3C shows the outlet channel of the enclosed measuring space of Fig. 3B on
a scale
6: 1.
Fig. 3D shows a detail of the outlet channel of Fig. 3C on a scale of 5:1.
Fig. 4 shows the bottom of an advanced floor pump for e.g. tyre inflation.
Fig. 5 shows Fig 3B where the part of Fig. 3C has been exchanged by an
improved
construction for the simulation.
Fig. 6A shows an improved simulation for the tyre pressure of Fig. 5 in the
enclosed
measuring space, where the the valve is shown closed.
Fig. 6B shows an improved simulation of the tyre pressure of Fig. 5 in the
enclosed
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measuring space, where the the valve is shown open.
Fig. 7 shows the signalling of the electronic simulation when the pressure /
temperature is measured in the measuring space of a floor pump.
Fig. 8A shows a section of a pneumatic gauge housing, mounted on a handle,
where
the enclosed space is communicating with a space outside the gauge housing,
enabling an inlet for the pump, when it is not possible to have an inlet which
is
directly communicating with the measuring space.
Fig. 8B shows a detail of the enclosed (measuring) space of Fig. 8A.
Fig. 9 shows an improved construction of the valve arrangement of Fig. 6.
Fig. 10A shows an scaled up detail of the valve arrangement of Fig. 9, when it
is
closed.
Fig.10B shows an scaled up detail of the valve arrangement of Fig. 9, when it
is
open.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. OL shows a reading point 100 of the measured value of a pneumatic
pressure gauge
housing 101. Within said gauge is a mechanical manometer 102 (not shown). Said
gauge
housing 101 is mounted on top of a piston rod 103. The piston rod 103 is
hollow with channel
104, which mounting a tube with a measuring channel 107 within tube 113, which
makes
communication possible between the pneumatic pressure gauge 102 and the
entrance 108 of
channel 108 at the bottom of the tube 107. The measuring point 108 in the
housing 101, at the
manometer entrance. The measuring room 111. The handle 2. The suspension 109.
The spring
washer 6. The bolt 7. The suspension 110 of the channel 107 in the top of the
piston rod 103.
The suspension 112 of the-piston. The tube 113.
Fig. OR shows a reading point 120 of the measured value of an electric
pressure /
temperature gauge housing 121. Said housing 121 comprises an analog/digital
electric gauge
122 (not shown). Said gauge 122 is mounted on top of a piston rod 123. The
piston rod 123 is
hollow with channel 124, in which a wire loom 125 is mounted. Said witre loom
125 is
connected with a transducer 15, which is mounted on a platform 16, which makes
communication possible between said gauge 121 and the measuring point 128 at
the bottom of
the piston rod 123. The measuring space 130. The handle 2. The spring washer
6. The bolt 7.
The suspension 129 of the channel 124 in the top of the piston rod 123. The
transition 22. The
suspension 13 1 of the piston.
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Fig. IA shows the top of a piston rod 1 with a handle 2 and an electric
(pressure/temperature) gauge 3. The gauge 3 is mounted on the handle 2. The
piston rod 1 has a
upper space 4.1 which is serving as an enclosed space 8 for the inflatable
piston, of which only
the bottom part of itssuspension 5 is shown. The spring washer 6. The top of a
bolt 7 is shown
with the bottom space 4.2 of the enclosed space 8, which is directly connected
to the upperspace
4.1. In the top of bolt 10 is a valve body 9 mounted, and fastened by a nut
10. The core pin 11 is
shown in a closed position against the stem 12 in the valve body 9. This valve
11 is serving to
keep the enclosed space 8 on the necessary pressure. On the valve body 9 is
the housing 13 of
the enclosed measuring space 14 mounted. The (pressure) transducer 15 is
shown, mounted on a
platform 16. This platform 16 allows a gentle activation of the transducer 15,
as the opening is
between the wall 17 of the enclosed measuring space 14 and the transducer 15.
