GB1596688A - Pneumatic assemblies - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PNEUMATIC ASSEMBLIES (71) ) We, FESTO-MASCHINEN FABRIK GOTTLIEB STOLL, a Company organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany of Ulmer Strasse 48, 7300 Esslingen a.N, Federal Republic of Germany do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a pneumatic assembly comprising a cylinder with a reciprocable operating member, and a control valve therefor.

Known assemblies of this kind have been used in numerous ways as a drive for reciprocating devices. However, since it is always necessary, when using these assemblies, to provide for a connection to a source of compressed air, the application of these pneumatic assemblies has been limited to services which are already equipped with the necessary facilities.

Compressed air will normally be available at manufacturing works, laboratories and the like, but not necessarily in hospitals, office buildings and similar establishments.

In these cases it is therefore normal for purely electrical equipment to be used for the control of reciprocating movements such as the raising of hospital beds or of dentists' chairs and the like. The disadvantage of purely electrical control equipment is, however, that the conversion of the rotary movement of the motor into the required translatory movement, is relatively complicated and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic assembly of the kind referred to above, which may be used independently of the availability of a compressed air connection.

According to the present invention there is provided a pneumatic assembly comprising at least one cylinder, an operating member reciprocable therein, a control valve for controlling movement of the operating member, and a compressor which is adapted to be electrically driven and which constitutes an integral part of the pneumatic assembly, connections being provided for the operation of one or more external pneumatic cylinders.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a diagrammatic presentation of a pneumatic assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a pneumatic assembly 11 comprises an electrically driven compressor 12, a control valve 13 and a pneumatic cylinder 14 with a reciprocating piston 15, the latter being capable of driving an appliance, an apparatus, a control, assembly or the like so that it may proceed with the required translatory movements.

The three components 12, 13, and 14 and 15 are integrally formed in the pneumatic assembly 11 and they are therefore fully adapted to one another. These components may either be assembled with each other in a suitably space-saving unit, or they may be accommodated in a common housing.

The compressor 12, which may be of any desired type, for example reciprocating or rotary, is provided with an electric motor suitable for connection with the conventional mains supply e.g. 220V AC.

This enables the pneumatic assembly 11 to be used practically at any chosen location, since an electrical supply is available in every building and often even outdoors, and the assembly, or rather its compressor drive motor, can be connected with any conventional socket with protective earth contact. Apart from this it is considerably simpler for an electric cable to be laid than the hoses required with compressed air supply systems, whatever the site, if only because of the smaller diameter and the considerably greater flexibility of the electric cables.

The lay-out of the pneumatic cylinder 14 may be such that pressure is admitted from one side or from both sides. The control valve 13 will therefore either be a three-way valve or a five-way valve. Being used in conjunction with an electric power supply, the pneumatic assembly 11 thus provides a simple means for the control of linear movements. It may be used wherever required, especially in establishments and with services, where no connection with a source of compressed air is available.

The assembly 11 has connections (not shown) for one or more external pneumatic cylinders and the simultaneous operation thereof with the cylinder 14. Additional control valves may be provided.

Obviously, it would be feasible for the pneumatic assembly 11 to be provided integrally with more than one air cylinder or with more than one control valve.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A pneumatic assembly conprising at least one cylinder, an operating member reciprocable therein, a control valve for controlling movement of the operating member, and a compressor which Is adapted to be electrically driven and which constitutes an integral part of the pneumatic assembly, connections being provided for the operation of one or more external pneumatic cylinders.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of integral pneumatic cylinders.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressor is adapted to be driven from an A.C. mains supply.

4. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each cylinder is arranged for pressure admittance from one side or both sides, and the control valve is correspondingly designed as a three-way or as a five-way valve.

5. A pneumatic assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The lay-out of the pneumatic cylinder 14 may be such that pressure is admitted from one side or from both sides. The control valve 13 will therefore either be a three-way valve or a five-way valve. Being used in conjunction with an electric power supply, the pneumatic assembly 11 thus provides a simple means for the control of linear movements. It may be used wherever required, especially in establishments and with services, where no connection with a source of compressed air is available. The assembly 11 has connections (not shown) for one or more external pneumatic cylinders and the simultaneous operation thereof with the cylinder 14. Additional control valves may be provided. Obviously, it would be feasible for the pneumatic assembly 11 to be provided integrally with more than one air cylinder or with more than one control valve. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A pneumatic assembly conprising at least one cylinder, an operating member reciprocable therein, a control valve for controlling movement of the operating member, and a compressor which Is adapted to be electrically driven and which constitutes an integral part of the pneumatic assembly, connections being provided for the operation of one or more external pneumatic cylinders.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of integral pneumatic cylinders.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressor is adapted to be driven from an A.C. mains supply.

4. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each cylinder is arranged for pressure admittance from one side or both sides, and the control valve is correspondingly designed as a three-way or as a five-way valve.

5. A pneumatic assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.