Claims
- 1. Clamping apparatus for use in a conduit comprising:
- a hollow body member;
- a first piston movably fitted within said hollow body member to form a chamber,
- said chamber being filled with a working fluid;
- said first piston having a bore formed therein opening away from said chamber and filled with said working fluid; and
- said first piston having a passage formed therein to permit fluid communication between said bore and said chamber;
- a reversibly extendable clamping arm connected to said first piston so that motion of said first piston in a direction that expands said chamber urges said clamping arm away from said clamping apparatus;
- a bias member engaging said first piston and configured to expand said chamber;
- a second piston movably fitted within said bore in said first piston;
- a driver configured to reciprocate said second piston;
- an inflatable reservoir member in fluid communication with said chamber; and
- a valving assembly operable to regulate fluid communication between said reservoir and said chamber.
- 2. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said driver comprises:
- a ball screw connected to said second piston;
- a ball nut rotably engaging said ball screw;
- a motor configured to reversibly rotate said ball nut.
- 3. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bias member comprises a spring.
- 4. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping arm comprises
- an intermediate segment connected to said first piston;
- a downward-extending clamping segment; and
- a pivot anchored with respect to said clamping apparatus and connecting said intermediate segment to said clamping segment.
- 5. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valving assembly comprises a solenoid-operated valving apparatus.
- 6. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valving assembly comprises an orifice plate.
- 7. A clamping apparatus for use in a conduit comprising:
- a hollow body member;
- a first piston movably fitted within said hollow body member to form a chamber,
- said chamber being filled with a working fluid;
- said first piston having a bore formed therein opening away from said chamber and filled with said working fluid; and
- said first piston having a passage formed therein to permit fluid communication between said bore and said chamber;
- a reversibly extendable clamping arm comprising
- an intermediate segment connected to said first piston;
- a clamping segment; and
- a pivot anchored with respect to said clamping apparatus and connecting said intermediate segment to said clamping segment;
- a spring engaging said first piston and configured to expand said chamber;
- a second piston movably fitted within said bore in said first piston;
- a ball screw connected to said second piston;
- a ball nut rotably engaging said ball screw;
- a motor configured to reversibly rotate said ball nut;
- an inflatable reservoir member in fluid communication with said chamber; and
- a solenoid-operated valving apparatus and an orifice plate each configured to regulate fluid communication between said reservoir and said chamber.
- 8. The clamping apparatus of claim 7 wherein said motor comprises an electric motor.
- 9. The clamping apparatus of claim 7 wherein said spring is mounted interior to said chamber.
- 10. A clamping apparatus for use in a conduit comprising:
- a hollow body member;
- a first piston movably fitted within said hollow body member to form a chamber,
- said chamber being filled with a working fluid;
- said first piston having a bore formed therein opening away from said chamber and filled with said working fluid; and
- said first piston having a passage formed therein to permit fluid communication between said bore and said chamber;
- a reversibly extendable clamping arm comprising
- an intermediate segment connected to said first piston;
- a clamping segment; and
- a pivot anchored with respect to said clamping apparatus and connecting said intermediate segment to said clamping segment;
- a spring adapted within, and configured to expand, said chamber;
- a second piston movably fitted within said bore in said first piston;
- a ball screw connected to said second piston;
- a ball nut rotably engaging said ball screw;
- an electric motor configured to reversibly rotate said ball nut;
- an inflatable reservoir member in fluid communication with said chamber; and
- a solenoid-operated valving apparatus and an orifice plate each configured to regulate fluid communication between said reservoir and said chamber.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 576,410, filed Feb. 2, 1984 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
576410 |
Feb 1984 |
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