The valve 18
which connects the measuring space 14 with the measuring space 19 adjacent the
outlet of the
combination. The top of the hollow piston rod 1 is closed by a filler 20,
which is tightly closing
the necessary wire loom 21 from the pressure transducer 15 to the gauge 3. The
rest of the
wiring is not shown. The transition 22 prohibits the filler 20 to be burst out
of the piston rod.
The outlet valve of the enclosed measuring space 14 is not shown.
Fig. lB shows the bottom part of Fig IA on a scale 2:1.
Fig. 2A shows the top of a piston rod 31 with a handle 2 and a pneumatic
pressure
gauge 33. Said gauge 33 is mounted on the handle 2. The piston rod 31 has a
space 34.1 which
is serving as an upper part of the enclosed space 32 for an inflatable piston,
of which only the
bottom part of its suspension 5 is shown. The spring washer 6. The top of a
bolt 7 is shown with
part 34.2 which is serving as the lower part of the enclosed space 32, which
is directly connected
to the space 34.1. In the top of bolt 7 is a body 39 mounted, and fastened by
a nut 10. On the
body 39 is the housing 13 of the enclosed measuring space 14 mounted. The end
35 of the
measuring channel 36 within tube 36.2 is shown which is tightly mounted in the
top 37 of the
piston rod 31, and connected to the pneumatic pressure gauge. The valve 18
which connects the
enclosed measuring space 14 with the measuring space 38 adjacent the outlet of
the
combination.
The outlet valve of the measuring space 32 is not shown.
Fig. 2B shows the bottom part of Fig. 2A on a scale 2:1.
Fig. 3A shows the top of a piston rod 40 with a handle 2 and an electric
pressure
gauge 41. The gauge 41 is mounted on the handle 2. The piston rod 40 has an
enclosed space 42
for keeping the piston pressurized. Said space can communicate with the piston
(see e.g.
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14
W02000/070227 or W02002/077457 or W02004031583). Pressurization to a desired
level of
the piston is done by an external pressure source (not shown) through an
inflation nipple 43,
which has an build in check valve 44. The exit hole 66 of the check valve 44.
The nippel 43 is
positioned at the bottom of the piston rod 40, and build in the head 45 of the
bolt 46. The
enclosed measuring space 47 is build in a separate housing 48 in the head 45
of bolt 46. Said
enclosed measuring space is connected through a check valve 49 with the
measuring space 50.
Said check valve 49 is built in a separate housing 51. The (vertical) channel
52 is connected to
the enclosed measuring space 47 within the tube 36.2 by means of a
(horizontal) channel 53,
and is sealed by a sealing means 54, e.g. an O-ring, in the enclosed measuring
space 47. The cap
55, which is a part of the O-ring gland. Either is the transducer 15 mounted
on the bottom 56 of
the tube 57, where the channel 52 is filled in with a wire loom 57 to the
electric pressure gauge
41, or is the channel 52 open, and on top 58 of the channel 52, within the
electric pressure gauge
41, is the transducer 15 mounted.
Fig. 3B shows the bottom part of Fig. 3A on a scale 6:1.
Fig. 3C shows a part of the enclosed measuring space (47, 43, 52) on a scale
of 6:1 in
relation to Fig. 3B. The outlet channel 59 in the head 45 of the bolt 46, with
an screw 60, which
sets the flow through the tiny channel 61 in the housing 48 of the enclosed
measuring space 47.
The channel 61 has a widened end 62, which suits the tapered end 63 of the
screw 57. In the
screw 60 is a channel 64 that connects the channel 61 with the outlet channel
59.
Fig. 3D shows a detail of Fig. 3C on a scale 5:1. The very small space 65
between the
widened end 62 and the tapered end 63. Said space 65 sets the flow in channel
53.
