초록 ▼

A force multiplication mechanism utilizing one or more upwardly open slotted conical disc springs to impart a highly amplified biasing force substantially at the center of the spring upon a force receiving member when the springs are oriented in an unrelieved, but loaded configuration. Two fulcrums

A force multiplication mechanism utilizing one or more upwardly open slotted conical disc springs to impart a highly amplified biasing force substantially at the center of the spring upon a force receiving member when the springs are oriented in an unrelieved, but loaded configuration. Two fulcrums are positioned, one each, proximate to upper and lower surfaces of the slotted disc springs. One fulcrum, a high amplification fulcrum, engages the upper surface of the disc spring in the unrelieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be a multiple of the spring's rated force, exemplarily on the order of five times that rated force. A second fulcrum, a low amplification fulcrum, engages the lower surface of the disc spring and acts as a pivot point about which the spring transitions into the relieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be relieved. Conversion from the force exerting configuration to the relieved configuration is achieved by applying a downwardly directed relieving force about the perimeter of the disc spring. The previously upwardly open slotted disc spring is sufficiently flexed and pivoted by the relieving force that the spring assumes a downwardly open configuration. The transition between the two configurations results from the lower, low amplification fulcrum acting as the pivot axis between the outer perimeter and the central region of the spring.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A force multiplication mechanism for a pneumatically controlled valve actuator, said force multiplication mechanism comprising:a flexible biasing member positioned between an upper fulcrum that is opposingly oriented to a lower fulcrum, said flexible biasing member being supported

[ We claim:] [1.] A force multiplication mechanism for a pneumatically controlled valve actuator, said force multiplication mechanism comprising:a flexible biasing member positioned between an upper fulcrum that is opposingly oriented to a lower fulcrum, said flexible biasing member being supported between two support points at a distance therebetween and said flexible biasing member having a force generating capability determined by an unsupported length of said flexible biasing member between said support points so that a magnitude of an exteriorly applicable generated force is inversely proportional to said unsupported length;said flexible biasing member having a natural spring force of specific magnitude generatable by generally opposingly directed forces applied at opposite distal ends of said flexible biasing member;said flexible biasing member being associated with said upper fulcrum so that in a loaded configuration said flexible biasing member is supported at last at said upper fulcrum and produces a generated force greater than said natural spring force of said flexible biasing member; andsaid flexible biasing member being at least one frusto-conically shaped disc spring;a force receiver associated with said flexible biasing member so that said generated force is applied to said force receiver; anda plurality of bolts extending through said at least one frusto-conically shaped disc spring, said upper fulcrum and said lower fulcrum for maintaining concentric alignment between said at least one frustoconically shaped disc spring, said upper fulcrum and said lower fulcrum.