Fig. 4 shows the bottom part 70 of an advanced floor pump for e.g. tyre
inflation. The
flexible manchet 71 keeps the cone formed tube 72 in place. The inflatable
piston 73. On the
bottom of the piston rod 74 is the embodiment of Figs. 3A-D mounted, without
crew 57
arrangement (may only be necessary for prototyps). The enclosed space 42. The
tube 36.2. The
inlet check valve 75 The outlet check valve 76. The hose 77. The measuring
space 78, 79 (inside
the hose). The valve connector 80 (not shown). The space inside the valve
connector 81 is also
part of the measuring space (not shown).
Fig. 5 shows Fig 3B where the part of Fig. 3C has been exchanged by an
improved
construction for the simulation - the outlet valve arrangement. The enclosed
measuring space
90.
Fig. 6A shows an outlet valve arrangement for the enclosed measuring space,
situated between the enclosed measuring space 90, and the measuring space 91.
This valve
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arrangement is comprising an inlet channel 92 and an outlet channel 93, an
inlet piston 94 and
an outlet piston 95. Said inlet piston 94 has a smaller diameter of the
sealing (to the wall 96 of
the inlet channel 92) than that of the sealing (to the wall 97 of the outlet
channel 93) of said
outlet piston 95. The piston rod 98 between the inlet piston 94 and the outlet
piston 95, is
5 comprising a duct 99, which enables communication between the inlet channel
92 and outlet
channel 93, when the piston rod 98 is in a certain position - in this figure:
closed - no
communication possible: the sealing of piston 94 is engaging the wall 96,
while the The
piston rod has a specific fitting with the piston guidance 140 of the housing
141, which
enables a certain, specified friction: e.g. a sliding fit. The spacer 142,
which avoids a piston 94
10 and 95 to be `glueing' to the housing 141. The diameter of the piston 94 is
smaller than the
diameter of the piston 95, in order to achieve that the outlet valve
arrangment is closing when
there is equal pressure in the enclosed measuring space 90 and the measuring
space 91. The
space 210 behind the valve 94 and the housing 141. The space 211 behind the
valve 95 and
the housing 141.
15 Fig. 6B shows the outlet valve arrangement of Fig. 6A, where communication
between the enclosed measuring space 90 and measuring space 91 is possible.
The flow from
the enclosed measuring space 90 to the measuring space 91 is through bypass
143 between the
piston 94 and the wall 144 of the inlet channel 92, through duct 99 between
the piston rod 98
and the guidance 140, where the duct is now open at both ends 147 and 148,
respectively,
through bypass 145 between the piston 95 and the wall 146 of outlet channel
93.
During the return movement of the pistons 94 and 95, when the outlet valve
arrangement is
closing again, will the piston 95 closing against the wall 97, whereafter
piston 94 is closing
against the wall 96.
Fig. 7 shows the schematic overview of the use of electronic simulation of the
pressure / temperature of a tyre in a floor pump, where said parameter are
being measured in
the measuring space of said pump. The floor pump 150. The piston rod 151 of
the floor pump
150. The reader 152. In the top 153 is at least a positioning sensor 154
located, which is
disclosing the position of the piston rod 151 in relation to the top 153 -
specifically when the
return stroke is `on'. Additionally is the speed of the piston rod 151
monitored, possibly by
the said positioning sensor 154 or by a separate sensor (155). The signal(s)
156 from the
sensor(s) 154 (155) is/are being transmittet to an electronic unit 157, which
may comprise a
Data Acquisition System and a P(ersonal)C(omputer). A signal 158 is being
transmittet to the
electronic/electric sensor 159.
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16
All the above mentioned equipment may very well be assembled in the piston rod
151 and the
reader 152, instead of what Fig. 7 discloses. This configuration may be used
in any piston -
chamber combination, besides a pump - thus, e.g. actuators, shock absorbers
and actuators
connected to a crankshaft. The reader may be also positioned outside the
piston-chamber
combination. The sensor may also be positioned elsewhere in the measuring
space or enclosed
measuring space than on the piston..
Fig. 8A shows an assembly of a gauge housing - top part 183 and bottom part
84,
assembled with scrues (not shown) - on a handle 185 of a floor pump of Fig. 4.
The piston rod
74, which is mounted on a nipple 186, on which the handle 85 has been mounted.
This is done
by a spring washer 187 and a spacer 188. A nut 189 which is comprising a
washer 190 is
keeping the handle 185 in place. The piston rod 74 is comprising the enclosed
space 42, which
is permantently communicating with space 91. The tube 36.2 is comprising the
enclosed
measuring space 52. In order to be able to mount the pneumatic pressure gauge
92 on the tube
36.2, the tube is comprising an S-bend 94, and has on its top a nipple 93 -
the nipple 93 is
sealed (not shown) to the gauge housing. The pneumatic pressure gauge has been
mounted in
the top part 183 of the pneumatic pressure gauge housing by e.g. scrues (not
shown). The
centre axis 82 of the enclosed measuring space 52. The space 199 is
communicating with the
space 91, and is communicating with the space 195 outside the top part 183 of
the gauge
housing, which is the outer atmosphere, so that the measuring space 91 is
communicating with
the outer atmosphere when the check valve 201 is open (see Fig. 9A).
Fig. 8B shows a detail of the nipple 186. The tube 36.2 , with its centre axis
82 and
the enclosed measuring space 52. The space 191 is in continuation of the
enclosed space 42.
Fig. 9 shows Fig. 5 where the part of Fig. 6a has been exchanged by an
improved
construction for the simulation - the outlet valve arrangement: Fig. I OA. The
enclosed measuring
space 226. The inlet 198 (Fig. 8A) is communicating with the measuring space
91, through the
channel 197, space 199 and channel 191, enclosed space 42 and the check valve
250. The
channel 197, the' space 199, channel 191 and the enclosed space 42 serves here
as a feeding
channel in case the inlet valve of the measuring space 91 cannot be positioned
elsewhere in the
boundery of the measuring space 91. The valve housing 251. The inlet 252. The
stop 253 and
the outlet 254. The sealing surface 255.
Fig. 10A shows an improved version of the outlet valve arrangement of Fig. 5,
6A,
6B where the ducts 221 on the piston rod 223 are longer than the ducts 99, so
that at any time
there is a communication possible between the spaces 220 and 221 at both sides
of the duct
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17
221, in between both pistons 94 and 95. This enables said pistons 94 and 95 to
move, solely
due to the difference in force between both pistons 94 and 95. The centre line
231 of the
piston rod 223. The measuring space 91.
The outlet valve arrangement is now assembled in a separate valve housing, of
which the
upper part 224 has been screwed in the housing 225 of the enclosed measuring
space 226,
with sealing 227 in between. The bottom part 228 of the housing is screwed on
the upper part
224 of the valve housing, with a seal 229 in between. The piston rod 223 can
easily been
assembled onto the bottom part 228 of the housing, with a special fit, e.g. a
sliding fit, with
the bearing 232 of the bottom part 228 of the housing. Both valve sealings 94
and 95 can be
assembled easily onto the piston rod 223.
Fig. 10B shows the outlet valve arrangement when there is a flow of the fluid
from
the enclosed measuring space 226 to the measuring space 91. When there is
overpressure at
the side of the enclosed measuring space 226 in relation pressure in the
measuring space 230,
so that the force on the piston rod 223 is bigger by the inlet piston 94 than
by the outlet piston
95, a flow through the channel 232, the space 233, presses the piston rod 223
toward the
measuring space 91, whereby the pistons 94 and 95, respectively, sealingly
move against the
walls 144 and 146, respectively, until the seekers 234 and 235, which have
angles u and 0,
respectively with the centre axis 231, have been reached by the pistons 94 and
95,
respectively, thereby establishing a bypass 236 and 240, respectively, so that
a flow can be
established to space 210, through the bypass 236 to space 210, through the
opening 237, the
ducts 221 to the space 211 through opening 239, and through bypass 240 along
the seeker
235, to space 241 and the measuring space 91.
Specifically preferred embodiments
A sensor - reader combination the measuring can be done by a transducer
communicating
with the measuring space, which can be connected with mechanical conducting
devices, such
as wires, to an analog electrical and/or digital gauge.
A sensor - reader combination the measuring can be done by connecting the
measuring space
with the inlet of the pneumatic gauge (manometer) by a measuring channel.
A sensor reader combination the measuring can be done by connecting the
transducer to the
enclosed measuring space, the transducer can be connected with mechanical
conducting
devices, such as wires, to an analog electrical and /or digital gauge.
A sensor reader combination the enclosed measuring space comprises an inlet
and an outlet
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valve which can initiated electrically, and which can be opening and closing
the valve opening
from and towards the measuring space, respectively, and can be controlled by a
computer.
A sensor-reader combination, measuring the size of a parameter of a device,
the combination
comprising a measuring space, in which the size of said parameter is to be
measured, said
sensor is remotely positioned from said space, and said sensor is closely
positioned to the
reader, said device and said measuring space are communicating during a part
of the time in
which the size of said physics parameter is to be measured, wherein the size
of said parameter
can be simulated during the time no communication takes place between said
space and said
measuring space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the parameter can be a physics parameter.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said the simulation can be done by
electronic means.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said measuring space can be comprising an
enclosed
measuring space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the sensor can be measuring said physics
parameter in
the enclosed space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said enclosed measuring space is
communicating with
said measuring space by a valve.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said valve can be a check valve, opening
the enclosed
measuring space to the measuring space when there is overpressure in the
measuring space in
relation the pressure in the enclosed measuring space, so that a medium from
the measuring
space can enter the enclosed measuring space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the enclosed space can be communicating
with the
measuring space by a small channel.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said channel can be comprising a screw,
which is
defining the flow of a medium from the enclosed measuring space to the
measuring space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein said valve can be a check valve, closing
the valve when
there is overpressure or equal pressure in the enclosed measuring space in
relation to the
pressure in the measuring space, and opening the measuring space when there is
overpressure
in the enclosed measuring space in relation to the pressure in the measuring
space, so that a
medium from the enclosed measuring space can enter the measuring space.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the opening of said valve can be delayed
by a special
fitting of the piston rod with the housing.
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A sensor-reader combination wherein the flow of the check valve between the
pump and the
hose of a pump is big enough to avoid dynamic friction.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the flow of the check valve between the
measuring
space and the enclosed measuring space of a pump ican be big enough to avoid
dynamic
friction.
A sensor-reader combination the bearing of the piston rod of a piston pump can
have such a
fitting that the piston rod has a maximum velocity.
A sensor-reader combination wherein the manometer, reading and sensoring the
tyre pressure
of a tyre in a pump is positioned on top of the assembly, can comprising the
enclosed
measuring space.
A piston-chamber combination comprising an elongate chamber which is bounded
by an inner
chamber wall and comprising a piston means in said' chamber to be sealingly
movable
relative to said chamber at least between first and second longitudinal
positions of said
chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of different cross-sectional areas
at the first and
second longitudinal positions of said chamber and at least substantially
continuously differing
cross-sectional areas at intermediate longitudinal positions between the first
and second
longitudinal positions thereof, the cross-sectional area at the first
longitudinal position being
larger than the cross-sectional area at the second longitudinal position, said
piston means
being designed to adapt itself and said sealing means to said different cross-
sectional areas of
said chamber during the relative movements of said piston means from the first
longitudinal
position through said intermediate longitudinal positions to the second
longitudinal position
of said chamber, the piston means comprises an elastically deformable
container (envelope),
comprising a deformable material, the piston means, comprising an enclosed
space
communicating with the deformable container (envelope), wherein the enclosed
space (4.1,
4.2, 8, 34.1, 34.2, 42) can have a constant volume.
A piston-chamber combination comprising an elongate chamber which is bounded
by an inner
chamber wall and comprising a piston in said chamber to be sealingly movable
relative to said
chamber wall at least between a first longitudinal position and a second
longitudinal position
of the chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of different cross-
sectional areas and
different circumferential lengths at the first and second longitudinal
positions, and at least
substantially continuously different cross-sectional areas and circumferential
lengths at
intermediate longitudinal positions between the first and second longitudinal
positions, the
cross-sectional area and circumferential length at said second longitudinal
position being
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smaller than the cross-sectional area and circumferential length at said first
longitudinal
position, said piston comprising a which is elastically deformable thereby
providing for
different cross-sectional areas and circumferential lengths of the piston
adapting the same to
said different cross-sectional areas and different circumferential lengths of
the chamber during
5 the relative movements of the piston between the first and second
longitudinal positions
through said intermediate longitudinal positions of the chamber, wherein the
piston is
produced to have a production-size of the container (envelope) in the stress-
free and
undeformed state thereof in which the circumferential length of the piston is
approximately
equivalent to the circumferential length of said chamber at said second
longitudinal position,
10 the container being expandable from its production size in a direction
transversally with
respect to the longitudinal direction of the chamber thereby providing for an
expansion of the
piston from the production size thereof during the relative movements of the
piston from said
second longitudinal position to said first longitudinal position, the piston
means comprising
an enclosed space communicating with the deformable container (envelope),
wherein the
15 enclosed space can have a constant volume.
A piston chamber combination wherein the chamber can comprise cross-sections
with and
without a constant circumferential length.
A piston-chamber combination additionally comprising a sensor reader
combination, wherein
the piston rod can comprising an enclosed measuring space.
20 A pump for pumping a fluid wherein the pump can comprising:
- a combination according to earlier described preferred embodiments,
- means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber,
- a fluid entrance can be connected to the chamber and comprising a valve
means, and
- a fluid exit can be connected to the chamber.
A pump wherein the engaging means can have an outer position where the piston
is at the first
longitudinal position of the chamber, and an inner position where the piston
is at the second
longitudinal position of the chamber.
A pump wherein the engaging means can have an outer position where the piston
is at the
second longitudinal position of the chamber, and an inner position where the
piston is at the
first longitudinal position of the chamber.
A shock absorber can comprising:
a combination according to earlier described prefrerred emnbodiments,
means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber, wherein the
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engaging means can have an outer position where the piston is at the first
longitudinal
position of the chamber, and an inner position where the piston is at the
second longitudinal
position.
A shock absorber wherein further can comprising a fluid entrance connected to
the chamber
and comprising a valve means.
A shock absorber further comprising a fluid exit which can be connected to the
chamber and
comprising a valve means.
A shock absorber wherein the chamber and the piston form an at least
substantially sealed
cavity can comprising a fluid, the fluid can be compressed when the piston
moves from the
first to the second longitudinal positions of the chamber.
A shock absorber further comprising means for biasing the piston toward the
first longitudinal
position of the chamber.
An actuator comprising:
a combination according to any of the earlier described preferred embodiments,
- means for engaging the piston from a position outside the chamber,
means for introducing fluid into the chamber in order to displace the piston
between
the first and the second longitudinal positions of the chamber.
An actuator further comprising a fluid entrance which can be connected to the
chamber and
can comprising a valve means.
An actuator which further can comprising a fluid exit connected to the chamber
and can
comprising a valve means.
An actuator which further can comprising means for biasing the piston toward
the first or
second longitudinal position of the chamber.
An actuator wherein the introducing means can comprising means for introducing
pressurised
fluid into the chamber.
An actuator wherein the introducing means can be adapted to introduce a
combustible fluid,
such as gasoline or diesel, into the chamber, and wherein the actuator further
comprises means
for combusting the combustible fluid.
An actuator wherein the introducing means can be adapted to introduce
compressed fluid,
such as air, into the chamber.
An actuator further comprising a crank adapted to translate the translation of
the piston into a
rotation of the crank.
